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A few months ago, I would have never thought I could be this happy with one guy let alone six. I knew I was fortunate and blessed to have them as my connections.
We decided to take two vehicles into the city. I wished we could have brought my Jeep so I could practice driving it but it wasn’t practical. We wouldn’t be able to fit as many people or gifts in it. Driving into the city for my first time on the road probably wasn’t the wisest either.
“Should we have done like a secret Santa for Christmas?” Dawn asked in exasperation as she looked down at her list. “You know we just have to go shopping for the kids and the person’s name we pulled from the hat.”
“That would have been a great idea before we left the base,” Rachel said with a slight frown as she looked down at her phone.
From my position, I could see that she had logged onto her online banking. I knew we were making more money than I could ever dream of, but I also knew she had an online shopping addiction.
“We can always get really large stocking for everyone that isn’t immediate family or significant others and just buy stocking stuffers for everyone else,” I suggested.
“That’s an amazing idea!” Rachel gushed. “That would make things so much easier.”
I grinned as I looked at my own list. I never imagined I would have to go shopping for more than Ella, and now I had a shopping list of over twenty people.
“What about a Christmas tree and decorations?” Dawn said glumly. “None of the apartments will have the room for it.”
“My Dad said, by the end of next week, people should be able to move into the other unutilized spaces,” Victoria said confidently. “He’s sending in truckloads of furniture.”
“Is that his payment for us harboring you?” Rachel said with a bit of sarcasm.
Victoria face fell.
“Rachel Moore,” I admonished her before I turned to look at Victoria. “Ignore her. She’s just bitter that she has to live in the dorms. She forgets a father’s love, that he would do anything to ensure their child is safe, no matter what they have to do.”
It was Rachel’s turn to frown. “Your right. I’m sorry, Victoria. It just bites that we’ve been trying to change our living conditions since we moved here, and all it takes is one powerful man to come in and things finally change.”
Victoria shrugged as she looked out the window. “It’s okay. I know what you mean. That’s why I’ve been acting out. I knew no matter what I did or said, my Dad could make it all go away. I glued my teacher to the chair and got away with it.”
We all burst out with shock laughter. “You’re kidding me?!” Rachel howled.
Victoria had a wry grin on her face. “No. Bobby and I tagged the school, too, and nothing happened either.”
“Remind me to keep you away from Jax,” I joked.
“Which one’s he?” Victoria looked at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“Oh no,” I shook my head emphatically. “I’m not falling for it.”
“I’ll introduce you later,” Rachel whispered loudly with a wink.
I was so grateful to see the gates looming ahead. By the time we returned, the sun was going down. Black Friday shopping was pure madness. Never again! I told that to Jemmy and Rachel, and they had laughed at me, but I meant it. I was really happy with some of the deals I found, but the crowds and the pure greediness were too much for me.
I almost backed out on grocery shopping but I knew I couldn’t. I knew Drake wouldn’t have minded doing the shopping, but it wasn’t fair to expect them to, not with four boys in tow compared to our three girls. The girls loved shopping, but I knew Alex and Patrick had their limits. They could only take so much before they started to complain.
“Snacks at your place?” Dawn asked hopefully as she flashed her ID at the gate guard.
I wanted to tell her another time but Victoria and Rachel looked at me earnestly, too. If Jemmy, Nadia, and Ella were here, they would be chiming in as well.
“Sure,” I said with a shrug. “Maybe Drake’s isn’t busy,” I said with a wicked smile.
We parked our vehicles in the parking garage, and I was surprised to see Gavin, Sam, and Ford waiting on us. “I explained our dilemma to Ford, and he secured us a space to store our gifts.” Dawn grinned from the driver’s seat.
“You’re amazing!” Rachel squealed.
“Plus, they’re here to help us put it away,” Dawn smiled smugly.
“They better not peek,” I laughed, glad for the help.
