AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Oooooohhhh. I get itnow,” I groan, finally catching on.
“I think the Mr. and Mrs. Claus idea might work. Luke can make of it what he will, butI, on the other hand…,” I warn her in a cautionary tone, already feeling myself getting rock hard at the idea.
As if on cue, baby Luke starts to squawk. Both of us move by instinct to comfort him, forgetting all about our Santa suits.
Or so I’d thought.
Once Luke’s settled and fed, burped, and changed, I feel beat myself and have almost forgotten the idea until I reach our bedroom next to Luke’s.
It’s my Christmas Holly. She is wearing only the Santa cap and my Santa coat, which flows over her like a luxurious red velvet robe.
I feel myself swallow hard, easily agreeing with her suggestion to “Come and get it.”
But Luke, our son, seems to have other plans tonight.
Every time we think he’s down and settled, as soon as our bodies touch or our hands link, he’s bawling again.
“He must be cutting a tooth,” Holly decides.
“I’ll bring his crib in here. We can prop him up with us until he’s ready to get some rest,” I tell her, moving swiftly for my son’s things.
Feeling a love I’ve only matched with his mom, my wife. I feel both affection and concern for little Luke.
I know he’ll be fine. But seeing him cry, tonight of all nights doesn’t feel right.
But we’ve both learned quickly that parenting or marriage isn’t always perfect.
Although I reckon we come pretty damned close.
Once Luke can see Mom and Dad, Mr. and Mrs. Santa aren’t getting what they wanted for Christmas just yet, his whole mood lifts.
He bubbles and giggles, blows raspberries, and laughs like only an infant can.
When he does settle and we’re all ready for sleep, I switch out our light and gently lay my son in his crib by our bed.
A single moonbeam shining bright through the frost-lined window, like a spotlight from heaven.
Keeping track of one of their little angels.
I turn to whisper for Holly to come and see, but she’s already asleep herself.
Curled up, hugging the pillow Luke was just on, smiling in her sleep the way I never get tired of seeing myself.
Looking from my wife to my son and then up to the moon that seems to fill half the sky, I think of our second child on the way.
Thinking of all the moons and sunsets I saw or missed alone.
But now we’re all here.
Home. A family.
“Merry Christmas,” I whisper to Luke and Holly, kissing them both gently on the head before I move quietly through the ancient house and down toward the kitchen.
Setting out cookies and carrots for Santa and the reindeer.
EPILOGUE
FIVE YEARS LATER
