Lauren giggles. “The same person who wrestled Peppadew into a Santasuit. Me.”
As if on cue, Pepper scurries around the room, rolling this way and that, trying to get himself out of the clumsy looking outfit. Poorbaby. I scoop him up and start removing the costume. Lauren scoffs dramatically, squabbling about how long it took to put on him.
“Don’t torture the poor guy by making him wear what he doesn’t want to wear!” I clap back before fluffing out his tail and setting him free.
“You know, I never thought I’d say this, but having a skunk kickin’ around on Christmas Day has got to be about the weirdest thing,” Xavier hums, taking a picture on his cellphone. “The guys are never going to believe this.”
Lauren grins. “Good to knowthat’sthe weirdest thing and not the fact that I’m in love with two men.”
“You guys don’t get jealous at all or anything?” Grady interrupts, asking both Caleb and me. “I guess I just don’t understand how this all works…”
“I mean, I don’t. Not really, anyway. Not beyond what’s human nature, I guess,” I offer first. “I can’t speak for Caleb, but I’m just really happy that what Lo and I had was added to in the best of ways. Our family has blended together well so far. The house is chaos, but it’s happy chaos. Besides, I was able to reconnect with someone who I had really strong feelings for. Plus, my time does not need to be divided between the two loves of my life, which is an added bonus.”
Caleb smiles. “I don’t really get jealous either. I mean, I was wrecked after the accident, and how my life fell apart after. I didn’t think I would ever find love again, not like I had with Aaron. But being with both Lauren and Marcus has taught me that I’m not going to find love like that again, it’s separate and I can appreciate the differences now, the same way my relationships with the two of them are distinct, but just as treasured. I love them both, and they give me so much back in return. A life, full of happiness, I’d never thought I’d have again.”
Lauren pats his thigh and kisses his cheek. “And I’m the luckiest friggin’ woman alive. I met one of my soulmates back in middle school, and I ended up sharing this beautiful life with him, raising our son together and supporting one another as we each chased our dreams. Now, with Caleb, I’m stronger. I feel more confident. That opened up new dreams for me that I didn’t think were possible. Look at my new job, for example; I feel fulfilled. Though, not just because of the job, but in every facet of my life. I feel supported.” She looks at me and grins. “I feel like the dark rose who has bloomed fully.”
“That’s fantastic, sweetie,” Jack hums, smiling broadly at his daughter. “That’s everything your mom and I always wanted for you.”
“I’m a little jealous of ya, Sis, not gonna lie,” Grady notes, undoubtedly because he’s perpetually single and can’t figure out why. My money’s on the constant IBS chatter, but I don’t want to reignite that fire today.
Not that I’m keeping a tally or anything, but I notice that Lauren has given all her gifts out to everyone else, and neither Caleb nor I have gotten one. That’s unlike her. I know Lo, and she thoroughly enjoys spoiling her loved ones because she’s a softy like that even when she pretends not to be.
As if reading my mind, she peers over to Caleb. “I couldn’t wrap your gift,” she tells him. “Because I can’t wrap a mountain. Not enough wrapping paper.”
Caleb's brows furrow. “A mountain?”
She nods. “We’re going skiing together as a family. Booked us day passes for the day after tomorrow.”
He rears back in his seat, looking terrified.Notthe reaction I’m sure she was hoping for. However, she appears nonplussed, like she wasexpectingthat reaction.
She puts a hand on his chest. “Relax before you freak out. It’s just a small, local ski area. Nothing major, no huge downhills. Marcus, Brody, and I are still newbies, after all.Zerochance for an accident, babe. I just thought it would be a good idea, since I know you miss some of your old activities…”
“Dad, she’s right,” Cam chimes in next. “Lauren just got done saying how much you’ve helped her overcome stuff, maybe you should let her return the favor.”
“I wanna learn to snowboard!” Brody adds. “Cam, can you teach me?”
Lauren’s eyes remain fixed on Caleb. She cups his cheek and turns his face towards hers. “And I want to learn from you. Only you, hun. If you’re truly worried sick over this, I can always see if I can re-sell the passes, but I just figured it’d be good for you to get back on that horse. To see that you’re truly capable of conquering your past.”
“Okay,” he signs warily. “Thank you, babe.”
“You’re welcome.” She pats his thigh and then stands, coming over to sit on my lap. “And foryou, well, I couldn’t wrap your gift either…”
“Did you get me a mountain too?” I tease.
She shakes her head. “Tomorrow, me and you are going out on a date. We haven’t had a day, me and you, in so long. How does going out and getting manicures, having makeup professionally done, and going out to hit up the post-Christmas sales on matching clothing sound?”
I grin, giving her a squeeze. “Soundsamazing, Lo.”
“Of course it does,” she hums playfully. “I’m spending all of my sign-on bonus on you!”
I shake my head. “That’s a perk, yes, but I meant that I get to spend an entire day withyou. No amount of money spent could ever stack up to that pricelessness.”
“I love you, Marco.” She leans in and presses her lips to mine.
“Always and forever, Polo. Thank you, babe.”
Suddenly, our doorbell rings, and Lauren gives me a puzzled look. I shrug, just as confused, but since I’m closest to the door, I shift Lo off my lap and get up to answer it. First, I peek out the small window to see who could possibly be stopping by on Christmas day, and then my heart drops to the floor. I stand, my hand on the doorknob, frozen in fear.
