Page 62 of Knight

At some point during the meal, Harley comes in. She’s still in scrubs and looks exhausted. She says a few quick hellos and then goes to take a shower before joining us.

Darian brings out a variety of desserts. “Why don’t we eat dessert while Harley finishes her dinner, and then we can open one present each tonight. Only one though. The rest get saved for the morning.”

Darian comes over to me and sits on my lap as we eat our dessert. Skylar nods her head in our direction. “I told you what would happen come dessert.”

Darian looks at her. “Skylar, this is not dry humping. If you think it is, perhaps you and I should go in the other room and have a little chat about the birds and bees.” Everyone laughs, except Skylar. She just shoots daggers at her mom.

Harley finishes, and we all gather around the tree. Darian did an amazing job on her tree. It looks beautiful.

She excitedly hands me a small rectangular box. I open it up and it’s a Rolex watch. Wow. This is a really nice gift. She whispers for me to read the inscription. I read it out loud. “To My Favorite GILF. Always, Darian.”

She quickly covers my mouth. “I didn’t mean out loud, Jackson.”

Reagan starts giggling. “Oh my god. GILF. That’s freakin’ hysterical. Mom, you’re ridiculous.” Skylar and Harley just shake their heads and cover their eyes.

Anne asks, “What’s a GILF?”

Harley replies, “Nothing you need to worry about, Nana. Nothing you want to know about. Trust me.”

I love the watch. I put it on immediately.

It’s my turn. I pull an envelope out of my blazer pocket and hand it to Darian. “This is actually for everyone in this room, plus Cassandra.” She’s not here tonight for some reason.

Darian opens it. She puts her hand over her mouth in shock. “Oh wow.”

Skylar looks up. “What is it, Mom?”

“It’s a VIP box for all of us for the Capitals versus the Flyers game here in Philly tomorrow afternoon. I completely forgot that the Caps are in town tomorrow. Jackson, this is amazingly generous. Thank you.”

Chuck adds, “Thank you, Jackson. I haven’t been to a game in ages. You know, I used to take Darian to games all the time when she was growing up. Her brother too. They would fight like cats and dogs over who got to go to which games.”

“I know, sir. Darian has told me how special it was to her to go to the Caps games with you as a kid. That’s why I got these seats for everyone, so she could go with you again.”

Darian comes over to me with unshed tears welling in her eyes. She grabs my cheeks and gives me a soft kiss on the lips. She whispers into them. “You’re an amazing man, Jackson Knight. I love you. Thank you for this.”

Chuck interrupts our moment. “Jackson, do you know who the greatest hockey player of all time is?”

“Well, sir, I used to think it was Wayne Gretzky, but since I’ve started dating your daughter, I’ve learned that it’s Alexander Ovechkin.”

Chuck smiles proudly. “Damn straight it’s Alexander Ovechkin. He’s the best goal scorer of all time. Gretzky had it easy with small goalies compared to the monsters Ovi has had to encounter.” I laugh to myself. The apple definitely doesn’t fall far from the tree.

“That’s what I hear.”

* * *

DARIAN

I slip into my robe and walk out of my room for a glass of water at about 1:00 AM. Jackson is asleep in my bed. He didn’t want to stay over out of respect for my parents, but I reminded him that we’re nearly fifty years old, each have been married, and each have three kids. I think that cat’s officially out of the bag with my parents that we’re not virgins. Besides, I really needed to thank him for that amazingly thoughtful gift. Twice.

I’m drinking my water when I hear, “Hello, sweetie.”

I startle. “Oh, hey, Mom. You startled me. I didn’t see you there.”

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t sleep. Your father is snoring. I’m surprised you can’t hear it across the house. I thought I’d come out and get some reading done.”

She puts her Kindle down and pats the sofa seat next to her. “Come and sit with me for a few minutes. I want to talk to you alone.”

I go over and sit down. “Jackson’s lovely. He seems quite smitten with you.”

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