Page 64 of Better Daddy
I nudge Sully. He better get out there before this blows up.
Like he’s thinking the same thing, he presses a quick kiss to my cheek and climbs out of bed. “I’ve got this. I’ll start a cup of tea for you. Come out whenever you’re ready.”
He tiptoes out into the hall, closing the door behind him, and a moment later, I hear Murphy’s door creak open and Sully whisper-shout, “Caught you!”
Both boys squeal, but Sully shushes them.
I sink back into the bed and squeal myself. The last twenty-four hours have been nothing short of joy-filled. I press my hands to my cheeks. They’re tight from all the smiling I’ve done and they’re warm to the touch, the rosiness more than a simple feeling. It’s emotion spilling out of my pores.
“ButDad, Santa left the presents and he didn’t say we had to wait for everyone,” T.J. whines.
Laughing, I get out of bed and pull on the matching pajamas Cal forced upon us all. If the adults don’t get out there soon, I can’t be held liable for what my son might do.
A few minutes later, I find Lo in the kitchen pouring a cup of coffee. Brian, the good sport that he is, is wearing his pajamas too as he sips from his own mug.
“Where are the guys?” I ask them.
Lo motions to Murphy’s bedroom. “Cal went to wake them up. Can you believe they slept in so late?”
I hide my smile. If she knows the boys were preparing to peek, she may tell Cal, and it’s too early for that kind of drama. “Is Sully with him?”
Lo nods. “Did he sleep in the bunk bed last night?”
Thanking my lucky stars that I’d already schooled my expression, I turn to the kettle and make anuh-huhsound. It’s not really a lie. It was more of a noncommittal response. If she wants to interpret it as a yes, then that’s on her.
Lo shuffles closer, humming right back at me, her attention raking over me like she’s trying to read my damn mind.
Fortunately, I’m saved from an interrogation when the door to Murphy’s room swings open and Sully backs out, camera in hand, recording the boys as they rush to the living room to discover whatSantaleft them.
“Make sure you’re using the wide angle so you get everything,” Cal instructs over Sully’s shoulder.
My husband twists away, keeping his focus on the screen. “I’ve got this. Just go enjoy the bloody moment.”
Without argument, Cal skirts him, his face lit up with glee.
“Look, Dad,” Murphy yells. “I got a bike!”
T.J.’s already ripping into a present. I don’t bother telling him to stop. He’ll only be a kid for so long. He might as well enjoy it.
We take our drinks to the couch while Cal pulls out his phone and puts on a Christmas music playlist.
Brian turns on the television and finds a loop of a crackling yule log on one of the streaming services. “Not exactly like home, but it’s not so bad,” he says when he settles on the couch.
After the boys have torn into a few presents, we slow them down and convince them to let us all take turns. When Cal hands me a card, I eye him with suspicion. It’s hard to know what the ridiculous man might pick out. But when I open it, I squeal. “You mean I can buywhatever I wantat Banana Republic?” It’s not a gift card. Oh no, it’s so much better. It’s a single sheet of paper, and Cal has writtenOne-hour shopping spree with Cal at Banana Republic. He’s done similar things in the past, and we always turn the shopping sprees into entire days out.
Cal may be the biggest man-child I know, but he’s incredibly fun to be around and has the biggest heart. It warms me that he thought to do it again. Sully isn’t the only person I’ve missed.
“Yes. Now tell me you’ve forgiven me for calling you an incubator.” Cal pouts dramatically.
Sully’s eyes go wide with panic, and his whole body goes rigid. Like he’s worried this comment will cause me to shift back into the angry wife I’ve been for so long.
He was right when he said we can’t fix our relationship overnight, but I know without a doubt that my husband wants me for more than my baby-incubating abilities now, so he doesn’t have to worry.
“Yes, Cal, I’ll forgive you for that, but only if you throw in a stop for blue slushies.”
He grins, his blue eyes sparkling. “Consider it done, Sloaney.”
It takes over an hour to get through all the gifts, and while Lo and I make breakfast, the guys spread out on the floor and help the boys put toys together.
