Page 14 of Jalen & Colby

We are so far away from anything like that, though, so instead, I busy myself with the food and push those thoughts aside.

“Would you like eggs, bacon, and toast?”

“Ooh, yes, please,” Jalen says as Colby nods with the same shy smile.

It seems they were distracted by me when they left the bedroom, so I jut my chin toward the sofa. “I got you both a present for today. You have to fight it out who gets what, though.”

They frown comically before turning around. Colby gasps, and Jalen squeals.

“You bought us ugly Christmas sweaters?” he cries in delight as he claps his hands and skips over to the couch. Colby laughs as he takes the designs in. I got lucky that the store I ordered from actually had a decent selection.

One is black, white, and pink with a pattern of unicorns and snowflakes and the words ‘I came to sleigh.’ The other is covered with cats and actual little bells that tinkle. I’m not surprised as Jalen lunges for the unicorns, and Colby cries “Kitties!” The satisfaction I feel from nailing the gifts is slightly ridiculous.

“Don’t you have one?” Jalen asks as he hugs his jumper to his chest.

I scoff and flip the bacon with a grin. “I have several. But I already know I’m going to wear the one with Father Christmas riding a T-Rex.” The boys cheer and I grin even harder. Damn. I don’t think I bothered to wear any of them last year except maybe to a silly work event. It feels really nice to have someone to dress up for, even if it is only in a novelty jumper.

It still throws me that this is the height of summer, and actually Christmas T-shirts would be more appropriate. But I figure that we’ll be indoors most of the day with air conditioning blasting, so the jumpers will be okay. For a moment, I get a rare pang of homesickness. Of course I miss my family, even if we do manage regular video calls despite the time difference. But there’s nothing quite like bundling up for a chilly white Christmas, even if I love the beaches here.

As soon as it came, the moment of melancholy slips away. The whole point of today is to be in the here and now and stop worrying about everything else. This is about three people enjoying each other’s company and getting into the Christmas spirit.

The two young men eat a surprising amount of breakfast, but that makes me happy. We can’t take the leftover Thai with us, and I’m not sure when we’ll be able to stop for lunch. So I’m glad I know they’re fueled up to start the day.

They take turns in the bathroom freshening up. Colby is comfortable enough in his jeans from the night before, but Jalen’s fancy pants are maybe not the best idea. I’m relieved I’m able to offer him some drawstring shorts that just about fit on his slim hips. He looks a little like a kid wearing his big brother’s hand-me-downs, but the effect is so cute I tell him truthfully that he looks fabulous. He’s got such confidence that he puts his heeled boots and lip gloss on and works it anyway.

We hit up the Big W department store across the bay in central Sydney and begin by looking at plastic trees. I miss having the real trees I grew up with, but it’s obvious that they aren’t practical down under, and to be honest a pine-scented diffuser brings back almost as much nostalgia for me.

After fretting over my empty apartment, I explain to the boys that I’ve got my own decorations in storage that I promise to get out as soon as possible. Today is about them and them only, and they should just go have fun picking out whatever they want. I can’t, however, help but laugh as Jalen runs straight over to a white tree with pink LED tips.

“Okay, okay,” I say after seeing Colby chewing his lip anxiously. “How about a compromise?” I sense he might want something a little more traditional.

Sure enough, we soon stumble upon a green plastic tree with multicolored LED tips that delights both the boys. From a practical standpoint, I approve that they won’t have to faff around with separate lights, so we get right to picking out some tinsel and ornaments.

We agree on a pack of baubles, a set of sparkling icicles and snowflakes, and some fake candy canes. The way Jalen’s eyes lit up makes me want to find some actual festive sweets for the boys to indulge in. After that, I steer them toward the wall of individual decorations, telling them they can each pick five.

“Five?” Colby says, sounding worried. He’s so sweet.

I step closer to him and gently place my hand on his back, waiting to see if he has a problem with that. But if anything, he leans into the touch, and my heart aches.

“It’s a big tree,” I explain. “You’ll be surprised how many decorations it can hold. And you want it to have personality, don’t you? Not like my bloody place.”

He giggles and looks up at me with shining eyes. “We can fix your apartment next.”

“Exactly,” I agree with a nod. “But today, we’re focusing on your tree. Don’t feel any pressure to get five if you don’t find ones that speak to you. Let’s say you can go up to five.”

“Oops.”

Colby and I look over at Jalen, who has his arms already full of various baubles.

“I can put some back,” he says sheepishly.

I drop my head back and laugh. “Maybe take a look at them again and see which ones truly spark joy.”

“They all do! It’s Christmas!” He flutters his eyelashes at me, but I just arch my eyebrow at him until he sighs. “Fine,” he grumbles.

I suspect that he actually enjoys the discipline. I read online that’s what good Daddies do, anyway. I never want to be a hard arse, but part of being a Daddy is knowing what’s best.

Besides, I know he’s not being greedy. He’s just excited by the glitter and bright colors.

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