Page 63 of The One I Want
Wes: No, the reason I asked is because the kids wanted to come over to surprise you, as in full Mission Impossible, break into your house to surprise you. Which I was all for. Then I realized that you might sleep naked, and I’m not ready to have that conversation with Hank yet.
I laugh. They are too sweet.
Betsy: I am fully dressed and will even pretend to be asleep for the surprise.
Wes: Good. Because we’re in your driveway.
I laugh and set my phone back down. I hurry and bury myself under the covers, hoping I can pull this off.
I hear their little whispers and footsteps coming down the hall, and it takes all I have not to smile. God I love these kids. Whatever happens with us and Wes, these kids have become more important to me than I ever thought imaginable. And now I’m even more secure in my decision to cut off my family. This is the family I want in my life. For as long as they’ll have me.
I hear the door creak open, and I let the smile fall from my face. I try not to move as I feel them approaching.
“What should I say?” Magnolia whispers.
“Probably Merry Christmas.”
“Well, duh, Hank. But what else? How do we wake her up?”
“Here, let me do it,” Emerson says. “You two be ready.”
I deserve another one of Peggy’s cookie trays for not reacting to Magnolia’s salty response to Hank.
I feel a little nudge on my shoulder. I slowly blink open my eyes and do my best to make a shocked face.
“What in the…”
“Surprise! Merry Christmas!”
I sit up, rubbing my eyes like I’m just waking up for the first time. Magnolia and Hank jump into bed with me as Emerson takes a seat.
“Wow, you guys! What a surprise!”
Wes gives me a wink as he sits at the foot of the bed. It’s then I notice that all of them are wearing matching white, red, and green pajamas—Wes included.
Fuck me, that’s adorable.
“We wanted to come see you and give you your presents!”
I hug Magnolia, kissing her on the head. “What a great Christmas surprise. Did Santa come and see you guys?”
At the mention of Santa, all three of them start talking a mile a minute. Yup, even Emerson, who in no uncertain terms this week told me she knew the truth about Santa. She also told me she knew it was her job to continue to go along with it for Hank and Magnolia.
I really want to be Emerson when I grow up.
I look over to Wes, who’s sitting on my bed staring at me. His smile is the most relaxed I’ve seen since we met. He looks free. He lookshappy. He’s wearing matching freaking pajamas with his kids.
He’s the whole damn package.
“So,” he says, handing me a wrapped box. “It’s Taylor tradition to spend all day in pajamas. It’s the way Santa wanted it. So, Betsy Sullivan, your Christmas morning can’t begin until you open this.”
I smile as I begin ripping the paper off of the box. I feel Magnolia bouncing on the bed. I think she’s more excited than I am. I finally get to the box to open it and see white, red, and green plaid pajamas tied with a bow.
“Did you guys get me pajamas to match you?” The three of them nod so fast they look like bobbleheads.
“Thank you, guys,” I say, wiping a tear away. “This is the best present ever.”
“Just wait,” Hank says as he jumps off the bed. “We have lots more for you. Put on your pajamas and let’s go!”
