Page 21 of A Perfect Holiday
“Awww,” I said, smacking my forehead, and Booker laughed, because he should have known that from his whole ’Twas the Night rap poem.
“The next question is: what was the name of the island Rudolph landed on when he ran away from home?”
I couldn’t remember, but Brax got his hand up first. “The Island of Misfit Toys.”
“Exactly. Okay, the last question. “What is the name of Scrooge’s dead business partner?”
Braxton’s hand shot up. “Jacob Marley.”
“He would know that one,” I mumbled. He’d swept that round.
Aubree handed the microphone back to River Pearl. “Our last category is Reindeer Games. Each of you must answer one question.”
Brax got asked whether Santa’s reindeer were male or female, and I was floored when Brax said they were female, since males lose their antlers before December 25th. My question was to name the eight reindeer, and thank God I knew that one. And, Booker’s was: How do reindeer fly? And he answered correctly: magic.
“All right, we are going to tally all the categories and announce the winner. In the meantime, Christmas cookies for everyone!” River announced.
I turned to my brothers. “I believe this was what’s known as a total rout. I suspect Brax will be the one who gets to wear the red suit and NOT wear pointy-toed slippers with jingle bells.”
“I can’t believe it.”
“He was totally motivated.”
Brax picked up his fiddle, and I grabbed my guitar. Booker settled at the piano, and while Brax’s delicious cookies were passed around and consumed, we sang Christmas carols.
Brax was named the winner, and even though I’d prepared myself, I was disappointed. It would have been fun to be Santa for all those little kids, but Brax won fair and square, and naturally he couldn’t resist subjecting me and Booker to a bunch of little digs.
As we were getting ready to leave, Aubree and Booker approached us. “Meet up at Brax’s for eggnog and a game of Christmas-opoly?”
I gave Verity a questioning look, and she nodded. “Yes, sounds great, and we can touch base about the preparations for the gallery party.”
“Would you like to come, too, Henry?”
He nodded his head vigorously. “Will there be more cookies?”
“You bet, huckleberry, but we need to get some dinner in you first.”
I called Baker. He just growled that it was okay and hung up.
Once we got to Brax’s, he went into the kitchen and got to cooking in a festive Christmas apron that caused plenty of razzing. He just shrugged good-naturedly and pulled Henry in to help him. Henry stood on a little stool beaming while Brax gave him instructions.
River Pearl’s brows rose. “Wow, Henry, you’re pretty special.” She hugged him hard, and Brax shooed her and the rest of us out. While the girls talked about the gallery, Booker sat down at Brax’s piano and played some more Christmas music while I accompanied him on the guitar.
Right before dinner was ready, Aubree drifted over. The girls must have been finished discussing stuff. Aubree said, softly, “Boone, can I talk to you outside for a minute?”
“Sure, Breebree,” I said, following her out to the deck.
“I want you to know how sorry I am to hear about Verity. This must be so hard on both of you.”
She hugged me, and I hugged her back just as hard.
She sat down on a bench and patted the seat next to her. “I’ve talked this over with Booker, and he is one hundred percent on board. I wanted to offer to be a surrogate mother for you two.”
At first it was like a bullet to the brain, totally life-altering, totally unexpected, and completely mind-blowing. I couldn’t move a muscle. I stared at her, and when she smiled, I closed my eyes and hugged her fiercely. My chest expanded, and she tightened her arms even more. Her eyes, full of compassion and love, met mine.
“Are you sure?” My voice broke, my eyes stinging.
“Yes, I told my mom that Booker and I weren’t ready to have a family, and that hasn’t changed, but I’m committed to you and Verity. I will work things out with my schedule.”
