Page 5 of A Perfect Christmas with Chaos
After shaking my head, I snuggle back into him and rest my head just under his chin.We’re both quiet, enjoying the moment.The only sounds are that of the clock on the wall and our breaths.
Finally, I break the silence.“We’re making a huge mess.”
He laughs and begins to lift me up off of him.“How about we go upstairs and finish this?”Standing, I wind the blanket more tightly around me.For a second, I think he’s joking, but then he sweeps me up into his arms, and it’s so sudden I let out a big shriek.“Mav!”
“C’mon.I want to show you why I’ve never been on the nice list.”
PART 2
MAVERICK
AS PREDICTED, the wrapping paper is flying in a million directions.Will is ripping through her presents like she’s on some kind of time limit.My attention is riveted on her.The excitement coiled in her tiny body is a wonder to behold.
I don’t remember ever having a Christmas like this one.Not as a kid.Not even when it was just my mom and me.It was a long time ago, but I think I would have remembered it if it had ever been like this.
Thinking of my mom has a rock wedging itself inside my throat.
I can’t fucking believe she’s coming here—and that my asshole of a stepdad isn’t coming with her.She’s finally going to meet Ember and Will, and I just know she’s going to love them.I thought for sure when she called to tell me Paul was sick that it meant neither of them were coming.It pissed me off.I figured it was just an excuse.And I’d been on the verge of begging her to reconsider when she dropped a bomb on me.
Her and Paul were having problems.
It turns out my not-so saintly stepfather slipped up and had an affair with one of her friends from church.They’d been trying to work it out, but she thought maybe spending this holiday apart wouldn’t be such a bad thing after all.
It’s sick, but that news was the best news I’d heard since finding out Ember was pregnant.I hate Paul.He’s a self-righteous dick.And he’s been pulling my mom away from me bit by bit over the years.
If my mom’s no longer sold on him being Mr.Touched-by-God, then maybe she’ll finally see that just because I’m not a choir boy doesn’t mean that I’m not a good man.I'm still the son she raised, who loves her.
A scream pulls me from my thoughts.Will yanks the giant plush unicorn from the box and gives it the biggest hug I’ve ever seen.
“Mommy, look!”
I chuckle at her response and then spare a glance at Ember.Her eyes light up every time Will calls her mom.It’s something new, and it shocks the both of us daily, but it also feels exactly right.
As Ember pets Saint, and keeps him from attacking Will’s new unicorn, she laughs and exclaims, “Oh my gosh!Look at that thing!”
Giddy, Will squeaks.“I know!It’s hu-mongus!”
