Page 44 of Skid
EPILOGUE
I’d alwayslikedChristmas, but it wasn’t the be-all and end-all. I liked the gifts, the food, and being with the family. But I never made much of a fuss over it. Never had a reason to, but this Christmas was different. This Christmas, I had Laken and Baylor, and I was determined to make it the best Christmas ever.
And I’d come pretty close.
Hell, my living room looked like there had been an explosion of wrapping paper, bows, and giggles. Lots and lots of giggles. Baylor was in the middle of the floor, surrounded by Barbie dolls, clothes, a puzzle that was already missing pieces, and, of course, the bunny.
I don’t know what had come over me, but on a whim, I decided to buy her a real, breathing, tiny white puffball that was currently nibbling on a piece of cardboard box. Laken and I were piled up on the couch, watching as Baylor tried to tie a bow around her neck. Laken laughed, “I can’t believe you actually got her a bunny.”
“Figured she’d get a kick out of it.”
“She loves him, but what happens when she gets tired of him?”
“Doesn’t look like that’s going to happen any time soon.”
“Kids are finicky.”
“We’ll figure it out when or if it happens. For now, she loves it, and that’s what matters.”
“Okay. You’re right.” Laken smiled with that soft, knowing smile that always hit me right in the chest. She inched a little closer as she asked, “Do you like your knife?”
“Hell yeah, baby. It’s badass. Already planning where it’s going in my cut.”
“Good.”
“Question is, do you like that fancy hairdryer thing I got ya?”
“How could I not? I’ve never had anything so nice.” She gave me a nudge. “You really shouldn’t have.”
“I should have. At least, that’s what all the girls on TikTok said.” I wiggled my eyebrows. “They said it was life changing.”
Her mouth fell open with surprise. “Since when do you buy things because TikTok tells you to?”
“Hey, I trust the experts. Besides, you deserve whatever the hell that thing does. Ionic drying? Super-wrap? Hair extraordinaire.”
“Well, thank you. It’s a wonderful gift.”
Baylor squealed, then started chasing the bunny in circles. The kid was happy. Laken was nestled at my side, and the whole place smelled like cider. It was perfect. So perfect that I hesitated to turn to her and say, “We should probably get ready to go.”
“Probably so, but you’re the one who's gonna have to tell Bay that the bunny stays here.”
“She can’t take it?”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“Okay. Okay. I’ll break it to her. You go get ready.”
Laken stood, but before leaving, she turned to me and said, “Hey, thanks for today. I can honestly say that this has been the best Christmas ever.”
“You’re right. It has been, and that’s all because of you.”
“I love you.”
“Love you, too. Now get to getting.”
She nodded, then darted into the kitchen. I heard her slip the casserole into the oven, and then she was off to the bedroom. I eased down on the floor next to Baylor and asked, “You like your stuff?”
“Bunny is my fav-wit.”
