Page 119 of Seal the Deal

“Merry Christmas, Dada!” Meadow chirps, waving excitedly.

Alex’s face lights up, but there’s a hollowness only I can see. “Merry Christmas, Princess,” he says smoothly. “And hey there, Noah.”

“Hey, Dad,” Noah replies, a little less enthusiastic than his sister, but still polite.

"Did Santa bring you everything you wanted?” Alex asks, using that overly cheerful tone—the one he uses when he’s just going through the motions. The one that says, ‘I’m checking the box.’

“Yeah!” Meadow holds up her doll. “Look! A dolly!” Her excitement is so innocent, so pure.

“Very nice,” Alex says, but his eyes are already distant, checking out of the conversation. He glances at me briefly, his smile fading. “Where are you guys? That’s not your place.”

I stiffen slightly, forcing a smile. “We’re at Jake’s cabin.”

There’s a beat of silence, and I see his eyes narrow just a touch, though his smile stays plastered on. “Jake’scabin, huh? Must be nice.”

There it is—the condescension. It’s always there, bubbling beneath the surface. He hates it when I’m happy.

I catch Jake’s expression flicker with annoyance, but I keep my voice neutral. “Yeah, it’s been really nice. The kids are loving the snow.”

Before he can respond, Meadow jumps up. “Oh, my shirt!” She runs off, little feet pattering. Noah barely looks up from his LEGOs. I nudge him gently, but he shrugs, not in the mood to talk to his dad.

Noah’s quiet detachment from these calls has become a pattern. The further Alex drifts, the more Noah shuts down.

Alex’s eyes linger on Noah before shifting back to me, as if he’s about to comment further on our location. But Meadow returns, clutching the Storm jersey Jake got her.

“Look! Jake got me this!”

I glance at Jake, who’s watching silently from the armchair, a small smile tugging at his lips. Meadow’s holding up the jersey with Jake’s name and number on the back.

Alex’s eyes narrow, and I see the irritation he’s trying to hide. “Ahockeyjersey, huh? Cool, Meadow. I hope you said thank you.”

“Yeah, Dada!” Meadow says, her enthusiasm bubbling over. “It’s just like his one!”

I brace myself for it—the moment he’ll deflate her, like he always does.

There’s a pause, and I see Alex’s eyes flash. “Meadow, you’re not a baby anymore. It’sDad,not Dada. Okay?”

Meadow frowns, little brows knitting together. She doesn’t understand. She’s three, and she loves him—the version of him she gets, when she gets it.

My eyes flick to Jake, who’s gone deathly still, knuckles white as he grips the armrests. His body is coiled, as if ready to jump up and shield her from every sharp word. I know what he’s thinking—that he’d never correct Meadow like that, never take the joy out of her words.

Heart sinking, I bite my tongue and force a smile, trying to keep things calm. “It’s okay, honey bee,” I say softly to Meadow. “Daddy just means you’re a big girl now.”

Noah glances between Meadow, the phone, and Jake. He doesn’t say anything, but the tension feels palpable.

The conversation drags on for a few more minutes, with Alex making small talk. Each question feels like meaningless static, filling the space but meaning nothing.

“Alright, guys,” I say finally. “Let’s say goodbye to Daddy, okay? Time to wind down.”

Noah gives a noncommittal wave, still barely looking up. “Bye.”

“Bye, Dad,” Meadow chirps, her earlier excitement now slightly dulled.

“Bye, kids,” Alex says, eyes already drifting away from the screen. “And Merry Christmas,Lottie,” he adds with a smug smirk.

I end the call before I have to respond, letting out a long, slow breath.

Jake’s already standing, fists clenched, jaw tight, muscles straining.

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