Bonus Christmas Chapter #3
“She sat next to me on our first day,” Jack adds. “There were other seats available, but she chose the seat next to me.” His gaze moves to Maddie, and he smiles. “She’s the prettiest girl in our whole school, so I couldn’t believe it.” I don’t know why his words have me grinning, but they do.
That’s quickly replaced with an eye roll when I hear Candice and Indi say, “Aww,” in unison. Chicks!
“What are your plans for the future?” I’m impressed with Carter’s interrogation. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own head, I forgot to ask all these important things.
“I want to be a video game designer.”
“He’s going to get a Diploma in Computer Science when he leaves high school. He’s so smart, Uncle Carter,” Maddie says. “He’s already designed a few prototypes.”
I sit there and listen as Carter fires off question after question, and Jimmy answers every single one perfectly. I hate how impressed I am by that.
After lunch, Carter dresses up as Santa for the kids. He does it every year. I always give him shit for it, but the truth is, I secretly love that he does it. The kids get such a kick out of it. Little Eve, dresses up in her elf costume and helps Santa hand out the presents. She’s such a cutie.
I’m somewhat relieved when I see Eve hand a present to Jeffery . Of course, Candice made sure to add one under the tree for him. She’s so thoughtful like that.
Once the presents are opened, and Carter has changed back into his normal clothes, he comes to sit beside me, handing me another beer. The girls are inside washing up, and the kids are back in the pool.
“I know you’re not gonna like this, but I don’t mind that kid.”
“Yeah. He’s growing on me too,” is all I say.
“Mr Albright.”
I turn my head to find Joel standing beside me. “This is for you,” he says, handing me a small wrapped gift.
“For me?”
“Yes. It’s nothing much, but when I saw it, I thought you’d like it. I bought it with the money I earn from my part-time job.” To my dismay, this kid’s ticking all the boxes.
“Thank you.”
He stands there and waits until I open it. As soon as I see the small replica, diecast metal, red 1967 Mustang keyring inside, I can’t help but smile. It’s a gem and looks exactly like my car. I may even use this. Who am I kidding, I already want to pull out my keys and add them to my keyring.
“I saw your wife driving your car one day when she picked Maddie up from school.”
Christ, why does this kid have to be so likable?
After placing the gift on the table, I stand. “I love it. Thank you. Merry Christmas, Jordan,” I say.
His face lights up when I willingly extend my hand to him. It’s the first time since meeting him, that I’ve called him by his real name. I’m kind of glad I no longer have to do that. Trying to think of other names that start with ‘J’ was becoming exhausting.
“Merry Christmas, Mr Albright.”
After I make sure the kids are settled, I turn off all the lights and check the doors are locked before heading upstairs.
Every year we fill the back room with blow-up mattresses, so the kids can all sleep together.
They love it. Even CJ’s camping out with them this year.
It’s his first time. Carter and Indiana are sleeping upstairs, in the spare room down the hall from us.
“What a day,” I say as I strip off and climb into bed, immediately pulling Candice into my arms. I need to find some solace in her.
I kiss the top of her head when she rolls onto her side, snuggling into my chest. “Thank you for not losing your cool today, and for being somewhat nice to Jordan. Although, I’m still pissed about that shirt.”
Her comment makes me laugh. “It was a struggle at first, but he won me over in the end.”
“I know how hard this is for you, but we need to accept that our little girl is growing up. He is a nice kid and treats Maddie well. You can’t ask for more than that.”
She’s right. I saw firsthand how happy he makes her, and he seems to have his head screwed on. I need to try and accept this. Maybe in time, it will get easier.
“He’s okay … for now,” I reply. Just because I gave them my blessing before he left, doesn’t mean I’m not going to be watching his every move. One slip-up, and bam . I’ll be on him like a tonne of bricks.
“You’re an amazing father,” she says. “Do you know how much we all love you?”
A smile explodes onto my face. “Yes, I do. You three are my life.”
I couldn’t ask for a better wife, or mother for my kids. We have the perfect little family, and I love that my children have all the love, support and nurturing they need. Their upbringing is miles apart from the one I had.
She lifts her head from my chest, brushing her lips against mine. She’s always been my happy place. That’ll never change. “Oh look, it’s after midnight,” she says, glancing at the clock on the bedside table. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, babe.” Flipping her over onto her back, I settle myself between her legs. “I guess that means I can give you your first present.” After the trying day I’ve had, I can’t think of anything better than losing myself in my wife for the next few hours.
Her face lights up as she slides her hands into my hair. “Yes, please. Christmas sex is my favourite.” She’s my insatiable little minx, so of course she’d say that.
“I thought birthday sex was?”
“All the sexy times with you are my favourite.”
“Good answer.”
“It’s the truth. We’ll have to be quiet though, Carter and Indi are just down the hall.”
I anchor her leg around my waist. We’ve mastered the art of being quiet. Our almost three-year-old son sleeps in the room next to us. We have no choice.
The moment I place my lips on hers, I hear Carter call out from his room. “Good night, John-Boy.” He’s such an idiot.
I wait for his laughter to die down before I reply. “Good night, Mary Ellen.” This time Candice and I both crack up … he asked for that.
“Shut up cock,” he retorts, and we lose it to the point we’re both in tears. After the day I’ve had, I needed a good laugh. He can give it, but he certainly can’t take it.
Some things will never change.
*KEEP READING FOR A SNEAK PEEK OF BASTARD – CARTER & INDIANA’S STORY