Page 46 of The Holidays with Dr. Mitchell
“Well, get to it, then,” Jim challenged. “What does your inner boy want to say, Jacob?”
“That we must celebrate this holiday the right way,” Jake said.
“How the hellisthisnot the right way?” Spencer said while Nat continued to eye Jake skeptically.
“Simple. You know, while I was shitting in a hole I dug out in the woods,” Jake looked at every man who had a hand in pranking him, “I learned that life is so much simpler and much more enjoyable when you create the memories yourself. Whenyouwork to make Christmas, miracles happen.”
“I felt that, too,” Collin said. “I think it happened when I was hand-digging my shit hole,” he added so everyone wouldunderstand where he and Jake were coming from with this nonsense.
“All that said,” Jake turned back to the wait staff, “we appreciate you and all the work that went into this amazing spread. However, we won’t require your services any longer. You areallfree to leave, paid in full for the time you have been scheduled to work.” He looked at Jim’s somber expression, “A Christmas present from the big man himself.”
“What are you doing?” Jim asked, bored with Jake’s gesture.
“I’m dismissing all the staff here to create a perfect Christmas for us men, who have been neglecting our beautiful wives and kids all year, to do everything ourselves.”
“You’re going to cook for everyone?” Jim said with an annoyed expression.
“No, my good brother,” he eyed every man sitting at the table, “Weare going to cook and bake and cut down our own Christmas tree, then watch the children so the women can indulge in shopping for Christmas goodies,” he said in a silly tone and an excited shiver. “All the stuff we’d naturallyhire out,we’re doing ourselves.”
“This is ridiculous,” Jim said.
“This is a fantastic idea,” Nat was the first lady to agree with Jake’s plans.
“There she is,” Collin cheered Nat, who was no longer on the side of the CEOs and was joining forces with Jake and Collin instead.
“Itisa fantastic idea,” Avery added. “Jim’s an amazing cook, and he and Addy love baking together.”
“And I think it would be an awesome memory for John to have, cutting down a Christmas tree with you.” I smiled up at Jake, relieved that this was how he had chosen to get back at his brother and the rest of the men.
This could be fun.
“That’s fair,” Jim said. “Fine. We’ll dismiss the staff and entertain our wives and children just like Jakey suggests,” he agreed, but I could see the wheels spinning in Jim’s head.
“Then, it’s settled. Tomorrow, our spoiled asses will do everything ourselves until after Christmas day.”
“And this is your cute little way of retaliation?” Alex chuckled.
“I’m not retaliating,” Jake said. “I’m sharing a gentler, more peaceful way of viewing the holidays this year. When you live three to four days in deep meditation, learning how to ground yourself, you learn that a life lived simply and without all the spoils and riches of material possessions is a life well lived.”
“And you’ll find the sex much more remarkable, too,” Collin said. “Because in everything we’re about to do to share our holiday cheer, I’m confident Jim and Spencer will find their ego death. That, my friends, is where the amazing sex comes in,” he finished with a smirk to Jake.
“It’s a shame your handsome ass won’t be here to enjoy it,” Jake said, looking at Alex. “But once you see the better side of these bastards, you’ll be begging us to teach you what we learned on the meditation retreat you all signed us up for.”
“To the merriest Christmas of all,” Jim said, not the least bit intimidated by Jake’s unexpected announcement and takeover of the holidays.
“One that will make memories to last a lifetime,” Jake answered.
CHAPTER 25
Jake
Collin and I were up before everyone in the house, getting our plans in motion.
“How many fireplaces did you count?” I asked. Collin had been working on a different part of our plan while I confirmed reservations for a place in the village square to rent and play out a live Nativity scene. It was something I’d seen in a Christmas comedy movie, and although they didn’t have a designated place for live Nativity acting stuff, theydidhave locations that you could reserve in the outdoor market. After a brief conversation with the people who ran the place, I was able to reserve it for a night for a couple of hours so the guys could act out the Nativity scene, farm animals and all.
“There’s one in every fucking room, so there’s probably at least twelve,” Collin said with a chuckle.
“Okay. We’re confirmed for tonight for the Nativity, which is the perfect way to kick off all this shit.”
