by D. L. Gallie
I’m stunned and speechless, no one since Ma has ever looked after me like this before. My lips lift in a smile. “What did I ever do to deserve you? Marlee, without you by my side right now, I'd be a mess.” I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her in for a hug.
“I’m happy to be here for you, Gage.” She looks up at me and places a kiss on my chin. “Now, let’s get to it.”
We have a quick coffee and then head over to my place, where I change my clothes and then we head to the hospital. Marlee and I walk down the corridor hand in hand; having her by my side makes this all that much easier. We pass the nurses’ station and I smile at the nurse from last night. She smiles back at me, but at the same time looks shocked I’m here again.
We walk into Dad’s room and he’s asleep. “I’ll go get coffee.” Marlee whispers to me. She leaves the room and I take a seat by the window. Looking outside, I stare at the bleak sky.
“It’s going to snow today,” Dad says. Turning to face him, I smile. “The sky has that look about it.”
“Ma teach you that too?” I ask.
He nods and begins to cough. Hopping up, I grab the water cup off the bedside table and pass it to him. He smiles at me and takes a sip. He looks sicker than when I left last night. It hurts my heart seeing him like this. It’s funny, for years I wished he was dead, and now that he’s on death’s door, I don’t want him to go.
The door swings open, and Marlee walks in. “Hey, Mr. Grainger,” she says. “How you feeling today?” She hands me a coffee and sits on the chair next to me.
“Much better, now that you’re here.” Dad looks to me and smiles. “Don’t let this one go, Gage. She’s a keeper.”
With a smile, I look at her and rest my palm on her leg and gently run my thumb back and forth. “I’m not planning on letting her go.”
“Good, good,” Dad says, he closes his eyes again and drifts off to sleep.
Marlee and I silently sit by his bed. The door opens an hour later and in walks Dad’s doctor. “I’m Dr. Ashton, you must be Gage, Sully’s son.”
“Pleasure to meet you,” I greet, standing up; I shake his hand. “This is my girlfriend, Marlee.” I’ve never ever said that before and it feels really good to say it out loud and call her my girlfriend.
“Nice to meet you,” he says, shaking her hand. “Can we talk in private?” he asks, looking at Marlee.
“I’ll go get us more coffee,” Marlee says. She places a kiss on my cheek and leaves me alone with the doctor and Dad, who now is awake.
“How you doing, Sully?” Dr. Ashton asks Dad.
“Dying, you?” Dad jokes.
“Dad,” I scold.
“What? It’s true.” He pauses and sadly looks to me. “Gage, Son, I know I’m not leaving this hospital. My time is almost up.”
“No, Dad, don’t say that,” I snap. Turning to the doctor I ask, “What more can we do?”
“Gage, I’m afraid your father is right. His time is nearly up. All we can do now is make him comfortable and wait.”
“But—”
“Gage, don't fight it. I’ve accepted it, and now that you and I have mended things, I can die a happy man. I’m ready to be reunited with your mother.”
“I’ll leave you to it. Take it easy, Sully, and please let the nurses know it you need any more pain relief. We will do what we can.”
Dad nods his head, but I can tell by the look in his eyes, he’s going to tough it out. Stubborn bastard, I think to myself as I stare out the window. Taking a deep breath, I turn around and stare at him. “You know what tomorrow is?” He looks at me confused. “It’s the twentieth,” I mumble.
He nods his head at me and sadly smiles. “I think it’s fate that tomorrow is the anniversary of when we lost her. It will also be the date I’m reunited with her.” He pauses and swallows deeply, “It will also mean, you will have one day a year to grieve rather than two.”
“Dad,” I whine, just like I did when I was little.
“Gage, I may be dying but I can still yell at you.”
“I’d like to see you try.” I cheekily reply.
We stare at one another and then we both laugh, it feels good to laugh with him.
“Gage. Son, I just want to let you know that I’m glad to have reconnected with you. I wish it was under better circumstances, but I want to let you know that I’m proud of the man you’ve become, despite how I treated you. Your mother would be proud too. And that girl out there, don't let her go. When I look at the two of you, I see your mother and me when we first met. Don't become like me. Don't become jaded when life gives you lemons. Grab those lemons and make lemonade.”
I laugh, “I thought you’d tell me to grab the tequila and salt.”
“That’s works too,” he says, and again we both laugh.
Marlee and I spend the rest of the day with Dad. He sleeps a lot but when he is awake, he tells stories to Marlee and me of when Ma was alive.
We laugh.
We cry.
We are father and son.
It’s perfect.
I’m glad to have these final happy memories with him.
After dinner, Marlee heads home and I stay with Dad. The nurses bring in a bed, but I pull the chair next to Dad and we watch Ma’s favorite Christmas movie, Miracle on 34th Street, the original.
The movie has just finished, the credits are rolling and I look over at Dad. He smiles back at me and closes his eyes. A weird feeling washes over me and as I watch him, I know it’s time.
Dad takes his last breath at 12:01 a.m. on December 20th, 2018.
20
My dad is gone. I always thought when it happened, I'd be over the moon happy, but I’m not. I’m devastated beyond belief. Both my parents are gone, I’m all alone now. Thankfully, I have Marlee by my side. After it happened I called her, I was sitting in his room, staring out the window when she opened the door.
Looking up, I whisper, “He’s really gone.”
She walks over to me and envelops me in a hug. The floodgates open, and I cry. I cry like I did when Ma died. Marlee hugs me tighter and the comfort from her right now only makes me cry harder.
“I’m so sorry, Gage,” she whispers into my neck. We pull apart and I see that she’s crying too.
“Why are you crying?” I ask, as I wipe away her tears with the pad of my thumbs.
“Gage, you just lost your dad. It’s the anniversary of your ma’s death. It’s a sad day.”
“I’m all alone,” I blubber.
“No, you’re not, you have me.” She places a kiss on my cheek and hugs me again.
The next three days are a blur. Marlee has been my rock, my everything. She organizes Dad’s cremation and on the twenty-third, he’s cremated. He didn’t want a service and I’m thankful for that, I don’t think I could handle a big affair.
After it’s done, we head back to my place and spend the afternoon watching Christmas movies and drinking wine from the hamper that Kasey and Kody sent over. It's the first time since I lost Dad that I feel at peace.
The following day is Christmas Eve and just after lunch, I wave off Marlee as she heads to her parents’ place for Christmas. She invited me to come with her, but I’m not really in a Christmassy mood, and surprisingly it’s not because I’m a Grinch.
Two hours later, I’m sitting on my couch when another crazy idea pops into my head. Grabbing my phone, I make a quick call. Once it’s all arranged, I pack a bag, jump in my car, and head off on my adventure.
Three hours later, I pull into the driveway. The house before me reminds me of the McAllister house from Home Alone. Outside is decorated with lights and the front lawn looks like a winter wonderland. It’s gorgeous.
Climbing out of my car, I walk to the front door and ring the doorbell.
“I’ll get it.” When I hear her voice, I smile and know I’m where I’m meant to be.
The door swings open and her mouth drops open in shock. “Surprise,” I say.
“Gage, what are you doing here?�
��
“Surprising you.”
We stare at one another. She doesn’t say anything and I begin to think that maybe I shouldn’t have come; then she launches herself at me. Wrapping her legs and arms around me, she kisses me. “I’ve missed you.”
“Babe, it's only been five hours.”
“Five hours too long,” she mumbles into my neck.
“Marlee, climb off him and come inside. You are letting all the cold air in,” her mom says, with a big smile on her face.
Marlee removes herself from me, grabs my hand, and pulls me inside, closing the door behind us. “Mom, this is Gage. Gage, this is my mom, Natalie.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Adams,” I say, outstretching my hand.
“Please call me, Natalie,” she says, as she wraps her arms around me for a hug. My eyes bug open in shock. She pulls back and grabs my hands. “I’m sorry about your Dad,” she comforts, squeezing me tightly, reminding me of Ma.
“Thank you,” I say, not really sure on what the etiquette is when it comes to this.
“Come inside, you must be tired after the long drive.” We walk down the hall and into a large open kitchen, which smells amazing. If my nose is right, gingerbread is cooling on the stovetop and there are Christmas cookies baking in the oven.
“I’m not too bad actually. The roads were pretty good, I thought for sure I’d hit some snow but it was clear skies.” I take a seat at the breakfast bar and Marlee hands me a glass of wine. “Vermelho?” I whisper.
She grins at me and giggles, just as the sliding door in the dining room opens. An older gentleman walks in. “Wow, the snow is really coming down now.” He looks at me and smiles when he sees me sitting at the counter. He walks toward me. “You must be, Gage.”
“Yes, I’m Gage. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, sir.”
“Please, call me, Roger. You made good time, I wasn't expecting you for a few more hours yet, and with the weather out there, even later.”
“Huh?” Marlee asks.
“I kinda gave your dad a heads-up that I was coming.”
“Really?” she asks, looking between the two of us.
We both nod our heads. “Dad, you are the worst secret keeper ever.”
“Why do you think I’ve been hiding in the shed all afternoon? I couldn’t stand the cold anymore, so I came back inside and was going to take my chances, but what do you know, your surprise was already here.” He walks over to Marlee and kisses her head, “Merry Christmas, Pumpkin.”
“Merry Christmas, Daddy.”
He steps to the window and looks outside. “It's really coming down out there now, how did you get here so quickly?”
“It’s was fine. Not one flake fell while I was driving.”
“Well, that’s great. Can I get you a drink?”
Raising my glass, I say, “I’m all good. Can I help with anything, Mrs. Adams?”
“Natalie, please. And no, you are a guest.”
Marlee takes my hand and walks us into the living room. We sit by the fire, drinking our wine and laughing. It's relaxing and I’m glad I made the decision to come; it’s just what I needed. Natalie and Rodger come and join us, and the conversation and laughs continue into the wee hours of the morning.
By the time, Marlee and I stumble to bed; we are pretty drunk. We collapse onto the mattress and fall into a drunken slumber.
I’m blissfully woken the next morning with Marlee’s lips wrapped around my cock. She stares at me as she sucks me deep into her mouth. When she begins to squeeze my balls and massage that spot at the base of my dick, I come in her mouth. She sucks me dry, and with a pop she removes her mouth and climbs up my body.
“Merry Christmas,” she whispers before kissing me.
“Merry Christmas,” I whisper back, wrapping my arms around her, holding her close to me.
When her body relaxes, I flip her onto her back and she lets out a yelp. “Shhhh,” I whisper, as I drag my nose down her chest. Pushing up her shirt, I kiss her mound through her panties. Breathing in her scent, I rip her panties off her and discard the torn material onto the bed next to us. Running my tongue down her slit, she moans and wriggles beneath me. “You’re soaked,” I growl as I thrust my tongue into her channel. Licking up and down, I nibble and suck her clit and thrust two fingers into her.
“Gage,” she moans, running her fingers through my hair before shoving my face farther into her. Her body tenses, she pulls on my hair and whisper moans, “I’m coming.” Her body shudders under me and I continue to thrust my finger in and out until she stills.
Removing my fingers, I bring them to my lips and lick them clean. “MMMM,” I moan.
Lying on my back next to her, I stare at the ceiling, happy and content for the first time since I lost Dad. Looking over to her, I smile and cannot wait to give her my real gift later.
We shower separately and make our way downstairs and head to the kitchen. The smell yesterday was amazing, but the scent wafting through the house right now is mouthwatering.
“Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad,” Marlee greets as we enter the kitchen.
“Merry Christmas, baby,” Natalie says, as she places a tray on top of the stove. She removes the pot holder and throws it on the counter. Walking over to us, she wraps Marlee in a hug and then does the same to me.
“Where’s Dad?” Marlee asks, as she pours us each a coffee.
“Stoking the fire.” And on cue, he steps into the kitchen.
“Morning,” he says, stepping over to Marlee and hugging her.
“Morning, Daddy. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas, Pumpkin.” He places a kiss on her forehead and looks to me. “Merry Christmas, Gage,” he says, stretching out his hand to me. Placing my hand in his, we shake and stare at one another, he winks at me, knowing what I’m about to give to Marlee.
He slips the box into my hand, and I walk over to Marlee. “Merry Christmas, babe,” I say, placing the box on the counter in front of her. She looks down and her mouth drops open in shock. With shaking hands, she removes the lid on the box, and looks inside. Her mouth pops open again. “Marlee, will you move in with me? I know it’s crazy and too soon, but life’s too short to not jump in and take risks.”
“Yes!” she shouts, wrapping her arms around. Slamming her lips to mine, she kisses me deeply. “I can’t wait to get home.”
“Home, I like the sounds of that.”
I may have been a Christmas Grinch in the past, but Marlee changed all of that. She was a gift sent from Ma, and I don’t intend on sharing her anytime soon. She gave me a newfound appreciation for Christmas and a new lease on life…December is now my favorite time of year!
Epilogue
The last twelve months have been amazing. So much has happened since last Christmas. Some good. Some bad, and some downright devastating, but I have the most amazing woman by my side, and I know I can survive anything that is thrown at me.
The toy drive is a success and once again, I dress up as Santa. And again, I have a blast, not that I’ll tell Kasey and Chelle that. This year though, rather than me dressing sexily as Santa when we arrive home, it’s Marlee. Walking into our bedroom, I pause midstep. “Fuck me,” I whisper and my cock springs to life.
Standing before me in nothing but a Santa hat, two strategically placed bows, and the sexiest pair of fuck-me heels I have ever seen, is Marlee. “You like?” she huskily whispers.
Nodding my head, I step toward her. Undoing the buttons on my shirt as I go. Sliding the material down my arms, I let it flutter to the carpet. Flipping open the button on my jeans, I push them and my briefs down my legs. I’m now stark naked, standing in front of her. “Can I open my present now?” I asks, my voice deep and full of lust.
With her eyes locked on mine, she shakes her head. But as she does so, she raises her hand and undoes the bow covering her breasts. The red ribbon falls to the floor, lowering my head; I suck a nipple into my mouth and squeeze the other between my thumb and forefing
er.
Dropping to my knees, I nuzzle her mound behind the bow. Darting my tongue out, I can’t reach where I want, lifting my hand, I undo the bow and smile. “Best. Present. Ever,” I say, before I bury my face between her legs. Licking and sucking, I bring her to the brink while I fumble in my pants, when I have what I want in my hand, I stop what I’m doing and raise myself onto one knee.
“Gage!” Marlee protests and when she lowers her gaze to me, her mouth drops open in shock.
“You are the best thing to ever crash into me. You make me a better person each and every day. Without you, I’d still be the cranky Grinch that I once was. Marlee Adams, will you marry me?”
She drops to her knees nodding her head. “Yes. Gage, yes, I will marry you.”
Slipping the solitaire diamond onto her ring finger, I grip her cheeks and kiss her deeply. She breaks our kiss and says, “We will need to come up with a PG version of our proposal. We can’t tell our kids and everyone that Mommy and Daddy were naked and Daddy was eating Mommy out when he proposed.”
“Mommy and Daddy?” He questions.
“Surprise,” she announces. “Merry early Christmas, Gage.”
“Best. Christmas. Ever.” I say, slamming my lips against my fiancée and the mother of my child’s sexy sassy lips. December really is a great month.
Extended Epilogue
Marlee
…February 6th, 2025
Tonight Gage and I are celebrating our fourth wedding anniversary; I can’t believe it’s been that long already. Some days it feels like we’ve been married forever, others it’s like we only met yesterday. But one thing is still the same; I’m still head over heels in love with Gage Grainger.
He’s changed so much since we first met. He was bitter and a total Grinch. He was basically an asshole, but over time, I’ve chipped away at his black heart—and in return—a man with a heart of gold has emerged. He loves Amelia and me with everything he has, we are two very lucky gals.