Chapter Twelve
Sharp knees landed in German’s gut before Ben bounced. “Santa came! You have to look. Justin says he left a gift for you too. Come on. I want to see.”
While German’s mind was still sleep-fogged, his heart raced a million miles a minute. He fought his way through the cobwebs.
Blaze placed a wet and loud kiss on German’s cheek. “Come on, sleepyhead. It’s Christmas.”
German opened one eye to see Blaze in one-piece Christmas tree pajamas and a Santa hat. Ben wore a matching pair. German forced himself to sit up despite his now bruised ribs.
“Okay. Okay. I’m up.”
Blaze threw a onesie his way that matched theirs. “Wear this. I have a camera set up to take our pictures.”
German had never been so grateful he had put some boxers on before bed. Ben and Blaze weren’t moving until he did what they wanted.
He zipped up the outfit. “All right, guys. Let’s go see what Santa brought.”
Ben took his hand, and they headed for the family room as a unit, with Blaze leading the way.
German blinked when he entered the room.
The cookies and milk they had left were gone.
The set of wingback chairs near the tree each had a long athlete sock stuffed on each chair, with one of Ben’s drawings next to each one.
Ben giggled. “You have something too.”
German’s throat swelled. This kid. He had obviously already seen his gift, and still he pretended excitement as he ran toward his airplane.
He squealed as he dragged it out and climbed inside.
German peeked inside the sock. There was fruit from the fruit bowl, loose and broken cookies, and what looked like two peanut butter sandwiches.
A smile exploded across German’s face. He exchanged glances with Blaze. German had never been so moved.
Ben dragged candy from his stocking while still sitting in his plane.
German made an anck sound, stopping Ben. “Only one piece. We haven’t had breakfast yet.”
Ben nodded and went back to scooting his plane around. It looked as if they would have to teach him how to use the pedals.
Blaze turned into the biggest kid. “Look at all these gifts. We should pass them out, don’t you think?”
Ben bounced. He climbed from the plane and sat cross-legged on the floor, obviously assuming the position to get more presents.
German couldn’t stop smiling.
Blaze dug around as if searching for a particular package. The doorbell rang.
Ben jumped to his feet. “I’ll get it,” he yelled as he ran for the door.
German was hot on his heels. They would have to have a talk about answering the door to strangers. Ruth stood on the other side. “Merry Christmas, sweetie.”
Ben jumped forward and hugged her.
German went cold inside. What would he do if Ruth had come for Ben?
Thankfully, Blaze was at his side and took control. “Hey, Mom. I didn’t know you were coming.”
Ruth spoke as she handed Ben a large bag of gifts to carry to the tree.
“I had to see my boys for Christmas. I know I can’t expect you to make the trip to me every year.
” She was all smiles, and German saw exactly what Blaze meant.
The entire situation felt slightly unreal.
A put-on face of faked peace. A forced family with a thick undertone of discomfort.
Ruth focused on them. “Oh. Look at the three of you in your matching pajamas. How cute.”
Blaze kept smiling. “I would’ve gotten some for you too, if I’d known you were coming.”
“We’re taking pictures together. Look at what Santa brought me.”
The closer German looked, he noticed how Ruth’s over-the-top happiness barely covered her shell-shocked reaction. “That’s great, baby. It’s perfect for you. Santa must’ve thought you were a good boy this year.”
Ben nodded as he played, bouncing on his knees and pulling things from his stocking. “Justin talked to him at the store. He made sure Santa knew I live here now.”
An uncomfortable chuckle left Ruth. She sat nearby on the love seat. “What else did you get?”
Ben went back to his present ready stance. “We’re opening gifts now.”
Ruth wiped her eyes on the sly.
German silently returned to his chair.
Blaze went back to digging under the tree. “I’m sorry, Mom. There’s nothing under here for you. I hate to keep saying I didn’t know you were coming, but…”
Ruth waved away his words. “I’m old and I can buy whatever I want. Christmas is for the little ones.”
Everything was just odd as hell. German didn’t know how to play this game. He chose to focus on making this the best Christmas ever for Ben. “Come on, Uncle Justin. You’re moving too slow. We want presents.”
Ben giggled.
Blaze straightened, holding two gifts. “I’ve got this. Don’t worry.” He handed a present to Ben and then one to German.
German set his aside so he could watch Ben open his.
Blaze couldn’t hand Ben gifts fast enough.
He ripped into each one like a tornado. But once every gift had been passed out, including the ones Ruth brought, Ben got lost in wonder.
He revisited each gift and gushed. Ben acted equally excited about every one, no matter how big or small.
Still, German and Blaze didn’t open their gifts. It was too much fun watching Ben.
To his surprise, Ruth had disappeared at some point into the kitchen without him noticing.
She returned with mimosas and a glass of juice.
Ruth handed them out, pretending to get a champagne glass mixed up with the juice to make Ben laugh.
When she passed a glass to Blaze, she lowered her voice. “You’re spoiling him.”
Blaze kept smiling and spoke through the gesture with his gaze locked on Ben. “Mind the business that pays you, Mom.”
Ruth didn’t admonish him.
German flashed an uncomfortable smile as Ruth handed him a glass. He was a little worried she had poisoned it.
She reclaimed her seat and focused on them. “Have you heard from Dara? I didn’t know if she’d call today or not.”
Blaze finally looked Ruth’s way. “We weren’t certain if the center had given her phone privileges yet. If so, I’m sure she’ll call. She won’t miss talking to Ben if she can help it.”
Ruth looked confused. She blinked for a second and flashed a quick glance Ben’s way.
German took the hint. “Hey, buddy. Why don’t you see if we have enough bacon for everyone? I think it’s way back in the back of the fridge.”
Ben popped to his feet and ran for the kitchen. His little feet pattered on the floor, making German smile.
Ruth watched until he was gone. She lowered her voice. “Dara never made it to rehab. That’s why I’ve been burning up your phone with all the calls you’ve been dodging. I have no idea where she is. I kept hoping she’d show up here.”
Ben ran back into the room, holding two packs of bacon. He practically tossed them at German as he ran back to his haul and went back to playing.
Ruth stood. “Well, I had better get started cooking before everyone fills up on candy. Why don’t you help me, Justin?”
Blaze stood. He bent and kissed German before heading for the kitchen. German’s shoulders relaxed despite him not feeling any less stressed. The tension had left the room.
Ben stood and carried crayons and a coloring book to German. He climbed into German’s lap. “I don’t like bacon.”
German laughed. “I know. No one will make you eat it.”
He colored the sky red. “Granny always makes me eat everything, even when it makes me throw up.”
German refused to let Ben see how much that pissed him off. “You live here now. There’s nothing to worry about.”
Ben cuddled closer and didn’t try to color the way German knew he could. He was all over the place, making German wonder if he was simply releasing nervous energy.
“I don’t want to go back.”
Ben’s softly spoken confession nearly broke him.
German couldn’t promise Ben it wouldn’t happen, and that made him feel sick. Instead, he kissed Ben’s temple. “You’re an amazing kid. I don’t want you to leave. Justin doesn’t want that either. So, we’ll work on it, okay?”
Ben nodded but kept his voice at a whisper. “Momma said I wouldn’t go back.”
Fuck. The truth overcame German in the saddest of tsunamis. Dara had never planned to go to rehab or to come back for Ben. She had let her addiction beat her and did the only right thing she could in the end. She saved her son.
Blaze knew his mom. She was in her keep-family-drama-private mode. It rubbed Blaze the wrong way because German was family. But it was for the best they didn’t speak in front of Ben because he had some things to say. He didn’t waste time.
“Before you say anything, just listen, okay?” Blaze didn’t give her a chance to answer.
“I swear we’re not trying to rebel against you or keep Ben from you.
We’re genuinely doing what we think is right for Ben.
He’s thriving here, and dang, Mom, you’ve raised six kids already.
Until Dara skipped out, she still lived at home, and I don’t doubt for a second she’ll turn up again someday.
Probably sooner rather than later. She loves Ben too much to vanish forever.
Ben is three years old. You’re retired. I hate to sound shitty, but he needs younger parental figures. Plus, he’s—”
“You’re right.”
Blaze blinked at the interruption. “What?”
Ruth held his stare. “I said you’re right.
It’s like he’s not even the same child.” Her eyes filled with tears, and she looked away.
She went to work, opening the bacon. “I know I’ve always been tough on you kids.
Look how successful it’s made you. But kids aren’t like they used to be, and I don’t know what’s expected of me.
We didn’t have all this autism stuff when you were little. ”
A bark of laughter burst from Blaze. “They absolutely did.”
Ruth huffed. “You know what I mean.”