Chapter 54
"Yes, I did have a name picked out when it was my son, but this is our son," AJ said.
"What name did you chose for your son? Maybe I will love that name," Lili replied.
"I was going to name him after my best friend, Tom Boone, and the family that is going to be over her that you will meet, Bud and Harriett Roberts. He was going to be Thomas Robert Chegwidden."
"That is a lovely name and this baby has nothing to do with my husband, Joe, so we could go with your name for the baby."
"Lili, the baby is ours and I want the name to be of our choosing. So why don't we use the name Thomas or Robert and a name of your choosing?" AJ suggested. "Maybe you could use your father's name?"
Lili started giggling and say, "I think we should use Thomas for your friend and Robert for my father."
"You are kidding right?"
"No, sweetheart, my father's name was Robert William Parker."
"Would you mind if we told Bud and Harriett the baby was named for them?"
"Not at all it would be named for both my dad and for the Roberts."
"Mommie, Princess piddled on the floor," yelled Annie. Looking down at the floor they found that Princess had left a wet spot on the carpet.
"It looks like the fun has already begun," said Lili, rising to go get something to clean up the mess.
AJ picked up the puppy up and took her outside with Annie following. "Annie, put your coat on before you come outside.'
"But you don't have yours on, Dada," she complained.
Caught, he grinned at her, "Well, you can bring mine when you come out."
Running to gather their coats, Annie rushed passed Lili cleaning up the puppy's mess.
Annie stopped for just a moment, "Mommie, hasn't this been the best Christmas ever?"
"Yes, sweetheart, it has been the best Christmas we've ever had," replied Lili standing up.
"It's not over yet, Santa comes tonight with more presents for good little girls. I've been good haven't I Mommie?"
"Yes, sweetheart, you've been especially good this year and I bet Santa has something very special for you."
"I hope it's a pretty new collar for Princess."
AJ came back inside with the puppy in his hand heard the last few comment and replied, "I don't think Princess is getting anything this year. Princess piddled on the carpet and that is a big no-no in Santa's book."
"But she didn't mean it, Dada, and I'll stay up late and tell Santa."
"No, you will go to bed on time like a good girl should or no presents for you. Leave Santa a note and see if he is willing to forgive Princess. You can't sleep on the couch tonight because Santa comes and might wake you up."
"That would be ok, I could help him lay out my present."
"Santa doesn't leave presents for children that are awake. In fact I know that Santa is leaving AJ Roberts' presents here tonight."
"WOW! You know Santa, Dada. What is he bringing me?" she asked with big round eyes.
"If I tell you it won't be a surprise."
"How about a hint?"
"I think he said it was purple."
"Gee, that's my favorite color."
"Santa knows that. Now bed, Princess."
"Puppy, time for bed."
"I was talking to you, Annie, not the puppy," he said as he scooped both Annie and the puppy up and took them into the guest room and laid them in a sleeping bag.
"AJ, the puppy should not be allowed to sleep with her. She will get no sleep at all for playing with that dog," complained Lili. Just then Dammit came into the room and laid down on the sleeping bag with Annie and the puppy.
"AJ, do something about those dogs. They can't sleep with her, tonight of all nights."
"Why not?"
"Because she will stay up playing with them and it's supposed to be our night.'
"Annie, if I leave the dogs in here with you will you sleep. Remember Santa won't come if you're awake."
"I already asleep, Dada," she said as she pretended to snore.
"Ok, goodnight then," he said as he leaned over and kissed her.
"Good night, darling," said Lili and she bent down and kissed her daughter.
To be continued…
