Just For The Holidays (Home for the Holidays)

25. Nichol

Chapter 25

Nichol

Guncling

“ H ow was the museum?” Nichol asks Max as he climbs the top step and peers over the half-wall bannister into the living room.

Max and Stuart are tweedle-twinning on the sofa, engulfed in a Christmas special on the television.

“It was good.” The kid doesn’t take his eyes off the screen.

Stuart hops down and circles Nichol’s ankles with his tongue hanging from the side of his broad smile.

Nichol pets the top of his head and strokes his back, tickling the spot above his curled-up tail, igniting convulsive snorts, before the pup hops back onto the sofa and cuddles under Max’s arm.

Nichol passes through the archway, into the kitchen, where Katie is sifting through mail, looking up briefly at Nichol’s piercing glare.

“You couldn’t even make it to lunch before telling her?” he growls.

“You were barely out of the car when she called me.” Katie chuckles.

“She came into the shop and invited him to the party.” Nichol scowls at his sister.

“I told her not to do that.’’ She rolls her shoulders.

“We’ll, he’s coming.”

“Good!” Katie smiles wide. “Max and I picked up subs and chips on the way home. They’re in the fridge. I got you turkey and cheddar.”

“Thanks.” He collects a small bag of potato chips off the island and a bottled water from inside the fridge door, before trotting down to the basement.

“You don’t want your sub?” Katie calls after him.

“Later,” he hollers back.

He kicks his shoes off, folds one leg under himself and drops onto his mattress, peeling the chips open and popping one until his mouth. He gathers his phone, plugged into its charger, on the nightstand and taps it alive.

At some point in the day, his mobile service managed to find a connection and downloaded all the missed messages from the last couple of days. One, from Colby.

Nichol presses the phone to his ear and listens for the voicemail.

“Hey Nicky. It’s Colby, I’ve got great news! There’s a new app startup and they want YOU!” his voice sings and continues on, dropping contact details and the appointment he’d set up for a telephone meeting. Tomorrow, at noon. Then adding, “And the offer is twice your last salary! You’re welcome.”

Nichol listens to the message a second time, recording the phone number and contact’s name into his phone’s calendar, then types out a text to Colby.

Nichol: Thanks babe! I appreciate you! xoxo

He pops two more chips into his mouth; chewing, as the phone chimes a response.

Colby: Get your ass back to this city ASAP. My guest room is still all yours, as long as you need!

Nichol: I’ll see you soon!

Colby: Can’t wait. We miss you!

Nichol: Ditto!

He plugs the phone back in and sets it aside. Catching a glimpse of eyes peeking around his door frame.

“Hey, Maxie.”

“Hey, Uncle Nichol.”

Stuart bolts into the room and sits at Nichol’s dangling foot. Max follows behind, lowering to the carpeted floor on crossed legs.

“What are you guys up to?” Nichol reaches down, scratching Stuart’s neck and shoulders.

“I’m gay too,” Max announces.

“Oh, yeah?” Nichol’s brows rise.

Max mirrors Nichol’s shook expression, looking like a mini version of his uncle—with orange hair. He nods, sinking back on his hands, raising his shoulders to his ears.

“I’m going to marry my friend Aiden one day,” he proudly declares.

“You can marry anyone you love, that loves you back.” Nichol smiles warmly. “Have you told Aiden this plan?”

“It was his idea.” Max leans forward, crossing his arms over his ankles. “We’re going to live in a castle and have hundreds of dogs!” He fans his arms out to express the impressive amount.

“That sounds amazing.” Nichol scratches Stuart’s favorite spot.

The pup spins gleefully.

A soft knock on the door alerts them to Katie’s presence. She’s beaming tenderly at Max. “Bath time.”

He hops up off the floor and ushers Stuart to follow him. “I hope you marry Teddy and stay here.” The tweedle-twins rush up the stairs.

“That kid of yours is pretty amazing.” Nichol chokes up.

“Yup,” Katie smirks. “He reminds me of someone else I know.” She folds her arms across her chest and stares into Nichol’s eyes until she’s sure he gets her gist.

Nichol chews his lip, then dumps the last crumbs of chips into his mouth. “I’m gonna go grab that sandwich.” His slight grin stretches across his face.

Katie nudges her shoulder into his, adoringly, as they climb the stairs.