Brand New Journey

Chapter 10

Just as Lee suspected that Christmas Eve morning as he and Kelly entered the mall, it was a zoo! It took a bit of time to find the center of the mall where Santa's line was and when they finally reached it, he saw at least forty five kids ahead of Kelly to begin with!

He groaned with consternation muttering under his breath, "Oh, boy! Lucky me!" They spent almost an hour and a half waiting in line.

Finally Kelly's turn came and as Lee stood off to the side and waited a parent near him asked, "First time, huh?"

Lee cleared his throat and replied sheepishly, "Yeah. Does it show?"

The woman nodded remarking, "You look like my husband did the second year I did this. He wasn't able to come the first time due to a business trip but didn't believe me when I told him what a madhouse it was and how I was glad he didn't come after all. He shrugged and said to me, "What's the big deal? You bring the kid, get a picture, and you're done."

Lee chuckled as he watched Kelly on Santa's lap and commented, "And yet I don't see anyone with you. What happened?"

The woman smiled and rolling her eyes responded, "Well it was a half hour to find a parking spot, twenty minutes to make it over here and by the time we got in line he told me he was done and said to me, "Never again! "

She then queried, "Where's your wife?"

Before Lee could answer Kelly was returning to him and Lee answered, "Uh, we have to be going. Merry Christmas."

As they walked away the woman remarked, "See you next year!"

Lee smiled back as he took Kelly's hand but scoffed silently thinking, I'm with her husband on this one!

As he and Kelly were leaving one of the elves stopped him and stated, "Sir, you can pick up your little girl's picture at the kiosk on your way out. Merry Christmas! See you next year!"

Lee cleared his throat and mumbled, "No way, Jose'."

Kelly then piped up, "Who's Jose'?"

Lee squeezed Kelly's hand and shook his head remarking, "No one, Honey. C'mon. Let's get your Santa picture and get outta here, huh?"

After Lee paid for the photo and they were making their way out of the area Kelly commented, "Wait! Phi'up gave me this for you!"

She then produced the list from her pocket and Lee groaned responding as he perused it, "Sweetie, I'm sure Manda already shopped-"

But Kelly shook her head and answered, "No! It's from us and me!"

Lee looked at her strangely and then remembered what Phillip said earlier that morning about her wanting to give things to the family also and sighed chuckling as he responded, "Okay. You win. Let's go shopping. But you're gonna have to help me out here 'cause I'm new to all this."

Kelly excitedly pulled Lee along as she commented, "I know where! Let's go!"

By the time they finished and got to the car with their wrapped purchases, Kelly was yawning and leaning against Lee's leg stating, "I'm tired."

Lee putting everything in the car picked Kelly up and got her settled in her car seat and kissed her cheek remarking, " So's my credit card. But thank you for being good and helping me out today."

As he got in and started the car he responded, "Let's go home, huh?"

When he pulled out of the mall area he glanced at Kelly and found she was fast asleep. Shaking his head he thought, Figures. Kids run adults ragged and then they fall asleep!

On the way home Lee decided to get a kid's meal at Marvelous Marvin's for her good behavior.

When they arrived home Lee took Kelly out of her seat and carried her into the house and was met by Dotty who whispered, "How was it today?"

Lee smiled and whispering back stated, "Let me go put her down. I'll be right back."

A few minutes later he returned to the kitchen finding a beer on the table and grinned at Dotty asking, "How did you know I'd want one of those?"

Dotty shrugged and smiled replying, "Just a feeling."

Lee nodded and commented as he sat down, "Yeah, I'll bet. You and your sneaky daughter knew what I'd be up against today, didn't you?"

Dotty gave a faint smile and shrugged stating as she joined him, "Well I thought she would've given you some warning but you don't look any of the worse for wear."

Lee sighed as they sat at the kitchen table and he sipped the beer responding, "Ah, it wasn't all that bad. Except when Kelly gave me a shopping list."

Dotty shook her head perplexedly and exclaimed, "But Amanda and I didn't-"

Lee put up a hand stopping her mid speech and answered, "Phillip and Jamie "helped" her make a list, telling me that she wanted to be part of the gift giving as well."

Dotty swallowed hard and remarked, "Oh, what a sweet child."

Lee smiled and chuckled commenting, "Well, at least she tried to help me as well as the shop clerks. We did fine."

Dotty smirked as she queried, "So, you're saying you might do this again next year?"

Lee winced shaking his head and stated, " I wouldn't go that far!"

They both laughed then and Lee got up responding, "Thanks for the drink but I've gotta get going. Oh, let me go get the gifts. By the way, I got a Marvin's meal for Kelly when she wakes up."

Dotty getting up hugged him and remarked, "Well, she'll love it. Thank you so much for being with her today. I'm sure she appreciated it."

Lee got the gifts putting them under the tree and the Marvin's meal in the fridge and Dotty walked him out to the car as they saw Amanda then pulling into the driveway.

Parking she got out and greeted both and asked Lee," Hi. You okay?"

Lee sighed and nodded answering in a light accusatory tone, " Yeah. No thanks to you, however. You knew what that mall was gonna be like, didn't you?"

Dotty quickly excused herself saying she was going to check on Kelly and left them alone. She didn't feel like witnessing another scene between them today!

Amanda shrugged and smiled watching her mother quickly go into the house thinking, What was she afraid of? Turning her attention back to Lee she commented, "I guess. Besides, I took the boys for years. It was fun."

Lee gestured to her retorting, "Yeah, but you had help then. I didn't. So next time-"

Amanda sensed the "Scrooge" mode coming back to Lee and sighed replying, "Oh for the love of- look, Kelly asked for you specifically. I say next time, you be upfront with her and tell her straight out that Christmas just isn't your holiday but be prepared for all the why questions-"

Lee looked at her puzzled and queried, "Why? Why what?"

Amanda responded, "Why don't you like Christmas? Why don't you like Santa? Why don't you like me-"

Lee put up his hand defensively and answered, " Hold on! I like Kelly! I love Kelly-"

Amanda nodded and remarked, "Okay! So as a new found parent, you have two choices here. One, you can either choose to be as aloof as your uncle was. Although, I don't know how he celebrated when he was a child. It probably changed when he entered the Air Force, where he suddenly thought that sentiment was for the birds. But that's neither here nor there. Or two, you can do what most parents have done for years and just suck it up! See, when you have children it's not about you anymore. You do what they want even though you hate it to please them, you got it?"

Sighing she went and placed a hand on his arm and commented contritely, "I really am sorry I didn't at least tell you what to expect at the mall today. So, do you still wanna come in the morning and watch her open her presents?"

Lee suddenly snapped his fingers and shook his head stating, "Damn! The dollhouse! I forgot to-"

Amanda shook her head and replied, "No, no! It's okay. Mother and I took care of it this morning. We're gonna put it under the tree after she goes to sleep tonight."

Lee swallowed and nodded remarking, "Thanks. You're really a whiz at this parenting stuff."

Amanda shrugged and asked, "It's all right. You'll get the hang of it soon enough. So, tell me. Was it really that bad today?"

Lee shook his head and replied sheepishly, "Nah. It was really the shopping that did me in-"

Amanda queried, "What shopping? I already-"

Lee stated, "I told your mom that the boys helped Kelly with a list of stuff to get for the family. She wanted to."

Amanda swallowed hard and stated, "Gosh. Maybe she's finally starting to adjust here now."

Lee nodded in agreement and answered smiling faintly, " Yeah. Well, I'm gonna head home. See you tomorrow."

As Lee got in his car and started it Amanda patted his arm responding, "Thanks again. Bye."

Amanda thought as she watched Lee pull away, For someone who wasn't good around kids, he's doing an amazing job so far! Maybe there's hope for him yet...

TBC