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Chapter Fourteen

Roen

Christmas Week

“Daddy, hurry. They’re here!” I flew down the stairs before Daddy had his shoes on.

I’d been waiting forever since mom texted they were on their way.

Daddy’s family arrived yesterday for Christmas, which was in three days.

And yes, I was counting down the hours. Daddy’s mom and dad and mine were staying until New Years Day.

Daddy’s sister Wendy and her family were leaving before then as was Daddy Mark’s family who were due any time now.

To say Daddy and I were excited didn’t even cover it. The zoomies took over and I barreled down the stairs.

Daddy, Mark, and I had done so much work to prepare for this, but the zip line would take a bit more time to get going.

In addition to the ball pit, we’d added a larger rock wall and expanded the playground and jungle gym.

It had those loop handle thingies that hung down that you could swing from.

Darcy’s monkey will love that. Basically, it was an outdoor work out station for kids and any grown-ups willing to give it a try.

The rock wall, while longer in length, was still only five feet above the ground with a platform at the top. Rules were hung on a nearby post, and parents were warned not to leave their children unattended.

Daddy never left his Sprite to play alone. He was super protective, and I loved him even more for that. Daddy loved his Sprite, and he always made sure I was taken care of first.

This week we were due to have an early winter storm so we wouldn’t be able to play on most of the playground, but we’d make really big snowmen and have snowball fights.

Daddy stocked all the fridges in the units and mess hall, and we chopped a bunch of wood and stacked it on the front porches for the fireplaces. We’d been busy bees like mom said.

Daddy and I put everyone’s names on stockings and hung them in the mess hall by the big tree, even for our non-family related guests that had booked with us.

Each room had a lit and decorated tree in it too.

The only real one was in the mess hall, but the rest were fake.

Daddy said that made it easier each Christmas to set them up and more affordable.

I couldn’t wait for spring so Daddy and I could plant the real one in the forest by our new house.

He said we’d do that every year as a way to give back to the land that had given us so much.

The plans for our new house had been approved and we were able to get the plumbing lines run and the concrete poured before it got too cold.

Beyond that, we had to wait for it to warm up to do anymore.

Daddy and I were fine tucked away in our cozy apartment for now, but if Daddy bought me too many more toys we’d run out of room.

“Mom!” I squealed and scooped her up as soon as she got out of the car. “I missed you.”

“My baby boy. Let me get a look at you.” She inspected me and grinned. “You look so happy.”

“I am momma. This place is magical, I swear.”

“Kyler,” Dad surprised Daddy, that was funny to say, but when he hugged Daddy, I heard him make a noise.

“Kory, it’s fantastic to finally meet you in person.” Daddy came around to hug my mom. “Kat, you’re far more beautiful than video chat gives you credit for.”

“Oh you,” mom blushed and hugged him, but I could tell she ate up his compliment.

“Sprite, why don’t you show your mom to their cabin, and I’ll help your father with their bags.”

“Okay, Daddy.” Daddy’s Sprite was wound up and excited to see everyone. Right as we walked by Daddy’s parents came out of their cabin. “Mom, this is Daddy’s mom Gloria and his dad, Joey.” It was so exciting to introduce everyone. It was like being the host at the greatest party in the world.

“Oh Roen, this cabin is amazing.” She swirled around, much as I had after we hung the bird feeders. “That tree is darling.”

“Daddy and I had so much fun decorating them.” He’d found a good deal on all the trees, and we kept the decorations to the pre-lit lights they came with and a few simple shiny balls.

“It’s just perfect.”

We booked my parents in a one bedroom with a loft figuring Ellie could take the loft. Speaking of which. “Where’s Ellie?”

“She had to work last night and slept in today. Said she’d be here by dinner.

” Dad said as he and Daddy came in with their luggage.

I was hoping to take my dad into town this week with Mark and show him around.

Mark wanted to talk to him about a job. I was so excited at the prospect of having my parents’ up here full time.

Most guys my age wanted away from their families while I was the opposite.

Family was everything to me Daddy.

“Uncle Kyler?” I heard the squeals of Daddy’s nieces Daisy and Lexi.

Daddy jumped out at them and they screamed louder. He scooped them up and swung them around. “I found two monkeys!”

“No monkey’s, Unca Ky,” Lexi the youngest protested. “Girls.”

“Monkey girls,” Daddy teased her. “I’m so excited to see you. Want to meet some new people?”

“Ro?” Lexi asked. I talked with the girls over video chat many times over the last few months and they came out for a long weekend in August. We shared our favorite toys during our chats, and I promised they could play with my gnomes.

“Right here, Lexi.” I called out as I stepped through the open door and she launched herself at me. Now I knew how Daddy felt when I did it to him. “You made it!”

“Yup,” Lexi nodded from high up in my arms while Daisy hugged my middle. “Daisy, did you bring your toys to share?”

“Sure did. We brought lots of toys. Daddy said more toys than clothes,” she giggled, and I almost did too. “When can we play, Ro?”

“How about after lunch, Smurf?” Daddy answered her. “I’m hungry.”

“Me too,” Lexi rubbed her tummy. “What we eat?”

“What we’re having is ‘sketti.” Daddy tickled her and the little wiggle worm giggled like crazy.

“Psketti, Mommy. Did you hear that?” Daisy hollered to Wendy. She had one more letter in the word than her younger sister had but I guess neither could say spaghetti yet. Then again, Sprite called it ‘sketti too.

“I did. You and your sister will be in heaven.” Dane had taken their luggage to their cabin while the rest of us congregated in the pathway outside Mom and Dad’s.

Daisy squealed so loud I swear it rattled the earth, and she took off at a run. “Mommy! Daddy! Come quick!”

“Daisy girl,” Dane shook his head at her. “You have got to stop squealing. You took ten years off my life.”

“But Daddy, it’s a giant ball pit. Can we go in?”

“After lunch, sweetheart and you played in it last time you were here. Daddy’s tummy is grumbly. Let’s go eat first.”

She sighed so dramatically it was Golden Globe worthy, but she took her father’s hand and off they went toward the mess hall with Lexi and I following.

Daddy didn’t hire help this week for food service or cleaning, stating we had enough family here to cook and clean. He’d given the housekeepers the two weeks off as well. Mom and Dad were staying longer than the others and they’d help and I’m sure Gloria and Joey would too.

For being such a small group, we sure did have a big sound.

Our voices bounced off the walls as the room filled.

Daddy Mark’s family arrived, and he introduced us and that added even more voices.

Happy voices equaled a happy family. One big giant one!

It was so awesome watching everyone mingle and get to know one another. My heart was so full it might explode.

“Everyone,” Daddy stood at the front like he had for littles week. “Thank you for making the trip to share this special holiday with us, it means the world to Roen and I. Roen, will you join me up here please? I have a gift for you that can’t wait until Christmas.”

What was Daddy up to?

“Mark, will you bring it in please?”

As soon as Daddy Mark came back inside and I saw what was in his arms, I squealed, and it was one to rival Daisy’s.

“You got me a puppy! Daddy it has a big red bow on it!”

“I did, sweet boy.” Daddy Mark handed him to me. “She’s two months old and it’s up to you to pick her name.”

My tears fell on her beautiful creamy fur.

“Sasha.” That was the first name that came to mind and perfect for my little golden retriever.

“Daddy, thank you. I love her so much.” I snuggled her close, not caring that our paying guests heard me call him Daddy.

If they had a problem with it then that was on them.

All the kids surrounded me, so I sat down with Sasha, and she hopped from one lap to another, tripping and licking and being goofy. Guess she didn’t quite have her feet sorted out yet, or her ears weighed a lot and kept pulling her down. We giggled and played until Sasha passed out.

“Her bed and all her goodies are upstairs in our apartment. We have to make sure to walk her a lot and get her potty trained, Sprite.”

“I will Daddy, I promise. But what about when I go to work?”

“Then Sasha will go to work with Daddy.”

“She will love that, Daddy. Greeting all the guests and getting lots of pets.” Our new girl was gonna be so spoiled and loved.

Daddy Mark handed me a leash that matched her pretty pink princess collar.

“Come on, Sasha, let’s go potty.” We had a dog, Romeo, he was a mix when I was younger, but when he died it crushed my mom.

She’s always been a stay-at-home mom and when Ellie and I went off to school Romeo was her BFF.

We never got another dog after that. While I understood why, it still kinda sucked. Now I have a dog of my own.

After Sasha pottied, I carried her upstairs to see all the stuff they got her.