Page 65 of Jam and Jingle Bells
Mel crossed her arms as she watched her daughter with her eyes closed, repeating words that Ellis whispered. Words we couldn’t hear. “He did, but we’ve held off.”
“Why?” I asked, genuinely concerned.
“She’s eight. The medications have a long list of side effects, so we want to give her time to work through this without them first. It’s hard to watch her suffer, don’t get me wrong, and if it goes on much longer, we will definitely be taking that option, but we want to wait until after the holidays. Holidays are hard when it comes to missing people you love. The doctor hopes she will slowly improve after Christmas when those memories fade again.”
“I understand and it makes sense. I agree, we love the Christmas season, but it’s hard to think about those who won’t be celebrating with us. I’m glad she has such wonderful parents like you and Mason. You guys do right by her.”
“Thanks, Addie.” She went to grab my hand and I grimaced. She glanced down and gasped. “Your hand is bleeding!”
I lifted my hand and noticed the bandage was soaked with blood again. I held it up with a grim look on my face. “I cut it with my shears earlier. Usually, a few steri-strips do the trick.”
“Doesn’t look like they will this time,” she said, turning it one way and then the other. “You better have this looked at before morning.”
“Thanks, but I’ve had enough of the ER. I’ll wrap it again and keep it up. It will stop bleeding by morning.”
“You realize I want you at my wedding in two days, right? Not in the hospital from an infection.”
I brushed my hand at her. “Hasn’t happened yet. I’m not working Friday either, other than to do our hair.” My eyes traveled to Holly who was in the zone with Ellis. “What’s happening with the adoption? Is that a go for Friday night at the diner?”
Mel shook her head to the negative, her lips pursed. “Nada. We took it off the table and since we did, she’s relaxed a lot more. Maybe it will happen after the holidays when she’s focused less on what her last name is and more on what she’s gaining by having Mason as her dad. I mean, he’s still her dad, but for her to accept his name.”
“Nowhisheart must be broken. I know how much he wanted her to have his name on that day.”
She nodded, biting her lip. “It isn’t often you see the man you love cry in frustration. He wants to help her, but he can’t, and it’s killing him.”
I rubbed her back with my good hand. “I’m sorry, Mel. He’s a wonderful father and Holly knows it. Once she gets over this hurdle, she will be ready to accept his name.”
Mel smiled as she watched one grow on her daughter’s face. “Exactly what I told him, and he knows. As he said, he’s always going to be her dad, no matter what. We’re hoping once I change my name to Hadley, she will decide she doesn’t want to be the odd man out.”
I snickered and gave her a high five out of sight of Holly. “Now that’s a plan I can get behind.”
Chapter Seventeen
“I’ve seen enough of that place for a long time,” Ellis said, putting his arm around me as we left the hospital and walked back toward my salon.
“Now we’re both held together with string for the holidays,” I teased, holding up my bandaged hand. “Not sure how I’m going to cut hair with this thing.”
He tightened his arm on my waist and held me to him. “Maybe you can reschedule tomorrow’s clients. Since you aren’t working Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, by the time Monday rolls around you’ll be good to go.”
“I’ll call Heather when we get home and see if she can take any of them before I cancel on people. It’s the holidays, you know.”
He grinned and shook his head. “I know, but you still have to let that heal a little. Besides, this weekend is going to be super busy. I’d like to spend some time with you alone.”
“What did you have in mind?” I asked, raising a brow at him and wiggling it.
He laughed and snugged me up against him. “Seriously, don’t tempt me. I haven’t been to the pharmacy yet.”
I grinned and side-eyed him. “Little secret?” I asked and he nodded at me to go ahead. “You don’t need the pharmacy. I have a device too, only my device prevents unplanned pregnancies.”
His head turned to make eye contact for a moment. “Why didn’t you say something before?”
“I could tell you were hesitant about being with me. I decided when you came to me with the birth control, then I’d know you were ready. Since you still haven’t, I guess I have my answer.”
He paused and grabbed my shoulders, turning me into him. “No, you don’t have your answer. I was going to go after I ditched the Santa suit on Saturday, but you know what happened. Yes, it’s Wednesday, but I decided I better go to a different town to get them to avoid embarrassing you. Everyone knows I’m staying with you now and I didn’t want the knitting club to start speculating on our sex life.”
I bit my lower lip and sighed. “I’m actually glad you thought that out. It would have been back to my mom in a matter of minutes and then she would kill you and hide the body.”
He pointed at me with a smile on his lips. “That’s exactly what I was thinking. She’s a wonderful lady, don’t get me wrong, but she scares me.”
