Chapter Two #2
Collin let out a sigh and said, “Okay, I’ll go talk to Leslie, but you need to promise you won’t do anything stupid like try to go if you’re not ready.”
“I promise. Thanks.” Rocky’s chest immediately loosened and he took another long inhale, “I owe you one.”
“Shut up. No, you don’t. I gotta go if I’m going to make it there before the agency closes. I’ll let you know the plans.”
Aiden
Thanksgiving morning was as bright and warm in Texas as an early summer morning. Aiden had risen before the sun in his excitement for what the day would bring. Their entire family was joining them to celebrate. This was the first Thanksgiving that he really felt like giving thanks.
He’d spent the entire morning sitting on the porch, watching the sun rise and contemplating everything that had happened over the last year.
All his blessings, all his joys and, as he watched the sky go from dark blue to the bright huge of early morning sunshine, he realized for the first time in his life that if he had to do his entire life over, he wouldn’t change a thing.
Not if it meant he’d miss out on what his life had become.
Aiden had spent the last couple of weeks, since Rocky had decided to host Thanksgiving, turning their home into an indoor pumpkin patch.
He didn’t think he’d even been this excited when he was young.
Of course, back then he’d always felt like an outsider.
The new kid in the family that no one really knew that well.
But this Thanksgiving, everyone Aiden loved would be surrounding him.
Daddy had gotten up an hour or so after Aiden to get the turkey in the oven. Aiden decided to see if he could help. Not that he thought Daddy would let him, but it was worth offering. As he rose from the steps he heard the crunch of gravel in the driveway.
Excitement coursed through him as an unfamiliar SUV crept its way up the drive. It had to be Les and Raelynn. They’d rented a car and done a road trip together. When they’d heard about Thanksgiving dinner they’d adjusted their plans for a stop off in Lilton before heading back to Montana.
Raelynn had run Hope’s Haven before taking a vacation to Montana and reconnecting with her first love. Aiden was happy that she’d found the Daddy that she deserved but he missed her too. He couldn’t wait to spend the day with her and getting to know the man she loved.
Les was opening Raelynn’s door when Rocky came up behind Aiden and wrapped an arm around his waist, snuggling up to Aiden from behind. “It’s good to see such a big smile on her face, isn’t it?”
Aiden nodded because it was good to see.
Really, really good. The happy couple approached and everyone hugged as the next vehicle made its way up the drive.
Sapphire’s minivan was the safest on the market.
Stone wouldn’t let his girl or their kids in anything less.
As the side door opened the quiet morning was shattered by the squeals and laughter of two little boys.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Uncle Aiden and Uncle Rocky!” It sounded like an echo as the boys weren’t quite in sync with their greeting but they were neck in neck as they barreled forward and almost knocked him over with the enthusiasm of their hugs.
“Who wants pancakes?” Daddy asked and immediately Stanley started jumping up and down squealing, “Me, me, me!”
Lee was much calmer as he echoed his brother’s declaration and the whole group made their way inside. When they got to the kitchen, Daddy had already filled his pancake art squeeze bottles with pancake mix of different colors. Yep, today was going to be an amazing day.
“Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat is that?” Lee asked as Daddy set a plate down beside the plates of snowmen, Christmas trees, snowflakes and wreaths all made of pancakes.
As Daddy had made pancakes and bacon, the rest of their family had trickled in until everyone was there, laughing, watching the parade on the television and drinking hot chocolate despite the warm weather outside.
For the last ten minutes Daddy had been telling everyone how his skills had grown and they’d be so impressed by what he brought out next.
Impressed was one word that could be used for the reaction Aiden was feeling.
Impressed by how unrecognizable it was. Confused more accurately described the reaction as everyone stared at the huge green and red blob on the plate.
Aiden couldn’t tell what it was anymore than Lee could, but he kept quiet about his bafflement as Daddy’s face reflected exaggerated shock at Lee’s question.
“Haven’t you ever seen How the Grinch Stole Christmas before?” His hand waved to the plate as if that would suddenly make everyone’s confusion clear up.
“You’re a mean one, Mister Grinch…” Stanley broke out in song, his words weren’t always clear but his enthusiasm for the song more than made up for it.
“I have!” Lee shouted as if the idea that he’d never seen it was offensive, “but I still don’t know what that is.” He finished, his finger pointing at the blob on the plate.
Aiden now knew where this was going, but he kept his laughter to himself when he saw the twinkle of merriment in Daddy’s eyes.
“That’s the Grinch!” Daddy exclaimed, as if it should have been obvious.
“Nuh-uh!” Stanley shouted as Arabella held up her phone with a picture of the Grinch on its screen.
“This is the Grinch,” she exclaimed. “That looks nothing like him!”
Daddy clutched his chest as if he’d been shot and twisted his face into a mask of pain that didn’t quite hide the laughter underneath and he toppled to the ground, yelling, “You wound me!”
Aiden’s laughter at the antics blended with the chuckles of everyone else and Aiden thought he couldn’t get happier.
But as the day wore on and joy, laughter and love flowed through their home as strongly as the scent of Thanksgiving dinner, he realized he was wrong.
Every second spent with these people made him more happy and each second spent with Daddy made him the happiest of all.