I don't own the characters Janet Evanovich is the owner. It's like playing with Barbie dolls, you get the dolls but it's fun making up your own stories.
A Very Merry Manoso Christmas
December 24th and the snow was piling up on the roads and the grass and trees were perfectly white, just like a Christmas card.
Grandma Mazur and Daddy had just arrived with what looked like a whole car full of beautifully wrapped Christmas presents.
Carlos was outside playing in the snow with Julie and our twins Malorie and Ricky. Julie is almost nineteen and the twins just turned four. Oh and there's Lester our other kid, actually Lester is Carlos' cousin. Lester is thirty-nine going on sixteen.
Christmas Eve is the night we have been getting our Christmas tree. So the rest of Rangeman will be showing up shortly to help with what has become a Christmas tradition.
I've been working all morning clearing the space in the great room to accommodate a tree as big as the one they got last year. Thank goodness the ceiling is vaulted and can hold a twenty-four foot tree.
Since moving into our house we've been hosting the Rangeman Christmas party here. It's held Christmas Eve and it's so much fun to have everyone come and celebrate. I'm especially excited this year because the kids are finally old enough, to really be excited about Santa. Malorie wants a Barbie Dream House (which I bought with several new Barbies) and Ricky wants what he calls a 'Bat car'. Carlos bought each of them small electric cars to drive around the property. He got Malorie a Hot Pink Barbie Convertible and Ricky a Mini Batmobile that looks like the real one. He bought Julie a brand new Honda CRV HYBRID because she had been driving my old car and it finally died a natural death! Can you believe it didn't blow up or get smushed!.
None of the kids have any idea what they are getting so hopefully we'll have some really excited kids Christmas morning.
I finally got to the door and let daddy and Grandma inside. They've been doing great, since mom died. They have lived together in the house Carlos and I bought them. Seems the key to them being better roommates was having two bathrooms. Grandma is getting much more frail. She just turned eighty-five and she has finally slowed down a bit. Daddy is sixty-nine and has decided to work part-time at Rangeman answering phones and helping out where they need help. He was bored when he retired after mom died, Carlos asked him to come work for him. I know he wanted Daddy to feel like he was still needed and he didn't need to totally stop working.
I helped them with unloading the car. We placed the presents in the corner of the great room, with the other presents we had wrapped making it look like Santa's sleigh had crashed in our great room!
It's funny and heartwarming looking at all the presents and realizing just how many folks will be excited and surprised this Christmas by their gifts. I just hope Carlos will be excited as well.
Another carload of people arrived and clambered into the back hallway. It was Tank, Hal, Bobby, Vince and Ram. They were carrying what looked like large foil covered dishes. They went straight into the kitchen and started to put their items away in the oven and refrigerator. "Ella told us what to do with all this, don't worry she's on her way here. She just had to pick up a few last minute items." Bobby said as he leaned down and kissed my cheek.
At that very moment two very cold and very wet four year olds ran inside. Followed by Julie, Carlos and eventually Lester. The twins ran to me, hugged me and proceeded to tell me how much fun they had with their daddy. I managed to get them up the backstairs and into their rooms to change them into warm,dry clothes.
Julie stuck her head in the door "Sorry about that mom, they didn't want to come inside but they finally got too cold. Daddy's been trying to get them to come in for the last thirty minutes. I think Lester would have kept playing, he's such a goofball! Let me change and I'll come help you with everything."
She headed toward her bedroom. I got the twins into cute Christmas sweaters and warm fleece pants and sent them downstairs to see their grandpa and great grandma. I stayed upstairs and collected wet garments and put them in the upstairs laundry room.
As I stepped out of the room Carlos pulled me into his embrace. His nose was still cold as he rubbed it on my cheek. Then he kissed me and pulled me tighter, "you're so warm,... I could just kill Lester. He kept playing even after I suggested it was time to come inside. The kids didn't want to go in, especially if Lester wanted to play some more." He just shook his head and held me close. "Looks like everyone is getting here, you ready for the onslaught? " he laughed as he said that. "Ready, willing and able" was my reply.
The noise level downstairs was getting louder and the smells coming from the kitchen were mouthwatering. I made it downstairs and was encased in a pair of small arms. "Mommie we had so much fun, can we go play again?" they sounded like a stereo both asking at the same time. "Yes, but not tonight. We have a lot to do tonight, and I'm going to need both of you to be mommy's big helpers! We have to get the house ready for Santa Claus' visit!"
Carlos joined us all downstairs in the kitchen. Ella and her husband arrived and were setting out the food for all to eat. Thankfully our house is large enough to hold all of us comfortably. Ella had made delicious Chicken Tamales and Beef And Cheese Enchiladas.
Everyone gathered in the kitchen and helped themselves to the food piling it on their plates. Carlos said a Beautiful Christmas Blessing. He expressed gratitude for our friends and all our families. He blessed the food and then everyone found places to eat and the fun began.
After everyone was finished eating they decided it was time to get our tree. Carlos said "Babe, go get the kids and yourself bundled up to go outside. I have a surprise for you all. Meet me at the front door in ten minutes." I gathered all the kids up and dressed them warmly and met Carlos at the front door.
When he opened the door I was shocked by the sight. It was a huge sleigh being pulled by a big, black horse. The coachman had lanterns hanging on the front of the coach and inside the sleigh there were warm blankets and heated bricks that warmed the foot area. Carlos loaded the kids into the front of the sleigh and he helped me in and sat me facing forward, then he climbed in, covered the kids up and then sat beside me. We were going on an actual sleigh ride in the snow! Carlos explained the guys are meeting us at the Christmas Tree lot in the neighborhood.
We took off at a slow clip, clop as the sleigh pulled out onto the snow covered road. The kids were so excited. Ricky asked if this was Santa's sleigh and Malorie was catching snowflakes on her tongue as we sped off into the winter wonderland. Carlos put his arm around my shoulder and hugged me close. "Babe, five years ago I never would have thought my life could be so fulfilled. Having you and our family has been the best thing that has ever happened to me and I'm the luckiest man on Earth." He kissed me and hugged me tight, the kids laughed, and made kissy faces at us. Gotta love four year olds. Julie was not paying us any attention, in fact she seemed worlds away. "Jules, You ok?" I asked her. She turned and looked at me with tears in her eyes. "Yes, I'm ok. It's just that I love being a part of this family. I know I have you and dad to thank for bringing me here to live with you. I found out about Rachel and the money. How she didn't want me, but she wouldn't let me go unless dad paid her. What kind of mother does that to a child?" I carefully switched seats with Malorie and held Julie in my arms. " I didn't give birth to you but that doesn't mean I don't love you any less! You are my daughter too and I thank the stars that you came to live with us." We hugged and then as if on cue Malorie started to sing Christmas Carols and Ricky and everyone followed along.
After about fifteen minutes we arrived at the tree lot. It was just outside our gated community. They always had a huge selection of trees from the small 4 foot up to a massive 30 foot tree. Carlos told the guys nothing over 20 feet, so we all walked around checking out the selection. Julie Shouted "Dad! I think I've found it!!" We all rushed over to check it out. It was a beautiful Fraser Fir. It was full, but not too full, and tall about 20 foot.
It was spectacular! Everyone agreed so this was going to be our tree this year. Carlos went over to Tank and they discussed the tree delivery. Then Carlos rounded us up and helped us back into the sleigh. Ricky And Malorie were tired and they snuggled up together and were dosing as we took the sleigh back home.
We arrived home and the tree was already up. The guys didn't waste any time setting it up. Now we will all decorate the tree together. Our Rangeman Christmas party is in full swing. There's Christmas music playing and the food is flowing. The kids are running around screaming and playing. Soon they will be in bed waiting to catch Santa in the act!
Once the kids are in bed we have the adult Rangeman party.
We play "Dirty Santa '' and exchange gifts. Carlos hands out Christmas bonuses to everyone, including me!! The party slowly winds down around 1:00 am. The tree is totally decorated and the presents for all the kids are under the tree. Daddy and Grandma are both staying over tonight, that way they'll be here in the morning for the kids.
Carlos and I hug everyone goodbye and then make our way to the kitchen, then out to the garage to get the "Santa" presents to place under the tree. I keep watch to make sure they aren't up waiting to catch Santa. Carlos managed to get all the "Santa" presents under the tree and we added the other presents for everyone else. We finally headed upstairs to go to bed. I'm exhausted, Carlos is exhausted so we just snuggle until we fall asleep.
Two four year olds jumping on our bed awakened us. "Santa Came Mommy!!! Daddy get up Santa came!" We slowly get up and head downstairs with the kids. Julie sticks her head out of her room as we pass by her door. "Come on down Julie, Santa must have left you a present too" I said as I pulled her into a hug. Carlos was now carrying two squirming four year olds as he walked down the stairs. He put them down and they ran screaming around the great room finally stopping in front of the tree. Ricky screamed "Batmobile" it was so cute. He sat in it and pretended to drive, Malorie climbed into her Barbie Convertible and shouted "Look at me, I'm Barbie!" then Ricky pretended to chase Malorie. Dad and Grandma Mazur joined us as we all started opening presents one by one. Carlos looked at Julie and asked her "to go check the mailbox because we forgot to get the mail yesterday." I knew her new car was sitting out front in the circular drive with a huge red bow on the top.
Julie is such a good girl , it makes me so angry at Rachel the way she treated Julie. I'm so happy she's here now and happy. We quietly followed her to the door and heard her squeal! "OMG, OMG, OMG no!! I can't believe it!" Carlos and I nodded yes and she ran and hugged us both.
We went back inside since it was freezing and the snow continued to fall. Carlos pulled me onto his lap and kissed me , then he handed me a small, long box. I opened it and found a spectacular sapphire necklace with matching earrings. They were simply exquisite!
I kissed him and the kids did their smoochy faces again but we just laughed and kissed more.
I gave Carlos a new black leather jacket. A 3d printer and two season tickets to the New York Jets.
Now it was time for my huge surprise for Carlos. I sat on his lap and asked him a loaded question. "Carlos, do I feel heavier?" He shook his head no."Really, you sure I don't feel about 8 pounds heavier" "Babe", he replied. "You don't feel any heavier. " I acted confused, "Well, the doctor said I should expect to gain some weight over the next seven or so months. I was just wondering if you." He stopped me, "Are you saying what I think you're saying?" he asked me with excitement in his voice. I nodded yes and he picked me up and swung me around, and kissed me. "Dr.Grayfield confirmed two days ago, I'm about eight weeks."
Everyone cheered and congratulated us. "It's just one baby, this time, not two. I hope you're happy Carlos, I know we want a big family, looks like we are on our way!" I said to him. He hugged me close and said "This has been the best Christmas ever!"
"I love you Carlos " "Love you too, Babe. Merry Christmas".
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!