Jingle All the Mitchell Way: A Holiday Novella (11 page)

Chapter 15

Jax

Twenty-seven days we spent on the road, driving across country and then back home again, at least to the ranch in Kentucky. We were meant to arrive on Christmas Eve, only to show up at three a.m. Christmas morning instead. With the girls still fast asleep, Amber and I wrapped presents and stuck them under the extra large tree at Uncle Colt’s house.

The aroma of coffee resonated from the kitchen where we discovered Aunt Van already up and preparing breakfast.

She came over and hugged both of us. “I’m so glad you made it. Your mom and dad are going to be so happy. They were worried last night when you called and said you were going to be late. We thought you’d miss pancakes.”

“For the past month I’ve craved your pancakes. If we had to jump on a plane to make it here, we would have. Luckily, Jake and Jax drove through the night.”

I added. “The weather in Colorado was horrible. We had to go so slow. At one point the snow was too heavy to continue. Don’t get me started on the ghost. Every time I turned around my stuff went missing. Nobody believes me. It’s crazy.” When I noticed Amber giving me the stink-eye, I decided to let it go. “It’s good to see you, Aunt Van.”

“I’ve got all the pictures back from the wedding for everyone to look through today. They turned out beautiful. I got some good ones of your mom and dad. I even snapped a few of your performance.”

I chuckled. “The video was posted on the internet that night. I think it’s gotten a few thousand views.”

Amber rolled her eyes. “Let’s just hope my publicist doesn’t ever see it.”

“Whatever. Don’t be ashamed of the Jaxinator, baby.”

“Do I need to leave you two alone?” My aunt asked.

“Nope. We’re good.”

The sound of my brother, followed by two little girls crying filled the room. We rushed over to take the girls and reassure them everything was fine. The moment they saw Aunt Van we knew they wouldn’t go back to sleep. She looked over at us and smiled. “It’s never too early to open presents.”

Two hours later, at approximately five thirty in the morning, my mom and dad came downstairs. The girls, who’d been content on playing with everything they’d opened, stopped what they’d been doing and ran toward them. Of course, that’s when round two of opening occurred. We’d gone through several pots of coffee by the time eight rolled around. With breakfast not being served until ten, we decided there was no better time to take a short, much needed nap.

Chapter 16

Jake

For two weeks we’d be relentlessly doing everything in our power to make Jax think there was ghost in the RV. We’d hidden his keys, his toothbrush, and other small items, only to return them to the exact place he’d left them. He was going crazy, and the best part was the fact that Amber had no idea what he was talking about. Usually, she’d be the person to discover they were in the same place they’d been. She kept accusing Jax of fooling around, all the while Reese and I were the culprits.

By the time we made it to Kentucky we were all tired of the RV. I still wanted to go ahead with the purchase, I just longed to sleep in my own bed again, with my new wife. We’d gotten married two weeks before and still not been home.

Once Jax and Amber took the kids inside our Aunt and Uncle’s house, Reese and I went back to sleep for a few hours. When we woke the whole family had arrived. All the cousins congregated in the large family room, while the older adults remained in the kitchen and dining room. It was a tradition to have breakfast before the adults exchanged gifts, so we grabbed a plate and stuffed our faces with Aunt Van’s delicious cooking.

Finally the time came to reveal a big surprise we’d managed to come up with for all the adults in the family. With the help of our cousin Christian, we were able to have everything shipped to her house, instead of trying to fit the items in the motorhome.

The time had come to reveal the special gifts. The four of us, me, Jax, Amber and Reese crowded around the family as we handed each of them the same sized boxes.

A few seconds later there were at least ten sets of ornamental testicles in five different color shades. Uncle Colt was the first to say something. “What the hell?” Then he held up the second item in his box. “Please tell me what this is for?”

“It’s a cock warmer. You wear it around so your dick doesn’t get cold. Ain’t it cool?” Jax suggested.

Dad spoke next. “I already have a set of these, and my cock is already warm, but I’ll wear it on Sundays for your mom. It’s Colt who needs the extra set of balls. He hasn’t seen his in forever.”

“We’re keeping the old ones, Dad,” I explained. “We wanted to get everyone something from our trip. There’s also something special in your box. Check it out.”

He reached in and pulled out the ticket from the police officers. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” He held up the ticket for everyone to see.

“You put the balls there. You pay the ticket, old man. All is fair in love and ball sacks,” Jax noted.

“This family is so dysfunctional. I hope that’s the last of the surprises from you boys,” My mom responded.

“Actually,” Amber replied. “I have a surprise. Two of them. First, I’ve been asked to be in the sequel of the movie. Second, Jax and I are pregnant.”

The room filled with congratulations. Everyone was hugging them and commenting on their good news. Just when I was about to do the same, I felt Reese’s hand lacing into mine. “Merry Christmas, Jake.”

“Merry Christmas, baby.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small box containing her gift. Reese opened it and looked up at me with a smile.

“It’s beautiful.” She pulled the necklace and turned around so I could put it on her. The large diamond lined M initial was centered against her chest when she swung back to face me. “I love it so much.” Reese kissed me and then ran over to fetch a small box for me.

“Did you get me an initial necklace too?”

“Open it up and see.”

While everyone in the room were paying attention to my brother, I lifted the lid to the box to reveal something I never expected. I looked up at Reese and saw tears falling down her cheeks. “I know it’s not as cool as a set of balls.”

I was still in shock. “Is this for real?”

“I took it this morning. We’re pregnant, Jake. We’re having a baby too.”

I pulled her into my arms, not noticing that all eyes had redirected to us. Jax came over and put his hand on my shoulder. “You better hope it’s yours, bro. The ghost could have knocked her up while you were sleeping.”

“You big idiot. The ghost isn’t real. It’s been us all along.”

“For real? You two suck.”

“I’m going to be a father,” I managed to mumble. It was surreal. I couldn’t believe it was true. I’d been hoping, but not wanting to jinx us in case we had a problem conceiving. “I’m going to be a father,” I repeated loudly.

I watched as Amber and Reese embraced. Jax tapped me on the back. “Our kids are going to be best friends.”

I put my arm around my twin brother and pulled him in for a hug. “Just like us, Jax. Merry Christmas, bro. I love ya.”

“Yeah, I love you too.” He pulled away. “Now pretend I’m a douche so they think we’re cool.”

I grabbed him again and kissed him on the cheek. “Don’t be ashamed of our love.”

Our dad came over and wrapped his arms around both of us, wedging us closer together. “I love you guys,” he said in a loud, obnoxious voice. “Thanks for giving me more grandkids. Let’s try for some boys this time.”

“Whatever we get will be fine,” Mom added.

We brought her into our group embrace and saw Isabella joining in. “Don’t leave me out.”

While in our family huddle, Dad said something none of us will ever forget. “This is what life is about. One day I won’t be around to carry on these family traditions. I need you all to promise you’ll teach your children how important this family is. We’re nothing without each other.”

He was right. At the end of the day it was our family that held us all together. Through good times and bad. Through holiday traditions, and road trips across the country, we were blood. We were stronger. We were Mitchells.

“Enough of the hugging. I need some pie.” And just like that, Jax was back to being Jax, while Dad egged him on. I looked around the room, so packed with family it was hard to move around, and I couldn’t remember ever feeling this happy.

I was going to be a father. New memories would be made. More pranks, and stories they’d grow to tell their own children. It was the circle of life, the beauty of it, the joy of the experience.

It was everything.

The End – For this Christmas at least.

Thanks for taking another Christmas adventure with the Mitchell Family. Xoxo –Jennifer Foor