Page 64 of Christmas Chaos
“Becca, do you need to be with me to pick the boys up?”
“I’m not sure but someone legally has to be with Tabi. They hand me the baby then you. Let me figure it out.”
I clap and begin to pace around their living room. Everyone joins me out there. A plan is coming together. My head flips from the emotion of the moment to taking care of shit. Natalie was my assistant for years and details are her thing. “Nat can keep all of this straight, Elle, get her to help you. Becca, tell them I’m coming to our kids. I’m showering and changing into Josh’s clothes. Then I’m headed to San Jose. I’ll meet you in Oakland at what time?”
“I think around four or five, they can’t be specific. Once the hospital releases the birth mother, they can release the baby to you.” I nod.
Josh says, “What do I do?”
“We’re all going to Gelbert’s winery tonight for Christmas eve, right?” I say, and he nods. “RSVP for five for us. And help Tab at Pro/Ho. Tell Poppy we need a Christmas dinner and stock whatever fucking fridge we happen to have with food. And nobody tell Tabi.” Poppy Gelbert’s a chef, and I’ll need to feed these kids once we are wherever the hell we’re going. I add one more thing, “Try to keep it from Sam as well.” Sam is shit with secrets. I walk upstairs and call my dad.
“Son!”
“Hey, are you sure there’s not a spare cot or something for Tabi and me?”
“And the baby. Oh, don’t you forget that baby, son. I’m itching for it. We could figure something out, maybe. But there’s a lot of them in that family.”
I laugh at him. He has a full house of Ingrid’s boyfriend’s family. He has one other grandkid but turns out my dad is a born grandpa. My mother would have loved this moment of chaos that’s all resulting from an abundance of love. It’s not often I get caught up in wishing she were still alive, but today, it would be nice.
I answer my father, “I know but with the house down, I just don’t want to shove the baby in a closet. Elle’s working on it.”
“Then you’re golden, son. She’ll figure it out. Call me if there’s something I can do. I’m trying to stay out of the way because I figure, Goldie is all up in it.”
“My mother-in-law is certainly enthusiastic but don’t take a back seat to her, dad. Hey, if you have a moment to take over for Tab pouring at Pro/ho that would be a huge help.”
“Consider it done. I’ll get over there when I can. Love you, Bax.”
“You too. Thanks, Dad.”
I hang up and dial my youngest sister.
I speak before she does, “Ingrid!”
“It’s Ian. What’s up, man? She’s in the shower.”
“Do you make a habit of picking up your girlfriend’s phone?” I like this guy, but I’m still wary that he’s a little older, an international rockstar with a billion number one hits and one very public nasty divorce.
“Yes. I’m that possessive and controlling. She’s not allowed to talk to anyone unless I approve. Be afraid of me, Bax.” He pauses then says, “She told me to answer if it was you or Tabi. After everything that’s happened in the last twelve hours, she thought she might be needed. Hold on, I’m supposed to give her the phone in the shower.”
“Not enjoying the idea of you seeing my sister naked.”
“I’ll avert my eyes.”
“Good.”
I wait through the giggles and what sounds like an ass slap, and hum. “Bax, what’s up?”
“Keep this close. Tabi doesn’t even know I’m about to give her the ultimate Christmas present.”
“Tell me it’s better than that piece of shit house you gave her when you got married.”
“Joaquin and Jay.”
“OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD. I’m going to be an auntie like three times over TODAY. You’re the best, Bax!”
“Glad you’re thrilled, but I need presents. Boy presents. Ten and eight-year-old presents. I’m tapping David to get Jay art supplies, but Joaquin plays a little guitar. We were somewhere once and he plucked out a song on an old guitar that he remembered, and he lit up. Get him all the stuff. And sports stuff. They love soccer. Shit, I should have David do that too. And Harry Potter. Get them Ravenclaw and Gryffindor stuff. And the whole set of books. Get the illustrated ones and the regular ones. And all the merch. We’ll teach them to be more tolerant than JK, but she wrote a hell of a series.”
“Which is which?’
“Shit. Um Jay. Jay is the Ravenclaw.”
“Got it. Go get those fabulous boys. I love you, Bax. You’re truly the best. Tabi’s going to fucking flip. And you’re going to be the absolute best dad. I’m weepy!”
“Love you, Ingrid.”
“Do they still believe?”
“I don’t know if they do, but I certainly do.”
A tingle of excitement runs down my spine as I say this.
