Believe: A Wanted Christmas (Wanted 3.5)

“Should we get Alex one?” he asked.

“No! I’ve bought all the kids their gifts already. No more,” I said as I rolled my eyes. But then, I saw the cutest baby doll ever. I quickly glanced at Brad who was looking at one a little too closely. I quickly put four dolls in the cart, one for Alex, Grace, Libby and Maegan. I looked at Brad and started laughing.

“What in the hell are you doing?”

He looked up at me and said, “This thing goes potty. How in the hell does it go potty and why would you want it to go potty?”

I let out a laugh as I walked up, took it out of his hands and put it down.

I grabbed him by the arm and pulled back over to our cart and began pushing it as I said, “Come on, I’m starving, and I need food before I pass out. ”

I’d never laughed so much as I did with my parents and Brad while we wrapped Christmas presents. Maegan had been exhausted and actually fell asleep before we shut her bedroom door.

“So y’all are leaving in the morning to head to Mason, right?” My mother asked. She had been giving me funny looks all night. Like she wanted to say something to me but didn’t know how.

“Yep. Heather and Josh are staying with Jeff and Ari, and we’re staying at Gunner and Ells’. It’s going to be crazy insane, but I cannot wait,” I said. I looked at Brad and he was smiling.

Gunner and Ellie came up with the idea of everyone spending Christmas Day at the ranch. We were telling the kids that Santa left all the presents at Gunner and Ells’ place and we would all open gifts there. Then, Heather and Josh were going home to spend Christmas evening with his parents, and we were doing the same with my parents.

“Ellie already has a plan of action of how it’s going to go down. Her main thing is that none of the kids are going to be allowed to just rip into gifts. They need to enjoy them, so it’s one at a time,” Brad said, rolling his eyes.

My mother laughed and said, “That will work for a few years when y’all can control them, but the older they get…they are going to want to rip into the presents. ”

I let out a giggle. I think next year it’s already planned—Christmas morning at our houses and then we will go to Gunner and Ells’ place, where the kids will exchange gifts. ”

“I see. That makes sense because the older they get, the more excited they get, and they want to open gifts first thing,” Mom said. She stood up and placed another gift in the box.

I nodded my head and said, “I don’t think I could do this every year anyway. Pack up all the gifts and take them to Mason…no way. ”

“Well…who wants something to snack on? We still have a pile of gifts to wrap!” Mom said. She looked at Brad and raised her eyebrows.

“What? Why are you looking at me? She’s just as guilty,” Brad said, pointing over at me.

“Yes sweetheart, a snack sounds good. And some hot tea maybe?” my father asked.

“Sure daddy, hot tea it is. ”

I loved that my parents were here with us. They loved Brad so much and made him feel like he was their son, which was so important to him, especially with his own parents being such asswipes.

We walked into the kitchen and I opened the refrigerator and pulled out some fruit and cheese to make a platter. I spun around to see my mother standing there with her arms crossed over her chest with “the look. ” I instantly got chills and had to think if I’d done something wrong. Holy hell, I felt like I was in high school and she was waiting for me to confess I drank alcohol or something.

I looked at her with a confused expression and said, “Umm…something wrong, Mom?”

She just shook her head. Okay. “Mom, why are you looking at me like I’m in trouble or something? You’re kind of freaking me out…can you stop?”

She smiled and dropped her arms. “Want a glass of wine?” She asked as she moved over to where we kept a few bottles. “Is this the same wine you had the last time I asked for wine?” she asked.

I laughed. “Yep. With Brad not drinking anymore, I just don’t really have any of it. I mean I might have one glass if we’re out to dinner or something, but I try to stay away from it. ”

My mother turned and looked at me. “So, do you want me to pour you a glass?” she asked, smiling an evil smile.

“Um…no thanks. ” Shit. I’m so glad Brad doesn’t drink so I can use that as the excuse as to why I don’t want anything.

“Oh come on, just one glass. I know for a fact Brad does not care if you have a glass of wine. ”

She’s pure evil. “No thanks,” I said with a smile and went back to cutting up fruit.

She let out a sigh and said, “Why not? I just want you to have one glass, Mandy, just one. ”