CHAPTER FIVE #2
I sit down and survey the room. Ry and Nicky are still in an animated discussion in front of me.
Mick and Madison are coming through the door, hands full of stuff and their little one.
Watching some brothers come rushing to help reminds me that this is a family in every sense of the word, and I’m glad my kids have seemingly embraced the club.
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I’ve had kids sitting on my lap, telling me their Christmas wishes, and taking pictures for almost an hour.
There were a few tears from the youngest ones, but I think that’s almost a tradition.
I mean, who doesn’t have a picture of their kids as infants crying their eyes out on Santa’s lap? I’ve got one for each of my kids.
Bailey has just finished telling me her wish and taking her picture with me.
I see two girls left in the line, the first being Mayson’s little girl, Daisy.
He’s holding her hand, and she seems nervous but not scared.
Nicky bends down and speaks quietly to her.
She drops Mayson’s hand and takes Nicky’s as he leads her to me.
Nicky bends down to her level in front of me.
“Are you ready to sit on Santa’s lap, talk to him, and take your picture?
” Daisy nods her head. “Yeah. I’s got somefin’ important to tells him.
” Nicky nods, lifts her up, and sets her down on my lap.
As with all the other kids who aren’t crying, we do our talking before it’s picture time.
I look down at little Daisy with her lopsided pigtails and toothy grin and ask her the first question I’ve asked all the kids today, in my best impression of a deep Santa Claus voice.
“So, little girl, have you been a good girl this year?” She nods and answers me, “I’ve been super good this year ‘cause I gots two big wishes to asks for.” Color me curious.
I see out of the corner of my eye that Jackson has snuck around the side of the camera so he can hear what his grandbaby has to say.
I look down at Daisy, and she looks as serious as an almost four-year-old can look.
“Well, what are the two things you would like to ask for?” Daisy leans in like she’s going to share a state secret with me.
“I wants a puppy. Uncle Asher and Uncle Logan let me play wit Buster all I wants, but I want a puppy at home. I tink Daddy would likes a puppy too. He’s lonely sometimes, especially in his bed all alone.
I like to watch cartoons in bed wit him, but I really love my princess bed now, so I thinks a puppy for me and Daddy would be good.
” I see Jackson nod, and I think a puppy might be in the works, whether Mayson agrees or not.
I look back down at Daisy. “What’s your other wish?
” She bites her lip for a second, then speaks.
“I wanna fix my Hanna’s eyes. Hers not able to see as good as when I was little.
She says she misses seeing the leaves on the trees, and the lights on the tree don’t sparkle like they did when she was a kid.
I want her to see me twirl in my dress when we play princesses. ”
I look over and see Jackson, Ry, and Nicky all have glassy eyes. How in the hell am I supposed to respond to this one? Maybe just like how I used to give my kids answers to things I didn’t have answers for.
“That’s a very big wish there, Daisy. I don’t know if it’s something Santa can help with, but I’ll see what I can do.
I’m sure Hanna would be very happy you asked for that as one of your wishes.
That's a big girl wish.” She nods very seriously.
“Papa says I’m a big girl when I turn four, but Gamps says I’m a big girl nows.
Papa is right a lot, but I think Gamps is more right. ”
I swear, the hardest part of this is not laughing at the things that come out of the kids’ mouths. Nicky speaks up, asking if we’re ready for our picture. Daisy nods and smiles for the camera.
As soon as the picture is done, she leans into me before she hops off my lap.
“One of my friends, Zaria, is next, and she’s got two wishes too.
She might forgets, but I tolds you so you could ‘member for her.” I nod, and she scurries off to who knows where.
Ry comes up as Nicky goes over to Zaria.
Ry adjusts my beard slightly. “This is your last little one. Ma and Jane both just said that after your granddaughter, Santa can make his goodbyes and go out the clubhouse door. Mick will let you in the side door, and you can change and come back out. That way, some of the more suspicious kids won’t put two and two together.
” I give him a chin lift. “Sounds good to me.”
I look over and see Zaria let go of Thomas’s hand and take Nicky’s.
Hopefully, I can disguise my voice enough so she doesn't know it’s me.
Nicky lifts Zaria and places her on my lap.
Before I can ask her anything, she speaks up.
“I watched you with all the other kids so I knows the questions.” I can’t help the chuckle that comes out.
“Oh, you do, do you?” She nods and looks at me.
“Yep, and I think I’ve been pretty good this year.
The only bad thing is I keep throwing Zack and Jack’s socks outside in the backyard.
” She scrunches her nose and continues on.
“But that’s just cause they’re stinky and don’t wash them.
Boys are stinky.” To my right, Thomas has his head down and his shoulders move, giving his chuckling away.
Focus, Stone. “Well, I suppose if that’s it, then you’ve been pretty good this year.
” Zaria nods, and her curls bounce along.
“I gots two wishes this year. I know I had two last year, but I got them both ‘cause I asked for a babydoll and a grandma. You gave me my baby doll for Christmas, and I just got my Mona, but I’m keeping her.” This little girl.
She has embraced Romona so quickly. She’s got so much love to give.
I give her a slight squeeze, and she looks up at me.
“That was last year. This year I have new wishes.” I smile.
“Well, what are your wishes for this year?”
Zaria gets a serious expression on her face, the same one she gets on her birthdays before she makes a wish and blows out her candles.
“Well, I want a girl’s tree house.” I know Brett built one for the boys a few years ago, but I have to tread lightly about that knowledge.
“Do you not have a tree house in your yard already?” Zaria makes a face.
“That’s a boy's tree house. It stinks as much as their socks. I want a tree house with lots of pink and my stuffed animals and no boys allowed in it.”
I nod at her. “Well, that might be something you could get if you keep being good. What’s your other wish this Christmas?
” Zaria leans in to me, like she’s going to tell me a secret.
“I want a mommy. I think Daddy is lonely. I really like my friend Bailey’s mom, but she’s not free for Daddy.
I want a mommy to do things like I do with Mona, but at home.
I want a mommy to do my hair in the mornings and make Daddy smile.
He needs to smile more.” Well, hell. These little girls are gonna keep us on our toes for years.
“Well, Zaria, I’m not sure what all I can do about that second wish of yours, but I’ll do what I can.
” My answer must satisfy her because Nicky speaks up, and she listens immediately.
“Let’s get your picture with Santa, darlin’. It’s just about his time to go.”
We take our picture. Zaria turns in my lap, gives me a hug, and quickly hops off and disappears into the crowd, looking for her friends, I’m sure. I stand up for the first time and stretch out as Thomas comes over to me.
He rubs his closely shaved beard. “Well, what the hell? I didn’t know she was that starved for female attention.
” I look out at the crowd and spot Zaria between Romona and Shelby.
“I don’t think that’s it, son. I think she picks up on things just like your sister.
Shelby knew I was stuck. I wasn’t unhappy per se, but she knew I was missing that kind of relationship.
She’s having to adjust to it being a reality, but she knew before I did that I was missing that kind of connection.
I’m thinking Zaria doesn’t know how to express it, but that she’s thinking along those same lines.
We can talk more about it later if you want, but I’ve got to make a grand exit because I’m dying for a beer.
” Thomas gives me a nod and takes a drink of his beer.
Time to get changed and find my woman.
Romona
Looking around the room, I can’t believe how many people are here.
We’ve definitely grown a lot since that first Yuletide party all those years ago.
Some faces have left us over the years. Some by moving and making their way in the world, and some, like my Mitch, are no longer here in person but live on in our hearts and memories.
I feel an arm come across my shoulders, and I know it’s my boy.
Mick gives me a kiss on my temple and a one-armed hug.
“You and all the women outdid yourselves this year, Mom. This is amazing.” I nod as I’m still taking in everything around the room.
He squeezes me again to get my attention, and I look up at him.
“What makes today even better is seeing you smile so much. I’m glad Jason makes you so happy, Mom.
I know you loved Dad and he loved you too, but you deserve to have more happiness as you have a shi-er, a lot of years left to live.
” I give my baby boy a kiss on the cheek.
“He does make me happy. Seeing you happy does, too, and my grandbaby is a big part of that.” Mick moves his arm off me and looks like he’s about to speak.