Page 27 of A Daddy for Christmas 3: Nova

Chapter 12

(Robbie)

“Do you have any plans for Christmas?” I asked over the sound of the surf lapping against the sand, rhythmic and gentle.

I knew it was late to be asking, but I hadn’t celebrated Christmas in so long that I’d let days slip past before it dawned on me that tomorrow was Christmas Eve. I didn’t even have a gift for Nova yet, though I had a few good ideas in mind that I intended to pick up in the morning. Yeah, I knew the risks of last-minute shopping, but I’d brave the insanity anyway, just to see a smile on his face on Christmas Day, provided I got to spend it with him.

“Would you consider movies and room service a plan?” he asked as I played with his hair.

Stretched out on a blanket, his head on my lap, we were the picture of tranquil ease as we lay sprawled together on the stretch of beach behind the house.

“Definitely.”

“Then yup, I have a plan; there’s just one problem with it that maybe you can help me solve.”

“And what would that be?” I asked.

“It wouldn’t be very fun if I had to spend the day alone,” he explained. “So, I was wondering if you’d like to spend the day in bed with me, err, watching movies and pigging out.”

I chuckled at that and brushed a lock of hair back from his forehead.

“I can think of no better way to spend Christmas Day than in bed with you,” I replied. “I’ll bring the refreshments so we can keep the refrigerator stocked with drinks and between-meal snacks. What time were you thinking of starting the movie marathon?”

“Tomorrow night.”

“I see. Were you thinking about a sleepover or texting me when you got up in the morning?”

“I wouldn’t be opposed to you sleeping over,” he said. “We don’t even have to wait until nighttime to start watching movies, but I do have a few things I’d like to run out and pick up in the morning,” he admitted.

“Same,” I replied.

“Could we, um, meet up at three at the hotel?” he asked. “That would give me plenty of time to take care of everything and get the room set up the way I want it.”

“Sounds good to me,” I replied. “Want me to grab a few slices of that fluffy rainbow-colored cake you’ve grown so fond of?”

“Yes please, and a couple slices of red velvet too,” he said. “The hotel’s version is good, but the local bakery’s is a thousand times better.”

“There hasn’t been a single thing I’ve tried from that bakery that hasn’t been positively amazing,” I admitted. “I can’t wait to introduce you to more delectable treats.”

“And I can’t wait for you to feed them to me,” he said.

“So, what movies did you have in mind?” I asked. “Do you have a particular lineup planned, or are we just going to see where the stations take us?”

“Totally random and based entirely on what’s playing on the networks,” he explained. “I don’t think I can name a single Christmas movie that I don’t like, and I love seeing the new ones they introduce each year, from Hallmark movies to Die Hard and Lethal Weapon. Bring on all the holiday madness, joy, and explosions.”

Chuckling, I toyed with his hair, eyes on the horizon as we enjoyed yet another sunset. He reached for the container of steak tips on the edge of the blanket and held one to my lips, sticky teriyaki juice coating his fingers, which I happily licked off. I nibbled on the ends of his fingers even after the juice was gone, just to make him giggle.

“Add yet another thing to the growing list of things we have in common,” I said. “I’m a sucker for holiday movies, especially the comedies where everything is going wrong and the protagonists have to work through a mess of shit just to finally make it home for the holidays.”

“Or score the holiday toy they were hunting.”

“Or win their families back after they drove them off with insane amounts of Christmas lights and feuds with the neighbors.”

“I love Deck the Halls,” he said. “And Christmas Vacation. His battle with those lights was legendary. Last year they cameout with a new movie about a guy who wanted to keep his Christmas lights up all year. It was called Bad Tidings, and it was hilarious. I hope they play it this year.”

“I’ve never even heard of that one,” I replied. “Now you’ve got me sharing the same hope, just so I can check it out.”

“Every year I try to watch a mix of new ones and classics,” he explained. “When I was a kid, one of my favorite things to do was try and watch as many versions of A Christmas Carol as possible, mostly because that was the movie they made the most versions of.”