Tara and I have been quiet trying to let Bourbon and Rome get some extra sleep. We have everything in the kitchen done. Another hour and the ham will be done and then I can put some rolls in the oven to cook. An extra oven would come in handy about now. Tara and I have worked well together this morning. I put another pot of coffee on and I hear Joey and Rye have pulled up in front of the house. I walk over to the window to make sure it is them and it is. I see Joey has my Christmas gift to Bourbon in the back of his truck, so I step out the door. “Merry Christmas. Joey can you put Bourbon’s Christmas present on the porch for me.”
“Woman, it is mighty early in the morning for you to be giving orders and bah humbug.” Rye says but he is smiling when he says it, so I know he is just joking. Sometimes with Rye it is hard to tell.
“Yes ma’am and merry Christmas.” Joey always has the best manners.
“I have coffee. I’ll pour you both a cup after I call Bourbon up. Tara is getting Rome up.” I tell the two. I turn to go back in the house and I hear Rye grumbling.
“At least someone got to sleep in.” Then he says a little louder. “I take whiskey in my coffee.” Not today he doesn’t. I go back in the house and I see that Tara and Rome are sitting in the kitchen and Tara is getting Rome some coffee. I start to the hall to go to Bourbon’s bedroom and wake him, but he is walking up the hall. His hair is still wet, so he just got out of the shower.
“Rye and Joey are here. I was just coming to get you.” I tell Bourbon. “I just made coffee and Rome is just getting up.”
“This is the first time I have slept this late in years.” He says.
“Well it looks good on you. Let’s get you some coffee so we can open some gifts.” Bourbon is standing right in front of me and he pulls me to him. He kisses me like he owns me, and little does he know that he does. I step back. “Come on. It’s present time. I promised Rye and Joey some coffee.”
“You better make sure that Rye’s has some whiskey in it or he won’t drink it.” I smile up at Bourbon.
“He will today.” I tell him. Bourbon laughs.
“Whatever, woman. This is going to be an eventful day.” Bourbon laughs, and he takes my hand and walks me back to the kitchen where Tara and Rome are waiting. I bend over the oven and take the ham out and place the pan of rolls and the last pecan pie in to cook and set the timer.
“Kat, you have my special coffee for me?” Rye walks into the kitchen. I look at the man and the similarities between him and Bourbon are many, but their eyes are different. Not the color. They both have dark brown eyes, but in Bourbon’s, I can see the kindness he likes to keep hidden but in Rye’s there is a coldness that Bourbon’s doesn’t possess. Maybe in Bourbon I don’t want to see it but in Rye it is prominent. I let go of Bourbon and walk up to Rye.
“Today we are going to celebrate family, so please, can we wait until after lunch to break out the booze. Just this once.” I look into Rye’s eyes and I see him considering it. “Please.” Rye wipes his hand down his face and then he surprises me by smiling. “Sure, Kat girl. We can do that.” I don’t know if Joey explained my Christmas present for Bourbon to Rye or not but today he is going to cooperate. I’ll take it.
“Thank you. Let’s get your coffee.” I tell Rye. I go to the cabinet and get three cups down and pour Bourbon, Rye, and Joey all three a cup. I know Bourbon and Rye want theirs black, but I turn to Joey. “How do you like your coffee Joey?”
“Black works for me and thank you.” I hand the three their coffee. I see Rome is still sipping on a cup.
“I can warm up some sweet rolls, but lunch will be done soon, maybe another hour.” I look at everyone, but no one is saying anything. “I need an answer.”
“Damn you’re feisty this morning woman. Let’s do the present thing. Is that yeast rolls I smell cooking?” Bourbon is smiling as he says it. I have butterflies in my stomach now that it is getting close for Bourbon to get his gift.
“The rolls are in the oven along with the last pecan pie. When they are done it is time to eat so let’s move around the tree in the living room, so we can do this. Rome if you and Joey will give everything out. Tags are on them but just leave Devil, Callie’s and their children under the tree.” Tara goes and sits on the love seat. Bourbon is in his recliner and I sit on the arm of it and Rye sits on the sofa. Rome and Joey start digging under the tree and sitting each person’s gifts beside them. Rye raises an eyebrow when Joey sits three gifts beside him. Bourbon does the same when he sees two beside him.
“I put ours under there too so be sure to look at the tags.” Tara says. When Rome and Joey have finished everyone looks at me.
“Joey, you can go first.” He smiles at me.
“Wait, I need to talk to Bourbon in the kitchen first and if everyone doesn’t mind could Tara go first. I have something special for her to see.” Rome says. I don’t know what that is all about, but Tara looks surprised. Bourbon and Rome walk in the kitchen and we are left to stare at each other and guess what is going on.