“Right after? What, Friday morning?”
Savannah grimaces. “Thursday night.”
“Thursday,” I blurt out. “They won’t be here for Friday’s house decorating. First Aiden, now this.”
Decorating the family home the day after Thanksgiving is a tradition.
“You know Aiden feels terrible that he can’t be here this year,” she says of her oldest son.
“I know. He called me this morning to talk for a few minutes before his training.”
“Gabe was in a meeting and Lena was prepping for her show. They couldn’t get a hold of you this morning, so they wanted me to relay the message.”
I grunt. It’s bad enough they won’t get into Texas until Thursday morning, but to turn around less than twelve hours later to head back to New York, before we’re able to decorate the house? It is a damn shame.
Lena’s career as a singer and performer, and Gabe’s as a sports manager, keeps them both on the road a lot throughoutthe year. Their ten-year-old twins, Rachyl and Romy, often travel with them.
The holidays are one of the few stretches of time I get to see all of them in one place, at the same time.
“And, um …”
I push out a breath. “Just say it.”
“There’s a chance Ace and I won’t be able to do the family trip to Montana this year.”
“You’ve got to be shi—” I pause, looking at Amelia. “Tell me you’re pulling my chain.”
“Dad, between work and Ace’s limited time off, it might not be doable this year. Especially if we want to take the girls to see Aiden,” she adds. “You know Parker and Amelia miss their big brother.
“It’s only a chance, though,” she quickly adds. “We were just looking at flights and hotels and stuff last night. We’re a little late in booking, so spaces are limited.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to remind her that Christmas comes around at the same time every year and they should’ve been more on top of things when planning out this time.
The annual trip to Montana is another family tradition. One we often do sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
“Fine,” I say instead of the many objections that pass through my mind.
“We’re going to do everything we can to make sure we don’t miss it, but I wanted to let you know just in case that’s not possible.”
I move toward Savannah and place a kiss on the top of Amelia’s head. She raises her little hand to my cheek. Her touch lightens the burden that’s now sitting on my chest.
Yet the moment I take a step back, the weight returns.
“I should go. I have to pick up Parker from basketball practice.”
“Yeah, tell the little sport Grandpa loves her.”
“You know I will,” Savannah says before kissing my cheek and pulling me into a hug. “Love you, Dad.”
“Yeah, love you, too,” I murmur because while she’s delivered some harsh news just now, I still get all warm inside when one of my kids tells me they love me.
Because for a man who once believed he was undeserving of love, it feels good to be loved anyway.
CHAPTER 8
Ellyn
“Mom, shouldn’t you be sitting?” Meghan admonishes when she sees me standing in the middle of the kitchen.
