Chapter 20
Whitney
Myles hung a bunch of mistletoe over the living room door and then had to explain to Oren what it was, and why he’d hung it. It was amusing when Oren gave Myles a disgusted look when he was told it was for kissing a girl.
I have a feeling that’s why Oren had Myles go outside to build another snowman. I was surprised that Lee also went outside as she’s not a cold-weather lover normally.
“Clem, I’ve got a few pizzas in my freezer for tonight while we watch movies. Do you want to run over there and grab them for me, please?” I turn just in time to blink before being kissed again. I think I may have to buy some lip balm with all this kissing!
I get the finger foods ready and hope that everyone will enjoy the evening. I wanted it to be relaxing and cozy. Something we can start making a tradition of.
Hearing Clem laughing loudly as he’s standing in the doorway, I walk over and frown because I’m not sure what everyone is laughing at.
“Go look, Whitney,” Clem says as he chuckles some more.
Walking outside I step over to Lee and Oren who are holding their knees while laughing. But what I didn’t expect to see was a snowman as tall as Clem and Myles. Shit…it’s not…oh, no, it is…I look at Lee who falls on her ass in the snow, laughing so much she has tears running down her cheeks.
Myles is the snowman. They have encased him in snow, and he’s looking at me with mischief sparkling in his eyes. Now he’s got to be cold under all that snow!
Suddenly Myles shouts ‘Grahhhh’ and snow flies into the air. I squeal and run for the house, hiding behind Clem who is still in the doorway laughing loudly.
Myles is chasing Oren and then Lee growling and making silly noises. The front yard is alive with the static figures, and Myles who is losing the snow as he’s running, is still chasing Lee and Oren.
“Come on, get dried off and let’s eat pizza and watch movies,” Clem shouts, and I quickly head into the kitchen to put the pizzas into the oven.
It was a great evening relaxing and watching TV. Eating pizza and nibbling on chocolates that Lee has purchased.
I noticed the two times Myles kissed Lee under the mistletoe, and the gagging noises Oren would make each time. Clem was highly amused and made a show of kissing me under the mistletoe before winking at Oren.
Christmas morning, I place breakfast on the table for everyone to dig in, and get what they want. I have trays of meat, cheeses, cinnamon rolls and pastries. I didn’t bother with pancakes or waffles because I really think we have more than enough.
Myles is sitting on one side of Lee and Oren on the other. Myles keeps saying Maylee, which makes me involuntarily smirk. I can see Lee has noticed, and her lips keep twitching as though she wants to laugh too.
“She’s called Lee, not Maylee.” Oren is scowling at Myles, and we can all see he’s not happy at his daddy changing her name.
I suck my lips in because it is more than a little difficult to keep a straight face when Oren is throwing disgusted or irritated looks.
“Come on, bud, eat your breakfast and then you can open your presents,” Clem gives Oren an eager nod, which, of course, has Oren eating faster.
We can all see that Lee and Oren are going to be great together. She is pulling him into her as family faster than I would have imagined. But he is a great kid and easy to love. I know that firsthand.
All five of us, yeah, that includes Oren, clear away the breakfast dishes before settling in the living room to open gifts. Oren is giddy with excitement, and I keep laughing when he opens a gift, then throws himself toward the person the tag tells him it’s from.
Suddenly he goes still, then squints at Myles, with a look that is a little scary. “So, if all these gifts are from yous, why did Santa bring them?”
I look at Myles out the corner of my eye, and he looks like he wants the ground to swallow him.
Lee, however, comes to the rescue. “Well, we buy the gifts and send to Santa for approval. It depends on whether you’ve been good or bad during the year, if you get them or not.
Then, if you have been good he brings the gift. ”
Oren still looks like he’s not believing, so I quickly add to the story. “He couldn’t afford to buy every kid in the world a toy, Oren. We order them, pay him, and then the elves make them. When Christmas comes around, Santa delivers them.”
“Oh, okay.” Oren goes back to opening his next gift, and I sigh with relief.
The smell from the kitchen is slowly seeping into the living room. Turkey and ham. Next door at the cottage, I have a huge prime rib cooking. I don’t think we’ll need to cook any meat for a few days after today.
My attention is quickly brought back when Oren wraps his arms around me, kissing my cheek, thanking me for his gifts.
I kiss him back, then tickle him, which has him laughing and squirming.
Once the gifts are all open, and we are admiring what we have, I settle back in the easy chair I’m sitting in.
I look around the room and can’t help but think how lucky I am.
Lee loved her necklace, and I loved the bracelet she got for me.
Clem and Myles were grinning when they opened their gifts to find whiskey.
The Jack Daniels in a guitar case Clem was more than taken with, and Myles said if he didn’t like it, he’d be happy to have it.
Which had them tussling around for a while, but all in good fun.
Myles gave Lee a bottle of her favorite perfume and a gift card. Which I have to admit I snickered at. But as they hardly know each other it was a nice thing for him to do.
Clem surprised everyone when he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.
I obviously said yes. I love the man, and I’m not going to waste time worrying about what may happen in the future.
Let’s be honest, my worst fears may not happen at all, so I’m going to give Clem my all, as I see him doing for me.
My ring is beautiful. I love it, and it is not big and ugly, but not small either. It sits lovely on my finger, and when he showed me the matching wedding bands, I admit I cried.
“Now I really am going to be your official aunt,” I say to Oren, and he gives me a huge grin while having a satisfied look on his face.
Clem and I finish the dinner while Myles and Lee are outside watching Oren driving around in his car. Every now and again we see him driving past the front yard with Myles or Lee in hot pursuit. They are all going to be tired out after dinner, and I would bet they’ll be asleep in no time.
“Come on, let’s eat!” Clem shouts, and the bustle of the three of them as they come in is like something out of a cartoon on the TV. I have never seen people throw off their coats and boots so fast, then dive at the sink to wash their hands.
Once we are all seated at the table, Myles surprises me when he stops anyone from taking food onto their plates.
“Every year we give our thanks for the past year. I’ll start, as you’ve never done this before.
I thank the Lord our savior for getting her that cannot be named, out of my life.
I thank Him for Oren, who every day makes me proud to be a father.
For Clem, who has stood at my side when we had no-one else, and now for the blessing he’s found in Whitney.
I also thank Him for the opportunity to know Maylee. ”
Clem nods and follows. “I thank the Lord for the past year of grace. The continued success of our business. For Oren, who also makes me proud to be an uncle. Most of all, for Whitney, who came into my life unexpectedly and became my world. Thank you, Lord, I’ve been blessed.
Oren has me giggling with his speech. “Thanks, Lord with bells on, and break a leg.” The proud look on his face has everyone chuckling.
Lee clears her throat and then speaks. “Thank you, Lord, for the chance to meet these amazing people. For my friend Whitney, who I love as a sister. Thank you for placing Oren and Myles in my life and hope they will become my future. Oh, and for Clem of course.”
I speak next, and it is rather emotional.
“I thank the Lord for showing me how to be strong, to follow my instincts, and to do what is needed. For bringing into my life new friends in Lou and Rhea. My sister not by blood, but by love, Lee, and for the family of Myles and Oren. I also thank the Lord for Clem, who came when it was least expected. For the love that he gives me and the love that my heart bursts with in return. May the Lord bless us in the future.”
Myles smiles softly, looks at the table and shouts, “DIG IN!”
The table is laden with turkey, ham, prime rib, smashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing, candied sweet potatoes, beans and other veggies, and lush brown gravy.
We also have pies for dessert, but those may have to be eaten later if the size of the plates piled high fills them up too full for more.
The dinner is lively, and I don’t remember a Christmas being this much fun in a long time.
Lee and Oren are going to be a menace together in the future, and after seeing the sparkle in Myles' hair earlier I just had to ask why. Something to do with his shampoo! But the look on Lee and Oren’s faces tells me they had something to do with it.
We watched movies, and as I expected everyone fell asleep. They all look contented, and I smile, knowing the future looks good, and I’m a very lucky person to be where I am at this moment in my life.
I’m not long falling asleep, but wake with a start when I hear a high-pitched squeal. Shooting into a sitting position I see Lee with glitter in her hair, and looking at Oren he does too.
“Payback!” Myles cackles, and I burst out laughing at the look on both of their faces. I’m sure I’m witnessing a war of pranks ready to start, but happy that I’m not involved in it.
“Lee, Myles, just so you know I’m moving in with Whitney. Lee, if you want my room here you can have it.” Clem looks at me, kisses my nose, then heads upstairs to pack some of his things.
Lee huffs, but I can see she’s not really bothered. But the look of delight when she is struck with some thought has me worried. “That’s okay, I’ll move in here and live with Oren.”
Oren squeals with delight, and I can see a bond has been born. Myles doesn’t know what’s about to happen in his life. But I’m sure he’s going to love it.
Once Clem has finished taking things to the cottage he returns for me, dragging me out of the easy chair and to the mistletoe, where he looks up, then back at me, giving me a fiery look, right before kissing me silly.
I can hear Oren all the while false gagging, which has me smiling against Clem’s lips.
“Let’s have a toast to the future,” Lee says, and Myles quickly gets us all a drink. Lee and I hold up our glasses of soda while Clem and Myles hold up a glass of whiskey. We clink our glasses together followed with “Cheers!”
Nothing is better than a glass of Christmas Cheer!