Christmas the following year
The year has been busy. Chaney came to me with an idea I couldn’t turn down. We both love Nova to the depths of our hearts, and since neither of us wants to be without the other, we decided to share him just like we have everything else in our life. We’ve taken things slow and started laying the groundwork for what we want, a caressing touch here, a peck on the cheek there.
With Father out of our life for good and behind bars for the duration of his life, we’re finally free to be ourselves and discover who we want to be and what we want to do without his shadow looming over us.
I still prefer to stay here at home where it’s warm and cozy, and Chaney loves to travel where she can explore the world. Together, we make a whole, normal person. I know that’s a strange way to describe us all things considered, but after everything we’ve been through and the years we survived from the abuse at the hands of our father, it’s the best explanation I have.
Chaney’s more hippy and I’m a homebody. I want to be the wife that stays home and raises the children while keeping the house clean. My sister, she wants to be the old lady, involved with the club and join in on their runs, while traveling for work. We’re both multitaskers, just in different areas.
Chaney has worked hard for her certifications, we’re waiting on the latest results to come in. She’s been meticulous about checking the mailbox, and with the Christmas season upon us, I have a feeling she’ll be waiting until after the New Year to get those results. In the meantime, she’s been going out on missions with Nova, and from what he’s shared, she’s a natural. I snickered when I heard that because my sister, she’s always been a sneaky one so it’s not surprising to me that she can get the unsuspecting to trust her and let down their guard, thinking she’s no threat to them. Nova says that’s because criminals and bail jumpers don’t suspect a woman to be in that position. Just because we have boobs, we’re perceived as being the weaker of the species.
People who think that way are fools.
“Are you ready to do this, Freyja?” my sister asks me.
“Ready, but nervous,” I tell her, chewing on the cuticle of my thumb. I’ve exchanged one nervous habit for another. Nova couldn’t stand me ‘abusing my lip’ so I found another outlet to abate my nerves.
“The worst he can do is say no,” my sister says, soothing me.
“And if after he says no, he kicks us out, then what?” I ask, skittish about hearing what her answer may be.
“Then we fight for him. I know what we are about to propose to him isn’t considered normal or traditional, but I also know in my heart that it’s what all three of us want,” Chaney surmises.
“He has been receptive when we touch him,” I state, agreeing with her assumption. “But that doesn’t mean he wants a relationship with us, Chaney.”
“I agree, it doesn’t, but we need somewhere to start. So we accept any terms he lays down and build from there. Will you agree to that?”
“I’ll take whatever he’s willing to give. I don’t want to lose him, sis,” I whine.
“We won’t. I won’t let that happen, Freyja.”
“I’m not sure your determination alone will work, sis,” I tell her, still feeling skeptical.
“That’s why I need you to guarantee me you’ll fight by my side, Freyja,” she chastises. “This can’t be one-sided. I can’t do this on my own. He needs to know that there won’t be any jealousy between us. Ever. That we’re in this as a team and for the long haul.”
“And you’re sure Christmas Day is the day we should broach him about this?” I probe, wondering if we should wait until tomorrow so the holiday isn’t ruined.
“I have this feeling in my gut that says today is the day. So are you with me, will you fight for what we both want at my side, Freyja?”
“Yes,” I swear.
“Good. We’ll start the conversation with him after he opens our Christmas gift,” Chaney states, staring down at the neatly wrapped package.
Indiana, a few weeks back while training Chaney, noticed that I was using my phone and tablet to take photographs. It’s become a passion of mine. Mostly, it’s landscapes and wilderness that were catching my eye and ended up the recipient of my attention. My phone was packed full of them and it was eating up all of my memory which had my phone lagging so he presented me with a professional camera and two different types of printers—one that connects via Bluetooth to my phone so I can print those off and delete them so my phone will work right again, and the other, it goes hand-in-hand with my new Sony camera. Instant printing. I love technology.
Nova bought me a tripod two days later, and that same night, we learned how to use the timer and took our first ever family photo of the three of us. That’s what we’re going to give him for Christmas from the two of us. A picture frame with the photo inserted. Plus, we have an album for him that he’ll get as his second gift that has us individually, his brothers, his house, and the plot of land surrounding it that he loves to hike and explore. Chaney said it’s like a scrapbook for him containing some of his favorite things, and I happen to agree.
My fingers feel restless as we walk into the living room where Nova has been waiting on us so we can open our presents. Chaney reaches out, laces her fingers through mine, and together, we walk over to Nova where she leans over and deposits our gift into his lap.
“Merry Christmas, Nova,” I whisper, which has him glancing up at me and smiling.
“Merry Christmas, ladies. I made us all a cup of hot chocolate, but I wasn’t sure if y’all would want marshmallows or whipped cream with it or not, so I just put everything on the tray so you could top it however you please. Help yourselves,” he tells us as he lifts his steaming mug up and takes a small sip so as not to burn his tongue. I giggle when I notice that he has whipped cream in his and it’s sticking to his mustache and beard.
Reaching over, I grab a napkin and hand it to him. “You have a little something there,” I say, swiping my hand down my mouth and chin. He winks at me, which seems to be one of his favorite things to do, and uses the napkin to clean the cream off his facial hair.
“Did I get it all?” he asks, leaning back into the sofa cushions and getting comfortable.
“Yeah, you got it,” Chaney answers.
