Honestly, I worried less about having Reed with us at Gelaire's than I did at my parents'. I hadn't told them yet. I thought telling them in person would be better. My siblings all knew. Avery screamed in my ear over the phone over it. James roared like a cougar, teasing me because I was older than Reed. Our night was sure to be fun, or was it we were sure to be made fun of? I was going with both. Reed made everything fun. Even shoveling snow. He helped Cody and me clear our sidewalks and driveway this morning, but it turned into a snowball fight. It was good to see Cody smile and laugh through his frozen cheeks. We consumed a gallon of hot chocolate afterward.
Now here we were, getting ready to announce our coupledom to my ex and his family, my family. Well, Gelaire. Roxie would never be part of my family. Farrah I would have affection for because she was my son's sister. Though I wasn't ready to hold her. I was still mourning that she wasn't mine. And that was okay. I wasn't wallowing, just working through it; ask my journal.
We parked in front of Gelaire's Greystone. I was disappointed not to see Neil's car. Not because I wanted to see him, but for Cody's sake. He had been making an effort, and I'd hoped that would continue.
Reed came around and got my door while Cody headed in. Snow swirled in the air. The storm was heavier closer to the lake. He leaned in and pressed his lips hard against mine. "Are you ready for this?"
"I think so. Are you?"
"Oh, yeah. I've been waiting for this moment since I was fifteen and watched that loser marry you."
I kissed him. "Be nice."
"I plan on being very nice . . . to you."
"How nice?"
"So nice, I might make it on Santa's naughty list."
I pushed against his chest and giggled. "Stop it."
He brushed my lips. "For now."
I took a deep breath. "Let's do this."
He grabbed my hand and helped me out, taking the bag of gifts I had for Gelaire and the ones I made Cody buy for his dad and sister. On the way in, Reed shielded me with his coat, doing his best to keep the snow off me. Even with the frigid temperatures and flakes of white, I felt warm. Warmer and lighter than I had in a long while.
When we entered Gelaire's home, I was surprised to see Neil already there holding a baby wrapped in a pink fleece blanket in his arms. How did he get here? Cody stood near him, smiling at the precious bundle with blond wisps of hair.
My heart hiccupped, but then I looked between the two men who were in a serious showdown of stares. It struck me how different they were. Neil would have never agreed to come with me under the circumstances. He never shoveled the snow or had a snowball fight with his son. Reed always thought of others, and Neil, for most of our time together, thought of himself. Maybe the infant in his arms would change that; that would be good for him. But I was finding I didn't have to let how he behaved affect me. I had a choice, like Peter said. And I had to actively choose how to feel about each situation. Today, I was choosing to be happy with Reed by my side.
Gelaire came sweeping down her spiral staircase in a red velvet gown that screamed style and Christmas. Christmas in a castle, that is.
"Did we underdress?" Reed whispered in my ear.
I shook my head. I would explain later-this was just Gelaire.
"Love, you made it. I was worried with the weather."
I took Reed's free hand. "We had a good driver."
"Handsome too, I see."
I looked up into Reed's smiling eyes. "Yes, he is."
Gelaire approached and held out her hand. "Gelaire Higgins, mother-in-law to the sweet thing you hold."
Reed set down the bag of gifts and shook her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Sam speaks highly of you."
Gelaire kissed my cheek. "Merry Christmas, love." She turned her sights to Cody. "Come kiss your grandmother."
Cody did his best to smile on his walk over. He had to lean down now to kiss her cheek.
"I do believe there are some gifts waiting for you under the tree. Shall we retire to the sitting room?"
I couldn't wait to see her tree. She never decorated it the same, but it was always worthy of a Christmas card or storefront window.
The awkward moment came when we realized we would have to converse with Neil. I took the lead.
"Neil, I don't know if you remember Reed. He was a friend of Peter's growing up. Now he's Cody's coach." I wanted to add in that he was mine too, but I figured that was obvious by the way he was glued to my side.
Neil continued to look him over with a raised eyebrow. Not only were they dissimilar in disposition, but in looks as well. Despite Neil's attempts to look younger, the over ten-year difference was apparent. Reed had a youthful glow and was lean and muscular. He was the kind of guy that if you saw him walking down the street, you would take a second, third, and fourth look. You might even track him down and get his number. Neil, on the other hand, was handsome in that professional stature sort of way. The hair plugs hadn't helped. I was happy to see him back in khakis and a button-up. It was much more him.
I appreciated Reed extending his hand. "It's nice to see you again," he lied. But it was a good lie. "Cody is a great kid and fantastic player. He's going to be my starting quarterback next year." Reed smiled at Cody.
Cody's face exploded with a burst of happiness. Reed just gave him-and me-the best gift ever. Nothing was better than seeing my son happy.
Neil shifted his daughter so that he could reciprocate, though it was obvious he didn't want to. His eyes were filled with contempt for Reed. "Cody is a great kid. I look forward to his games next year." He shook Reed's hand.
He better mean what he said and show up.
That exchange was pretty much how the afternoon went. Reed was pleasant and attentive to both Cody and me, even Gelaire. He cleared the dishes after tea, which was just a fancy name for lunch. He also helped pick up the torn wrapping paper. Neil attended to Farrah and watched. I hoped he was taking lengthy notes. I hoped Cody did too. Reed was the kind of man I wanted Cody to be like when he grew up. That thought settled into my soul. And with that, some of the darkness dissipated. Some of the hold Neil still had on my heart vanished.
We had survived our first family event. Now, for dinner, we were on to the insane asylum . . . I mean, my parents'. Cody was more animated on our drive there, talking to Reed about the team and his plans for conditioning in the off season. Cody also liked my parents' place more because that meant Matt and Jimmy would be there, and he knew he would leave with a wad of cash from Mimsy. While he loved Gelaire, he left her house with cardigans and Shakespeare's full collection. Those were going to get a lot of use on his floor. At least Neil got him something he really wanted-the latest and greatest smartphone.
The roads were terrible. It was slow going, but I didn't mind one bit. I liked the cozy feel of the three of us in Reed's car. There was something right about it all. That lovely feeling all ended when we pulled up to my parents' place. It was now dark out, and the snow was tapering off. I loved snowflakes at night. On Christmas Eve, there was something magical about it. Or was it the man who was holding my hand?
"Cody," I stopped him before he hopped out. "Your grandparents don't know about Reed yet, so mum's the word until we get in there."
Cody's eyes lit up with mischief, just like someone else I knew when he was fifteen. "This is going to be fun." He exited, laughing.
Reed laughed too.
"That's not the word I would use," I grumbled.
"What word would you use?"
"Nothing my mother would approve of."
"Would she approve of this?" His warm lips landed on mine. They lingered for a bit before his tongue anxiously parted my lips, making me wish we could stay a little longer. My hands decided we should anyway and delighted themselves by running through Reed's hair. He groaned and kissed me deeper, only to pull away too soon.
He let out a deep breath of content. "We're not leaving if we keep doing that."
"Okay."
"Don't tempt me."
"Are you sure?" I grinned playfully.
"No, but I want your parents to approve of me, so we better go."
"If we must. Let me apologize right now for anything my family may say."
"I'm kind of looking forward to it."
"You know they're going to ask you if we're sleeping together."
He wagged his eyebrows. "How do you think they'll react when I tell them we've slept together twice now?"