Page 36 of A Merry Penthouse Christmas

“And on Christmas Eve.” I bend to kiss Bastian’s temple. Then Beau’s. “I couldn’t ask for better. Or better company.”

Beau’s smile makes this a truly fairytale Christmas Eve and more than I ever thought I’d ask for. No matter how much harder fatherhood gets from here, I think we can handle it.

Together.

BEAU

“Hey,um,whileit’sstill Christmas Eve, you need to open a present too,” I tell Arik. “It’s under the tree, wrapped in green with gold bows. Go get it.”

“Yes, sir.”

He does and opens it in front of me while I finish feeding Bastian.

It’s a tie.

“Skylar approved,” I assure him.

“Smart man.” Arik laughs. “Thank you.” He leans down and kisses me softly.

“Once the little man is good, shall we watch the snow beside the tree?”

“That sounds amazing.”

Almost too amazing to believe, because I’m about to have everything I always wanted.

A new job.

My master’s dissertation done—well, soon. Recently, I got the idea to add a little Sun Tzu spin to my intro and conclusion.

Know yourself and your students—but don’t consider them the enemy.

Be subtle where appropriate but not secretive.

Be there for them when they are at their most vulnerable.

Pick no battles, because when teaching, you and your students are on the same side.

Be aware of outside influences and respect how that might affect them.

And act quickly and decisively to give your students everything they need.

Funnily enough, those altered tenets fromThe Art of Warwork pretty well for romantic partners too.

Because that's the other thing I seem to have that I always wanted.

A family.

Watching the snow beside the tree we decorated together, with Bastian even seeming to notice the snow falling outside, makesthis a truly fairytale Christmas and more than I ever thought I could have after I lost my wife and the promise of being a father.

But no matter how much harder life gets from here, I think Arik and I—and Bastian—can handle it.

Together.