He’s such a thoughtful kid.
The minute we walk through the automatic doors, she spots them. “What the hell?” she screeches as her head snaps in my direction. “Why are the kids and our parents here?”
“Surprise.” I don’t know what else to say.
Her head moves back in their direction. Jaxson is holding up a sign that says, ‘Surprise Mummy’. Next in line is Levi. His sign says, ‘We are having a white Christmas’. I laugh when my gaze moves to Eve. Her sign is upside down, but you can still read it. ‘In New York’.
“Oh. My. God,” I hear her whisper. When she looks back at me, there are tears welling in her eyes. “Are we really going to have a white Christmas?” When I nod my head, she launches herself into my arms. “Oh, Carter,” she cries. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, baby.”
We’re fifteen hours into our twenty-one hour flight. The kids have handled it better than I expected. Eve is asleep in my arms, and Indi’s head is resting on my shoulder. Our parents have taken one boy each, which makes it easier for us.
I’m grateful they agreed to come along. I can’t imagine spending Christmas Day without them, plus I know they’ll help out with the kids and give Indiana and I some alone time while we’re away.
“The kids’ presents,” Indiana says suddenly, bolting upright in her seat. “They can’t wake up Christmas morning to nothing.”
“It’s all sorted, don’t stress. They’ll get two Christmases’, one in New York, and one when we get home.”
“What do you mean it’s all sorted?”
“I’ve organised for some gifts to arrive at the hotel where we’re staying.”
“You have?” she asks as her pretty face lights up.
“I have.” She releases a contented sigh before placing her head back on my shoulder and snuggling into my side. “You’re the best.”
Jesus fucking Christ.
The maniac who drove us from the airport to the hotel where we’re staying in Times Square, is lucky I didn’t knock him the fuck out by the time we finally arrived. I was so pissed he’d put my family in danger. I think we were all relieved to make it in one piece. We had way too many close calls. Ross even gave him a stern talking to when we were unpacking the luggage from the car, which cracked me up.
I love that man.
Although I was grateful we survived the airport transfer ride, I was gutted to see not an ounce of snow in New York. Not one damn flake. It was cold. Bitterly cold actually, but not snowing. I hope I didn’t fly my family all the way here just to freeze my damn nuts off.
The porter stacked all the suitcases onto the hotel trolley while I headed to the reception desk to check us all in. Jaxson, Levi and Eve are staying in our suite with us, but I booked a double room for my parents as well, so they have room to accommodate the kids overnight if need be. As you can tell, finding ways to have uninterrupted sex with my wife is always at the forefront of my mind.
With the time difference between countries, it was 5:00 pm New York time when we finally made it to our suite. We were all exhausted and ready for bed. Indi set about bathing the kids, while I ordered some room service so we could eat before crashing.
The next few days we did all the touristy things—the Statue of Liberty and Central Park to name a few. Also a shit load of shopping. Indiana couldn’t believe how cheap everything was over here, so she definitely made the most of it. Not sure how we’re going to get it all home though.
It’s safe to say that none of us were prepared for the sheer volume of people in the streets of New York—fucking crazy. It blew my mind. Indi clung to the boys’ hands wherever we went, while I pushed Eve in the stroller. Now I know why they call this the city that never sleeps. Fuck me.
Christmas Eve rolled around fast and to my huge disappointment, there was still no snow. Even though we were all having a great vacation, I was feeling so let down and deflated. Her bucket list specifically stated a white Christmas, not just a damn cold one.
Later that night, once the kids were all in bed, Indi and I snuggled on the sofa in front of the fake fire. I’d asked my travel agent to get me a room with a fireplace, but due to the fire hazard, this was the best she could do. It looked like a real one, so I was happy with that.
I also managed to organise with the hotel staff to have a large, decorated Christmas tree placed in our room. What would Christmas be without a tree? Indi bought some Christmas stockings for the kids yesterday, and she’s hung them on the mantelpiece. It was a nice touch. All we needed now was the fucking snow.