She smiles, it still pains her, but it’s a smile. “Someone has to help you out in the kitchen because the lazy-ass crowd in the living room is playing Twister.”
“Again?”
“It’s down to Rocky and Eric.”
“This never ends well—” I am interrupted as Rocky yells out, “Dude, your fucking dick is in my face!”
Adriana laughs. It’s the first laugh I have heard since Elijah passed away. She has the most beautiful smile, and what right does God have taking away the one thing that brings it out?
Not now, Charlie, be strong for Adriana.
“I’m glad you’re here. We’ll get through this. As a family, I promise you that.”
“I know, Charlie. Elijah told me we would.”
We hug each other again before carrying the starters into the living room. As I suspected, Rocky and Eric’s position put gay porn to shame. I burst out laughing as the spinner requests Eric to move his left foot, which causes him to collapse onto Rocky’s face.
“Fuck, Eric! You did that on purpose,” Rocky yells, pushing Eric off him.
The entire room bursts into laughter, ending the Twister game.
Emily suggests we sing some Christmas carols to celebrate, and Lex asks Amelia if she wants to play with him. She nods and holds his hand as he places her on the piano stool. Andy wants in on the action, and monkey crawls his way over, begging Lex to lift him. He does with ease. If anyone has a piece of Lex’s heart, it’s Andy.
“Any requests?” Emily asks.
“Yeah, I have one…” Adriana speaks up.
A hush falls over the room.
Andrew automatically moves to Adriana placing his arm around her.
“I’m okay, Dad. Elijah is here, I can feel him.”
Adriana looks at Lex. He knows his sister well enough and turns around and starts playing. She starts singing as she moves her way over to Andy.
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
‘Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
I can’t help it as a tear slides down my face. Eric and Emma move my way and link their arms with mine.
We continue to sing until the clock strikes midnight. We make our way throughout the room, hugging each other and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. As I reach Lex and a sleepy Amelia, I whisper in his ear for him to follow me down the hall. He hands Amelia over to Kate who takes her with open arms, and I watch as Lex’s face lights up. The dirty bastard probably thinks I’m going to give him a hand job or something.
“Close your eyes,” I request, excitedly.
“Will you be naked when I open them?” He shuts his eyes.
“Yeah, sure… with my dad here, you psychopath. Okay… you can open them.”
I watch his reaction as he stands in our guest room, admiring the shiny new drum set which sits in the middle of the floor.