Chapter 23
In the following weeks Rod made an effort to get to know Joshua. He began by just engaging in small talk: the weather, work, basketball, among other things. Over time he found himself actually beginning to like the man. Of course, the change in opinion might have had something to do with the Christmas season, which was his favorite holiday and always put him in the best mood. The White House was fully decked out in Christmas decorations. Particularly the Residence, which looked like Santa's work shop with a giant gingerbread house sitting on the hallway entrance table.
All three Templeton's had joined them for Thanksgiving and surprisingly, not a single turkey leg was sent flying at anyone's head. Instead they were all civil and seemed to have had a good time–even Nathan. However, only Joshua would be joining them for Christmas as Nathan and Sara would be in Florida with his family.
A few days before Christmas, Rod was up late reading in the family room when Avery came in after a night out with Josh.
"Hey, dad." she said taking a seat next to him on the couch .
Rod looked up and greeted his daughter with a smile. "Hey, honey." She handed him a small bakery box. "What's this?" he asked.
" Canolies," she said enthusiastically. "After dinner we stopped in this little bakery that Josh swore made the best canolies. Of course, I didn't believe him," she grinned. "Nothing beats the ones we had in Italy at that café, remember?"
Amused at his daughters ramblings and remembering the trip and their shared affection for the pastry, Rod nodded .
"Well..." Avery continued, "after I took a bite I was hooked! I knew the only other person who would enjoy them as much as I would , would be you. So... I got you a few, and you can decide whether or not to share with mom," she joked.
Rod smiled and kissed his daughter's head. "Thank you, sweetie. We'll see how good they are and then I'll decide if mom get's to have one, too. Did you have a good time tonight?"
"Yeah, it was good. Good food and good company. Can't ask for a better combination."
He could hear the hesitation in her voice. "You know, honey," he closed his book and focused his attention on her, "you don't have to watch what you say with me. I asked you about tonight because I'm interested... Come on," he nudged her with a smirk across his lips, "you aren't too old to talk with your dad, are you?"
"I will never be too old, dad." Avery smiled. "I have to give you credit though, you have been really great lately... but that could just be because you're in Old Saint Nick mode," she teased.
Rod rolled his eyes. "I may be more agreeable this time of year, but I'm not out of touch with reality, you know. What did you two do tonight?"
"We went to dinner at a quiet restaurant, stopped for coffee, and dessert, then went to Josh's to watch a movie." Avery caught the expression on her father's face. "Sorry to disappoint, we are kind of boring," she joked.
Realizing what she must be thinking, "No, I don't think that's boring... I just... well, I would think to someone your age it would be."
"Why's that?"
"Well... it's not really what people your age do on Friday night's. I just hope you don't feel you can't have fun because you're in a relationship with someone older." Rod didn't want to push it, but he was curious as to how she felt about the age gap.
Luckily she didn't take it the wrong way. "I am having fun... I did all the crazy stuff my first two years in England. It just get's tiring after awhile–the drinking, staying out all night. I like the stability in my life now."
"I look forward to the nights where Josh and I just order in and watch movies, nothing else compares," she truthfully declared.
Rod could hear the love and contentment in his daughter's voice and that made him feel at ease . He patted her hand. "As long as you're happy, that's all that matters."
Avery smiled.
A smile that mirrored her mother's, Rod thought.
"I am happy, dad."
"Good... Now what's this about 'crazy stuff' in England?"
Avery sighed. "Dad, some things are better left unsaid between a child and her parent and... well, that's one of them." She stood up and leaned down to kiss her father goodnight. "Nite, dad."
Rod chuckled "Sleep well, honey."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Rod had stunned both Mac and Avery when he suggested that Joshua spend Christmas Eve at the White House so that he could participate in all of the Calloway Christmas traditions.
"I want to hang the stockings," Amy declared.
Every year on Christmas Eve the family would hang their stockings on the mantle above the fireplace, and afterwards they would have hot chocolate and Christmas cookies while watching a Christmas movie.
"Why don't you hand them out and everyone hangs their own?" Mac suggested.
"Okay." Amy looked in the box and began to hand out the stockings. She handed the stockings to her siblings, her grandmother and to her parents. "That's it, everyone has there's now."
"Not everyone," Rod said. He stepped out of the room and walked back in a few minutes later with a stocking in his hand and gave it to Josh. "It wouldn't be tradition if everyone didn't have a stocking."
A stunned Joshua could only muster a "Thank you, sir."
Avery smiled at her father appreciatively. This was a huge turn around from where they had been just months ago.
This had also been a surprise to Mac. Rod had gone up to hang his stocking and as Mac walked past him to hang her own she gave his arm a small squeeze. Rod winked in response and took his seat.
After they had all hung their stockings it was time for the movie.
"Whose turn is it to pick this year?" Horace asked.
"Dad picked last year... so it's mom's turn," Rebecca replied.
"Alright then I'm picking one of my favorites," Mac stood up and grabbed a DVD from the selected pile on the table, "Christmas Vacation."
"What a shocker," Rod teased his wife.
"Mom, you pick that movie every time it's your turn to choose," Avery commented.
Mac shrugged, "It's funny and reminds me of your dad on Christmas when we lived back in Connecticut." She smirked at her husband. "Our house was the brightest on the block every year."
Everyone laughed.
"Well, he can't decorate the outside of the White House but he still goes over board inside. I'm sure next year we'll have a life size train going all over the house."
"Please don't give him any ideas." Mac jokingly pleaded of her son.
"Alright," Rod put his hands up in defense, "no more beating up on me... I'm going to go get the hot chocolate."
"I'll help you, sir" Josh followed him into the kitchen.
Once in the kitchen Josh took the opportunity that he had a moment alone with Avery's father to have a serious word with him.
"Mr. Calloway, thank you for all you've done to make me feel a part of the family tonight."
Rod put the last mug on the tray to fill and turned to Josh. "I have to tell you Josh, I'm still not completely comfortable with your relationship with my daughter, but I am willing to put the past behind us and try and get a long for Avery's sake."
He turned back to the task at hand and continued filling the mugs.
"Thank you, sir. I'd like that. I want you to know that I do love her. Truthfully more than I could ever have imagined and I want to spend the rest of my life making her happy... if she'll have me, of course."
Rod stopped what he was doing and once again looked at the younger man.
"Are you saying that you plan to ask her to marry you?"
Josh simply nodded his head. " I was thinking about doing it on her birthday in a couple of weeks... I wanted to tell you first in hopes that you would give us your blessing."
Rod was silent but not at all surprised. He'd expected this to happen just by watching them together... he just wished it wouldn't happen for another year or two. He cleared his throat. "I appreciate you coming to me but... it's not me who has a say in this decision. Mac and I are confident we raised Avery to make the best decision for her and we trust that she will... So if you ask her and she says yes, then we'll be behind you both a hundred percent."
Josh who had been holding his breath the whole time finally let himself relax. "Really?" he asked stunned.
Rod nodded his head. "Consider yourself a lucky man if she says 'yes.'"
"Yes, sir... I already do."
"Good. Now help me carry these out."
Josh did as he was told still reeling from the nervous state he was in.
"Oh... and Josh," Rod said in a teasing tone but with a very serious look, "if you ever hurt her... I reserve the right to kill you." He walked back out into the living room with a happy, but shaken, Josh following directly behind.
