“What are you doing here, Vivian?” he bites out.
She tosses him a look of disgust before smirking. “I came to say Merry Christmas jerk. I don’t know how long you’re in town, but I’m going out of town for a ski trip with friends.”
“Aren’t you too young to be going skiing?” We both look at him like he’s crazy.
“I didn’t realize there was an age limit on skiing,” she hisses.
“I meant without your parents.”
“Well, it’s a school trip. No need to worry. The boys are staying in a different room.”
“Boys?” Damn. My son’s in trouble for sure.
“Yeah. I do go to a coed school you know. Anyway, I came to say happy holidays. See ya.” She practically skips out of the place and I hold back a laugh.
“Come on, son. You can finish this up and book your trip. I’ll contact her daddy and get the details.”
“What? I can’t go there with her.” He slams his hands down on the workbench, letting his head fall forward.
I grip his shoulder and ask, “Why?”
He lifts and turns his head toward me with a look of pure defeat. “Because I don’t trust myself.”
“Fine. I’ll send your brothers. They could use a vacation.”
“Sounds like a good deal to me.” They’re twins and eighteen, looking for something to do. “As long as they know damn well to keep their eyes and hands where they belong.”
“You know your brothers would do anything for you.”
“Damn it. That woman is a sin.”
“Sorry. If it makes you feel better, you graduate in the summer and she’s legal then.”
“It’s like a fucking eternity.”
“Timing is everything—in motors and in love. It took me eight months to finally meet your mother.”
“I guess you have a point. Not that it matters though because she’s a minor.”
“Uh oh.”
“What is it?”
“Trouble.” We’re both staring at my wife of twenty-two years.
“Clear out,” my son shouts to the crew. They all know the routine. “Hello mother,” he says, hugging her.
“So the most interesting thing happened to me today. I had the urge to go skiing for the holidays. I’ve already booked the entire trip to Vale.”
“What?”
“Yeah. I was having lunch with Vanessa.” They became close after everything that happened all those years ago. “Well, anyways. She mentioned skiing and well, we’ve never been and since I have all my children here. I thought it’s a great idea. Christmas in Vale.”
“Sounds wonderful, my love.”
“You’re both trying to kill me.”
“No. Just a mother knows what’s good for her son. We learned that a long time ago. Besides, seventeen is legal in Texas. Although, I’m not sure her father would take too kindly to his seventeen year old knocked up, so be smart and careful.”
“I’ve got things to do.” He shakes his head and stomps out of the garage, locking the door behind him.
“You are a menace, woman.”
“I’m persistent and consistent. Lead the way, Mr. West. I believe your office is calling.” I take my wife over my desk, giving her everything she deserves.
As we get ourselves dressed, she says, “Oh and one more thing. You know how we thought I was going through menopause early? Well it turns out…I’m not. We expecting another little West in six months.”
“What?”
“Yes.”
“Woman, how are you?”
“I’m happy. I know we’re a lot older, but I’m excited.”
“Damn, I can’t believe it.” I turn around and face my wall and run my hand through my hair, smiling like a fool. Another baby after all this time.
“You’re not happy,” she sighs.
Damn it. I spin quickly to face her. “Baby. No. don’t get that idea in your head. I’m happy. I can’t believe after all the trying to add to our three that we finally have another one on the way.” I pick her up and kiss her hard. “No skiing for you at all.”
“That’s fine with me. I just want to be curled around a fire while in your arms.”
“I love you, Mackenzie.”
“Forever. Now, let’s hurry up so your staff can come back and get to work.”
“Always, trying to make a dash for it, but I’m not done with you, Mrs. West.”
It’s another hour before we finally call it a day. The staff comes in as I carry my wife out and to our large eight bedroom home. We really expanded on it over the years. “I’ll forever be grateful that your car broke down.”
“Me too. Me too.”