After trying to recall the number of interceptions the Seahawks have thrown this year, I walk out into the main room and into a buzz of people and activity. Most of the brothers have arrived, and the extended family is starting to trickle in as well. I see Millie over by her son, Jameson, along with a few other family members trickling in. My attention shifts when I hear a voice call out, “Hey, Santa!” I look over to the other side of the room and see Ry waving me over. The fucker is dressed like a freaking elf. If he’s got on the shoes too, I won’t be able to contain myself. I walk across the room to where Ry stands, and before I make it all the way over, I’m stopped by his man, Nicky. “We got it all set up over there. An armchair for you to sit in and let the kids sit on your lap, the tree in the frame, and the camera all set up.” I must show surprise on my face because Nicky rolls his eyes and lets out a huff. “Let me guess, my darling boyfriend didn’t let you in on all of this, and you were just told about the dressing as Santabit.” I nod, “I knew about the kids sitting on my lap and all, but didn’t know you were gonna set up a camera and background for it.” Nicky storms over to Ry. I follow him because, well, I’m the only one in the room dressed as jolly old Saint Nick.
I miss what Nicky says to Ry, but I can tell by Ry’s expression that he’s not bothered by what was said. His words confirm my assumption. “Babe. It’s not like it was a secret or anything. Jane didn’t decide to do all this till a few days ago. Besides, he’s a prospect and gotta do what we tell him to do.” I ignore his and Nicky’s bantering and go to the chair they’ve got set out. I know the kiddos will be here any minute, and I don’t want any of the little ones to think I’m not Santa. I know my grandsons, Jack and Zack, will know it’s me, but there are quite a few kids Zaria’s age, and I’ll be damned if I’m gonna be the one who hurts their belief in Santa.
I sit down and survey the room. Ry and Nicky are still in an animated discussion in front of me. Mick and Madison are coming through the door, hands full of stuff and their little one. Watching some brothers come rushing to help reminds me that this is a family in every sense of the word, and I’m glad my kids have seemingly embraced the club.
****************
I’ve had kids sitting on my lap, telling me their Christmas wishes, and taking pictures for almost an hour. There were a few tears from the youngest ones, but I think that’s almost a tradition. I mean, who doesn’t have a picture of their kids as infants crying their eyes out on Santa’s lap? I’ve got one for each of my kids.
Bailey has just finished telling me her wish and taking her picture with me. I see two girls left in the line, the first being Mayson’s little girl, Daisy. He’s holding her hand, and she seems nervous but not scared. Nicky bends down and speaks quietly to her. She drops Mayson’s hand and takes Nicky’s as he leads her to me. Nicky bends down to her level in front of me. “Are you ready to sit on Santa’s lap, talk to him, and take your picture?” Daisy nods her head. “Yeah. I’s got somefin’ important to tells him.” Nicky nods, lifts her up, and sets her down on my lap. As with all the other kids who aren’t crying, we do our talking before it’s picture time.
I look down at little Daisy with her lopsided pigtails and toothy grin and ask her the first question I’ve asked all the kids today, in my best impression of a deep Santa Claus voice. “So, little girl, have you been a good girl this year?” She nods and answers me, “I’ve been super good this year ‘cause I gots two big wishes to asks for.” Color me curious. I see out of the corner of my eye that Jackson has snuck around the side of the camera so he can hear what his grandbaby has to say. I look down at Daisy, andshe looks as serious as an almost four-year-old can look. “Well, what are the two things you would like to ask for?” Daisy leans in like she’s going to share a state secret with me. “I wants a puppy. Uncle Asher and Uncle Logan let me play wit Buster all I wants, but I want a puppy at home. I tink Daddy would likes a puppy too. He’s lonely sometimes, especially in his bed all alone. I like to watch cartoons in bed wit him, but I really love my princess bed now, so I thinks a puppy for me and Daddy would be good.” I see Jackson nod, and I think a puppy might be in the works, whether Mayson agrees or not. I look back down at Daisy. “What’s your other wish?” She bites her lip for a second, then speaks. “I wanna fix my Hanna’s eyes. Hers not able to see as good as when I was little. She says she misses seeing the leaves on the trees, and the lights on the tree don’t sparkle like they did when she was a kid. I want her to see me twirl in my dress when we play princesses.”
I look over and see Jackson, Ry, and Nicky all have glassy eyes. How in the hell am I supposed to respond to this one? Maybe just like how I used to give my kids answers to things I didn’t have answers for.
“That’s a very big wish there, Daisy. I don’t know if it’s something Santa can help with, but I’ll see what I can do. I’m sure Hanna would be very happy you asked for that as one of your wishes. That's a big girl wish.” She nods very seriously. “Papa says I’m a big girl when I turn four, but Gamps says I’ma big girl nows. Papa is right a lot, but I think Gamps is more right.”
I swear, the hardest part of this is not laughing at the things that come out of the kids’ mouths. Nicky speaks up, asking if we’re ready for our picture. Daisy nods and smiles for the camera.
As soon as the picture is done, she leans into me before she hops off my lap. “One of my friends, Zaria, is next, and she’s got two wishes too. She might forgets, but I tolds you so you could ‘member for her.” I nod, and she scurries off to who knows where. Ry comes up as Nicky goes over to Zaria. Ry adjusts my beard slightly. “This is your last little one. Ma and Jane both just said that after your granddaughter, Santa can make his goodbyes and go out the clubhouse door. Mick will let you in the side door, and you can change and come back out. That way, some of the more suspicious kids won’t put two and two together.” I give him a chin lift. “Sounds good to me.”
I look over and see Zaria let go of Thomas’s hand and take Nicky’s. Hopefully, I can disguise my voice enough so she doesn't know it’s me. Nicky lifts Zaria and places her on my lap. Before I can ask her anything, she speaks up. “I watched you with all the other kids so I knows the questions.” I can’t help the chuckle that comes out. “Oh, you do, do you?” She nods and looks at me. “Yep, and I think I’ve been pretty good this year. The only bad thing is I keep throwing Zack and Jack’s socks outside in the backyard.” She scrunches her nose and continueson. “But that’s just cause they’re stinky and don’t wash them. Boys are stinky.” To my right, Thomas has his head down and his shoulders move, giving his chuckling away.
Focus, Stone. “Well, I suppose if that’s it, then you’ve been pretty good this year.” Zaria nods, and her curls bounce along. “I gots two wishes this year. I know I had two last year, but I got them both ‘cause I asked for a babydoll and a grandma. You gave me my baby doll for Christmas, and I just got my Mona, but I’m keeping her.” This little girl. She has embraced Romona so quickly. She’s got so much love to give. I give her a slight squeeze, and she looks up at me. “That was last year. This year I have new wishes.” I smile. “Well, what are your wishes for this year?”
Zaria gets a serious expression on her face, the same one she gets on her birthdays before she makes a wish and blows out her candles. “Well, I want a girl’s tree house.” I know Brett built one for the boys a few years ago, but I have to tread lightly about that knowledge. “Do you not have a tree house in your yard already?” Zaria makes a face. “That’s a boy's tree house. It stinks as much as their socks. I want a tree house with lots of pink and my stuffed animals and no boys allowed in it.”
I nod at her. “Well, that might be something you could get if you keep being good. What’s your other wish this Christmas?” Zaria leans in to me, like she’s going to tell me a secret. “I want a mommy. I think Daddy is lonely. I really like my friendBailey’s mom, but she’s not free for Daddy. I want a mommy to do things like I do with Mona, but at home. I want a mommy to do my hair in the mornings and make Daddy smile. He needs to smile more.” Well, hell. These little girls are gonna keep us on our toes for years. “Well, Zaria, I’m not sure what all I can do about that second wish of yours, but I’ll do what I can.” My answer must satisfy her because Nicky speaks up, and she listens immediately. “Let’s get your picture with Santa, darlin’. It’s just about his time to go.”
We take our picture. Zaria turns in my lap, gives me a hug, and quickly hops off and disappears into the crowd, looking for her friends, I’m sure. I stand up for the first time and stretch out as Thomas comes over to me.
He rubs his closely shaved beard. “Well, what the hell? I didn’t know she was that starved for female attention.” I look out at the crowd and spot Zaria between Romona and Shelby. “I don’t think that’s it, son. I think she picks up on things just like your sister. Shelby knew I was stuck. I wasn’t unhappy per se, but she knew I was missing that kind of relationship. She’s having to adjust to it being a reality, but she knew before I did that I was missing that kind of connection. I’m thinking Zaria doesn’t know how to express it, but that she’s thinking along those same lines. We can talk more about it later if you want, but I’ve got to make a grand exit because I’m dying for a beer.” Thomas gives me a nod and takes a drink of his beer.
Time to get changed and find my woman.
Romona
Looking around the room, I can’t believe how many people are here. We’ve definitely grown a lot since that first Yuletide party all those years ago. Some faces have left us over the years. Some by moving and making their way in the world, and some, like my Mitch, are no longer here in person but live on in our hearts and memories.
I feel an arm come across my shoulders, and I know it’s my boy. Mick gives me a kiss on my temple and a one-armed hug. “You and all the women outdid yourselves this year, Mom. This is amazing.” I nod as I’m still taking in everything around the room. He squeezes me again to get my attention, and I look up at him. “What makes today even better is seeing you smile so much. I’m glad Jason makes you so happy, Mom. I know you loved Dad and he loved you too, but you deserve to have more happiness as you have a shi-er, a lot of years left to live.” I give my baby boy a kiss on the cheek. “He does make me happy. Seeing you happy does, too, and my grandbaby is a big part of that.” Mick moves his arm off me and looks like he’s about to speak.
Before Mick can say something, Jonah makes an announcement. “Food is ready! As we all know, at every other family gathering,the elders always go first. However, on this very special day, we always make an exception. True holiday spirit is best found in the eyes of children. It’s that sparkle of joy and wonder that we all try to find the older we get. In that spirit, we invite all those who are under eighteen to come and fill your plates.” Jon adds, “Those who go through the line and remember their manners will get a special treat after dinner.”
The mad rush that had started suddenly slows to a walk. It would seem that Jon is starting to understand parenting and how a lot of the time it’s a balancing act of bribery and negotiation. Your reward for more than eighteen years of that? Becoming a grandparent. I may be new to this whole thing, but from my understanding, I get to spoil, give treats, and make sure to buy all the noisy toys to send home with them. Yep, I’m looking forward to all of it.
I feel someone standing behind me. Hands rest on my hips, and a kiss is placed at the base of my neck. “I’ve been sprung from Santa duty. I got a look at the tables, and you outdid yourself, baby. This is fantastic.” I turn in his arms. “What I love is that leftovers are made up into plates and taken to the shelter to hand out. That reminds me, though. We’ve got to put aside a couple of plates and bring them to Ray since I don’t know if he’ll go to the shelter to get one.” Jason nods and opens his mouth to say something when I feel a pull on my hand. Jason must, too, because he looks down at the same time. Zaria is standing,looking up at us. “Daddy said he could do it, but I wanted you to help me. Can you take me to get a plate?” Jason nods and reaches for her hand, but she pulls it away. “No, Grandpa, I want my Mona to take me.” I don’t think my heart could melt more for this little girl. She takes my hand and begins to pull me. “Come on, Mona. Daisy has her gigi helping her.” I look back at Jason, and he gives me a smile that shows his love. I really am a lucky woman.
An hour later, and everyone is sitting around feeling full. Well, almost all the grown-ups are. Babies are napping, the youngest little ones are watching a Christmas movie, while others are playing with toys in various spots throughout the room. Three young teenage boys are outside in the cold. Jason is sitting next to me, along with his boys and Jeremy. Erik, Grant, Ben, Jackson, and Wyatt are sitting across from us, along with some other brothers down the rest of the table. Anna comes over and hands me a cup of coffee as she sits down across from me and between her men. She looks around the room. “Where are the boys? I mean, Zack, Jack, and Branson?” Brett, her nephew, answers and shakes his head. “They’re outside playing catch with Jameson. It’s freezing out and they’re fucking playing baseball again.” Jackson nudges Brett’s elbow. “They’re in awe. They haven’t left Jameson’s shadow since they got here. Branson’s having a great time with them here. All three boys know all about Jameson’s high school and college career. Zackand Jack have been starting to pitch some, so they are gonna pick his brain till he stops them.”
Millie, who’s sitting at the table next to ours, chimes in. “Don’t be fooled. My boy is eating this shit up. He’s loved helping Branson with his hitting, and I know he’s gonna offer to help your boys. He doesn’t talk about it, but I know that since his injury cost him his chance at the majors, he’s missed the game. He wouldn’t be out there if he didn’t want to be. That boy of mine is as stubborn as they come.”
Thomas sighs. “Yeah, but it’s like twenty-five degrees out and they’re barely in hoodies out there. They’d be fine if they had listened and brought their coats.” Jason chuckles next to me. “Son, you and your brother were the same way at that age. Hell, I’m pretty sure your uncle and I here were like that, too. It’s normal behavior for a young teenage boy. It’s a way for them to think they’re smarter than you.”
Wyatt leaned forward in his seat and pointed toward Thomas and Brett. “Those boys out there in the freezing cold with no coats on? They’re just beginning to test the rules and push boundaries. You know, they’re safe here. Cold but safe. All three of those boys need to figure out the pain of acting stupid. The younger they are in their teens to figure that out, the less likely it will include serving time.” Spoken like someone who didn’t figure that out early enough to prevent that for himself.
For the next couple of hours, conversations and family time continue. Desserts are brought out and devoured. Our younger crowd eventually faded and were sleeping in various rooms and on the laps of a few adults. The holiday feeling of family, love, and festivity fills the room and my soul. This day always fills my heart for months to come.
Rory comes out from the hallway with his guitar in his hand and hands Hanna a harmonica. Things are about to get musical, and I always love that we do this. Granted, the musical instruments are a newer addition, but music as an art form can be healing, soothing, and incredibly inspirational. I may not be musically inclined myself, but I can appreciate the artistry of it.
