Naughty or Nice?

11. Nicholas

CHAPTER 11

Nicholas

Kendall never answers the door.

Nate and I can barely meet each other’s eyes.

After what’s transpired this morning, neither of us know how to proceed. Nate storms out only a few minutes after Kendall’s locked herself inside the bedroom. His tires screech as his car swings out of his parking spot and zips down the street.

A heavy sigh rumbles out of me. I scrub a hand over my beard and conclude it’s a lost cause.

At least at this moment.

Kendall’s made it clear she wants nothing to do with us. Our fighting scared her; the tryst we’ve had makes her ashamed.

It doesn’t change how I feel.

I know what I want, and that’s her.

But I also deeply respect her, so if she wants some space, I’m more than willing to give it.

I’m sure Nate rushed off to tell the rest of the family. I’m not so quick to go home.

My stop after leaving the Airbnb is a stop I’ve made many times over the last nine years. My Range Rover pulls up outside the Morrow Cemetery and I twist off the engine. The layout of the cemetery is so familiar, I can find Laura’s headstone with my eyes closed.

Kneeling in the snow before her, I lay some fresh flowers and heave a great sigh. Her passing will always hurt on some level. I’ll always love and miss her.

No one will ever replace her or erase the loving life we created together.

All things that go without saying.

But that doesn’t mean I can’t move on from the place I’ve been in. From all the grief and heartbreak of losing her.

It’s taken me years. It’s been the most difficult time of my life. I’m finally in a place where I feel like I’m ready to move forward. I’ve finally met a woman who I believe I could potentially do that with.

“Laura, sweetheart, I’m sure you’re looking down on us, shaking your head. I didn’t intend to move on like this—not with Nate’s ex. You know what’s in my heart. You know I love our family more than life itself. But what am I supposed to do when I’ve met someone who can make me feel something for the first time since you passed? You told me you wanted me to go on living. Well… I… I think I’m finally ready to.”

Silence answers me. Nothing but soughing gusts of wind that brush against me and ruffle my white hairs.

Yet I know deep inside that Laura hears me. Laura’s answering me.

She’s reassuring me of what I already know.

My intentions have been pure. So are my feelings.

I’m a loving father and family man. I’m a man who loves the woman in his life with everything he has. Always have been, always will be.

More certain than ever where I stand and how to proceed, I touch the headstone like I can feel Laura. It’s my version of a goodbye ’til the next time I can come visit.

It’s only a few hours into the morning. Christmas is still salvageable.

I walk through the door to pointed stares and poignant silence from the rest of the family. Obvious clues that Nate’s already been here and told them everything.

I shut the door and release a fortifying breath. “Everybody, meet me in the den. Time for a family meeting!”

The rest of the family emerges within seconds, like they were waiting on my arrival. Figures, if Nate’s come through and told them all the scandalous details.

Amy and Jennifer plop down on the couch. Uncle Roy remains standing by the crackling flames of the fireplace. Cousin Frank and a few others spread themselves throughout the room. I take a look at each curious face waiting on me to speak.

For my side of the story.

“Where’s Nate?” I ask.

“He’s stepped out,” Jennifer answers. “He said he couldn’t be around you right now.”

“Fair enough,” I say, then I heave another sigh. “I’m sure he’s told everybody in this room about what’s been going on.”

“You mean where you really were last night?” grunts Uncle Roy.

“That’s right. I was at the Airbnb… with Kendall.” I let silence follow the confession, making no attempt to mince words or hide my guilt. “As you know, I offered the place up to her after Nate dumped her the other night. She had nowhere else to go. The next night she stopped by The Tavern, and we had some drinks.”

“Oh my gosh,” whispers Amy. “So it’s true…”

“One thing led to another, and things became physical. We both enjoyed ourselves, even if we didn’t know what we wanted to do afterward. If it was a one-time thing or we wanted to explore the connection we had.”

“Connection… or drunken hookup?” interrupts Cousin Frank.

“We might’ve been under the influence, but the alcohol only gave us the courage to do what our sober minds never would’ve. We both sensed we had chemistry. There was a mutual attraction.”

“Dad,” Jennifer says in disbelief, “she’s Nate’s ex-girlfriend.”

“Fiancée,” adds Amy.

I scratch at my bearded jaw. “I’m aware of who she is, girls. But that doesn’t change the attraction… or the feelings. I’ve always respected Nate’s relationship with her. I’ve always played my role as his father. But Nate made his own decision to break her heart and call off the engagement. She made her own decision to spend a night with me.”

Amy frowns. “That’s true… he did dump her. After he had her travel all the way here.”

“It’s not a perfect situation by any stretch of the imagination,” I say bluntly. “I’m well aware of that fact. So is Kendall. Neither of us takes pleasure in some of the less-than-ideal aspects of the situation. But we also can’t deny there’s… there’s something here. Something two consenting adults should be able to explore.”

“Dad, if she makes you happy, I’m all for it,” Jennifer says.

“What about Nate?” Frank asks, rolling his eyes. “He’s chopped liver?”

“Nobody said that! I’m saying Dad’s been alone for a long time and Nate dumped Kendall. How can he be pissed she’s moving on?”

“With his father? He has a right.”

“Everyone, please,” I interject calmly. “I understand not everybody’s going to approve. All I ask is that you don’t let it come between us as a family. It’s Christmas morning and this holiday is about togetherness. I’d like us to still come together and enjoy the time we do have.”

“And Nate?” presses Frank.

“Nate… Nate’s going to have to realize he can’t control what a fully autonomous woman does after he breaks her heart,” I say. “It’s not his place. Kendall is a wonderful, bright woman who can make decisions for herself.”

“I like her,” says Amy with a slow smile. “She’s always been cool to me. I said the same thing last Thanksgiving.”

“At least she’ll still be in the family,” agrees Jennifer.

Uncle Roy gives a shrug, nodding his head along. “I’ve got no qualms so long as everybody’s doing what they want. Nate sure bragged about that secretary of his. Seems he wants his cake and to eat it too.”

“I’ll talk to Nate when he’s ready. But I would like to carry on with Christmas as usual. I would even like to—if you’re all alright with the idea—invite Kendall over for dinner.”

Jennifer beams. “She shouldn’t be spending it alone anyway. We were supposed to bake gingerbread cookies together before Nate dumped her. Invite her over!”

Most of the rest of the room echoes Jennifer’s sentiment.

In a matter of seconds, everybody’s on the same page, with only Frank hesitant to join in. Relief slides over me like a second skin, and I grin at the family I love more than life itself. We’ll be able to celebrate the holiday like we should.

“Thank you,” I say to the room. “Thank you for being who you are. Get a move on with the Christmas festivities. I expect these presents to be opened and some Christmas music to be playing at full volume. In the meantime, I’ve got one more visit to make.”

“Kendall?” Amy asks, her twinkling hazel eyes identical to mine.

I start for the door. “Hopefully, when I make it back home, I won’t be alone.”