Doorstep daddy (33 page)

_{"Yeah!" Jamie said, clapping his hands. "About time, Callie. I'm the youngest, and I could see you wearing yourself out with these clowns, including me."}

_{Tommy burst out laughing. "My God, but Jamie's right. Go for it, girl, and leave us dopes to ourselves. I'll happily paper my own house. Happy typical Thanksgiving. Everyone's miserable."}

_{"I'm not. You guys have your turkey, and it's the last one from me," Callie said. "I'm going to Richard's. By the way, I'll be there quite a lot because I love him. If anyone's got a problem with that, too bad."}

_{She strode from the kitchen and out of the house,, leaving a bunch of gaping mouths and two applauding brothers behind her. The sun shone brightly, warming
her skin. The breeze, though brisk, lifted her hair and gave her hope. She left her car parked where it was and walked down the street to Richard's. With each step she felt more confident and yet apprehensive. She was confident in her love for Richard, in her belief that she would reach all her goals and have a family, too, with his help. She was apprehensive about whether Richard would accept her. He had been very angry with her after their fight about family.}

_{"Dope," she said, meaning herself.}

_{She took a deep breath, a steadying breath, then knocked on Richard's door. Jason opened it.}

_{"Callie!" he shouted happily, hugging her.}

_{"Thank God I left my hearing aids at home," she said wryly, hugging him back. "I'd have no eardrums left."}

_{"Do you still like my uncle Richard?" he asked hopefully.}

_{"I love him. You, too. Okay?" Jay grinned. "Okay."}

_{She walked in behind Jason, who launched himself into the house to shout that she'd shown up. She noticed the dining-room table through the doorway on the right. It was beautifully set for four people. She prayed it had room for five.}

_{Amanda came to the top of the stairs, her portable telephone in her hand. Grinning, she waved at Callie and said, "I'm on with Joey. Is it really true? He's going to my
:
school soon?"}

_{"He's not going to his for long, that's for sure," Calhe replied.}

_{"Can he come over for dinner here?" Amanda asked. Calhe was touched that Amanda thought that she, Calhe, was the one with the answers. "If it's all right with}

_{his mother and with your uncle Richard, it's okay with i me.}

_{What the heck, she thought. Might as well make two kids happy today.}

_{"Great!'' Amanda whooped. "Uncle Richard will be glad to see you - "}

_{"Turkey for me, Callie!" Mark called out as he toddled into sight. He wrapped his arms around her legs. "Turkey for me!"}

_{"Yeah, but who's the turkey, pal?" she asked, rub
-1
bing his back.}

_{Suddenly Richard was at the doorway between the
I
kitchen and the foyer. He looked wonderful in a sweat-
j
shirt and jeans. His hair fell across his forehead, and a little flour streaked his jaw, but that only added to his | charm. His expression, however, was shuttered, giving! nothing away.}

_{Callie straightened, feeling more apprehensive than! confident. "Is there room for one more at the table? I'd
J
like to have Thanksgiving dinner with
my
family."}

_{Richard slowly grinned. He moved toward her.}

_{"You are my family," she whispered when he tookl her in his arms. "I hope you'll forgive me for being an
I
idiot the other day."}

_{"Honey, I was one, too. I should have hog-tied youl to the sofa."}

_{"I like your diplomacy," she said, smiling. "Andl you're a little kinky, too."}

_{"I'm a lot kinky, given the chance." He sobered. "Are you here to stay?"}

_{"For as long as you want me. And I'll work and
Fill
finish college and I'll be happy as a clam changing Mark's diapers."}

_{"No need. He's in major training now."}

_{"Joy of joys."}

_{Richard kissed her, a mind-boggling kiss that melded her to him and left her dizzy with love. Never had she been happier. Never had she known such joy of joys as she had with him.}

_{"I'll help you in the kitchen," she murmured against his lips.}

_{"It's all done."}

_{She leaned her head back, her eyes wide with surprise. "All of it?"}

_{"Yes. Let's go have Thanksgiving dinner with our family," he said when he finally raised his head.}

_{R
ichard set
the beautifully browned turkey on the dinner table. Its fragrant aroma combined with the yeasty odor of rolls and the sweet smell of candied yams. He'd done it all himself, with a little help from Jason, and even Mark. Amanda had set a beautiful table and taken care of all the cleaning and other sundry jobs that added to the pleasure of eye, nose and eventually mouth.}

_{Callie sat at the other end of the table, looking serene and absolutely perfect. Her nephew Joey sat next to Amanda. Richard decided not to worry about young love for the time being. His love was having its well-deserved day.}

_{"Before we eat," he said, "let's each of us tell what we're thankful for. Jay, you go first."}

_{"I'm thankful to eat turkey and stuffing," Jay said promptly.}

_{Everyone chuckled.}

_{"I'm thankful to be
here"
Joey said next. Callie giggled while Joey grinned lopsidedly. Richard had heard the story of what had happened over at}

_{Gerri's. He felt badly for the boy and his mother - and proud of Callie for putting herself first.}

_{"I'm thankful to be here, too," Amanda said. "With you, Uncle Richard, and everyone..."}

_{Her voice trailed away, but not her sentiment. Jason nodded in agreement. "I'm very glad you're here, too," he said.}

_{"And I'm thankful to have opened Gerri's door on Halloween," Callie said. "Finding Hercules, a goddess, Robin and Batman was the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm thankful that here I'm needed for
me,
and not to make a dinner or wash clothes or anything else. I'm thankful I have a job somewhere and a formal protest pending over another." She grinned. "And I'm glad I have dreams and you understand them."}

_{"How about a Christmas wedding?" Richard asked.}

_{Amanda gasped and both Jason and Joey looked on, round-eyed. Mark played with his roll, unconcerned.}

_{"You're ten giant steps ahead again," Calhe said, her face flushed.}

_{"I'll wait for however long it takes for you to catch up," he replied, undaunted.}

_{"I don't think it will be too long. Christmas might be nice."}

_{"Remind me to kiss you later."}

_{She smiled at him, her eyes shining with love. "Good. Now carve that turkey. I'm starved."}

_{He laughed and began to carve. He stopped. The table groaned - and not because it was laden with food. Everyone was hungry.}

_{"I forgot to say what
I'm
thankful for." He looked around the table. ' I'm very thankful for each one of you, that you have come to me and we have made a family together. I'm thankful for you, Calhe, because you came
into my life and in a few short weeks made it complete. And I'm thankful that you love me. That's the greatest gift of all."}

_{Everyone smiled. Callie wiped at tears. Richard felt a few well up in his eyes.}

_{'Turkey
now,
Unca 'shard!" Mark shouted, then added, "Peas."}

_{"Okay, okay," he said, putting actions to words.}

_{The two little Pilgrim figurines on the table nearly touched hands. They had been listening and were pleased. Although the special request of the Holidays had been fulfilled with the four cousins, there was always room for one more, whenever he needed help.}

_{She's the cutest, most precocious, darling little girl, but Christy is also}

_{The Little}

_{And this Christmas, Christy knows exactly what she wants: a mom and a dad. Santa had better deliver! Watch for:}

_{SMOOCHIN' SANTA
(December 1998)
SANTA SLEPT OVER
(January 1999)}

_{It'll be a Christmas you'll never forget!}

_{Available at your favorite retail outlet.}

_HARLM

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