Page 91 of Unbreakable
“Okay, Daddy said he’s ready!” Jeanine said, and I loved hearing the excitement in her voice. She’d been pushing through her cold, but her red nose, watery eyes, and drawn cheeks told me she didn’t feel good. I’d done my best to step up my dad game while she was sick, taking over with the kids when I was scratched from Saturday’s game.
I’d strung up white Christmas lights and bed sheets, and with a sheet down on the floor, I’d even sprinkled some fake snow. I had a tray with a hot chocolate bar and all the Christmas movie options up on the screen. I even made sure to have Jeannie’s favorite Christmas tea ready since she’s not much for hot chocolate.
The kids walked in with dropped jaws, with Jeanine behind them looking about the same. I couldn’t tell if her watery eyes were from the surprise or being sick. The kids’ gleeful shouts were thanks enough, rolling in the fake snow on the floor and throwing it at each other.
“Daddy, it’s amazing!” Alice cried as she made a floor snow angel.
“Can we do this every Christmas?” Greyson asked.
“Hmm,” I said, trying to drag out the suspense. “What do you think, Mommy?”
“I think if Daddy’s willing to set it up, I’m in.”
“Of course, I will,” I said, launching all three kids into a scream.
“Let’s put Mommy on her throne first,” I said, leading her to an upright pillow against the couch, wedged into a nest of blankets, including her very favorite knit blanket. I offered her a hand to help her sit. “Feet out, Mommy.”
Jeanine quirked a brow and her cheeks went pink, but she stuck her feet out of her blanket. I pulled a pair of fluffy socks out of my pocket. “Fluffy socks for everybody!”
“Wow, Daddy,” she said with a grin and a sniffle, leaning for a box of tissues and honking her nose into one.
“Hold that thought,” I said, rushing just outside the pillow fort to get her cup of tea. I placed it in her hands and kissed her forehead. “How’s that?”
She held the mug under her face, then made a half heart with her hand. “Perfect, Dylan. You crushed it.”
I leaned to kiss her for real and she drew back. “You’ll get sick.”
“Oh well,” I said, pecking her anyway.
I got the kids settled in with their socks and hot chocolate, and we all snuggled up to Jeanine. As the kids got wrapped up in Frosty the Snowman, I looked around at my family. Jeannie’s head was on my shoulder, we each had a girl on our laps, and Greyson’s head rested on her leg.
It was perfect. I didn’t take enough time to appreciate just how good I had it. I chose the woman next to me almost a decade before, and we built this beautiful family. A little faster than we originally anticipated, but that was fine. Greyson with all his curiosity and rambunctiousness. Alice with her independence and attention to justice. Bella with her sweetness juxtaposed with her mom’s sassy attitude.
My heart was overflowing. This was what I did everything for. This was why I got slammed around on the ice. I put my body on the line so I could have moments like these. They’re quiet, gentle, and oftentimes, average. I’d put in extra effort for this one, but it was a reminder to lean into the average times too. Average is underrated.
Everybody squirmed around plenty, and Jeannie eventually fell asleep with her head in my lap, my fingers combing through her hair. I had to move her when the pizza arrived at dinner time. But when I opened the door to bring the pizza in, I got aspecial surprise. I saw plenty of snow growing up in Pittsburgh, but I knew the kids had never seen it, and maybe even Jeanine.
“SNOW!”
“What?” Grey’s voice was heard first. Then with some shouts of “come on” and “hurry,” feet thundered up the stairs from the basement. A groggy yet confused Jeanine followed behind them.
I was outside in just my slippers. Alice and Greyson pulled on their shoes and ran out, almost tripping from the excitement. Bella ran out in her socks, Jeannie calling after her to put on her shoes. I scooped Bella up, looking back to the doorway and holding my hand out for Jeanine. She wrapped her cardigan tight around herself and stomped out in her boots.
The older kids were twirling around and looking up to the sky with their tongues out, the finest dusting of snow already settled on the grass. Bella tried to flop out of my arms, and I rushed to the doorway to slip on her shoes so she could run around.
As I set her down, I pulled Jeanine into my arms. “I made this happen, you know.”
She laughed, the sound muffled by her congestion. “Oh, did you?”
“Yep. It was an asterisk on The Plan. Family’s first snow.”
With stars in her eyes, she looked up at me. “Well, thank you for putting in a good word for us. It’s my first snow too.”
“Aw, J.” I kissed her cheek and she snuggled closer to me. She rested her head against my chest and we watched the kids frolicking in the snow.
“They’re so happy,” she whispered.
I kissed the top of her head. “Are you happy, baby?”
