Merry Christmas, Jaybird,
You didn’t think I’d break tradition, did you? Try to stay on your feet this time. (wink wink)
Enjoy.
Love always,
Daddy
EVERY YEAR, AS a tradition, my dad buys me a new pair of ice skates for ice skating in Central Park. Our whole family flies into New York after Christmas and stay through New Year. The ice skates are sort of an inside joke between my dad and me because I totally suck at it, but that never stops me from trying every year. And I’ll try again this year.
“JAYLA, IT’S MILES Townsend. How’s it going? Did you have a good Christmas?” I haven’t spoken to Miles since he interviewed me for the Jaybird article.
“It was nice, considering…” I let the words hang in the air. Miles gets it. “How about you?”
“Great. The kids were very pleased with Santa this year.” He laughs. “The reason I’m calling is because I’ve finished the tribute article for the February issue. I want you to read it before it goes to print.”
I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since my dad passed. “Send it over. I can read it on the plane ride to New York.”
“Will do. Enjoy your trip. And Happy New Year if I don’t hear from you before then.”
“You too, Miles. Talk to you soon.”
I WAKE TO the sound of Jay whimpering beside me. Rolling over, I hook my arm around her waist and press my lips to her neck. Her body is on fire and she’s shivering. I lift my head to look at her face. “Babe, are you okay?”
“No,” she croaks without opening her eyes. “I think I’m dying, Z. Oh, my God, I’ve never felt so sick in my life.”
Rolling out of bed, I tuck the covers around her. “I’ll be right back.”
Emerson, Bass, his girlfriend Lisa, Grace, Cam, Liam, Jay, and I, flew into New York a few days earlier than the rest of her family, who are due to arrive tomorrow. Jay’s apartment is two stories, overlooking the city and spacious enough to easily accommodate her big-ass family. Marcus must’ve had the Mackenzie’s in mind when he bought this place.
We’ve been going nonstop since the day we arrived. Shopping during the day and dinner out every night. Did I mention shopping?
We visited a few museums and then went ice-skating in Central Park, which Jay says is a tradition, even though she falls on her ass every time. And she did, while I watched from the bench with my hot chocolate. The last thing I need is to fall and break my damn arm. Goodbye, scholarship.
Passing through the living room, I head toward Emerson’s room and knock lightly on the bedroom door. A few seconds later, Emerson opens the door half-asleep and confused. “Em, I’m sorry to wake you, but Jay is sick.”
“What’s wrong with her?” she asks, blinking awake, pulling her robe tighter and darting across the apartment toward Jay’s room.
“I don’t know but she’s burning up.”
“Fuuuuuck!” she whisper-growls under her breath and steps into Jay’s room. “Jayla, baby, what’s wrong?”
“Everything. Help me, Mom. I feel like shit.”
“Zach, you go run the bath,” she instructs. “But not too hot. I’ll get her undressed.”
I go into the bathroom and run her a bath on the cooler side before going back to the room.
“She’s too big for me, so you’re gonna have to carry her to the bathtub,” she says with an apologetic tone.
My mouth curls up slightly. “I’ve seen her naked before, Em.”
She narrows her eyes. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t say that.”
Scooping Jay up in my arms, I carry her into the bathroom and set her down in the lukewarm bathwater.
“Don’t leave me. I feel like I’m dying.”
“You have the flu, baby,” Em says, squatting beside the tub and cupping her face. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Okay? I’m going to get you some medicine to help you feel better. Zach will be right here.” Em stands and leaves the bathroom.
Jay rolls her head toward me but keeps her eyes closed. “This sucks, Z,” she whines.
“I know, babe.”
SHE WASN’T LYING.
This does suck.
Now I’m dying and I want my mommy.
I hear the toilet flush followed by the sound of the running water. A moment later the bed dips and Jay curls behind me. “Babe, your shivering,” she whispers. “Do you want me to run you a bath?”
Yeah, but who the hell is gonna carry me?
“No. I can’t move.”
She presses herself closer to my back and curls her arm around my waist.
The bedroom door opens and Eva pokes her head in with her hand over her nose and mouth. “How are you feeling, Jay?”
“Like shit,” Jay croaks. “Tell my mom that Zach has it now, too.”
“Oh, my God,” Lexi says, peeking her head inside. “You guys are sick?”
“You’re sick, too, bro?” Cole asks and I grunt in response. “Blah. Close the door, Eva.”
“Ugh!” Eva quickly shuts the door.
“I see JJ,” Willow’s demand echoes from the other side of the door.
A few minutes later, Emerson walks in wearing a medical mask over her nose and mouth, setting down a mug of something on the nightstand.
Dramatic much?
“I’m not being dramatic, Jay.” Huh? I could almost laugh if I didn’t feel like I was dying. I love that my girl and I think alike. “Who’s gonna take care of you if I get sick?” Emerson points to the mug on the nightstand. “Drink this, Zach. It’ll help with the fever and body aches.”
Grace walks in behind Emerson, also wearing a medical mask, a tray in hand, and sets down two Gatorades, two orange juices, and two plates of scrambled eggs and toast. “I love you both and I’m sorry you’re sick,” Emerson says. “It sucks, but it is what it is. You’re officially being quarantined. There are too many people here who can’t afford to get sick. If you need anything, text me.”
And that’s how Jay and I spent the rest of our vacation in New York. Cuddled up in bed, watching movies with my girl, while Grace kept us fed and hydrated. Can’t really complain.
Happy New Year, Jaybird.
I figure right now you’re in New York ringing in the new year the right way with family and friends. Hope you’re breaking in your new skates in Central Park. Try to stay on your feet this year.
Just kidding.
Love always,
Daddy
NOT ONLY DID I fall on my ass but I also got knocked on my ass by the flu. The upside to all of it was that I got to spend a week in bed snuggling up to my guy watching holiday movies. Even with the flu, it doesn’t suck to be me.
“HAPPY NEW YEAR,” Chandler greets on the other end of the line. “How’s our little Jaybird feeling?”
“Much better, thank you.”
“Good to hear. Well, I have some news. You and the guys have been invited to present the award for Best New Artist at the Grammys this year.”
I gasp. “You’re kidding me.”
“No kidding. I’ve already cleared my schedule. You’ll be here from February eleventh through the thirteenth. Unfortunately, you’ll need to leave your entourage at home because your trip will be short and we have a lot of business to discuss.”
I blow out a breath. “Okay. I understand.”
“I just got off the phone with Miles Townsend. Alex is scheduled to meet with him for his interview as the new lead vocalist for Royal Mayhem. Miles is probably going to want to ask you a few questions too. This is it, sweetie. Are you ready?”
I take a deep breath and nod even though he can’t see me. “I’m ready.”