The Family Man

“Wake up!” The twins shouted, jumping on the bed. “It’s Christmas!”
I smiled as I got out of bed. “Yes it is, Merry Christmas.” I gave them both hugs. “You go wait downstairs while I wake up Daddy.”
“Okay.” They ran like a shot out of our room towards the stairs.
“Ashley.” I leaned down and kissed him. “Wake up, it’s Christmas morning.”
“Mmm. I’m up.” He said, slowly pulling back the covers and getting up.
“We better hurry up, or else the twins will start opening presents without us.” I said.
We got downstairs to find the twins sitting impatiently in front of their stockings. I laughed as I sat on the couch near my own stocking.
“All right, we’re here. Let’s open some stockings.” Ashley said, joining me on the couch.
We went in a circle; Samantha, Jack, Ashley and then me. We continued like this until there was nothing left in any of the stockings. The twins got some candy, some small stuffed toys. Ashley and I got each other some candy and some essentials that we only treated ourselves to around Christmas.
“Who wants breakfast?” I asked.
“Me!” They shouted.
“You two play with some of your new toys while Daddy and I go get breakfast started.”
Ashley and I went to the kitchen to put breakfast together. I worked on the cinnamon buns and Ashley made the bacon. Soon it was all ready and we called for the twins to join us. Once breakfast was over we all went back into the living room to open the presents under the tree.
Samantha got a new book of songs to learn on her bass as well as a new model car, some sketch books and some movies. Jack got a few new experiment sets, his own new model car, a Ripley’s Believe It Or Not, and a season of Sid the Science Kid. Ashley got me a box set of Humphrey Bogart films, The Rocky Horror Picture Show on blu-ray and some Stephen King books. I got him a couple of new guitar picks, a new Hello Kitty hat and an old concert of KISS on blu-ray.

It was now the end of the day and everyone was coming over to our place for Christmas dinner. I had a turkey in the oven and was preparing cooked carrots and mashed potatoes. Ella was helping me in the kitchen.
“So how was your Christmas?” I asked her.
“Pretty good.” She replied. “Anna got some new dolls that she has been wanting for ages and a princess out fit.” She smiled. “Tara just got some new clothes and a new stuffed animal. There isn’t much that you can buy a 13 month-old for Christmas.”
“No, there really isn’t.” I said, remembering the twins first couple of Christmases.
“What did you get the twins?”
“Samantha got some sketchbooks and music books for her bass, and Jack got some experiments and a season of Sid the Science Kid.” I said. “It’s moments like that when they seem so different, like polar opposites. At all other times though, it’s like they share a brain.”
“Can we do anything to help in here?” Andy asked, popping his head in the doorway.
“Yes you can.” I said. “You guys can carry all the food into the dining room.”
He nodded and came in with the rest of the guys. They each took a bowl or plate of something and carried it out of the kitchen.
“All right kids, here’s your dinner.” I said, putting their plates in front of them.
“Do we have to eat the carrots Mommy?” Jack asked.
He was the only one who had issues with vegetables. Samantha would eat pretty much anything we put in front of her. I found myself thankful for that on more than one occasion.
“Yes. You know the rule Jack. You have to eat five bites before you can say that you don’t like it.”
“But I’ve eaten carrots before.” He compained.
“Well, someday you may like them, and if you never eat them again, you’ll never know.” I replied.
“Fine.” He started eating his dinner.

Dinner was over and everyone was heading home. Jake was holding Anna in his arms and she was sleeping already. We said our good byes and watched everyone walk to their cars.
“All right you two, up to bed.” I said.
“Okay.” They said, heading for the stairs.
“I’ll be up in a minute to put you to bed.” Ashley called after them.
“Well today was certainly nice and relaxing.” I commented.
Ashley chuckled. “Yeah, until we had eight people over for dinner.”
“Yes, but that’s what Christmas is about, spending time with family, even if it’s a little hectic.” I said.
He nodded. He knew as well as I did that we should appreciate what we had. Especially since neither one of us had any family of our own anymore.
“Come on, we should get some sleep.” He said, taking my hand and leading me up the stairs.
He came into our room after singing the twins to sleep. Sometimes I wondered if they would ever get tired of that. Maybe when they were in their teens. Ashley climbed into bed next to me and pulled me close to him. He kissed the top of my head.
“Merry Christmas Belle.”
“Merry Christmas Ashley.” I whispered as I fell asleep to the sound of his heartbeat against my ear.

Notes

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