Lights were decorated around the outside of their house as Santa, his elves and reindeers welcomed guests as they stood on the front lawn mechanically moving in slow motion. Upon entering their house, the smell of fresh pine cones on a wreath hung at the front door. Wooden three-feet tall nutcrackers stood alongside the hallway entrance. Poinsettias elegantly surrounded the entire living room. Their christmas tree looked like it belonged in a festival of trees exhibit, beautifully decorated with dolls and streamers.
Miss Parker was breathtaking in a red silk dress. Cathy looked absolutely adorable in a red velour dress with a faux fur collar with fun pom poms that dangled from the neckline. Jarod, well, he was dressed in his usual attire, jeans and tee-shirt with a Santa's cap on his head.
It was the perfect christmas day family gathering. A traditional holiday dinner consisted of baked ham and turkey, with all the fixings of mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green bean casserole, candied yams, dinner rolls, pumkin and pecan pies. In the three years they've been together, Miss Parker learned to cook, due to fact that her husband was once a master chef on one of his pretends.
Jarod leaned against the window, snow falling softly in the background behind him as he watches his wife and Debbie chatter away sitting by the glowing fireplace. Broots was sitting on the floor plucking on his guitar playing soft christmas music. Cathy laid comfortably in Sydney's arms trying in vain to stay up, as her eyelids grew heavier.
What were once beautifully wrapped presents were now nothing but a mountain of crumpled up christmas wraps and tissues. Opened gifts which mostly belonged to Cathy sat under the tree. Jarod looked around the living room, sipping coffee, his house was not only a house, but a home. It was the perfect christmas setting he's ever wanted while growing up at The Centre. No one deserved that sheltered and lonely life he once lived and was thankful his little girl was fortunate to be blessed with a mommy and daddy who loves her. He was also thankful for the extended family he sees before him.
It frightened Jarod to be exuberantly happy, sometimes, that he could feel cold shivers down his spine just thinking of the possibility that at any moment anything could change suddenly in their lives.
"Okay, it's time to tuck you into bed." Jarod takes his daughter out of Sydney's arms, she wraps one hand around her father's neck, the other on his shoulder, tucking her head under his chin, but then, immediately turned back to her grandfather figure.
"Papa, dolly," pointing to Sydney and to her Raggedy Ann doll which was a gift from him.
"Okay, my little princess, do you want Papa Sydney to tuck you in?"
"Tuck in, Papa." She squeaked.
It was close to midnight when everyone had decided to retire to bed. Jarod and Parker cuddled each other.
"Happy?" He asked his wife.
"Very," she answered kissing him tenderly. Pulling away from him, she sat up and smiled.
"Okay, I know that look. There's something you want from me?"
She shook her head. "No," she whispered still smiling.
"Honey, what?"
"I have a christmas gift for you."
"You've already given me that costly gold watch which you shouldn't have. There's nothing more I want."
"Thank you for my sapphire earrings. It's beautiful."
"Blue. The color of your eyes."
"Sweetheart, this present I have for you, it won't be here for a while."
"It's alright, hon, I don't need anything. Go ahead and cancel whatever you've ordered. I've got everything here I want. There isn't anything I can think of that I would want or need."
"Ummm, this one's for keeps, non refundable." Parker spoke softly into his ears. "And it was made out of love."
His eyes widens as he drew her into him. "Just when I thought I couldn't possibly love you anymore than I..."
Grabbing him by the neck, "kiss me," she murmured.
Cathy had woken up early the day after christmas testing out her new three-wheeler, a gift from Santa. Jarod and Sydney sat at the kitchen table reading the newspaper, like a father and son, as Parker prepared for breakfast. Debbie was still in her bedroom sound asleep. Her father with his boyish grin was out in the back yard building a snowman topped with a wool cap and scarf.
Jarod looked at the clock on the wall wondering who could it be ringing the doorbell so early in the morning. He gulped down his coffee, then headed to the front door.
"What the hell!" Parker heard Jarod yell out.
"Merry christmas, Jarod, my boy! Where's my precious little granddaughter?" Jarod came face to face with Mr. Parker holding a gun at him with Lyle standing along side grinning at the Pretender.
Author's Note: "Enorm", for your great ideas, I had to put it into the storyline, thanks much!
TBC - Chapter 8