by Nikki Ash
“It’s beautiful and that’s so smart! You ready to go get the Christmas tree?”
“Yes!” Lexi cheers, fist pumping with her one good hand. Of course, her broken one is the left, so she’s perfectly capable of drawing…all over her wall.
“Wait! Before we go.” I remember why I came in here looking for her. “You won third place in the painting contest. Your drawing will be displayed in the art gallery for the entire month of January.”
“Wow! I got third place! Yay!”
“I think this calls for a special present,” Charlie says.
“Like what?” Lexi replies loudly, excitement pouring out of her.
“It’s going to be a surprise!” Lexi squeals and jumps out of bed. “Go get your shoes on so we can go!” Charlie calls after her.
“Surprise?” I raise my eyebrows.
“Yep! You and Mason are going to paint this wall.” She points to the wall currently holding Lexi’s fake Christmas display.
“So she can color over it?” I point to the Christmas display.
“It’s special paint. You’ll see. We can pick it up on our way to get the Christmas tree.” Charlie leans in and gives me a quick kiss, leaving me wanting more…so much more.
We went by the home improvement store and picked up the paint Charlie insisted on buying, then we went to the tree lot and picked out a tree. Lexi wanted a small tree for her room and of course Charlie offered to buy it. Afterward, we stopped by another store to get some ornaments and now we’re heading home.
“Tonight was supposed to be my last night working at Plush,” Charlie says once we’re back in the truck, “But Bianca just texted me and said they’re slow and I don’t need to come in. So, I was thinking…” She gives me a shy look, which is so ridiculous because I would give this woman anything she asked for. “There’s a tree lighting ceremony happening tonight. Mila texted me an invite and I was wondering if we could bring Lexi. It turns out Mila has an eight-year-old son, and is bringing him as well.”
I choke out a laugh at that, and Charlie frowns. “I’m sorry,” I say through my laughter. “Yes, we can go. Lexi will love it. I’m laughing at Mila having a kid. Mason has a strict rule against hooking up with moms.”
“He’s prejudice against moms?”
“He won’t go anywhere near them. Wait until he finds out Mila is a mom. We need to invite him tonight. It’s going to be great.”
After getting the tree set up and Charlie insisting we need to wait until tomorrow to decorate it so the branches can come down or some shit, we get dressed for the tree lighting.
“Can we stop by my place?” Charlie asks as Lexi pulls on her cute new boots Charlie bought her the other day. “My fluffy boots are there.”
“Like mine?” Lexi asks.
“Yep! Like yours,” Charlie confirms. I grab her by her waist, and brushing her hair to the side, I give her a soft kiss on her neck, on her cheek, and lastly on her lips. I want so badly to tell her to move in with us. Then she wouldn’t have to go anywhere to get her stuff, but I don’t. Standing by the front door isn’t the place to bring it up.
“Sure, Mason is meeting us at the tree lighting.” Charlie shakes her head at how excited I am to see Mason’s reaction. I can’t help it, though. “The guy has been talking nonstop about Mila since we ran into her at the hospital. When he finds out she’s got a kid, it’s going to be the equivalent of blowing a big wad of gum into the biggest bubble only to have it pop all over your face!” Lexi laughs at my analogy and Charlie groans.
“I don’t think it’s going to stop him.”
“Ha! We’ll see.”
The parking garage is jam packed, but after circling around a few times, I snag a parking spot. As soon as we hop out of the truck, Lexi and Charlie join hands and we head toward the event. The temperature tonight is in the sixties, which makes it the perfect evening for an event outside. Lexi is snuggled up in her cute Christmas sweater and ripped jeans which are identical to Charlie’s. I never imagined what it would be like for Lexi to have a woman in her life. It was always just us, but watching them walk ahead of me, I know without a shadow of a doubt, Charlie was meant to be in our lives permanently. Now I just need for her to agree.
We stop at a coffee shop and order a couple of coffees and hot chocolates while we wait for everyone else to arrive. The huge Christmas tree is dark, waiting to be lit. The performers are dancing on the stage to Christmas music and fake snow is flying out of snow blowers. Charlie and Lexi talk nonstop about how Christmasy it all feels, and I think about how hilarious it’s going to be when Mason finds out Mila has a kid.
“There you guys are!” Mason drops into a chair at our table. “So, when does this lighting take place?”
“Uncle Mason!” Lexi squeals and jumps into Mason’s lap. “The big tree over there is going to light up with lots and lots of lights! And guess what?” She doesn’t wait for him to answer. “Daddy and Charlie and I got a big Christmas tree today! And I got a small one for my room.”
“That’s awesome, Lexi girl!” Mason takes a sip of her hot chocolate, which judging by his face is no longer hot. “I’m going to go grab something warm.” He lifts Lexi up and places her back in her seat before heading into the coffee shop.
“Hey!” Mila comes walking up. Charlie gets up to greet her, giving her a quick hug. “I’m so glad you guys could make it. Unfortunately, Alec ended up staying with his dad tonight so it’s just me.” She shrugs.
“Oh no! Is everything okay?” Charlie asks, concern evident in her voice.
“Oh, yeah! Gavin’s grandparents are in town for a few days, so Alec wanted to spend time with them. Just means some adult time for myself.” Mila winks. “I’m going to run in and grab a coffee. Anyone want anything?” We all shake our heads and watch her go in.
A few minutes later, Mila comes out, her coffee in her hand with Mason following her. “I’m the one who invited them,” she says. “So that means you’re following me, not the other way around.”
Mason sits in the only seat left and Mila stays standing. “Wow! Such a gentleman.”
“You’re more than welcome to sit on my lap.” Mason’s brows lift up and down and Mila makes a noise of disgust.
When she doesn’t sit on his lap but instead stays standing, sipping her coffee, Mason stands. “Here you go, Madam.” He bows dramatically, which earns him a giggle from Lexi and a glare from Mila.
“Thank you.” She sits and dhe and Charlie begin talking about the studio opening up in the next month or so.
“Hey,” Mason says to me. “Kenny needs me to confirm the hotel reservations for the fight in Vegas. I had originally put us down for two rooms. Is that still okay?”
“What fight?” Charlie chimes in.
“I have a fight in Vegas next week. We’re going to drive there and visit with the family. Some of the guys from Cooper’s gym will be there as well.”
“I don’t wanna go.” Lexi pouts and Charlie giggles. Then it hits me I’m going to be away from Charlie for at least four days. Jesus, when did I get so dependent on this woman?
“The UFC fight at the MGM Grand?” Mila questions.
“Yeah, and you’re looking at the main card event.” Mason smiles cockily and Mila’s eyes light up.
“Oh my God! You’re a UFC fighter! I knew it! I knew I recognized you.”
“I sure am.”
“I tried to get tickets for Alec and me, but they were so expensive! He absolutely loves you. We’ll definitely be watching the fight on pay-per-view.”
At the mention of Alec, Mason’s ego deflates slightly, but too quickly he’s back to his typical Mason flirting. “How about you drop this Alec guy and I’ll make sure you’re front and center?”
Mila snorts, quickly realizing what Charlie and I already know. Mason has no clue Alec is her son. “I couldn’t possibly go without him. That would be cruel.” She glares at Mason, but it quickly turns into a frown. “Do you think maybe you could sign something for him?
He’s a huge fan of yours. He was supposed to come today but couldn’t make it.” Charlie and I make eye contact, both silently laughing over the fact that Mila is purposely not telling Mason who Alec is.
“Yeah, sure, whatever,” Mason says, then leans into Mila. “But if you ever ditch that guy and want the real deal, I’m right here.”
“Sorry, but Alec is the most important guy in my life, and he’s not going anywhere.”
“I have some tickets,” I say to Mila. My mom was a single parent at one time and she would’ve given anything to get me to one of those fights when I was growing up. Fortunately for her, she had Kaden. But not everyone has a Kaden. “You and Alec are more than welcome to come. As you can see, my darling daughter won’t be attending.” Then I say to Mason, “Book one additional room for Mila and Alec.”
He rolls his eyes but agrees.
“Are you serious?” Mila asks. “I don’t think I can let you do that! Maybe I can pay for some of it… or maybe I can—”
“No way,” I cut her off. “The tickets don’t cost me anything and the room is discounted for fighters.”
“Thank you, Tristan! You have no idea how much this is going to mean to Alec.”
“You’re welcome.”
For a brief moment, the Christmas music goes silent while someone comes over the PA system to announce there are five minutes remaining until the tree lighting. Lexi jumps out of her seat ready to go and Charlie and Mila follow. After throwing away all their garbage, Mason and I join them.
The two women and Lexi are dancing to Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree. I come up behind Charlie and, taking her in my arms, give her exposed shoulder a soft kiss. She continues to dance but her moves become slower, slightly more seductive as her jean-clad ass rubs up against me. I could hold this woman in my arms for the rest of my life. Screw being away from her for four days.
“Come to Vegas with us,” I murmur into her ear. “I don’t want to be without you for that long.” My lips brush her earlobe and then I place my lips on the soft spot behind her ear, eliciting a chill from her.
Tilting her head slightly, she says, “I would love to go…as long as I can stay back with Lexi.”
“That’s perfect, babe. We can visit my parents and I can show you around Vegas. Have you ever been?”
She shakes her head. “That sounds like a good time.” She turns around and, wrapping her arms around my neck, kisses me as the announcer gives a one minute warning.
Charlie turns back around and pulls Lexi into her front. Encircling my arms around Charlie, my chin rests on her shoulder. The countdown gets down to ten seconds and everyone shouts each number until one. The snow comes falling down and the tree lights up the entire area.
“Charlie! Daddy!” Lexi shrieks in excitement, pointing at the tree. “It’s so pretty!”
“I see! It’s so beautiful!” Charlie purrs.
The music starts back up as the snow continues to fall. I weave Charlie’s fingers in mine, but when I go to weave the other hand, I notice her hand is already taken by Lexi.
“You guys!” Mila yells over the music, “Say ‘Merry Christmas!’” The three of us repeat her words as she snaps a picture of us. If I could freeze any moment in time it would be right here and now. I know firsthand life isn’t always perfect, but right now, in this moment, it’s pretty damn close.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Charlie
“Charlie! This is coming out amazing!” Mila twirls around the studio. It’s nowhere near close to being done but the cabinets have been installed and the new front desk has been put in.
“I know, right? I’m so excited! They’ll be sealing the floors next week and then painting. I’m going to be doing the mural on the wall myself.”
“Charlie! Alec called me a klutz and he won’t tell me what it means!” Lexi comes stomping out of the backroom, paint covering her from head to toe. Mila’s son, Alec, is following behind, a smirk on his face. He is three years older than Lexi and loves to mess with her. I imagine this is what flirting looks like when you’re a child.
“Alec, be nice,” Mila scolds, and Alec laughs.
“I am! It’s not my fault she doesn’t know what the word means. And it’s the truth.”
Lexi glares at Alec and I hold back my laughter. It is the truth. The girl makes messes without even trying to. She spills her drink at almost every meal, and spills the paint every time she’s painting. She even trips over her own shoes several times a day. “What’s a klutz?” Lexi asks me softly, her cute mouth turned down into a pout.
“It’s someone who is kind of clumsy. Like they spill stuff by mistake or trip a lot.”
Lexi lets out a huff. “Well I’m not a klutz.” She rolls her eyes, and with her hands on her hips, stomps away.
“Start to clean up, Lex! We need to get you home to your surprise.”
“Okay!” Lexi runs to the back. After Tristan picked up Lexi from school, he brought her over to the gym to get some stuff done. Since I was next door going over a couple things with the contractors, I insisted on taking her for the afternoon and even got Tristan to agree to paint her wall.
After Lexi and Alec clean up their artwork, we say our goodbyes.
“See you in a few days.” I give Mila a hug. We’ve been meeting for coffee while the kids are in school. It’s nice to be able to sit down with another woman and chat.
When I asked Tristan if he minded, he looked at me like I was insane, but then he frowned and said, “Charlie, you never have to ask permission to do anything. Whether it’s hanging out with a friend or going out. You are a grown woman.” I realized I was so used to having to ask permission from Justin, I asked out of habit.
“This is so cool!” Lexi squeals, jumping up and down. Her cast-less hand reaches out to touch the wet paint and I stop her.
“Don’t touch.” I give her a grin. “It will be good to go when we get back from Vegas.”
“And I can draw on the entire wall?” Lexi’s arms flail out.
“Yep! It’s chalkboard paint. We’ll have to buy you some chalk. You can color on it all you want and it will erase with a wet sponge.”
Mason and Tristan are standing there admiring their work when Tristan’s phone rings. “Hey Lex, it’s Micaela. You want to show her your wall?”
“Yes!” Lexi grabs the phone and answers the call.
Leaving her to talk to her friend, I head out of her room to the living room. I have laundry to do and I need to pack for the trip, so I slide on my boots to head out.
“Where are you going?” Tristan asks, sliding his arms around me and pulling me down with him onto the couch.
“I was going to head home to get some laundry and packing done. We leave in a few days.”
“I’ll take you to get your stuff and you can do it here. You don’t even have a washer and dryer.” Tristan situates me across his lap, bridal style, and nestles his face into my neck. “Move in with me,” he whispers and I still.
“What?” I ask to make sure I’ve heard him correctly.
“Move in here. You’re never home anyway. Lexi would be thrilled and you get along with Mason.” He looks up and over my shoulder to his best friend who is smiling.
“Especially when you do my laundry.” Mason grins.
“See? You don’t need to be paying rent on a place you’re never at. This condo is plenty big enough for all of us.” He gives me a kiss. “What do you say?” I don’t stand a chance against his adorable puppy dog eyes and my favorite dimple peeking out because he’s smiling so hard he’s practically cheesing.
“Okay,” I agree.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, I’ll move in.”
“Fuck yeah, let’s do it now.” Tristan pulls me up and off his lap and stands, grabbing his keys.
“What? Like right now?”
“I’m not giving you a chance to change your mind. I’ve been in your place. It has like four pieces of furniture, which we’ll put into my garage, and your cl
othes, which will go in here. Mason, let’s go.”
“I have to pack!” I laugh at how fast this is happening.
“So let’s go!” he says to me. “Lexi! Say bye to Micaela! We need to go to Charlie’s old place.”
I crack up laughing, shaking my head. “You’re crazy!”
“Crazy about you! Now let’s go.” Tristan slaps my butt as I run past him toward the front door.
I get outside and Mason is standing against the truck. I join him, standing only a couple feet away and lean against the side as well. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?” I ask. “I don’t want you to feel railroaded.”
Mason puts his arm around me and pulls me into his side. “I’m more than okay with this. You’re making Tristan fucking happy. How could I not be?”
“He makes me happy,” I say, looking up at him. “Him and Lexi…and you. All of you make me happy.” Mason nods in understanding. One day I told Tristan he could tell Mason about my past so he didn’t feel left out if it was ever mentioned. The next day I walked into the condo and was met by Mason. He hugged me for a long time and told me he’s here if I ever need anything. Nothing else needed to be said.
We get to my place and pack up my clothes and toiletries. The truth is most of my stuff is at Tristan’s place. Most of the furniture came with the place. I only have a couple pieces I bought myself, which Tristan and Mason load into the truck while I speak to Mr. Hinton. Since I’m paid up until January, he assures me the last-minute notice is fine. When I tell him he can rent it out immediately, he tells me it actually works out good because his granddaughter is coming to California and needs a place to stay. He thanks me for being a great tenant and we say goodbye.
After unloading the truck, Tristan makes a quick dinner while I put my clothes into the closet and then give Lexi a bath. Her cast can’t get wet so we have to help her wash her hair and body. Once we eat dinner, Mason takes off with some friends and Lexi goes to bed. Tristan says he’s exhausted, so we relax in bed watching television until he passes out.