Tamsen and Jordan are expecting their second child, another daughter, in two months. Darby is in love with Lyla, but I see the pain in her eyes that nobody else does. We’ve been trying to have a baby for over three years. Darby thinks it’s karma for her promiscuity during college. I think it’s just not our time and that patience bears the greatest gifts.
Grady refuses to jump on the relocation bandwagon. He loves LA too much. However, he hops on a plane to come visit every chance he gets, especially since Lyla is so crazy about him. She’s been a good influence on him. He’s given up his cavalier bachelor life for a committed relationship with Abel, a commercial property developer who is ten years his junior and not married.
Rachel Hart just finished a five-year jail sentence for possession of cocaine. How it ended up in the trunk of her car and who tipped off the police remains a mystery. We happened to be at a sports bar when the news of it played across the screen. Darby closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then asked the bartender to change the channel. What she did not do … ask me one single question.
Nana celebrated her eightieth birthday this year, but nobody told her it’s okay to slow down. Her mind is razor sharp, except when she likes to pretend she’s getting dementia just to mess with Darby. On a sad note, her friend, Mary, died three years ago and so Darby has filled in as Nana’s shopping and lunch buddy, and I pick her up every Monday and take her to the shooting range. Yeah, Darby loves that.
*
“Nana wants me to pick her up in twenty minutes.” My tease of a wife hops up on the vanity in her Christmas red lace bra and panties. “Make me look beautiful.”
“Done.” I sink my teeth into the swell of her breast.
She grabs my face. “It’s Christmas … I want the Trick special.”
“I thought that’s what you got in the shower.” I fight back my grin … the one she calls her favorite subtle-but-cocky smirk.
“If you want your wife fix later then I suggest you get to work.”
Of course I’m going to do her make up. There is absolutely nothing I wouldn’t do for her.
With an air kiss and a quick tease to my cock, (she tortures it all the time) she’s dressed and off to Nana’s, leaving me to supervise Grady and Abel making Christmas dinner while Tamsen and Jordan keep Lyla out of the presents for a few more hours.
“What did you get Darby for Christmas?” Tamsen asks.
I stare at Lyla combing her baby doll’s hair and wish my answer could be a baby … but I don’t say it. Tamsen would see my disappointment. “I’m sending her and Nana to a spa for a week.”
Tamsen jabs Jordan in the stomach. “Did you hear that?”
“You’re popping out my kid in less than two months. I don’t think you’d get the full enjoyment.”
“Whatever.”
My phone buzzes just as I stand to go check on Grady.
Darby: BFF – Your gift is at the front door. Before you open it, I want you to know it’s not just from me, it’s from your whole family. We love you more than you could possibly ever know. You are the tie that binds us all together and this very special gift has been a long and grueling two years in the making. Love, your BFF, breakfast soul mate, and wife.
I roll my eyes at all ten holiday emojis. As if everyone else received the same text, Tamsen gathers everyone by the front door and then she starts crying.
Jordan shakes his head. “Don’t mind her. It’s just her hormones.”
I nod and open the front door.
Darby and Nana stand off to the side videotaping me, but I’m … I’m so fucking speechless I can hardly breathe.
“Patrick.”
I blink my eyes trying to register what I’m seeing as I hear my name from a familiar voice. This can’t be … there’s just no way … they’re … dead …
“Son.” Another familiar voice.
I shake my head and start to cry like a fucking baby … but I can’t help it. “Mom? Dad?”
My dad hugs me and I fist the back of his coat like a young child. “We’re so sorry, son.” His voice breaks.
I release him and lean down to hug my mom—in a wheelchair. “Mom.”
Her voice is helpless against her tears, so she just wraps one arm around me and kisses my cheek. My parents, they’re alive. I just don’t get it. I clench my fists to feel my nails dig into my palms—to confirm I’m alive and experiencing this surreal moment.
“Maybe you should invite them in,” Darby suggests, chasing her own tears with a tissue.
I help my dad get her wheelchair inside. Then I grab my wife and hug her so hard I think I could break her. “My God, I love you. I don’t know how they’re even here or what you did but—”