She smiled, it still pained her but it was a smile. “Someone had to help you out in the kitchen because the lazy ass crowd in the living room are playing Twister.”
“Again?”
“It’s down to Rocky and Eric.”
“This never ends well…” I was interrupted as Rocky yelled out “Dude, your fucking dick is in my face!”
Adriana laughed; it was the first laugh I had heard since Elijah passed away. She had the most beautiful smile, and what right did God have taking away the one thing that brought it out? Not now, Charlie, be strong for Adriana.
“I’m glad you’re here, we’ll get through this. As a family, I promise you that.”
“I know, Charlie. Elijah told me we would.”
We hugged each other again before carrying the entrees into the living room. As I suspected, Rocky and Eric’s position put gay porn to shame. I burst out laughing as the spinner requested Eric to move his left foot, which caused him to collapse onto Rocky’s face.
“Fuck ERIC! You did that on purpose!” Rocky yelled pushing Eric off him.
The whole room burst into laughter, ending the whole Twister game. Emily suggested we sing some Christmas carols to celebrate and Lex asked Amelia if she wanted to play with him. She nodded and held his hand as he placed her on the piano stool. Andy wanted in on the action and monkey crawled his way over, begging Lex to lift him. He did with ease; if anyone had a piece of Lex’s heart, it was Andy.
“Any requests?” Emily asked.
“Yeah, I have one…” Adriana spoke up. A hush fell over the room; Andrew automatically moved to Adriana placing his arm around her. “I’m okay, Dad. Elijah is here, I can feel him.”
Adriana looked at Lex; he knew his sister well enough and turned around and started playing. She started singing as she moved her way over to Andy.
Silent night, Holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin , mother and child
Holy infant so, tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.
I couldn’t help it as a tear slid down my face. Eric and Emma moved my way and linked their arms with mine.
We continued to sing until the clock struck midnight. We made our way throughout the room, hugging each other and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. As I reached Lex and a sleepy Amelia, I whispered in his ear for him to follow me down the hall. He handed Amelia over to Kate who took her with open arms, and I watched as Lex’s face lit up; the dirty bastard probably thought I was going to give him a hand job or something.
“Close your eyes,” I requested, excitedly.
“Will you be naked when I open them?” He shut his eyes.
“Yeah, with my dad here, you psychopath. Okay… you can open them.”
I watched his reaction as he stood in our spare room, admiring the shiny new drum kit that sat in the middle of the floor.
“Are you kidding me?! I always wanted a drum kit!” He had the biggest smile on his face, running over to the seat and settling himself in. He grabbed the sticks and did a beat, much to my surprise since he didn’t play. This man was a fucking musical prodigy.
“I know… I remember, Alex.”
His eyes met mine, and I was surprised he didn’t recoil when I called him that.
“You called me Alex,” he whispered.
“There’s a huge part of me that still sees him in you. If you look close enough, he is still there.”