Santa's Secret

“Delaney go overboard on her presents too?”

Dominic sighs angrily before answering. “No, she left.”

I sit up straight, and wobble slightly. “What?”

“Last night around midnight, she and Calvin left. They had a six am flight out of New York. Apparently, she has to work, but I knew something else had to be up and by the look of things here, I’m right. So what I need you to do is sober up quickly and tell me what’s going on.”

Dominic doesn’t give me a chance to respond before he disappears into my kitchen. The sound of water running and the cupboards opening and closing lead me to believe he’s making a pot of coffee. At this rate though, I may need two.

I’m able to make it down to the bathroom, but not without bumping into the wall a few times. I refuse to look at myself in the mirror, already hating the way I feel. I splash cold water on my face, shivering as droplets go down my neck and into my shirt.

Dominic is there, in the doorway, with a mug of steaming coffee. He hands it to me and I drink, gagging at the strong taste. “This is nasty.”

Dom shrugs. “Can’t say I really care right now.” No, I suppose he doesn’t. Honestly, I’m not sure if telling Dominic about the argument Delaney and I had will make a difference. I’m also not sure I believe him when he says she has to work. Delaney was looking forward to spending Christmas with her parents, I’m sure she would’ve pushed work off as long as possible.

“Ready to talk?”

I nod and motion toward the living room. He follows me there and takes a seat in the chair while I sit on the sofa. “I came home to this last night.”

“And?” he asks, without looking at the pile of presents on the floor.

“And… it’s excessive. It’s overstepping. It’s showing my daughter that Delaney can buy her anything she wants and I can’t.”

Finally, Dominic looks at the mess around the tree, but he doesn’t say anything. He picks up a few presents, examines them, and sets them back into place.

“Let me guess. You freaked out and thought she was trying to buy your love?”

“Actually, that never crossed my mind, but I did freak out.”

“Why?” he asks.

“Because I can’t give Delaney the type of relationship she’s looking for or needs. I’m a police officer for crying out loud. I make barely enough to feed my kid and pay my mortgage. How am I supposed to keep up with Delaney?”

“Have you ever thought that maybe you don’t need to keep up with her? That you just need to be you, the man she’s in love with from Ramona Falls? Be the man she trusts with her secrets, desires and be there when she comes home from a hectic day at work to hold her and tell her that tomorrow will be better?

“Delaney’s life isn’t about money, and I can guarantee you she did this because she wants you and Holly to have the best freaking Christmas ever.”

“It’s too much.”

“No, you know what’s too much? Delaney paying off my parents’ mortgage so my mom can retire, or her paying off every bill they have so our dad can take our mom o

n the vacation she’s always dreamed of. Or Delaney getting us box and ice seats because she wanted to do something nice for you.”

“That was for Calvin,” I remind him.

Dominic shakes his head. “Do you think if it were for Calvin, you would’ve been invited? Think about it, Fisher. You were the only non-Du Luca there. That trip was for you.”

It takes me a minute to find my words. “Just proves my point. I can’t compete with her.”

Dominic scoffs. “Delaney doesn’t know any other way to show you she cares. Maybe you can teach her, but right now, in her life, people buy gifts for the ones they love. The only thing she meant here, is for you and Holly to have the best Christmas you’ve had since before Heather passed away. She’s not trying to one up you or make you feel inadequate. She’s trying to show you how much you mean to her.”

Dominic sighs and then becomes silent. He’s looking down at the ground, likely waiting for me to say something. Thing is, I don’t know what to say. It’d be so easy to wash my hands of this and say oh well, but the truth of the matter is, I love her and have felt horrible since she left. I should’ve chased her and told her how sorry I am.

“What do I do to fix this?”

“Go to her,” Dominic says, as if it’s that easy. “Call Calvin and ask him… no, beg him to help you. He’ll know what to do.” Dominic pulls open his wallet and tosses his credit card at me. “Use it for airline tickets, rental car, every flower you can buy or whatever. I already added your name on there so you shouldn’t have any problems.”

“I can’t use your card.”