Page 29 of Four Stepbrothers for Christmas

Isaac was a guarded fortress. The wounds of his past were still fresh, making him cautious and measured in his steps. Just as he had hesitated to join us, this idea might send him into a protective shell. I'd seen glimpses of vulnerability in those deep-set eyes, a fear of loss, of heartbreak. Bringing up a shared relationship with Becca would be playing with fire, but maybe, just maybe, it could be the healing touch he needed.

My thoughts were interrupted by the familiar tune of my ringtone. A glance at the screen showed it was Sal, my Dad. I quickly answered and was instantly hit with a blast of his characteristic enthusiasm.

"Hey, Luke!”

Laughing, I replied, "Hey to you too, Pops. Good to hear your voice."

Dad chuckled on the other end. " So, how's the trip? You boys having fun?"

I smirked, thinking of the escapades of the past week. "It's been... great. Really great," I emphasized, avoiding any revealing details.

A few beats of silence passed, letting me know Dad had something on his mind.

I laughed. “Get to it, old man. You’ve always been shit at playing coy.”

Dad joined me with a laugh of his own. “Fine, fine.” His voice took on a softer tone. “Well, to get right to it, I think it’s time you guys finally met Mary.”

“Mary, the famous girlfriend our old man’s crazy over? You’re ready for her to meet your boys?”

He laughed, a tinge of nervousness to the sound. It’d never been easy for Pops to talk about romance, not even with his newest paramour.

“Yep. And she’s ready to meet you guys, too.”

I grinned. “I’d love to, Pops. We’ll be there for Christmas.”

“You're in for a treat. Mary… she’s a breath of fresh air. And speaking of treats, we have a surprise planned for you on Christmas Eve. Can't say what it is, but I promise, you’ll love it."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Dad was never one for surprises. "Now I’m curious."

"What time can I expect you guys?"

Leaning back in the outdoor chair, I replied. "We plan to be there the day before Christmas Eve."

"That'll work perfectly," he said with a chuckle that suggested mischief. "Our surprise will be all set up by then."

Curiosity piqued, I prodded, "What the hell are you going on about, old man?"

Dad’s voice was filled with amusement. "No hints, son. Mary and I want to see the genuine reactions on all of your faces. Believe me, it'll be worth the wait."

As much as I wanted to press further, the call ended with our usual farewells and a promise to catch up in a few days. I pocketed my phone and sank into my thoughts, only to be pulled out when the sliding door to the deck creaked open. Isaac ambled out, a ceramic mug clutched in his hand, steam wafting from it. I could just about catch the distinct aroma of scotch.

"The old man on the line?" Isaac queried, taking a sip from his mug.

I nodded, an amused smile playing on my lips. "Yeah. And he's being cryptic about some surprise he and Mary have planned for us on Christmas Eve."

Isaac’s brow furrowed, intrigued. "Knowing your pops, it could be anything from a pet monkey to a mariachi band."

We both laughed at the absurd imagery, but it did nothing to quell our shared curiosity.

Peering into the distance, Isaac pointed out, "Looks like they’re heading back."

Following his gaze, I saw the silhouette of Becca between Archer and Vinnie, their figures growing clearer as they drew closer to the cabin. Their laughter, carried by the wind, broke the serene stillness of the snowy landscape.

The sight of Becca triggered a fresh wave of contemplation. Taking a deep breath, I finally voiced the question that had been nagging at me. "Isaac, have you thought about what happens when we're back at the office next week?"

He took a long sip from his mug, his face contemplative, eyes trained on the melting snow. "Honestly? No. I've been so lost in the present, the future hasn't really crossed my mind. Which is… weird. It’s usually the opposite.”

I nodded in understanding. "Same here. This week has been intense, to say the least. But it’s also been real. I'm not willing to forget it once we're back to the hustle of city life."

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