Nick
“Hey Daddy?” my nephew Aaron called from where he was standing by the slider in my living room. “Do you think it’s going to snow for Christmas?”
“I don’t know Buddy. It’s been pretty warm lately,” my brother Cam sighed as he watched our kids play.
It hadn’t been that warm. The temps had stayed above freezing, but I had a plan. I wasn’t sure if it was all going to come together though so I hadn’t said anything.
“It’ll snow,” my daughter Emma chimed in.
“How do you know?” Aaron’s head tipped to the side as he released his hand from where he was pulling on the blinds so he could see.
“I asked Santa for snow. Santa always brings me what I ask for. I’m on the nice list,” she rolled her eyes at him as she placed her hands on her hips and tapped her foot. I couldn’t help but laugh as I watched her. My daughter was a perfect copy of my wife. She has the same sass and spunk that Leah has. I knew that when she became a teenager, she was going to give us a run for our money.
“You know sometimes Santa can’t bring everything you ask for,” Cam watched them as Emma’s smile started to wane.
“Only if you’re naughty,” she scolded him “and I’m not. Right Daddy?” her eyes turned toward mine, and I couldn’t help but agree with her.
“Why don’t you two watch Frosty with Ryan? He’s getting kinda lonely over there by himself,” I nodded in the direction of where my son was sitting on a blanket chewing on a teething ring. He’d just started getting his molars, and spent most of the time crying. Whenever Leah got him settled, we tended to work around him. He’d been happy for a while now as he bounced along with the music, and I was hoping to distract the older two with entertaining him.
“Frosty’s for babies,” Aaron groaned as Cam narrowed his eyes on him.
“Humor me kid,” Cam grumbled before motioning me into the kitchen. At six, Aaron was starting to try and push the envelope every chance he got. Today was no different, only now he had my daughter to help him.
“Can we play in my room?” Emma smiled sweetly. “We’ll be good. Promise,” she grinned as she rocked back on her heels and clasped her hands behind her back.
“Sure. You’re mom’s going to be home soon so try not to make a mess, K?” I sighed as I watched her grin turn into a smile. She giggled before turning to race down the hallway with Aaron right on her heels.
“Those two are going to be trouble when they grow up,” Cam mumbled from behind me.
“I know. I’m so dead. Leah keeps telling me that I’m going to be chasing boys off our porch every weekend,” I shook my head as I made my way into the kitchen in search of a beer.
“You’ll be doing more than that if they’re anything like you were,” Cam shoved me. “I’ll pay for front row seats on the day Emma brings her first boyfriend home.”
I scowled at him before finally finding what I was looking for. I didn’t want to think about Emma and boys. She was only five. She was going to stay five forever. I’d already had this discussion with the universe. I’d let Ryan grow until he wasn’t teething anymore, but then they’d both have to stop. My heart couldn’t take it. I needed them to stay small and need me.
“So how are we going to pull this off?” Cam leaned against the counter. He placed his arms behind him, and crossed his ankles as he stared at me.
“I’ve got a plan. I’ll need you to meet me at my car tonight after everyone’s asleep. As long as my connection is able to get what he promised me, we’re good.”
“So what’s the backup?” Cam laughed. “I mean, I know you’re like the perfect husband and all, but what happens if it doesn’t work out?”
“I can’t think like that. I promised my wife and daughter a Christmas they wouldn’t forget and I’m going to do my damnedest to make it happen,” I took a gulp of my beer right as I heard the front door open.
“A little help here!” Leah called as I rounded the corner. She was standing in the doorway loaded down with shopping bags, and Avery was right behind her with Jake, her youngest, on one hip and bags hanging off her other arm.
“You should have left him here,” I motioned to my nephew as I took bags from both women.
“I’m still breastfeeding,” Avery rolled her eyes. “Can you do that? I mean, I know you’re super dad and all, but really…”
“Why are you still such a smartass?” I shook my head as I turned to carry the bags into our room. Tonight was going to be a late night of wrapping and assembling all of Santa’s goodies.
“It’s part of my charm,” Avery called from the foyer just as Cam came to take Jake.
“I don’t find it very charming,” I grumbled under my breath.
“Relax,” Leah soothed. We placed the bag between the wall and the bed before she turned to wrap her arms around my waist. “Jake was really fussy today. She’s just tired,” she leaned up on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on my lips. “Thanks for watching the kids for us today. It really helped.”
“You know I don’t mind watching them. I’m their dad,” I kissed her back as I held her to me.
“I still appreciate it,” she grinned. “I’ll give you your gift after they go to bed,” she whispered in my ear.
“If they go to bed. They’re pretty excited about Santa,” I started to release her.
“Looks like it might be time for Barbie to make an appearance then,” she giggled and I couldn’t help but groan. Emma had this Barbie Princess movie that we bought her when we told her about Ryan. She used to watch it several times a day. It always seems to help her sleep, but it drove me crazy. I used to hide it, but she always managed to find it. The last time we put it away we told her that the DVD player was tired of playing it. She actually believed us, and I think she forgot about the movie.
“You realize that she’s going to start watching it all the time again, right?” I growled as Leah giggled.
She walked up to me, wrapped her arms around my neck, and pressed every inch of her body into mine. Her lips brushed across mine before parting, as she dipped her tongue inside. Even after all these years, a simple touch from her set me on fire. It wasn’t like the explosions we used to have, but more of a smoldering burn. It was always there, and when she touched or kissed me it stoked it back to life.
“There’ll be more of that when she goes to bed. Still hating on Barbie?” she grinned as she reached down and squeezed the obvious ridge in my jeans.
“I fucking love Barbie right now,” I growled as I leaned in and nipped her ear. “Let’s send my brother and his family home, and put Emma to bed now,” I begged.
Leah shook her head playfully, “I’ve got presents to wrap, and you have a toy kitchen to put together.”
“Fine,” I huffed as I smacked her on the ass and followed her back to the living room where the rest of the family was now congregating. I’d collect my present later.
ooooooooo
“Where the heck did you even find this?” Cam laughed as I motioned to the tractor trailer that was currently trying to back into my driveway.
“I know a guy who knows a guy, and well…he owed me a favor,” I shrugged as I shivered against the ocean breeze. It wasn’t cold enough to snow, but it was still cold out. The weather had been hovering just above freezing for days, and as Christmas Eve approached Emma asked Santa daily for snow.
“Well if you know so many people, why do you need me here?” Cam grumbled as he stuffed his hands in the pockets of his coat.
“We have to help spread it out, or all we’re going to have is a huge pile. Here,” I thrusted a shovel in his direction. “Get ready to earn your keep little brother.” I tugged my hat lower on my head, and smiled when the truck stopped and the machine on the trailer came to life.
“Aren’t you worried that you’re going to wake up the kids?” Cam had to almost shout to be heard over the motor.
“They’re sleeping on the other end of the house tonight. Leah sleeps like the dead. I’m good,” I chuckled as a white spray began to fill the air.
“How the fuck am I supposed to compete with something like this?” Cam waved his arms in the air. “You go and do over the top shit like this, and make my diamond necklace look like nothing.”
“Haven’t you learned by now,” I grinned at him. “You don’t compete with me. I always win. If you don’t mind losing, well, more power to ya but you aren’t gonna win. I’m the super dad, remember. Leah seems to think I’m pretty super too.”
“Gross,” Cam gagged as he dragged a shovel over to where a small pile of snow had begun to form. “All I know is you’ve screwed yourself now. How are you planning to top this? Bet you didn’t think about that huh asshole,” he flung some snow at me hitting me right in the chest.
“I’ll worry about that next year, now work!” I pointed at the ground.
We spent the next several hours spread manmade snow all over the backyard covering every inch of space around the pool, and leading to the beach. Before long my back yard looked like Jack Frost himself had turned it into a winter wonderland.
“Not bad,” Cam puffed trying to catch his breath. “Think they’ll like it?”
“Your son has been pestering my daughter all day about snow. What do you think?” I gave him a ‘duh’ face before shuffling towards the back steps. “Go and try to get some sleep. I’ll call you when they wake up. Thanks for letting Aaron stay. I know you wanted him home with it being Christmas Eve and all.”
“It’s not a big deal. You’re just next door, but not having him knock on my door in the middle of the night will be nice. See in a few hours,” he waved, and then began jogging toward his house. It was nice having my brother right next door. We were close growing up, and now our kids were close too.
ooooooooo
I was awoken the next morning by a shrill squeal just in time to feel Emma leap on top of Leah and I in bed. “Daddy! Daddy get up!” she shook me. “You have to come see,” she tugged at where my arm was wrapped around her mother before leaning back on her heels.
“Give me just a sec Em. Mommy’s still sleeping,” I yawned as I looked at the clock and realized I’d only been in bed for a little over three hours. “Honey?” I nudged Leah’s shoulder. “Time to wake up,” I cooed.
“Five more minutes,” she grumbled as she tugged at the covers and rolled away from me.
“Oh no. If I’m getting up, so are you,” I teased as I pulled the covers back. “Besides, Santa brought something for you too.”
“He did huh?” she glanced back at me before blinking a few times. “What are you grinning about?”
“Get up, and I’ll show you,” I smiled even wider as I sat up, and shuffled toward the door. Leah watched me for a moment before following suit.
When we got into the living room, Emma and Aaron were both jumping up and down in front of the slider. “Look Daddy!” Emma pointed at the window. “Santa made it snow!” she clasped her hands together in front of herself as she began to jump faster.
“What?” Leah’s face twisted in confusion.
“Look Mommy,” Emma raced over to Leah and began tugging her towards the door. “Snow!”
I watched from the background as my family rushed to put their coats and boots on over their pjs. As soon as Emma had slipped her feet in, she ripped open the door, and rushed outside. “What are you waiting for?” she turned to face the open door where my wife was standing with her hand over her mouth in utter disbelief. “Let’s play in it!” Emma rushed down the stairs and flopped right in the white powder followed by Aaron.
“How did you do this?” Leah turned to face me with tears in her eyes.
“I called a favor in with Santa,” I shrugged as I walked over and wrapped my arms around her. “I told him my girls wanted snow for Christmas. When has Santa ever not given you what you asked for?”
Her lip trembled as she looked up at me, “Never.”
“Come on Mommy!” Emma yelled from where she was trying to start making a snowman.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” I nudged her in the direction of our daughter.
“I love you Nick Sutter,” she sniffed as she grabbed my head and pressed a hard kiss to my lips.
“I love you too,” I chuckled against her lips. As soon as she pulled away, Ryan let out a cry from the nursery. “I’ll get him,” I whispered. “Go play with our daughter.”
She watched me for a second before bolting down the back steps. It was all I could do to not chase after her, but my crying son stopped me. As I turned to go into the nursery I couldn’t help but smile. I didn’t need anything for Christmas. The reaction I saw on my little girl’s face, and the way my wife looked at me this morning was present enough. I had it all. Nope, I didn’t need a thing.
I hope you enjoyed this little look into Nick and Leah’s family. It will be awhile before you get anything new from them. I do have plans to start a spinoff series with Emma, Aaron, and Ryan but it will be a bit of a wait before those publish.
I hope all of you have a great holiday season, and I look forward to sharing more stories with you in the coming year.
“Hey Daddy?” my nephew Aaron called from where he was standing by the slider in my living room. “Do you think it’s going to snow for Christmas?”
“I don’t know Buddy. It’s been pretty warm lately,” my brother Cam sighed as he watched our kids play.
It hadn’t been that warm. The temps had stayed above freezing, but I had a plan. I wasn’t sure if it was all going to come together though so I hadn’t said anything.
“It’ll snow,” my daughter Emma chimed in.
“How do you know?” Aaron’s head tipped to the side as he released his hand from where he was pulling on the blinds so he could see.
“I asked Santa for snow. Santa always brings me what I ask for. I’m on the nice list,” she rolled her eyes at him as she placed her hands on her hips and tapped her foot. I couldn’t help but laugh as I watched her. My daughter was a perfect copy of my wife. She has the same sass and spunk that Leah has. I knew that when she became a teenager, she was going to give us a run for our money.
“You know sometimes Santa can’t bring everything you ask for,” Cam watched them as Emma’s smile started to wane.
“Only if you’re naughty,” she scolded him “and I’m not. Right Daddy?” her eyes turned toward mine, and I couldn’t help but agree with her.
“Why don’t you two watch Frosty with Ryan? He’s getting kinda lonely over there by himself,” I nodded in the direction of where my son was sitting on a blanket chewing on a teething ring. He’d just started getting his molars, and spent most of the time crying. Whenever Leah got him settled, we tended to work around him. He’d been happy for a while now as he bounced along with the music, and I was hoping to distract the older two with entertaining him.
“Frosty’s for babies,” Aaron groaned as Cam narrowed his eyes on him.
“Humor me kid,” Cam grumbled before motioning me into the kitchen. At six, Aaron was starting to try and push the envelope every chance he got. Today was no different, only now he had my daughter to help him.
“Can we play in my room?” Emma smiled sweetly. “We’ll be good. Promise,” she grinned as she rocked back on her heels and clasped her hands behind her back.
“Sure. You’re mom’s going to be home soon so try not to make a mess, K?” I sighed as I watched her grin turn into a smile. She giggled before turning to race down the hallway with Aaron right on her heels.
“Those two are going to be trouble when they grow up,” Cam mumbled from behind me.
“I know. I’m so dead. Leah keeps telling me that I’m going to be chasing boys off our porch every weekend,” I shook my head as I made my way into the kitchen in search of a beer.
“You’ll be doing more than that if they’re anything like you were,” Cam shoved me. “I’ll pay for front row seats on the day Emma brings her first boyfriend home.”
I scowled at him before finally finding what I was looking for. I didn’t want to think about Emma and boys. She was only five. She was going to stay five forever. I’d already had this discussion with the universe. I’d let Ryan grow until he wasn’t teething anymore, but then they’d both have to stop. My heart couldn’t take it. I needed them to stay small and need me.
“So how are we going to pull this off?” Cam leaned against the counter. He placed his arms behind him, and crossed his ankles as he stared at me.
“I’ve got a plan. I’ll need you to meet me at my car tonight after everyone’s asleep. As long as my connection is able to get what he promised me, we’re good.”
“So what’s the backup?” Cam laughed. “I mean, I know you’re like the perfect husband and all, but what happens if it doesn’t work out?”
“I can’t think like that. I promised my wife and daughter a Christmas they wouldn’t forget and I’m going to do my damnedest to make it happen,” I took a gulp of my beer right as I heard the front door open.
“A little help here!” Leah called as I rounded the corner. She was standing in the doorway loaded down with shopping bags, and Avery was right behind her with Jake, her youngest, on one hip and bags hanging off her other arm.
“You should have left him here,” I motioned to my nephew as I took bags from both women.
“I’m still breastfeeding,” Avery rolled her eyes. “Can you do that? I mean, I know you’re super dad and all, but really…”
“Why are you still such a smartass?” I shook my head as I turned to carry the bags into our room. Tonight was going to be a late night of wrapping and assembling all of Santa’s goodies.
“It’s part of my charm,” Avery called from the foyer just as Cam came to take Jake.
“I don’t find it very charming,” I grumbled under my breath.
“Relax,” Leah soothed. We placed the bag between the wall and the bed before she turned to wrap her arms around my waist. “Jake was really fussy today. She’s just tired,” she leaned up on her tiptoes and placed a kiss on my lips. “Thanks for watching the kids for us today. It really helped.”
“You know I don’t mind watching them. I’m their dad,” I kissed her back as I held her to me.
“I still appreciate it,” she grinned. “I’ll give you your gift after they go to bed,” she whispered in my ear.
“If they go to bed. They’re pretty excited about Santa,” I started to release her.
“Looks like it might be time for Barbie to make an appearance then,” she giggled and I couldn’t help but groan. Emma had this Barbie Princess movie that we bought her when we told her about Ryan. She used to watch it several times a day. It always seems to help her sleep, but it drove me crazy. I used to hide it, but she always managed to find it. The last time we put it away we told her that the DVD player was tired of playing it. She actually believed us, and I think she forgot about the movie.
“You realize that she’s going to start watching it all the time again, right?” I growled as Leah giggled.
She walked up to me, wrapped her arms around my neck, and pressed every inch of her body into mine. Her lips brushed across mine before parting, as she dipped her tongue inside. Even after all these years, a simple touch from her set me on fire. It wasn’t like the explosions we used to have, but more of a smoldering burn. It was always there, and when she touched or kissed me it stoked it back to life.
“There’ll be more of that when she goes to bed. Still hating on Barbie?” she grinned as she reached down and squeezed the obvious ridge in my jeans.
“I fucking love Barbie right now,” I growled as I leaned in and nipped her ear. “Let’s send my brother and his family home, and put Emma to bed now,” I begged.
Leah shook her head playfully, “I’ve got presents to wrap, and you have a toy kitchen to put together.”
“Fine,” I huffed as I smacked her on the ass and followed her back to the living room where the rest of the family was now congregating. I’d collect my present later.
ooooooooo
“Where the heck did you even find this?” Cam laughed as I motioned to the tractor trailer that was currently trying to back into my driveway.
“I know a guy who knows a guy, and well…he owed me a favor,” I shrugged as I shivered against the ocean breeze. It wasn’t cold enough to snow, but it was still cold out. The weather had been hovering just above freezing for days, and as Christmas Eve approached Emma asked Santa daily for snow.
“Well if you know so many people, why do you need me here?” Cam grumbled as he stuffed his hands in the pockets of his coat.
“We have to help spread it out, or all we’re going to have is a huge pile. Here,” I thrusted a shovel in his direction. “Get ready to earn your keep little brother.” I tugged my hat lower on my head, and smiled when the truck stopped and the machine on the trailer came to life.
“Aren’t you worried that you’re going to wake up the kids?” Cam had to almost shout to be heard over the motor.
“They’re sleeping on the other end of the house tonight. Leah sleeps like the dead. I’m good,” I chuckled as a white spray began to fill the air.
“How the fuck am I supposed to compete with something like this?” Cam waved his arms in the air. “You go and do over the top shit like this, and make my diamond necklace look like nothing.”
“Haven’t you learned by now,” I grinned at him. “You don’t compete with me. I always win. If you don’t mind losing, well, more power to ya but you aren’t gonna win. I’m the super dad, remember. Leah seems to think I’m pretty super too.”
“Gross,” Cam gagged as he dragged a shovel over to where a small pile of snow had begun to form. “All I know is you’ve screwed yourself now. How are you planning to top this? Bet you didn’t think about that huh asshole,” he flung some snow at me hitting me right in the chest.
“I’ll worry about that next year, now work!” I pointed at the ground.
We spent the next several hours spread manmade snow all over the backyard covering every inch of space around the pool, and leading to the beach. Before long my back yard looked like Jack Frost himself had turned it into a winter wonderland.
“Not bad,” Cam puffed trying to catch his breath. “Think they’ll like it?”
“Your son has been pestering my daughter all day about snow. What do you think?” I gave him a ‘duh’ face before shuffling towards the back steps. “Go and try to get some sleep. I’ll call you when they wake up. Thanks for letting Aaron stay. I know you wanted him home with it being Christmas Eve and all.”
“It’s not a big deal. You’re just next door, but not having him knock on my door in the middle of the night will be nice. See in a few hours,” he waved, and then began jogging toward his house. It was nice having my brother right next door. We were close growing up, and now our kids were close too.
ooooooooo
I was awoken the next morning by a shrill squeal just in time to feel Emma leap on top of Leah and I in bed. “Daddy! Daddy get up!” she shook me. “You have to come see,” she tugged at where my arm was wrapped around her mother before leaning back on her heels.
“Give me just a sec Em. Mommy’s still sleeping,” I yawned as I looked at the clock and realized I’d only been in bed for a little over three hours. “Honey?” I nudged Leah’s shoulder. “Time to wake up,” I cooed.
“Five more minutes,” she grumbled as she tugged at the covers and rolled away from me.
“Oh no. If I’m getting up, so are you,” I teased as I pulled the covers back. “Besides, Santa brought something for you too.”
“He did huh?” she glanced back at me before blinking a few times. “What are you grinning about?”
“Get up, and I’ll show you,” I smiled even wider as I sat up, and shuffled toward the door. Leah watched me for a moment before following suit.
When we got into the living room, Emma and Aaron were both jumping up and down in front of the slider. “Look Daddy!” Emma pointed at the window. “Santa made it snow!” she clasped her hands together in front of herself as she began to jump faster.
“What?” Leah’s face twisted in confusion.
“Look Mommy,” Emma raced over to Leah and began tugging her towards the door. “Snow!”
I watched from the background as my family rushed to put their coats and boots on over their pjs. As soon as Emma had slipped her feet in, she ripped open the door, and rushed outside. “What are you waiting for?” she turned to face the open door where my wife was standing with her hand over her mouth in utter disbelief. “Let’s play in it!” Emma rushed down the stairs and flopped right in the white powder followed by Aaron.
“How did you do this?” Leah turned to face me with tears in her eyes.
“I called a favor in with Santa,” I shrugged as I walked over and wrapped my arms around her. “I told him my girls wanted snow for Christmas. When has Santa ever not given you what you asked for?”
Her lip trembled as she looked up at me, “Never.”
“Come on Mommy!” Emma yelled from where she was trying to start making a snowman.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” I nudged her in the direction of our daughter.
“I love you Nick Sutter,” she sniffed as she grabbed my head and pressed a hard kiss to my lips.
“I love you too,” I chuckled against her lips. As soon as she pulled away, Ryan let out a cry from the nursery. “I’ll get him,” I whispered. “Go play with our daughter.”
She watched me for a second before bolting down the back steps. It was all I could do to not chase after her, but my crying son stopped me. As I turned to go into the nursery I couldn’t help but smile. I didn’t need anything for Christmas. The reaction I saw on my little girl’s face, and the way my wife looked at me this morning was present enough. I had it all. Nope, I didn’t need a thing.
I hope you enjoyed this little look into Nick and Leah’s family. It will be awhile before you get anything new from them. I do have plans to start a spinoff series with Emma, Aaron, and Ryan but it will be a bit of a wait before those publish.
I hope all of you have a great holiday season, and I look forward to sharing more stories with you in the coming year.
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