Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
“Daddy, why are we putting up a tree when we won’t be here for Christmas?”
“Don’t you want a tree of our own?” I thought every boy insisted upon that.
“Yeah, it’s fun, and it’s fake, so it won’t die.”
I couldn’t tell if his response was good or merely uttered to placate his Daddy.
The second he told me they never put up a tree I may have gone a bit overboard. Ordered one and far too many decorations. But it was hard to stop once I got started. Maybe he just wasn’t in the Christmas spirit. Yet.
“Let’s finish the tree and go for a ride.”
“On the horses? It’s cold outside, Daddy.”
I shook my head. “Silly boy, would your Daddy do anything to risk his boy getting sick?”
As soon as I plugged in the lights, Sage’s eyes lit up. “It’s so pretty, Daddy.”
“Now that’s the reaction I expected before.”
“Sorry, I just feel bad leaving it alone while we’re gone.”
Ah, that made more sense. “Well, the good thing is when we get back it’ll be here waiting, still as festive as the day we left it.
Let’s get ready to brave the cold.” I bundled him up, reminding myself of the boy in A Christmas Story who couldn’t move his arms. Having my boy sick, let alone sick for our trip and the holidays, wasn’t happening on this Daddy’s watch.
Devon sent me a picture of the pile of boxes I had shipped directly there. Looked like a cardboard holiday tree in his hallway. This year I had not one, but two boys to buy for. I wanted Devon to have the Little Christmas he deserved just as much as Sage.
We loaded up in the truck, heater blasting, and headed for Rawhide Ridge.
“What are we doing here, Daddy?”
“First, we’re popping into Angel’s for hot chocolate, then we’re going to drive around and check out all the pretty lights and decorated houses.”
“Yay!”
Hot chocolates in hand, we climbed back into the truck and drove through the streets.
Sage oohed and aahed, taking pictures along the trail.
Some of these houses were just stunning, lights from top to bottom.
Animated Santa’s and their sleighs, real snowman from the fresh snowfall we just had. It was beautiful.
“That was so much fun, Daddy. Thank you.”
“You are very welcome. Let’s head home.” This Daddy had a lot of laundry and packing to do before we flew out to Cali.
Devon and Sage had been mad texting each other more than usual.
Those two were up to something, but I’d let them have their fun and ride out the surprise when it came.
Neither were naughty boys so it couldn’t be all that bad.
But before we knew it, the day was here and Sage was a nervous wreck.
Since we were going to Mom and Dad’s for a belated Christmas on our way home, I decided to drive to the main airport instead of the smaller one near the Ranch.
My parents’ house was only a thirty-minute drive from the big airport, so it made more sense to pay to park so we had our truck.
“Sweetheart, nothing is gonna go wrong. The pilots go through countless hours of training.” If that boy could crawl inside my skin right now he totally would. The vise-like death grip on my hand was cutting off circulation. “You’re hurting Daddy.”
Sage burst into tears. “Sorry. Sorry.”
I didn’t care who saw. We sat in the nearest seat, and I tugged him onto my lap. “Baby, would Daddy ever do anything to put you in harm’s way?”
“N-n-no,” he sniffled.
“Then why would you think I’d do it now?”
“I don’t, but what if they mess up? You don’t know what they’re doing? Can you fly the plane? I’ll feel safer.”
“My love, I can promise you that if I fly the plane, no one is safe. I’m not a pilot.
I appreciate your faith in me but that’s a really bad idea.
” The thought of that terrified me to no end.
He finally calmed down and we made our way to the gate.
I considered and might still get him an adult beverage to calm his nerves.
Wouldn’t make Daddy of the year doing that, but if it helped Sage, I’d take that hit.
As soon as the plane taxied down the runway, my mind was made up. A drink it would be. Two and a half hours in the air with the frantic boy seated beside me wasn’t ideal. To a seasoned flyer this short flight was nothing, but to a first timer it was terrifying.
“Daddy, open the window please. I want to see if we’re gonna crash.”
“Daddy, please close it. We’re too high. What if we fall out?”
“Daddy.”
“Daddy.”
Ding, I pressed the button. “What can I get you, sir?” The stewardess asked.
“This is his first time flying and he needs a sweet something to take the edge off, if you know what I mean.”
She smiled. “I know just the thing. Be right back.” She returned a few minutes later with a tray holding a tiny bottle of Prosecco, a small bottle of orange juice, and a glass with ice. She mixed the first one up, put his tray down, and sat everything on it. “Here you go, honey, enjoy.”
“It’s fizzy, Daddy. What is it?”
“A mimosa. Take a sip and tell me what you think.” Fingers crossed that it goes down smoothly.
“That’s nummy. The bubbles tickle my nose.” Sage giggled and sipped again and then kept drinking.
With any luck, he’d nod off and sleep through the remainder of the flight. Otherwise… well, shit.
“This is my first time flying,” he said it so loud he scared the poor man across the aisle from us. “Have you had a mee-moose-uh before?”
I leaned around Sage and mouthed “sorry” to the man. Thankfully, he was kind and humored my tipsy boy.
He smiled and nodded. “I have had mimosas before, they’re quite tasty.”
“Daddy, can I have another?”
The man’s eyes widened. Heaven help us all if he thought I gave my child alcohol.
“He’s my boyfriend but I call him Daddy. Isn’t he sexy?” Sage asked.
I swore I heard the stewardesses laughing on the other side of the divider.
Another “sorry” mouthed to the poor man should’ve been enough but no, he too was enjoying himself at my expense.
“Yes, he’s a striking man. Are you sure you drank the orange juice, or did you just finish off that little green bottle?”
“The green one. The bubbles tickled my throat.”
Yup, my lightweight, never-had-a-drink-in-his-life-before boy was lit. Who knew such a tiny bottle of Prosecco would have that effect.
“Here’s a couple bottles of water for you both.” The stewardess was smiling far too wide for my liking. On the bright side, I regained the feeling in my fingers once Sage released them.
I pulled out the iPad and AirPods and queued up a movie. That should keep him occupied for the remainder of the short flight and grant our new friend a brief respite.
“Look, I found turtles, Sage.”
“Oooh.”
Whew, potential flight arrest averted.
Eventually, we both nodded off, waking when the pilot made the announcement that we were landing.
I put everything away and tucked his tray in place.
Still a bit groggy, Sage remained quiet, only squeezing my hand when the wheels touched the ground, bumping us around.
Once we were at the gate, he breathed a sigh of relief.
“See, all good.”
“Yes, but it was still scary. Will Devon be there when we get off the plane?”
“No, he’ll be waiting outside of security for us.”
“’kay.”
Sage waved bye to his new friend as we got off the plane and I thanked him again for his patience.
“Sage!” Devon’s squeal echoed down the hall. Sage’s matching one in return had every head in the terminal pointed at them.
The boys hugged like it’d been years instead of the few months it had been since they’d seen one another. When they’d had enough, Devon turned and squeezed me.
“Daddy Warner, I’m so excited you guys are here.”
“Us too. Thank you for all your help planning our visit.” He’d really put a lot into it and I appreciated that.
Plus turning into our personal post office was a challenge, given all the hours he worked.
He was able to take vacation time for the few days we were here, and as the Daddy, it was my job to make sure both boys had the time of their life but were taken care of too.
The boys talked all the way to the luggage carousel, while we waited for ours, all the way to the car and all the way to Devon’s place. How they had so much to talk about when they texted daily I’d never understand. But they were both so happy there was no way I was stopping it.
“You’re sleeping in my playroom. The couch in there is a hideaway bed with plenty of room. Sage, you can play with any of my toys you want.” Devon was just as sweet a soul as my boy was.
“Thank you.”
“Why don’t you guys get settled in. I thought I’d order Chinese take-out for tonight. Any special requests?”
“I’ve never had it before and I like everything so whatever you order I’ll try,” Sage said. “This is so exciting. I’m in a whole new state and I want to try it all.”
“We’re gonna have so much fun.” Devon hugged him again. “I’m so happy you guys came to see me. Bathroom is across the hall. Take all the time you need, I’ll be out in the living room after I change.” He shut the door and left us to get settled in.
“His place is so cute, Daddy.” Sage flopped down on the couch. “Why is traveling so tiring?”
“Because you do a lot of walking and stressing out. Now we’re here so you can relax. Why don’t you put on your lounge pants and get comfy. Daddy will do the same.” It was nice not to have to worry about dinner tonight. A low-key evening was what we all needed.
Unpacked and our things tucked away, I decided to set the bed up. The likelihood Sage would fall asleep early was high and I wanted to be prepared. Sage snagged his Beary and turtle blankie then we met Devon in the living room.
“Yay, you guys got comfy too.” He was in Frozen jammies carrying a stuffed snowman.
These two were beyond adorable. “Let’s find a movie while we wait for dinner to get here.
” The boys went back and forth on what to watch.
When the food arrived, Devon buzzed the delivery driver up and I took it from there.
With a picnic fit for a king sprawled out on the coffee table, juice boxes included, the boys were ready for their picnic in the living room.
What a great way to end one very long day of travel.
Devon had taken care of everything from getting the groceries I’d sent him the money for, to planning the surprises we had in store for Sage’s birthday. I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when he realized it wasn’t forgotten and never would be again.
I was one very lucky Daddy. I got two boys for Christmas this year. This was sure to be a holiday none of us would forget.