Needs met, I walk back to the trucks, slowing to take in the scene waiting for me. Beau’s down on one knee to talk to Harper, who’s showing him her fire engine with an earnest energy. Harry, not wanting to lose any of his uncle’s attention, extends his completed coloring book page toward Beau.
Beau, showing a diplomacy that probably serves him well juggling multiple investors, employees, and potential clients for his new business, gives each of them equal attention. He fawns over each of them enough that they’re not jealous of each other, sending adoring looks up at him.
It makes the little-used organ in my chest increase its pace. At least, it’s regularly used for the proper function of distributing blood throughout my body, but not so much for the emotional baggage we put on that organ.
Because he’s adorable.
And it’s still scary that I’m having this much of a reaction to seeing him, and not just for sex. That kind smile and his absurd desire to open every door for me keep dragging me back. Because how can a package like that lead to any pain?
But it will. It always does.
“Sonia’s back, you hooligans. Now we can go,” Beau says.
They look at me, abandoning their beloved uncle for the allure of a shiny new person. Fickle humans. See, more proof that people aren’t meant for loyalty.
“Let’s do this thing.”
“Y’all come with us.” Harper drops her prized possession of a few minutes ago and races to grab my hand.
I automatically bend over to grasp the little hand, hoping I don’t crush it. It’s too tiny. Maybe I can hold her hand once we grow those bones a little more. Harry, not wanting to be left out, abandons his uncle as well. That’s a lot of rejections in a row.
Harry runs toward me, even tinier hand extended, and I bend down my last upright side to make it easy on the little human.
I look up at Beau from my hunched position. He’s taken the opportunity to stand upright, and my back twinges in jealousy. He sends a teasing smile my way and I know he can see how awkward I am right now.
“Show me how to do this light thing, please.” I know how much I like knowing things other people don’t, so maybe the little humans will like teaching me.
They happily take the bait, walking me past the back seats of their parents’ vehicle, to the truck bed. Beau, in on the secret procedure I’m seeing for the first time, opens the tailgate to show me a cozy setup.
I laugh as I take in the inflatable mattress covered in more blankets than I’ve ever seen in one place, with toys thrown around the space. They strung little fairy lights along the back of the truck, with a battery-operated, light-up Frosty and Rudolph set up to keep the occupants company.
“When did you guys have time to get this set up?” I ask.
“Beau took you on the scenic route,” Tucker says.
I laugh as I help Harry in while Beau helps Harper. He tosses some chocolate bars in after them and winks as the children greedily snatch the goods and tear into them.
He helps me in next, lifting me with as much effort as he used to lift Harper (in my mind at least, and I won’t hear any different).
Once I get settled, Harry snuggles in close to me. I think this is because I gave him that candy cane back when we met. Easiest sacrifice ever since it was sticky and half-eaten.
Beau gets in after me and stretches out in the space, his hand stroking my shoulder and a small portion of my upper back where it rests.
“What are the highlights here?” I ask as the parents get in the front to drive us around.
“Santa’s race day camper!” That’s Harper.
“The Christmas castle!” From Harry.
“The flashing arches you drive through! Just like Mario Kart!” Beau now.
Wow those are some enthusiastic responses. The kids I can understand, but Beau has a lot of enthusiasm for this. Maybe a smidge too much?
Then I remember that I have a standing appointment to make a gingerbread house every year. Nah, this is an appropriate level of enthusiasm for anything Christmas related.
“Don’t give me that look, Baby Girl. I watched you push aside innocent children to make a LEGO key chain at Rockefeller Center, so don’t throw stones over this way.” That threat would have so much more weight if Beau wasn’t redoing one of Harper’s braids for her, his large hands gentle with the small girl’s hair and a shiny bow sitting in his lap.
Already reading my mind like a married couple who’ve seen each other every day for the past twenty-seven years. This is fine. This is all fine. Not too deep at all.
