Page 29 of Almost Christmas in Paradise

The kids are back, and when Priya sees me, she starts to waddle in my direction. Nia’s standing there holding her ginger ale, but she lets out a relieved breath when she sees me. My mom is still upset but is forcing a fake smile for everyone’s sake.

“Daddy, Grandma said we can watch a Christmas movie,” Carter says, pulling on my pant leg.

“Remember how we used to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas every year?” Mom asks. We’d all pile up in Mom and Dad’s bed and watch. They would be on either side of us three. They would even let us bring popcorn into their room. Dad would always fall asleep and snore. That memory almost brings a tear to my eyes, but I manage to prevent it. “Nia and Drake, if you want a few hours to yourselves, leave the kids, and I’ll bring them home tomorrow.”

Mom lifts Priya into her arms and extends her hand to Carter. “Come on, everyone. Follow me.”

We all follow her up the stairs and into the bedroom she shared with my father. Surprisingly, it doesn’t hurt to be here. We were always here as kids, sometimes all five of us sleeping in the big bed.

Mom takes off Priya’s outfit, leaving her only in a onesie decorated with Santas.

“Langley, Hannah, and Carter, you get in the bed. Drake and Nia, go home and work on giving me another grandchild,” she orders.

“Mom, please,” Langley says. “I’m going to have nightmares.”

“I like Charlie Brown, too,” Nia says, and my mom smiles.

“Okay, but afterward, you two go home and let me have these babies for tonight.” She kisses Priya’s temple. “I love them so much, and all I want for Christmas from you two is to have another baby on the way.”

So, we all climb into the enormous bed and watch A Charlie Brown Christmas like I’d done countless times when I was a kid. Instead of Dad being on the end, it’s me, and I have Nia next to me.

Chapter 24

Drake

I shake my head at my wife. She’s in a long red dress with white fur at the edges. She has a big black belt around her waist and a Santa hat on her head. Priya is in a matching dress, and me and Carter are dressed like elves, complete with pointy ears and pointed shoes. I feel like an overgrown idiot, but my wife and kids love it. Her father snickers at me from across the room. Mason and Kyle are dressed like elves too, courtesy of their aunt, but we’re the only ones who are dressed like this. Everyone else is dressed normally. All except for Wyatt who is in a full Santa outfit, complete with a padded stomach and long white beard. Priya went nuts when he first came in, and not in a good way. She’s still nervous around Santa.

Today is our family Christmas party. This one is just family and their dates, and other than Hannah, no one else has a date, but the music is playing, and of course, it’s Mariah Carey’s AllI Want for Christmas. Nia has Priya on her hip and is holding Carter’s hand while they sing along and dance. Mason and Kyle serve as backup singers and dancers, and their singing is on par with their aunt.

Hannah’s date tries to dance but can’t. He looks more like he’s having a seizure. Langley catches my eye and tilts his head toward them. He saunters over and says, “Where did she find that weirdo?” I elbow him in the ribs and put my finger to my lips.

This is the second party we’ve had here at the house this week. We had a party last night that Nia threw for the staff and their kids. We had Santa, games, presents, and a cash bonus for everyone. It was a great party and everyone left happy. My mom does the same thing for her staff, and I wonder if she’s the one who gave Nia the idea. I’m sure it is, and not only am I happy that my mom and wife are close, but I’m relieved and love my wife even more for being open to a relationship with my family. I had no idea things would turn out so well given how we started.

Drinks are being passed around. When a server approaches Nia, my mom takes that as an opportunity to take Priya from her. I walk across the room and go to my wife.

“Let’s tell everyone now,” I whisper in her ear. She nods in agreement. The music stops and all the chatter ceases. I nod at the bartender, and moments later, champagne flutes are given to the adults and sparkling white grape juice to the kids.

“I have something to say,” I announce to the room.

“What is it, honey?” my mom asks.

“First, I want to say what an amazing year this has been and how truly blessed I am. I have my beautiful wife whom I love so, so much.” I lift her hand and kiss the back of it. “Two amazing kids, and a wonderful extended family that includes all of you. That’s pretty much perfect. It’s almost paradise.”

“And you better remember that,” Nia’s dad says.

“But there’s more to celebrate this year. Carter,” I say to my son. I put him down and he runs behind the couch. He comes back moments later holding a sign that says ‘I’m going to be a big brother again.’

The room goes quiet for a few seconds, and I think it’s because everyone is trying to process what they just read.

“Does that say—” Langley doesn’t get to finish his question because my mother screams and runs into my arms.

“This is all I wanted for Christmas,” she says. “You two make the most perfect babies.” She leaves me and goes to Nia, where she wraps her in her arms.

The entire family cheers and Wyatt throws his head back and whistles loudly. Mason and Kyle try to copy his whistle but can’t. Mr. Nash picks up his daughter and kisses her cheek before her mother wraps her in a hug.

Ray taps my shoulder, and when I turn to face him, he shakes my hand.

“Uncle Wyatt, can you find us some videos on how babies are born?” Kyle asks.

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