I’m living a life I never dared to dream of let alone believed I would have, and I can’t be fucking happier.
“Alright, munchkins.” I deposit my kids on the stools at the island and angle them so they can’t peek into the living room. “What should Mama put in our Christmas—“
“Ho ho ho!”
I roll my eye as my front door swings open, both kids lighting up as Jackal comes stomping down the hall.
“I come bearing ugly Christmas sweaters!”
He ruffles Miles’ hair then plants a kiss on Peg’s cheek as she giggles. “Did Santa come to your house, Uncle Jackal?”
“Sure did.” He grins. “But I think he left more presents for you there instead of me!”
I snort as I start a pot of coffee, grab Theo’s favorite Christmas mug and my go-toWorld’s Best Dadmug. Jackal is still with Summer and Jolie, the three of them happy in their polygamist thruple bubble but none of them seem to want kids, so they spoil the fuck out of all of ours.
“Really?” Peg blinks up at him, practically vibrating on her stool. “There aremorepresents?”
“You bet, princess. There are tons of presents for you and you.” Jackal high fives Miles. “And all your cousins too.”
“Wow,” my son whispers but I just laugh.
This is pretty standard for a visit from my asshole best friend.
“Merry Christmas, Jackal!” Theo all but yells as she comes around the corner looking sexy as fuck in her… goddamn, she’s wearing a Grinch onesie. Fuck, I love that woman.
“Merry Christmas, Blondie.” He hugs her hard as she kisses his cheek. “You’re looking recently fu… fantastic this fine morning.”
She blushes and pushes her glasses up her nose but grins. “I am recently and thoroughly fantastic this morning, thanks. The old man really knows how to keep his woman happy.”
I scowl as I lean a hip into the counter and hold her coffee hostage. “Old my ass... inine.”
“And it’s a fine asinine too.” Theo smacks said asinine as she breezes past me to the cupboard. “I love your asinine. Especially the heart.”
Jackal cackles. “If you like his asinine with the heart on it, you should see mine.”
Blondie rolls her eyes and leans against the counter next to me, mixing bowl in hand. “I’ve heard enough to know I never want to see it.”
“What’s an asinine?” Peg asks, a big grin on her face. “Do I have one?”
Theo drops the mixing bowl as I cough so hard I damn near fart, and as my best friend opens his mouth to give an explanation I don’t want my daughter to hear, Miles speaks up.
“They’re talking about butts.”
My jaw drops as Theo cracks her head on the counter. “How do you know what we’re talking about, bud?”
He shrugs, smirks and starts swinging his legs back and forth. “I’ve seen the heart on your butt. It shows when you’re working on your motorcycle.”
A beat of silence passes before we all burst into laughter. Obviously, my kids got their smarts from my gorgeous wife too.
“That being said…” Theo giggles as she takes my hand. “I think there’s something in the living room Daddy needs to work on now, but I’ll make sure his heart doesn’t show while he does.” She winks at our kiddos then looks at Jackal. “You good with them for a few minutes?”
He nods. “Heck yeah. These two are my ride or die pipsqueaks.”
“You sure you want to leave them alone with him?” I grin as Theo drags me into the living room. “He might end up telling them what it means for you to befantasticthis morning.”
Blondie just smiles as she stops in front of our tree, the multicolor lights blanketing her in a warm glow.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful.”
