Page 48 of We Thought We Knew It All
“I know.” I stood in front of the mirror straightening my tie. “But it’s still the holidays.”
Growing up, it wasn’t a holiday celebration if there wasn’t some blow up between me and my dad. The only good ones I had were spent with the McCoy’s, but those had been few because my dad enjoyed being a dick. He’d conditioned a wariness in me when it came to any celebration.
“You know, I haven’t celebrated Thanksgiving since I left.”
“Your unit didn’t do anything?” Colby asked.
“Some of the guys took leave when they could. But if we were on mission, that wasn’t possible. I always stayed on base and got drunk.”
A strained laugh burst out of him. “That’s sad, Jamie.” He patted my shoulder and left the room.
“Maybe,” I grumbled. “But I still think the shit is coming.”
I stepped into my shoes, shined to perfection. My father had always expected us to look our best for the holidays. Some habits died hard. Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter were the only three days of the year I’d be caught in a suit, especially back then when I’d have been happy living in my swim trunks.
Colby and I arrived at Callie’s with plenty of time to spare. Her, Amber, and Jay were doing the cooking while Morgan and the boys ran around the house.
Jackson stopped following them when we walked in. “Uncle Colby.” He nodded to Colby then turned a stern stare on me. “Jamie.”
I laughed, knowing instantly it was the wrong move. His face hardened.
“Jacks,” Colby said, looking between us with his own laughter in his eyes. He was smart enough not to let it out. “Come on, bud. Take me to your mom.”
Morgan walked up beside me. “Little man doesn’t quite know what to make of you.”
“He kinda walked in on me and Callie the other night.”
She laughed. “Yep, that’ll do it.” Her expression turned serious. “Cal told me he misses his dad.”
I didn’t want to think about the man who’d been there when I hadn’t. The only thing that mattered was that I was there now. So, I changed the subject. “It’s Thanksgiving. Doesn’t your family want you with them?”
“Mom and Dad went on a cruise. Mom still has trouble with holidays. And Parker never comes home.”
“How is Parker?” I’d always liked her.
Morgan smiled. “Really good. I miss her.”
I’d just wrapped my arm around her shoulders when a knock sounded at the door.
“Jackson,” Callie called. “Liam, Declan. I think the door is for you.”
Three pairs of feet thundered across the floor and excited chatter filled the room when the door was flung open.
“Grandpa!” Jackson jumped at the man who caught him mid-air with a laugh.
“Papa!” Liam joined the fray, pushing the younger Declan aside.
“Dad.” Colby grinned as he appeared from the kitchen and scooped Declan up.
“Sorry,” the man said. He was good-looking, with dark hair. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He looked so much like Callie. “I only told Cal I was coming a few days ago. I was supposed to wait until Christmas, but I missed you all. My flight was supposed to get in last night, but it was delayed.”
Colby gave him a one-armed hug before handing him Declan. Callie walked out a moment later to join the reunion. The look she gave her father was one of complete love. I still didn’t know everything about their meeting, but she’d spent almost ten years getting to know him in L.A.
“Dad,” Callie said. “I want you to meet some people. You’ve met Morgan and Jay, but this is Amber.” She finally walked toward me. “And this is Jamie.” When she wrapped an arm around my waist, he raised an eyebrow before shaking my hand.
“Your grandmother is sad she’s missing this.” He shifted his eyes back to Callie.
“Maybe her health will let her come in a few months,” she said hopefully.
