Second Chance at Love(27)

Giving her a tight squeeze and a kiss on the nose, he accepted her apology. “I think we better get out there. Ashley and Kyle think you’re gonna kick me out. I owe the kids an apology as well. I don’t want them to ever feel they’re not important to me.”



He desperately wished he could tell her that her children were more than just important to him. He wanted to tell Karen he loved them. But he didn’t want to scare her off just when he had gotten back into her good graces.



Smiling up at Dom, Karen swallowed the thick lump forming in her throat. The tenderness of his voice, the truth in his eyes, told her indeed how much he cared for the children. Standing on the tips of her toes she gave him a sweet kiss on the cheek. She wanted to tell him how much she appreciated him, but was too afraid to speak for fear of crying like a baby. Instead she tugged on his hand. “Come on, let’s go celebrate our first Christmas together.”



And celebrate they did. After trimming the tree, Karen had Dom help her bring in the gifts she had hidden in the garage to place under the tree. Next they feasted on their very non-traditional Christmas Eve dinner. When they heard a knock at the door, Karen and the children couldn’t believe Janet and Dominic had dropped by to help them celebrate their first special holiday together. Alice and Kyle were so happy to see the older couple they nearly knocked them over as they excitedly charged them, throwing their arms around them. Dominic and Janet both laughed as they accepted the hugs. “Where’s Zoe?” Ashley asked as she held onto Janet’s slim waist.



“She’s spending Christmas Eve with her other grandmother.” Ashley dropped her head. Although Zoe was a few years younger, she enjoyed playing with her. Having Zoe around was like having a sister. Smiling, Janet tilted Ashley’s chin so she could look into her sad little face. “Oh, honey, don’t be sad. Zoe will be at your Aunt Summer and Uncle Nick’s house tomorrow for Christmas dinner with Aunt Ava and Uncle Langston.”



Ashley’s face lit up in a smile.



“That’s much better,” Janet said as she kissed the girl’s forehead.



Even though Karen was thrilled with their surprised visit, she became a little uneasy when Janet nudged Dominic. “You and Dom go on out to the car and get the kids’ gifts before they get too cold.”



Oh dear God, they better not bring any dogs or cats up in here, Karen thought as she smiled saying, “Oh boy, gifts that can’t get too cold. I wonder what they could be.” At times she had to stay on Ashley and Kyle to clean up behind themselves. Having them to be responsible for taking care of a cat or dog was out of the question.



Janet turned to Karen, interrupting her thought. “Dom dropped the kids’ gifts off at our house earlier. He didn’t want to take them with him while he went with his father to pick out a tree. I hope you don’t mind us just showing up like this.”



Karen hugged the older woman. “Not at all.” Smiling she added, “I’m glad you came.”



The children went crazy when Dom and his dad stepped outside and came back carrying two cages. Oh God, Karen thought, taking a deep breath. Inside the white cage was a yellow and light green parakeet for Ashley. Inside the square metal cage, a plump gerbil ran around and around on a wheel for Kyle.



Karen didn’t know if she should continue to smile or faint. The bird was fine to have as a pet; it actually was kind of cute. But the rodent running on the wheel made her stomach queasy. Oh how she wished it had been a dog or cat. She was terrified of mice or any little furry creatures resembling them.



“Cool! A gerbil! I want to hold it!” Kyle’s excitement was infectious as he eagerly unlatched the cage taking the gerbil out. All the adults in the room laughed as the little boy giggled as the little creature scurried up his arm to his shoulder. All of them laughed that is, with the exception of Karen.



Not wanting her brother to have one up on her, Ashley opened her cage and stuck her finger in. “Come here birdie-birdie.” As if the parakeet understood her, it perched itself on Ashley’s finger. “Oh pretty bird,” the girl gushed as the bird turned its head from left to right as if it was modeling. Letting out a little chirp, the bird took off in flight, landing on a top branch of the Christmas tree.



“Wooooow!” Ashley and Kyle yelled as if they’d never seen a bird fly before. Janet ducked and squealed and Dominic let out a boisterous, deep belly laugh.



“Now, that was way cool! I wish my gerbil could fly.” Kyle mused as he craned his neck up to look at the bird in the tree.