Chapter 14
Chapter fourteen
Matty – Miami
All I’d wanted for Christmas was to be here with Daddy, but I also got prezzies! So many for me under the tree.
And I gave Daddy prezzies, too, starting with a blowie to wake him up.
And he seemed to love that. Then we headed out when the rich scent of coffee roused us.
After fixing our cups, we headed upstairs.
I wanted to start opening, but Daddy made me wait for the others. Thankfully, that didn’t take long.
There was something for everyone. Finn got guitar pics and strings. Tank opened strings too, but there was also a gift card to the local music center.
Gonzo received four pairs of drumsticks. It looked like we each got him one. But he was happy with that.
Everyone gave Drake journals. He actually ended up with six of them. He didn’t hate that; he needed it to write new songs. He was always writing in his books.
I got fun stuff, starting with an IOU promise to set up playdates with Donny and Kay as soon as everyone was in town at the same time.
And some toys from the guys. They didn’t judge me at all and picked out stuff I liked.
I thought Daddy probably helped them, but I didn’t care.
I got coloring books and colors from Gonzo and A Candy Land Game from Tank.
Surprisingly, Finn bought me a pack of beach toys that included sandcastle molds and shovels.
He was always loud and joking around, and the first to tease, but this was actually nice.
I could imagine taking it to the beach with Donny and Kay.
I thanked everyone with hugs and then sat in Daddy’s lap, but he gently pushed me to my feet. “There’s something else for you.”
“What? Where?”
“In the tree. Go look.”
I beelined for the spruce. It wasn’t very big, probably only waist high, but we put it on a table.
I looked around and finally saw a card tucked between the branches.
“What’s this?” I opened it up. It was a nice Christmas card, all blue and white with glittery snow.
I opened it slowly and inside was a poem.
Merry Christmas little one
I have a special present for you
But for this you’ll have to “run”
Solve the clues then go-go-go
until you’re finally done
Now you get your first clue
When you find the pot of fondue
I squealed. “I saw that fondue set in the pantry.” The excitement over this new game was overwhelming.
Sure, there was the promise of a great present, but figuring out the clues was fun.
I ran down the stairs and across the kitchen, ducking into the pantry, but those pots were high on the top shelf. “Daddy! I can’t reach.”
He followed me at a much slower pace, then reached for the next card and handed it to me. I ripped it open, barely looking at the cartoon Santa sitting on the beach on the front. Nope. I’d look later.
Out you go if you’re able
Don’t forget to look under the table
“That one is easy.” I darted back into the kitchen and out the back sliders. Sure enough, the next card was taped underneath. “How did you get all these cards around?” I didn’t wait for Daddy Drake to answer; I ripped the card out from under the table and opened it.
You know there’s more
Get your booty out the front door
That one made me giggle. “Booty…” I laughed and ran through the house. By this time, the guys were lined up on one side, watching and laughing. But when I got to the door, I didn’t see a card. I looked around.
“Maybe open the door?” Finn flung his long blond hair out of his face with a huff.
“Impatient much?” I stuck my tongue out at him, but I did open the door.
And there it was, taped to the outside. I pulled it off and went back inside the house, shutting the door behind me.
There was a bench in the foyer where we often sat to take our shoes off or whatever, so I plopped down.
I could see everyone, including Daddy, who was smiling so hard I feared his face would break. I opened the card.
Are you hungry?
Need a break?
Have a nosh?
A scrumptious Treat?
Well, move your feet
For meat and cheese
No time to freeze
Meat and cheese? “Must be the fridge.” I padded back and pulled open the heavy stainless-steel door. At the bottom were drawers for different things, and one was for deli. I pulled that one open, and there it was. I waved it over my head before opening it.
Ooh, baby you’re such a fox
I’m gonna check out your ass on the way to the mailbox
I snorted a laugh. “So cheesy, Daddy.”
He just chuckled. Then I noticed that he had his phone out and up. Either taking pics or videos. When did my grumpy daddy get so sweet?
I ran out to the mailbox, retrieved the card, and headed back inside to open it, once again sitting on the bench by the door.
This is no time to rest
No time to play games
because your next clue
Will take some brains
It’s a place to race friends
All the way to the end
unless you crash your Kart
Then you’ll be with your clue right back at the start
“This one is clever, Daddy.” I waved the card and dashed past him on the way back up the stairs, where we started. And just like I suspected, the next card was slid in next to the Mario Kart game in the console. “We were playing this last night.” I held up my hands. “How?”
Drake shook his head. “Open it, Matty.”
So I did.
We’re almost finished in case you're bored
Better head to where the cars are stored.
“Cars? My cars are all packed up in storage in Las Vegas.” I held my hands up.
Drake glared at me and raised an eyebrow. I was missing something…
“Oh!” I ran down the stairs, back through the kitchen, and out the front door.
I didn’t stop there. I kept going down the front walk and around the bushes to the garage.
It was a two-car garage, but none of the guys had cars here.
The van took them back and forth and they got Ubers if they wanted to go anywhere else.
I went to open it, but it didn’t budge. Then there was a beep.
“Stand back, Matty.”
Slowly, slowly, the door opened, revealing a big box wrapped in Christmas paper with a gigantic red bow on top. “Ooh. Daddy. That’s a big prezzie.”
“It’s yours. Open it.”
That’s all I needed. I darted in, grabbed the paper, ripped it off, and pulled it back to reveal a Big Wheel. “Just like Donny and Kay!” I jumped up and down, then I ran and jumped at Drake. He caught me, and I gave him a big kiss. “This is amazing.”
“You had so much fun in Chicago with them, I figured I’d get you one. Maybe they can bring theirs over.”
“Yeah. That was so much fun. This has been the best Christmas ever. Thank you.”
After the excitement died down, we all met in the big kitchen, and everyone worked together to make breakfast. We ate outside on the back patio. Scrambled eggs, toast, bacon, and coffee.
Then they went back to bed. Everyone seemed worn out.
But I was excited. “I want to play, Daddy. Can’t wait for my friends to come over.”
“It’ll be fun. Maybe we can go to the beach too. I’ll call Saxon after we get a nap and see when they can make it. Close your eyes.”
“Mmm…I think I need my paci.”
“I’ll get it.” He got up and went in search of it, but I think I was asleep before he found it.
I was so happy and content. We still had a lot ahead of us.
The guys were going to do a small tour first, but when Bramble Punk finished their album, there would be a much bigger one.
I didn’t know how any of that would go or what would come after.
But for now, I was pretty fucking happy with my grumpy daddy with the big mushy heart.