Even though it had only been a week, Lexie could already tell there was a bond forming between John and the kids, especially Marybeth. He made sure he talked to both of them every day, even if it was just for a few minutes. It was Christmas Eve. The kids were on break and Lexie's gym was closed for Christmas. Lexie and Kim were talking through Skype on their laptops. Lexie was in the kitchen making lunch. Max and Marybeth came in. the kitchen.
"Hi aunt Kim." Max said.
"Hi." Kim said. "Are you guys looking forward to Christmas?"
"Yeah, John's spending Christmas with us." "It's gonna be fun.
"So you guys like John?"
"He's really nice aunt Kim." Marybeth said.
"Do you guys talk to him a lot?"
"Every day."
"That's good.
"Go wash up for lunch guys, it's almost done." Lexie said looking at the kids. They went upstairs.
"I'm glad the kids are taking to John." Kim said.
"Everything is going so well."
At around seven o'clock that night John walked through the door. He put down his bag.
"Hello?" He said.
"John." Marybeth said coming up to him.
"Hi John." Max said coming up to him.
"Hi." John said. "Where's your mommy?"
"In the kitchen making cookies."
They all went into the kitchen.
"Hi Lexie." John said.
"Hi." She said. They kissed.
"Chocolate chip?" He asked referring to the cookies.
"Yeah."
"Mommy is John going to listen to you read T'was The Night Before Christmas to us?" Marybeth asked.
"Of course I am." John said.
"I read it to them every Christmas Eve, it's become a tradition." Lexie said.
It was time to read the story. They were all in the living room.
"I want to sit next to John." Marybeth said getting on the couch beside him.
Lexie was putting the kids to bed.
"John." "John." He heard Marybeth calling from downstairs. He went up to her room to see what she wanted. "Pandy and me wanted to say goodnight."
"Goodnight."
"I'm glad you're here."
"Me to."
After Lexie and John got done putting the presents under the tree, they went upstairs to bed. She kissed him. He knew what she wanted and broke the kiss.
"What honey?" She asked.
"I've never done it with kids in the house." "I feel weird."
"It's ok John, trust me." "Come here." They kissed and laid back on the bed. "I love you John."
"I love you too Lexie."
The next morning the kids woke Lexie and John up at seven. The kids got to their gifts from John. Max was the first to unwrap his. It was two tickets to open day of the Mets in March.
"Wow!" Max said excitedly. He hugged John. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." John said. "I thought you'd like that."
Marybeth unwrapped hers. It was a Disney princess coloring book and crayons.
"Thank you John." Marybeth said smiling. She went over to him and hugged him.
"You're welcome." He said.