Destiny and a Bottle of Merlot (18 page)

“Sasha, it’s beautiful. What a thoughtful gift for the house. It’s perfect, and it holds twenty four bottles of wine. I’ll have to refill it every week,” she said, laughing.

“That’s why I got the gift card. That amount won’t go very far unless you’re buying Two Buck Chuck, but it will help.” Sasha smiled with twinkling eyes, knowing how much Karen loved the gift.

They stood and hugged each other, exchanging Christmas love.

“Okay, Tina, time for you to open your gift.”

Karen handed Tina a small box. It had to be jewelry. Nothing else would fit in such a small package. Karen was well aware of how much Tina loved jewelry. Tina unwrapped the paper to find a white, velvet box inside. She smiled at Karen and Sasha as she slowly opened it, as if the contents would jump out and bite her.

“Oh my God, Karen. They’re beautiful.” Inside the box lay a pair of emerald, teardrop earrings. Being the May birthstone, the emerald was a perfect choice for Tina. The earrings sparkled, looking very elegant on her. “I love them.” Tina jumped up and ran down the hallway to the guest bathroom. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, enjoying the look. “I’m going to wear these all day. Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome. What a great morning already, right? How about some bacon, eggs and hash browns?”

“Yum. C’mon Sasha, I’ll teach you how to grate potato’s.”

Aaron gave Mia one gift in bed, then they made Christmas morning love. They had to, like it or not, according to Aaron’s reasoning. This was their first Christmas together as a couple, and the first time they would make Christmas love. It was purely for logical reasons. They would have a lot of ‘firsts’ and as far as Aaron was concerned, every ‘first’ needed to be christened with love making.

Mia gave him a smack on the butt. “You don’t need to make up excuses. I’m all for spreading the love, as long as it’s just between you and me.”

Aaron brought the carafe of coffee into the bedroom, along with two mugs. He poured and handed Mia a cup after she propped the pillows up along the headboard. He joined her in bed.

“Wouldn’t it be great to do this every morning?”

“Well, then we should. Who says we can’t? That will be one of our New Year’s resolutions, to have coffee in bed every morning,” Mia declared.

“I like the way you think, honey. So, how about that new juicer? Do you like it?”

“It’s nice, Aaron. I’ve always wanted a juicer. Thank you.”

Aaron leaned over and reached under the bed. “And you can wear this while you’re making juice.” He grinned and handed her a wrapped box.

“Damn you, Aaron Daniels.” Mia punched him in the arm for the surprise gift he was about to give her. “You’re going to make me cry on Christmas morning after all.” Mia opened it to find a gorgeous diamond necklace lying inside the satin lined box. “Oh my God, Aaron, it’s stunning! You’re driving me crazy right now. Hurry, put it on me.”

Aaron couldn’t stop laughing. Mia became so animated when she was excited. “Okay, okay, hold still so I can clasp it. There… it’s on.”

Mia launched herself off the bed and ran to the bathroom. The lighting was better in there. She had to see it sparkle on her neck, up close and personal. “It’s fabulous. I just can’t believe you fooled me like that.” She jumped back on the bed and landed in his lap. Kisses of joy led to another round of love making.

Aaron opened his gifts from Mia a half hour later. She bought him a Ralph Lauren silk and cashmere mock neck sweater in heather gray, and a pair of Ugg slippers.

“I love these, Mia. Thanks so much, honey.”

Vic, Max and Mario slept in late. Mario arrived after midnight. He worked at the Hunter store for ten hours on Christmas Eve. Max did the same in Peekskill. They weren’t complaining. They considered themselves blessed in so many ways. Right now, sleep was a blessing. Vic tiptoed out of bed and started the coffee. It was nine o’clock. They slept long enough. It was Christmas, after all, and there were presents to open. Time to rise and shine.

Vic, Mario and Max ate breakfast and made their way to the Christmas tree to exchange gifts. Mario bought Max a Victorinox Swiss Champ Pocketknife with 33 tools. Max handed Mario a hefty sized box containing a custom cover for his Karmann Ghia.

“Dude, I really needed something like this. Thanks so much.”

They man hugged and slapped each other on the back.

“A carport isn’t enough in the winter months with that classic car of yours.”

“Yeah, but by spring I hope to buy a house.”

“Okay, okay, enough man love. Where’s my gifts? I’ve been patient long enough.” Vic was on her third cup of coffee and still hadn’t seen any gifts for her.

Mario laughed, “Alright, here, Sis, this is from me.” He lifted the couch cushion and handed her a sleek, square box.

“You’re such a weirdo, Mario, I swear.” She grabbed the box from him with a chuckle and ripped it open. A brand new iPad sat inside. “No friggin way!” Vic leapt from the love seat and grabbed her brother, giving him a squeeze hard enough to crack his ribs. She planted an enormous kiss firmly on his lips. “I love you, bro.”

“My turn,” Max said, grinning. He reached under the tree and pulled out two boxes, one medium sized and one small.

Vic demurely smiled, trying to restrain herself, and act a little more refined. She opened the small box first. Inside, she found a bottle of Chanel N°5 Eau Première spray. “I love it, Max. Thank you.” She lightly spritzed some on her wrists and took a whiff. “Heavenly. You’re going to enjoy this as much as I do, Mr. Cole.”

“Um… TMI, Vic, don’t need any details,” Mario groaned.

“Oh grow up, bro. Okay… next.” She opened the second box to find a beautiful, black quilted, Chanel messenger bag. The scream she let out was loud enough to rattle the windows. “Oh my God, somebody catch me because I’m going to pass out right now. Who knows CPR?”

“I do, but don’t pass out,” Max said, laughing. “Just give me a kiss. Merry Christmas, hon.”

Vic bought Mario a velour bathrobe in sky blue, and a cashmere neck scarf.

“Damn, Sis, don’t you think these are too classy for a hippie like me?” he joked.

“Hell no. You’re a style setter, Mario. They’re gonna look great with that long hair of yours.”

Vic handed Max an envelope. “Here, babe, this is for you.”

“An envelope? Are we going on a trip somewhere?” He raised his eyebrows and grinned.

“Sorry, dude, no trip. Maybe next summer. Go ahead, open it.”

Mario gave Max a look and shrugged his shoulders. Vic hadn’t told him what she bought.

Max pulled the piece of paper out of the envelope and stared, awestruck.

“No way. There’s no way in hell you bought these for me.”

“I sure did, babe.” Vic grinned from ear to ear, knowing Max couldn’t even catch his breath.

Inside the envelope was a single picture of two custom made, leather saddlebags for the new Harley in his garage. The bags were complete with double body fringe, lid conchos and highroller studs.

Max had a hard time speaking. His emotions took over. The only thing he could do in that moment was hold Vic and hug her.

A phone conversation from Josh at eleven brightened Sasha’s Christmas even more. He said he was about to leave his house. He was going to his parents place for Christmas lunch and gift giving. His brother Jake would be there too. Sasha should expect him around four o’clock. “I’ll see you later, Merry Christmas. Sasha?”

“Yes, Josh?”

“I love you.”

Sasha blushed with happiness. “I love you too.”

With his arms full of Christmas gifts, Josh couldn’t even open the door when the doorbell rang out.
Who can that be?
He lay the packages down on the table in the foyer and turned to the door.
Maybe Jake wants to drive together to Mom and Dad’s.
Nonchalantly, he pulled the door open to find the last person he ever expected to see again.

“Merry Christmas, Josh! What a surprise, right?”

Standing on his porch was Candy, the ex-wife he hadn’t seen in nearly a decade. Alongside her, bundled from head to toe, was a child, looking to be around nine years old. Josh’s head began spinning. He was mentally running the numbers as fast as he could.
Let’s see, we were divorced in 2005 and I moved back to Tarrytown. I haven’t seen or talked to her since. Why is she here, and whose kid is this?

His words were almost inaudible. The dry mouth and parched tongue hit him in an instant. His voice cracked as he spoke. “Candy… what are you doing here? How did you know where I lived?”

“It’s easy with that contraption called the internet,” she teased. “Seriously, Josh? You were from Tarrytown and you’re family lives here. Where else would you be? Anyway, aren’t you going to invite us in? We have ten years of catching up to do.”

I bet we do.
“Um… sure.” Josh glanced at his watch.
Now what the hell should I do? I’m supposed to leave for Mom and Dad’s now, then go to Sasha’s later.

Josh opened the door wide enough for the two uninvited guests to step in. Candy took the child’s coat off, then her own and handed them to Josh. “Joshie, take your boots off, honey, and set them on the boot tray.”

Did I hear what I think I heard? Did she really call that boy Joshie?
Panic was setting in and Josh felt lightheaded. “Let’s go in the living room and sit.”

If he didn’t sit now, he would surely collapse from anxiety. They followed him. Josh sat on the couch, the guests on the love seat. He leaned forward with his head buried in his hands.

“What’s wrong, Josh? Are you okay?”

“Are you serious right now, Candy? You appeared without any notice at all on Christmas, of all days, and ask me if I’m okay?”

“Christmas is the best day of all. What better day to give someone the gift of their own begotten son?”

“What?”

“This is Josh Jr. He’s your son. I thought it was about time you meet him. Joshie, say hi to your dad.”

The child sat tightly against to his mom, then looked up shyly. “Hi.”

Candy smiled proudly at her son’s speaking ability. “Joshie, give your dad his Christmas gift.”

Young Josh stood up and walked the three feet to the couch. He handed Josh an envelope, then sat back down next to his mother. Josh stared at Candy, afraid to tear it open. He might be opening a Pandora’s Box. There may be no turning back from whatever was inside that envelope.

“Go ahead, it’s good news.” Candy smiled, and patted little Josh’s head.

Apprehensively, Josh tore the seal and pulled out the tri-folded legal document. He opened it slowly and read what he had been dreading. It was a copy of Josh’s birth certificate. He was born on August 16, 2005. Josh ran the numbers again in his head.

Candy could see the wheels turning. “No calculations needed, Josh. He’s your son. I was three months pregnant when we got divorced.”

“Why didn’t you ever tell me? It’s been nine years, Candy.”

“Yeah, I know. I started dating someone right after our divorce. We got married before Joshie was born, but he never adopted him. He walked out on us a few years later, then I got married again. The third husband just left recently. That’s when it occurred to me that you should meet your son. School is closed for the week between Christmas and New Year’s, and I only work part-time anyway. I thought it would be the perfect time to introduce you to Josh Jr. You know, being the holidays and all. Do you have any coffee or soda?”

“Yeah… sure. Why don’t we sit in the kitchen while I make some coffee? Are you still living in Omaha?”
Please say yes.

“Yes, I am, but I could easily move to this area. Anyway, I think we need to do a shared custody and support agreement. That’s partially why I’m here. Joshie needs to get to know you this week, and we have to get legal documents drawn up so we can both sign them. You do have a personal attorney, don’t you?”

Josh rummaged through the cabinets while she talked. He found a box of Girl Scout cookies from last year, still unopened, in the cabinet.
Good enough
. He placed a handful on a plate and set them on the table for the boy. He poured two cups of coffee and sat down.

“Milk?”

“What?”

“Don’t you have any milk to go with the cookies?” She smiled pathetically at Josh.
You have a lot to learn about kids, mister.

“Oh… right.” Josh poured a glass of milk and set it in front of his son.

“Say thanks, Joshie.”

“Thanks.”

“So the attorney?”

“Yes, I have an attorney.”

“Good, then Monday we can have the papers drawn up. Between now and then, we’ll have to agree on something reasonable. Why do you keep looking at the clock? Is there somewhere you need to be?”

“Yeah, my parent’s place for Christmas lunch. Then I need to…”

“That’s perfect, let’s go. Joshie, you can meet your grandpa and grandma too. What a wonderful Christmas this is turning out to be.”

Everyone planned to be at Sasha’s house by three o’clock. There would be drinks and merriment, followed by a turkey dinner, complete with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits, vegetables and pecan pie.

One after another, the cars pulled into Sasha’s driveway. She looked out the formal living room window and giggled.
This is exactly as it should be. My driveway full of cars. I love it.
Sasha was giddy as she welcomed everyone inside out of the cold. Shoes were placed side by side on the boot tray as Sasha gathered coats and hung them in the huge double closet in the foyer. Scents of cinnamon and spice wafted through the air. The Christmas tree was aglow with strings of lights, and candles flickered on every side table. Arm loads of gifts were set under the tree, and containers of food lay on the kitchen counter. Air kisses lingered, floating around like happy little fairies.

“How about some hot apple cider everyone? I squished the apples and made it myself,” Sasha announced proudly, her hands resting on her shapely hips. She headed off to the kitchen, not waiting for answers. Mia and Tina joined in to help.

“So where’s Josh? I thought you left Karen’s early because of him.”