Page 32 of A Constant Christmas

Every night after the kids go to bed, Ty and I take time for ourselves, whether that be having wild and crazy sex or just hanging out with a glass of wine and a good movie. We talk about our days and just enjoy the time together before heading to bed.

My time away with Tyler reminded me of what’s really important. And at the end of the day, it’s not a clean house. It’s happy kids, a happy marriage, and a happy mom.

So, this morning, I snuggle and tickle my girls for a few minutes before they inevitably drag me downstairs to open gifts. Abby seems content to stay here with me, but Lilah is trying her hardest to escape.

“Mommy! We don’t have time for this! It’s Christmas!” She exclaims while trying to writhe away from my grasp.

“Okay, okay,” I laugh. “Where’s your dad?”

“He’s downstairs waiting. He says he has surprises for you,” Abby says.

“Surprises? Well, why didn’t you tell me?” I say while jumping out of bed, getting them both to giggle again.

As quickly as I can, I run a brush through my hair and throw it back up in a ponytail and put some slippers on to go with my pajamas.

The girls lead me down the stairs and are insistent that I keep my eyes closed. Fearing for my life, I squint to make sure I don’t take a tumble. When we hit the bottom though, I squeeze them shut as they lead me into the living room.

“Ty?” I ask, walking into the large room.

“Morning, Kansas.”

“Want to tell me what’s going on?” I ask, still holding my eyes shut.

“Open your eyes and see for yourself.”

When I open my eyes, Tyler is standing right in front of me. I’ll never understand how this man can look this good before eight o’clock in the morning.

As he steps out of the way, I see my dad sitting on the couch next to my two brothers.

“What are you guys doing here?!” I shriek. “We just left you guys! How?” I begin to stutter.

Dad answers. “Tyler flew us out. Thought it would be nice to be with you guys and the kids on Christmas morning.”

Tears well up in my eyes as I struggle to keep my composure. I haven’t had a Christmas with my dad in over ten years.

I also see Tyler’s parents sitting on the floor holding Jonathan.

It’s everyone we love all in one room, and I couldn’t be happier.

“Thank you,” I whisper to Tyler.

“Oh? You thought this was the surprise? Oh no. I just wanted them here to see your surprise.”

“Huh?” I ask. “No, this is more than enough.”

“Hush,” he says. “Ever since the girls have been born, you have been doing everything for everyone else. Every Christmas I watch you break your neck making sure that everyone around us has the most perfect day. Not today. Today, you will not cook. You will not wash one dish. You will not open any gifts that you tell me you need like socks. Today will be all about you…and of course the kids. I mean it is Christmas,” he winks.

The room is filled to the brim with gifts that everyone has purchased for everyone else, but he walks over and picks up a lone wrapped gift sitting on the coffee table.

He hands it over to me, and I begin to slowly unwrap the red and gold wrapping paper. When I get it all off, I see that it’s a desk organizer…like the kind that holds pencils, pens, and sticky notes.

I’m not sure what sort of reaction I am supposed to give here. I mean I don’t even have a desk. Should I be jumping for joy? “I don’t understand,” I say in a low voice.

“Well, see, you’re going to need that…when you go back to work.”

Okay, now I am really confused. “Ty…I…”

Before I can get the words out, his mom hands him a large envelope. He pulls out some large photos that he had printed. He hands them to me, and I begin to flip through them one by one. All that’s in each photo is a plot of grass. That’s it. Grass.

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