Chapter 4
Noah
We’ve just settled in bed after leaving the kids in the barn with their cousins and several adults in case there is an emergency. Living within walking distance on the ranch, we won’t miss any of the events to come.
My wife is reading something on her dimly lit device, while I’m tucked between a mound of pillows I surround myself with in order to be comfortable throughout the night. The chain on the ceiling fan above us knocks, making a constant ticking sound I usually fall asleep to. Just as my body begins to doze, I hear Shalan gasp. “Did you hear that?”
I open my eyes, but refuse to move since I’m extra comfortable. “What?”
“That.”
Knowing she’s not going to give up until I have an answer, I remove the blankets and bring my legs off the mattress. “I don’t hear shit.”
“Noah, I think someone is at the door.”
Checking my cell phone on the bedside table, I see that it’s after midnight. “Who the hell would be knocking at this hour?”
She flops back down on the bed. “Probably one of your idiot cousins. I’d put my money on Jax, but Jake comes to mind next.”
I wipe the sleep from my eyes and stand, fetching my trousers and pulling them on before going downstairs to investigate. Shalan had been right. There is someone at the door, but when I open it the visitors aren’t who I suspect. “Dad? Mom? What’s going on? Is it the kids? Did something happen?”
My mom reassures me. “No. Nothing like that at all. We have an idea we need your help with.”
“It’s after midnight.”
A voice comes from the darkness behind my parents. “Quit your griping and get your ass out here, boy.”
I make out my Uncle Ty, Aunt Miranda, Uncle Conner and Aunt Amy.
I step out onto the porch, noticing the immediate chill in the air, especially since I’m without a shirt. “Shalan is inside sleeping. Give me one reason why I would want to spend the little time I have to rest hanging out with the likes of you.”
“Sweetie,” Mom begins. “It’s for the kids. We want to make sure they believe. We have it all planned, even the reindeer.”
“You lost me, Mom.”
“We’re going to make the children think Santa has arrived.”
I reach inside the door and grab a coat off the hanger. Unbeknownst to me, at least until I attempt to put it on, it’s Shalan’s. A fuzzy fur hood surrounds my neck as I pull it as closed as I can get it.
“Nice look,” Uncle Ty teases.
I’m able to see my breath as I respond. “How long is this going to take?”
“An hour maybe. Conner is going to be Santa. The three of us girls are going to be elves. Your father is going to get out the old sled, so we’ll need all the strong men to help us.”
I scratch my head and contemplate their convoluted idea. “You’re all drunk, right?”
Aunt Amy holds up a set of bells. “We found these to ring from the roof.”
“The idea is nice and all, but I just think it’s too late for all that work. I mean, the kids have gone to sleep by now. We’d be waking them up again. Who in their right mind would want to go through all the trouble to make sure they went to bed again?”
My dad takes a step backward. “Come on, y’all. We know not everyone will want to be a part of this. It’s last minute, and Noah is right. He’s tired from everything else we have going on.”
“Pussy,” Uncle Ty yells from the Gator.
I close the door before they all pile on the vehicle and take off into the darkness. The hardest part of making my way back to my warm bed is prying the extra small women’s coat from my muscular arms. It takes a few pulls before I’m free and hanging it back where I found it.
I no sooner turn to make a beeline back upstairs when I see my stunning wife standing at the bottom of the stairs with her arms folded across her chest. “Noah Mitchell, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you suck.”
“Suck? Why is that?” I approach her, taking her into my arms and planting a long kiss on those puffy lips I can never get enough of.
“When was the last time you’ve seen your father excited about anything? You were just telling me that your parents used to get into all sorts of antics during the holidays.”
“Yeah, so what?”
“Noah, you’re being just like your father right now.”
I sigh heavily. “So you’re suggesting I go out in the middle of the night and act like a fool, because you think it’s important?”
The smile on her face tells me the answer before I hear it. “I do.”
“Babe, I love ya, but that’s not going to happen. It’s colder than the freezer outside and they’re talking about getting on a metal roof to jingle some bells. They’ve either drank too much moonshine or lost their minds. Either way, I don’t want any part of it.”
It’s apparent she’s not happy with my decision. Shalan turns around and marches up the stairs, purposely stomping her feet to prove a point. By the time I join her, she’s getting dressed, pulling a sweater over her head. “Darlin’ what are you doing?”
“You might not be up for some late night fun, but I am.”
“You said you were beat just a couple hours ago.”
“It’s Christmas.” She comes over and pats me on the cheek. “I’ll sleep when it’s over. Besides, the kids are only going to be young once. In the blink of an eye they’ll be just as stubborn as you and your father. For now, I want to embrace their innocence.” She starts to walk out of the room, but stops abruptly. “Oh, and before you decide to follow me, you might want to take a look at the present I left for you on the bathroom sink. I think it might just be what you need to simmer down.”
I wait until she leaves to check out the gift she says is waiting for me. Sure enough, there is a rectangular jewelry box wrapped in holiday paper. With a furrowed brow, and already irritated, I open the package hoping it’s something I can use and not just some stupid watch I’ll wear once a year when we have to attend a fancy event.
When I open the box I realize this gift is something much more personal. The fancy stick is decorated with the words PREGNANT. We’ve been trying for a couple months, hoping to give our two children a brother or sister to add to the mix. Apparently my wife has been holding the news so she could announce it during the holiday. She was right. My smile is undeniable. I’m dog ass tired, but nothing could make me fall asleep. All I want to do is find my wife and celebrate our blessed news.
It takes a few more minutes to get dressed and put my boots on. By the time I’m bundled in my jacket and gloves, I assume she’s already caught up to the rest of my family. Hurrying outside in the frigid weather, I spot a familiar sight.
“You waited?” I ask my wife, who happens to be bundled up in a little pink matching snow suit.
“Of course I did, babe. I knew if anything was going to get your attention it would be that. Plus, it’s technically Christmas. I’d sat it there so you’d see it when you first woke up.”
I’m already pulling her into my arms. “Technically Christmas, huh. Well then, come here and let me show you just how much I appreciate getting to share my life with you.”
“I love you. The kids are going to be so excited.”
“Yeah,” I proudly agree. “I can’t wait to share the news.”
“First lets go help the others make this holiday magical. Can you imagine what they’re going to say? I can hardly wait to see their faces light up when they think that Santa is real.”
“How did I get so lucky?”
She snickers. “If I remember correctly, I’m the one who got lucky. You’ve made all my dreams come true, Noah.”
I pick her up and start carrying her across the yard. “Keep talking like that and we’re going to head back inside and have some Christmas morning lovin’ before everyone wakes up.”
“I wouldn’t be against that.”
“Yeah, don’t I know it. That’s why we’re probably going to end up with ten kids. At least we’re spreading them out.”
“If you want ten kids, I’ll start popping them out like a rabbit.”
“Nah, maybe one more after this pregnancy. I don’t mind sharing you with the kids, but I have to draw the line when we have no time for each other.”
“Isn’t that what grandparents are for?”
I smirk. “Yes indeed. It certainly is.”
We hop on the golf cart I keep in the heated garage and head out to find the rest of my crew. I have no clue what they have in mind for this big surprise, or how they think it’s going to go over smoothly, but I’m awake so I may as well make the best of it. Besides, I’d be pissed off if I missed my kids excitement. Nothing matters more than my family, not even a good night’s sleep.