I bite down on my bottom lip, trying not to laugh as Beast stands there in full Santa get-up. “Now, take the sack and walk to the end of the driveway. I will call when it’s safe for you to come back,” Belle orders, shoving the brown sack into his hand before she shoves him towards the door.
We wait until he’s far enough outside before waking the kids. “Okay, are you filming it?”
“Got it,” Spider says, holding up his phone.
Maggie, Belle, Alina, Rhea, and Josie all walk over and start waking up the kids. One by one they groan and complain. Oliver barely wakes and just rolls over back to sleep. Typical teen.
“Quick, we’ve spotted Santa!” Elsie states excitedly, pointing out the window. Scar grins while holding baby Linc. The kids jump up one by one and run over to the window. Snow is now falling heavier, making it a truly magical Christmas.
“Santa!” Phoenix cries out.
“Momma! Look!” Storm points.
I crouch down behind her. “It’s Santa, baby girl!” I say with surprise. I look to Enzo, whose eyes are wide with shock. “You okay, son?” I ask.
He blinks a few times before turning his attention to me. “Yeah, Mom,” he says with a small smile, still trying to play it cool. I look at Ghost and shake my head, smiling.
We watch as Beast walks out from the end of the drive and out of view. “Awww!” the kids moan.
“So, I guess you guys don’t want to see what Santa left you then?” Hap asks from where he’s standing over by the fire.
I swear, I’ve never seen the kids turn and run so fast. They were practically feral. Hap hands them their stocking one by one, and they rip into them like they’re hunting crack. Once it’s done, the kids all play happily.
“When can we open the ones under the tree?” Maisy asks Josie.
“After dinner,” Josie states. “Makes the day last longer.”
With that to look forward to, Maisy grins and runs off. Beast is now in the kitchen, having a coffee and trying to warm up in his usual clothes while he watches the video Spider recorded.
“Hey, where’s Mom?” Cash asks. We all look around and notice she’s nowhere to be seen. Worry instantly hits my gut, and I run to her room, hearing Cash on my heels, along with Maggieand everyone else. I push open her door and see her still in bed, fast asleep. “Mom?” Cash calls out.
Queenie opens her eyes slowly. “Oh, hey,” She blinks and then frowns. “Why are you all in my room?” she asks, confused. She looks pale and has dark circles under her eyes. I hadn’t noticed it before, but I guess she was covering up what she could with make-up.
Cash sits beside her. “Mom, are you sick?” he asks, his voice full of concern.
Queenie moves to sit up, but her face pinches in pain as she does. “No, just tired is all,” she says, trying to reassure him.
Maggie steps forward and runs her hand over Queenie’s pillow, holding up a chunk of hair. “Queenie, this ain’t normal,” Maggie points out.
“Oh, it’s nothing.” Queenie tries to laugh it off.
“Queenie,” I say sternly. She can’t keep lying now. I can see the worry and concern on Cash’s face.
Queenie lets out a long breath. “I have cancer.”
There is an audible gasp amongst everyone. “Mom,” Cash says, his voice breaking with heartache.
Queenie grabs his hand in hers and smiles. “It’s okay. They found a lump in my breast. I’m on chemo tablets for now, to see how it responds. If not, it will be more aggressive treatment.”
“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?” Cash asks with a sharp tone.
“Because it’s Christmas, and I didn’t want to ruin it,” Queenie admits.
“You knew,” Ghost whispers softly.
I nod. “Come on, let’s leave them to it,” I state as I turn and guide everyone else, except Cash and Maggie, out of the room.
Ghost stands beside me at the kitchen island, his hand on the back of my neck, his thumb stroking up and down as I explain tothe others what Queenie had told me. They all look sullen. It’s a shock. She’s the matriarch of the club.
