Page 20 of Selah's Wish

I think over his words, and he’s right, but he’s also wrong. But seeing as I’m not a card carrying member of the Imperial Knights, I’ll have to let them discover that on their own. There have been some losses in the club, and I believe Jack will fill a piece of that void plus help the members heal.

Heartbreak can split your soul in half until something or someone comes along and starts mending it. There’s something soothing about him and Melissa that calls to me—they feel like kindred spirits. It’s almost as if they’re long lost family members who are slowly finding their way home.

“Sleep, beautiful. The kids will be up before the roosters.”

“You think? They had a hard time falling asleep. They were up really late,” I remind him.

“It’s the girls’ first Christmas home together. They never celebrated the holiday within the walls of the compound. You can take my word for what it is in this instance… solid, they’ll be up and rearing to go regardless of the fact they’ll only have gotten a few hours of sleep.”

“This whole gift giving thing is still new to me,” I admit as my eyes close, exhaustion pulling me under.

Before I completely pass out, I hear Butcher respond, “Welcome to your new life, Lah. You’ll never go without again.”

My sleep is packed full of beautiful dreams featuring me, Butcher, Nitro, Hannah, Amelia, and Faye. Years of laughter, love, and contentment. In warped speed, I foresee a future’s worth of presents being unwrapped, dancing in the living room, the girls and I cooking in the kitchen as Butcher and Nitro are in front of the television set. If this is what I have to look forward to for the rest of my life, I’m all in.

We are brutally awoken from sleep with four kids pouncing on the bed, all of their eyes lit with excitement.

“It’s Christmas, Mama. And Santa came to see us. Does this mean we were good this year?” Amelia asks me.

“You’ve been good every year, baby,” I tell her, placing a peck on her forehead.

“Then why didn’t he ever come to see us before now?” Faye asks.

“He did,” Butcher interjects. “But the bad men hid your gifts because they didn’t want you to believe in anything but them.”

My old man is a rip the Band-Aid off type of guy, he doesn’t believe in bullshitting the kids. Other than letting them believe in such things as Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and other mystical creatures. They knew the people in control of their lives before coming home weren’t good, they know the evilthat resides within them. They’ve seen more than any kids their age should, so they can fathom their things being hidden from them.

“That was rude,” Amelia states, crossing her arms across her chest.

“Very,” Butcher agrees.

“Okay,” I say, clapping my hands. “Let’s go see what’s all under the tree.” Four sets of eyes swing my way before they all yip in elation and leap from the bed.

“You ready for this?” Butcher asks me as he tosses a sweatshirt over his upper body, keeping his flannel pajama pants on.

“I am. I’m excited,” I confess as I slip my house shoes on my feet.

“Then let’s go see our kids smile,” he says, reaching out his hand for me. Once I have my fingers laced with his, he drags me from the room. The first thing that reaches my ears are the kids’ squeals, causing my face to split into a grin.

SIXTEEN

Butcher

My sister,niece, and nephew’s toys and other presents are still wrapped underneath our tree. Their stockings are still hung on the wall, loaded down with gift cards and other small items, including an abundance of candy, which my sister is going to be thrilled about. Not really, she may take a baseball bat after my ass.

I long to see them here with us, excitement dancing in their eyes as they unwrap each and every one of them. We had hope that they’d be here today with us, but there was some sort of delay. RiffRaff swore it was nothing to be concerned about, but until I have them here with me, I won’t be resting easily.

Nitro and the girls are bent over his new Nerf gun set, dreaming of going outside and shooting at the trees and other targets. The living room is stacked with dolls, board games, books, clothes, shoes, and other toys. Selah and I pick up wrapping paper and stuff it into the trash bags. When she grabs four extra bags and shakes them until they open up, I shoot her a quizzical look.

“For the last year, your toys and clothes have been mounting up. With what you got today, I think it's a good idea for us to go through your clothes and toys and pick the things that either no longer fit you or that you don't enjoy playing with and donate them. Not all kids are as lucky as you guys are. What do you say? Are you in?”

“That’s a great idea,” I say in agreement. Selah and I aren’t the only ones who’ve spoiled the kids throughout the year, they have a plethora of aunts and uncles who pitched in and made sure they had plenty to keep them occupied and clothed.

“We’ll work the rooms together,” Hannah inserts. “It can become a family tradition.”

Reaching out, I pull her ponytail until she leans into me. When she’s nestled into my arms, I tell her, “Love you, Hannah. You make me so proud every day.”

“Love you too, Papa,” she replies, burying her face into my abs. The kids have slowly started coming around and accepting praise and words of affection.

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