The afternoon went on as my mother played endlessly with Maegan and my parents chatted with Amanda’s parents. We had waited for Amanda’s parents to get there before we opened up presents and poor Maegan could hardly keep her eyes open from all the excitement of the day.
I stood over Maegan’s crib, watching her sleep. Amanda grabbed my hand and I turned to around to face her. The smile on her face about blew me over.
“Are you happy?” she whispered.
I brought her in for a hug and held her tightly against my body. “I’ve never had such an amazing Christmas before. ”
As we walked into the hallway I could hear my parents talking to Amanda’s. I was pleasantly surprised at how well everyone seemed to be getting along.
“I love you, Manda. I love you because I know you stepping out of my truck and walking up to my parents with Meg had to have been hard for you. Especially with everything my mother said to you. ”
She got up on her tippy toes and kissed me. “I love you. And I see how guarded you’ve been this afternoon. You have to admit it was nice seeing your parents playing with Meg. Didn’t you think so?”
As much as I wanted to admit I loved having my parents here, I was still angry at my mother.
“Brad, let it go. Baby, let the anger and hurt go. We have so much to look forward to and what is in the past is in the past. ”
I shook my head. “Manda, how can you say that after the things she put you through? She put us through? She said some horrible things and I’m…I’m just not sure I can forgive her. ”
She slipped her hand behind my neck and brought my lips down to hers. She gently kissed me as she moved her hand through my hair. She stopped kissing me and barely took her lips from mine.
“I can forgive her because of this. Our love, Brad. Our love is so much stronger than any words she can spit out, and I really, truly honestly believe that she didn’t mean it. I think you were her baby, and no matter who your wife was…she just had it set in her mind they were not good enough. I think the moment she saw Meg it all hit her. She’s missed out on so much and I don’t think she wants to miss out on any more. ”
I took a deep breath in and slowly blew it out as I closed my eyes.
“Listen, I’m not saying let’s have your parents over for dinners and tea parties, but let’s try and let them be a part of our lives. A part of our children’s lives. We’ll just take it one day at a time. How does that sound?” She scrunched up her nose and winked at me and I couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.
“I don’t think they will be trying to come over and bother us too much, especially after we move. ”
“Yeah I don’t think so…huh? What do you mean? After we move?”
“I think it’s time for me to give you your Christmas present. I was waiting for the parents to all leave but seeing as they are all catching up and shit, I’ll just have to give it to you now…I could care less if they’re here or not. ”
She smiled and nodded her head like a little girl. “Oh wait! Is it something sexual? I’ll wait if it is!”
I laughed as I put my arm around her as we began walking to the living room.
“No baby…well, at least your big present isn’t. The other present is going to have to wait until they are gone for sure though. ”
She let out a gasp and gave me that smile of hers that reminds me each time I see it how much I love her.
Oh yeah…I wasn’t sure which present I was looking forward to giving her more. That’s a lie. I knew which one I was looking forward to giving her, and I was going to do everything in my power to get everyone out of my house within the next fifteen minutes.
Chapter 7: Amanda
As we made our way into the living room, I caught my mother looking at me. She gave me a slight smile. I knew she was being friendly to Bra
d’s mother for the sake of Brad. I had to pull her aside before they walked in to tell her not go crazy ape on her.
I gave her a look that said time to leave now, and she nodded her head.
“Well, I’m exhausted and know Manda and Brad have had a long day. I think we’ll take off. Forty-five minute drive back home and all,” my mother said as she winked at my father.
I walked up to her and hugged her. “Thank you, Mom, so much for coming over and spending Christmas with us. It meant a lot to me,” I whispered in her ear. “Thank you for holding your tongue too!”
She pulled away and winked at me.
“I guess we better head on out as well. I know you’re both tired,” Carol said. Brad reached over and gave his mother a hug good-bye, but quickly stepped away before she could lean in for a kiss. I saw disappointment etched all over her face. He shook his father’s hand and turned to lead everyone out.