A Beaumont Family Christmas

Wrapping paper covers the floor, and boxes continue to stack on top of each other. Each of us has made a pile of our things along the wall to keep our space as clutter-free as possible. I come across a box with my name on it and do a double-take when I see who it’s from. I glance at Mack, who’s looking at the floor. I rip away the paper and open the box. Inside is a framed picture of Betty Paige and me. I’m crouched down and looking up at her, and her hand is on my cheek.

“Where did you get this?” I ask Mack.

“I took it,” he says. “I didn’t know how to thank you for . . .” he stops talking and takes a deep breath. “I thought you’d like it.”

“I love it. Do you like photography?”

Mack nods. “I do.”

“Do you have a camera?”

“Yes, it’s not great, but it works. I’m saving to buy a new one.”

I nod and turn my attention back to the picture. Candid shots like this mean more to me than the family posed photo. The image captures so much more. “This is amazing, Mack. Thank you.” I stand and go to him. I hold my hand out, waiting for him to shake my hand, but when he sets his hand into mine, I pull him up instead and into my arms. “Truly an amazing gift. When we get back to Beaumont, remind me to show you some of the equipment I have, and we’ll see what kind of pictures you can take.”

“I’d like that, sir.”

Mack and I have had a moment, one I never expected. When I let the boy go, I hand Josie’s the frame. Tears form in her eyes almost instantly, but she wipes them away before anyone other than me can see them.

“I told you he’d love it,” I hear Betty Paige say to Mack. She’s right, I do.

With all the presents opened, and most of them put away, the wives head into the kitchen to start dinner, and the husbands clean. The kids got off easy, in my opinion, and head out to the slopes.

“Eden sure likes to snowboard,” I say to JD.

“Yeah, she does, although I hope she doesn’t give up surfing. This cold, wet shit ain’t for me.”

Harrison laughs. “You have it so easy.” He slaps his hand down on JD’s shoulder, who scoffs.

“You’re an arse,” he says to Harrison. “Bringing a baby home for Christmas. You have all the clocks going tick-tock, tick-tock.”

“Not ours,” I say. “JoJo and I are done having kids.”

“Except now you have Mack,” Harrison says.

I shake my head slowly. “Nick will be back by New Year’s, and things will be back to normal. I’ll go back to being the dad who loathes any boy who looks at my daughter.”

“Except you like the kid,” JD says. He’s right, I do, and I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not.

After we have everything cleaned up, the men and Peyton head outside for a little game of football, and because Noah wants to play, he’s the designated quarterback for both teams, and no one can tackle him. Except for maybe his wife. The last thing any of us want is for Noah to get hurt. He has to fly back to Portland tomorrow and get ready for his game next week. It’s then that we’ll celebrate Christmas with my mom. She’ll happily miss the holidays, but she won’t miss her grandson’s football game.

Outside, we separate into teams. I take Peyton on mine because—well, why not. I’ve seen her play, and she could’ve undoubtedly started on the varsity at Beaumont High if she tried out for the team. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that Mason would’ve let her if he was alive, and Nick felt the same way. He was prepared for her to show up in August of her freshman year. He already knew what position she’d play and everything. Honestly, I was a bit sad she didn’t do it. I would’ve loved to cheer my ass off for her.

It’s cold out but not as cold as it was earlier in the week. Noah crouches down, pretending he has a center in front of him. He looks at me, Quinn, and then Peyton calls the play and yells hike. Peyton and I take off running. We cross each other, with Harrison and JD hot on our heels, and leave Quinn available for the short pass. Elle is guarding her brother, but he’s too tall and easily catches the pass from Noah. But Elle is sneaky fast and can grab her brother before he can get any farther.

“Second down,” I yell as I run back.

“And short,” Elle says, cocking her eyebrow at me. I put my arm around her, and we walk back to the line of scrimmage together.