Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
J ack
I wrapped my arms around her and held her tight, pressing my lips against the top of her head. I didn’t know what to make of the situation, but she was stressed out. I honestly didn’t believe it was her mother and that her mind was playing tricks on her.
“I need to pick up a couple of new shirts,” I said. “We’ll get Ellie ready, go to Macy’s, and grab something to eat.”
“Are you crazy?” She broke our embrace. “What is wrong with you?”
I chuckled. “I am crazy, but I do need some new shirts. I’ve been putting it off for a while. Let’s get out of here for a while. I think it’ll do us both some good and get our minds off things.”
We got Ellie ready to go and headed out the door. It was Eric’s day off, but I called him and promised him a large bonus if he drove us around.
“Thank you, Eric. I appreciate it.”
“I wasn’t doing anything but watching the game.” He smirked.
We entered Macy’s and went up to the men’s section. The store was decorated to the core, and as much as I tried to ignore it, I couldn’t.
“Look at the beautiful Christmas trees, Daddy.” Ellie smiled.
“I see them, sweetheart.”
“This place is a madhouse, Jack. I already did this on Friday.”
“Shush, Sierra.” I grabbed hold of her hand.
After picking out a few new shirts, Sierra insisted we visit the children’s clothing section, where she made me buy more clothes for Ellie.
“A girl can never have too many clothes.” She smiled.
As we walked through the store, Ellie spotted Santa Claus.
“Santa! Santa! I want to see him!” she squealed. Sierra said you’d take me.
I glanced at her and raised my brow. “Did you tell her that?”
“Yep. I sure did.”
“Please, Daddy. Please,” Ellie begged.
“You’re the one who wanted to come here,” Sierra said. “Now, you’ll pay the price for your obnoxious idea.”
“Be quiet.” I shook my head, and she laughed.
We stood in a mile-long line with all the other parents and their overly excited children. As far as I was concerned, the area was overly done. Bright twinkling light, giant candy canes, vibrant green and red colors, an oversized Christmas tree, and a workshop with elves and presents crowded the space.
“It’s so pretty,” Ellie said as I held her up in my arms. “Isn’t it, Daddy?”
“Sure, sweetheart.”
Sierra glanced at me, and I shrugged. I couldn’t tell my daughter this was nothing but holiday hell. She was excited, and I didn’t want to ruin it for her as my father did for me. Maybe I was nothing like him at all.
After a brutal hour and a half, it was finally Ellie’s turn to see Santa. She ran to him and wrapped her arms around him before sitting on his lap. A memory came to my mind—my mother and I stood in this line when I was six years old. I remembered sitting on Santa’s lap with excitement, asking him for a huge Lego set I wanted. I saw the same look in my daughter’s eyes that I once had. But I also saw the way he looked at her.
After telling him what she wanted, he handed her a candy cane.
“My turn,” Sierra said, running over and sitting on his lap.
My brows furrowed as I watched her whisper something in his ear. What the hell was she doing?
“Come on, Dad. Get in the picture.” One of the elves waved me over.
“No. It’s okay.”
“Come on, Daddy,” Ellie whined.
Sighing, I walked over and stood next to the large chair Santa was in while Ellie and Sierra sat on his lap.
“Everyone smile.” The elf grinned. “Excellent. Your pictures will be ready in five minutes. You can wait over there.” She pointed.
I took Ellie off Santa’s lap, and he looked at me. “And what would you like for Christmas?”
“My list is way too long for you, Santa.” I walked away. “I can’t believe you did that.” I glanced at Sierra.
“I know. I figured, what the hell.” She smiled. “We have to fake it for Ellie.”
“What did you whisper in his ear?” I asked.
“That’s a secret between Santa and I.”
“Here are your pictures. That’ll be forty dollars unless you want to buy our larger package.”
“Uh, no. This package is fine.” I pulled out my wallet.
“I could really use a peppermint mocha,” Sierra said. “Maybe with a little bit of whiskey in it.” She grinned.
“I’ll buy you a peppermint mocha minus the whiskey,” I said.
“You’re no fun.”
“Have you forgotten the whiskey advent calendar you bought?”
“Oh shit. Today’s December 1 st . We can start drinking them.” A bright smile crossed her lips, and I chuckled.
“What did you ask Santa for, Ellie?” I asked as I carried her out of the store.
“I asked if he could bring my mom home for Christmas.”
My heart split in half, and I could feel a tear starting to emerge. I glanced at Sierra, and she looked down. She felt it, too.
“Let’s go get some hot chocolate. I know a great place with the best,” I said as we climbed into the Escalade. “And they also have peppermint mocha.” I winked at Sierra.
“Where to Jack?” Eric asked.
“Bryant Park.”
“Are you crazy?” Sierra spewed. “Wait. I already know you are.” She sighed.
When we stepped out of the car, the sweet aroma of hot chocolate and freshly baked goods filled the air.
“Let’s see if any of those igloos are available at the Curling Café,” I said.
“I doubt it. They look packed,” Sierra said.
We walked up, and I asked the woman standing there if any were available.
“I’m sorry, but we’re all booked.”
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out two one-hundred-dollar bills.
“Are you sure about that?” I discreetly placed the bills in her hand.
“Actually, we have one opening up in about five minutes if you’d care to wait.”
“We will. Thank you.” I smiled.
“And who says money can’t buy happiness,” Sierra said.
The hostess led us to one of the heated domes and set menus on the table.
“Thank you.”
“No problem, sir.”
“Oh, they do have peppermint mochas.” Sierra grinned.
“I want hot chocolate with marshmallows,” Ellie said.
“Welcome. What may I get you to drink?” The friendly server wearing an elf hat smiled.
“She’ll have a hot chocolate with marshmallows, and I’ll have a peppermint mocha. Sierra?”
“I’ll have a peppermint mocha.” She gestured for the server to lean closer. “Can you add a splash or two of peppermint schnapps to it?”
“Of course.” She laughed, and I shook my head.
“Add a splash in his too.” Sierra winked at me.
“Are you ready to order?” the server asked.
“I want a hot dog and French fries, please.” Ellie smiled.
“Make that three hot dogs and French fries,” I said.
“I’m not going to lie. This is really cool. It’s nice and toasty in here,” Sierra said.
“Jesus Christ.” I looked over and saw my father and Gabriela walking hand in hand. “Is this how it’s always going to be now?”
“Breath, Jack. He didn’t see us.”
The server walked over and set our peppermint mochas and Ellie’s hot chocolate on the table.
“Be careful, sweetheart. It’s very hot,” I said.
“I will, Daddy.”
I picked up my peppermint mocha and took a sip, feeling the warmth down the back of my throat.
“Damn good, right?” Sierra grinned, holding up her cup.
“Yes, Sierra. It’s good. Can we try to control the swear words in front of Ellie?”
“It’s okay, Daddy. Mommy said bad words all the time. She told me I was too young to say them, but I could when I got older.”
I sighed and rolled my eyes.