As I roll toward the front door, a little girl rushes to open it for me. Another girl, a little older, stands behind her. “Where’s your coat?” I ask. I mock a shiver. “It’s cold out.”
“Oh, we weren’t leaving. We were just looking around.” She nods at her sister. “We just moved in.”
“Me too.”
“Do you know the Reeds?” the older girl asks.
“Yes.”
Her eyes narrow. “Are they really this kind? Or is there something I should be worried about?”
I laugh. “They’re just this kind.”
She lets out a breath. “Oh, good.” She turns to walk away, but calls over her shoulder, “Merry Christmas!”
I get in the elevator and almost hit the button for my floor, but I hit the one for Paul’s apartment instead. I know they’ll all be there, and I probably shouldn’t go, but I like what they all have together. I’ll only stay for a few minutes.
I knock on the door and Friday opens it. She’s in red and green pajamas and I almost turn around and leave, but then I realize everyone else is in their pajamas too.
“Merry Christmas,” Friday tells me. I roll into the room and stop. “Josh!” A roomful of male voices calls out. My face heats up. I don’t know why. But this feeling of belonging with these people…it just doesn’t feel right. Yet.
“Merry Christmas,” I reply.
“I’ll take your coat.” Friday holds out her hand.
“Oh, I’m not saying long,” I tell her.
“Oh, yes you are,” she says. “The boys are going to play Monopoly, and I hate that game. They need someone else to play.” She cups her hand around her mouth. “Apparently, it’s something they used to do on Christmas Day with their parents. I always end up wanting to slap Paul every time he makes me play, so you can take my place.”
“I don’t know how to play Monopoly,” I admit.
“Oh, they’ll teach you. Rule of thumb, though—buy everything.”
“Good to know,” I say.
“There’s a present for you under the tree, Josh!” one of the little girls calls out. I have no idea who they all are, but I am pretty sure this one is Paul’s.
“For me?” I lay a hand on my chest.
She gets the present and brings it to me. I look up at Friday. “You got me a present?”
“It’s not much,” she says softly. “Just a little something.”
Then more kids run over and they’re all carrying presents. They all have my name on them, and they’re from Matt and family, Pete and family, Logan and family, Paul and family, and Sam and family.I probably look like an idiot as I glance around the room, going from one Reed face to another. Paul has his arm around Friday. Matt has Sky in his lap. Logan and Emily are holding hands. Pete cups the back of Reagan’s neck. And Sam is snuggled on the couch with Peck.
“You guys really shouldn’t have done this,” I murmur.
But Paul hears me. “It’s just a few presents, dude. You don’t have to get all weepy. Should I get you some hair product and tampons? There are some extras in the bathroom.”
I laugh and duck my head. “Thank you,” I say. Then when the kids aren’t looking I mouth “fuck you very much” at Paul. He laughs.
I unwrap the gift from Paul and Friday. It’s a pair of pajamas, but I swear, they’re the best pajamas ever. I wad the wrapping paper into a ball and throw it at Logan’s head when he teases me about being too slow. When I’m done opening gifts, I have a small stack of wonderful items I will cherish for the rest of my life.
I haven’t had anyone care about me in a really long time. But this feels good. So good.
“So, you in for Monopoly?” Logan asks as he starts to set up the board.
“Why not?” I say. I got nowhere else to be.
Peck
My phone chimes in my pocket and I look down at it. I whisper to Sam, “D-do you care if my family comes over?”
“Of course not. The more the merrier.”
I text them back and settle against Sam on the couch. We only have a few weeks left until the baby will be here, and I’m getting a little anxious. “Are you tired?” Sam asks. “We can go home and have your family over there, if you’d prefer to.”
I shake my head. He’s about to play Monopoly with his brothers, which is apparently a Christmas tradition. I don’t want him to miss it.
“Do you miss football, Sam?” I ask.
He shakes his head and lays his ear on my belly. “I’d miss you more,” he says.
Sam retired from professional football, but I’m always worried that he’ll regret it. That he’ll be sad that he gave it up. His restaurant opens next week, and he has been busy setting things up there and hiring staff.
“Sam, get your ass over here!” Logan calls.
Sam flips him the bird and goes back to listening to my belly. “I can’t wait until he gets here,” he whispers against my skin, and it sends a chill up my spine.
I groan and adjust myself. “He’s not sitting on your bladder.”
Sam kisses me quickly and gets up. “I’m going to go kick some Reed ass at Monopoly.”
“Hey Sam,” I call to his retreating back.
He turns around.
“Will you get me a cupcake?” I ask.
He grins at me and shakes his head. He pads on socked feet to the kitchen and comes back with two different flavors. “Which one do you want?”