“What?” he asked.
Jessica walked over to get eggs and began to cook.
“I want all of us to be together for Christmas. I always have Renee over, but we need your mom here too. It is time for me to come clean with her and accept how she will feel towards me. Lucas needs her, and I know she will love him. Even if she hates me, I know she will be good to him.”
“She won't hate you. I told her I have a surprise for her, but she has to give me time,” he said. “She knows I have been over here lately. My mom always loved you. She thought of you as her daughter, when we were in school. It won't take her long to forgive you. She is going to spoil him. I'll call her later today. She's happy that I am here for the holiday. I know she'll be excited to spend it with you too.”
Luke tried to help Jessica make breakfast, but she told him to go and relax. He had been cooking every day. She loved coming home and not having to make dinner. It gave her more time to spend with Lucas. Luke sat down on the couch and turned on the television. A few moments later, Lucas walked out and sat next to him. They turned on cartoons and laughed at the silliness on the show. Jessica stood in the kitchen doorway and watched them. It made her feel so good to see them together. She wanted that moment to last forever.
There was a knock at the door, and Jessica ran to grab it. Renee was watching Lucas for the day, while they went Christmas shopping. She was just in time for breakfast. Jessica hurried back to the kitchen to finish the food. Renee helped her set the table and they all sat down to eat.
After breakfast, Luke and Jessica got ready and left. She was so excited that he was going with her. Every year she had to Christmas shop alone. Jessica was shifting in her seat and moving around a lot.
“Who is more excited Lucas or you?” he asked.
“I am just happy that you are shopping with me. We are buying his presents together. It feels amazing,” she answered.
“How do you think I feel? This is the first time I get to shop for him. Do you know what it is going to look like under that tree?” he asked.
She could feel her mood drop and knew he must have sensed it too.
“Hey, this is exciting for us. Look at me,” he said, as he waited for her to look at him. “We are going to have a blast today.”
They both laughed as he pulled into the parking lot of the toy store. He hurried around to open her door and joked about how many carts they would need. They spent hours going through every aisle of the store. He stayed right next to her and leaned down to kiss her every few minutes. She could tell he was having as much fun as she was. Luke had learned enough the few weeks before to know what Lucas would like.
The buggy was piled high and over the top. She laughed as Luke put a football on the top of the pile.
“What? He has to have a football,” he joked.
They paid for their stuff and fit it all in the trunk of her car. Luke decided it was lunch time and he was hungry. They had lunch at a little restaurant. Jessica felt like they had never been apart. Their conversation always came easy, and they slipped right back into treating each other the way they had before he left. She noticed that he made sure to always touch her, even if it was just a little kiss on the forehead or a slight rub on the arm. She loved him so much.
After lunch, he wanted to go to the mall. He had not bought enough for his mother, and they needed to get something for Renee. They walked through the mall, holding hands and laughing at each other. Luke picked things out for his mom, and Jessica shook her head no each time. He finally told her to pick something out. She pulled him into a jewelry store and went to look at necklaces. A few minutes later, they had their gift.
“What are we going to get Renee?” he asked.
“A car was enough from you,” she said.
“That was not her Christmas present,” he said. “It doesn't have to be huge, but I want to get her something.”
They went from store to store and stopped for ice cream in between. It was getting late and they had still not found anything for Renee. They went back to the store Jessica knew Renee loved and she started to look at clothes. Luke told her he had to run back to a store for something and would be back. She kept shopping for her sister and a little for herself. What was taking him so long, she wondered? When he finally came back, he laughed when he saw the huge pile in her arms. He ran up and grabbed the clothes from her.
“Are you sure all of this is going to fit her?” he asked.
“Some of it is for me,” she answered, with a smirk.
“Oh, I see,” he said.
They walked up to the cashier and Jessica pulled out her credit card. Luke reached in front of her with his.
“You paid for all the toys. I am paying for this stuff. Some of it is mine,” she said, as she tried to pull his hand back.
“No, I am paying for it. The gifts are from both of us,” he said, as he took her card out of her hand and put his on the counter.
She shook her head. They paid, grabbed all of the bags, and headed back to the car. On the way home, they picked up pizza for dinner. Jessica was so happy that their day had been so much fun. She reached over and put her hand on his leg as he drove.
Chapter 17
Luke
When Lucas was asleep and Renee went home, Jessica helped Luke bring the presents in the house. They spread everything out onto the living room floor in piles of who they were for. Luke took a small bag to his room and then went back. Jessica turned some Christmas music on low and made them each some coffee.
For hours they wrapped the presents in all different wrapping paper. Jessica only wanted to get a couple of different designs, but Luke wanted to get a bunch of designs. He wanted Lucas to look under the tree and see a variety of paper. This was his first year of playing Santa, and he wanted to do it right. They put all of the gifts in his closet and plopped down on the couch. Luke could not believe how long it took to wrap that many presents.
Jessica leaned against Luke's chest, and he put his arms around her.
“How have you done this alone all these years?” he asked her.
“I wasn't able to buy that many presents. Lucas only got two or three things. We have never had a Christmas like this before,” she said.
“My mom said she will come for Christmas dinner,” he said. “She seemed excited that she is going to get to see you.”
Jessica sat quiet, with her head on his chest. He could hear her breathing even out and knew she had fallen asleep. He rested his head back against the couch and fell asleep.
Luke jumped when he felt someone close to him. He opened his eyes, to see Lucas looking at him as he laughed. Luke laughed and held an arm out as Lucas crawled against him and put his head down. They both fell back to sleep. Luke woke up to Lucas and Jessica against opposite sides of his chest. It was perfect. He smiled a huge smile and sighed.
It was Christmas Eve and they spent the day making cookies and watching Christmas shows together. Renee was over and was spending the night. She woke up every Christmas with Lucas and he was always excited about it. She read him a bedtime story and slept next to him the whole night.
Luke and Jessica quietly took the presents into the living room. The gifts were under the tree and halfway across the living room floor. Luke had not realized that they had bought so much. Jessica laughed as he arranged the gifts. He smiled and kissed her, as he soaked in the moment.
Christmas morning, Luke woke to Lucas jumping on the bed.
“Daddy, daddy, get up, Santa came,” Lucas squealed. “Hurry daddy, Santa came. There are lots of presents. I can't believe it. I have never seen so many presents. Mommy said you have to get up.”
Luke pretended to still be asleep. Lucas shook him and kissed his face.
“Daddy, come on,” Lucas said.
Luke opened his eyes and grabbed Lucas. He tickled him as Lucas laughed.
“You want to go and open your presents? Are you sure?” he asked.
“Yes, I do,” Lucas replied, as he gra
bbed Luke's hand to drag him out of the bed.
When they got to the living room, Lucas jumped up and down.
“See, look at all of these presents. I can't believe it,” he shouted.
Luke, Jessica, and Renee sat on the couch.
“You must have been really good this year, Lucas,” Renee said, as she shook her head at Luke.
Luke shrugged his shoulders and laughed.
Lucas sat on the floor and opened his gifts, while Jessica took pictures of him. He was so excited. When he got to one that was for Renee, he would jump up and give it to her. She loved the clothes they got her.
“I already got a car,” she said. “I hope you did not get me a lot. You have done enough for me.”
“Santa brought you that stuff,” Luke said. “You have to talk to him.”
Renee grabbed a pillow and smacked him with it. They both laughed. Jessica took a picture of them. Luke was so happy to be there with the three of them.
Lucas continued opening his presents and handing out the rest. He handed one to Jessica. She sat down on the couch, with a concerned look. Slowly she opened it. It was a beautiful necklace with four birthstones, one for each Lucas, Jessica, Luke, and Renee. Lucas threw his arms around her.
“Do you like it? Daddy let me pick it out. It has a birthstone for each of us. It's our whole family,” he said.
She told him how much she loved him as she looked at Luke. Lucas ran over and got a box to hand Luke.
“I picked this out for you. It is your very first present from me,” Lucas said.
Luke opened the box and could feel heat rush to his face. There was a t-shirt inside that had a picture of Lucas and him on it. Under the shirt was a new wallet. He could feel tears in his eyes. Jessica giggled and he looked up at her. She tilted her head to the side and smiled.
Luke thought back to high school. Jessica bought him a brand new wallet every Christmas. She would tell him he could save it for all the money he was going to make playing football. It was something little, but she did it each year.
Before long, Lucas had paper and presents all over the living room floor. Renee had opened all of her new clothes. She was so excited about them. It was hard for her to save up to buy things that weren't necessary. She loved everything her sister had picked out.
Lucas held his football tight and crawled into Luke's lap.
“Daddy, when my arm is better, will you play catch with me?” he asked.
“Of course I will,” Luke answered.
Lucas looked sad. He had gotten more presents than he could have imagined. Why did he look sad, Luke wondered? Luke motioned to Jessica and pointed down at Lucas. She sat down next to them and ran her fingers through Lucas' hair.
“Did you like your presents?” she asked.
“Yes, I like all of them. I have never gotten so many gifts,” he answered.
“Why the sad face?” she asked.
“I know daddy will only be here a few more weeks,” he said. “The only thing I really want is for daddy to stay with us. I don't want him to leave.”
Luke looked down at his son.
“Even if I am not in this house, I will be here all the time. I am not leaving, Lucas. I promise,” Luke said.
He hugged his son tight.
“Hey, in a few minutes, my mom is going to come over,” Luke said.
“My grandma. I am going to have a grandma,” Lucas said.
“Yes you are. She is going to love you very much. Can you do me a favor and be real quiet when she gets here. When I tell you to bring her the present we bought, then you can say grandma okay. You are her special Christmas surprise,” Luke said.
“Okay, I can do that. I'm a good surprise,” Lucas said.
“You sure are.”
Lucas got down on the floor and started ripping open the packages from his presents. There was a knock at the door. Luke hurried over to open it, as he gave Jessica a nervous smile. His mom came into the entryway and hugged him. Her eyes widened as she saw Jessica. She hurried over and wrapped her arms around her.
“You look so amazing. I have not seen you in so long. You still look like that same girl I knew,” his mom said.
“I've missed you. I'm sorry for not seeing you all those years,” Jessica said.
Renee walked up just as they were pulling away from each other.
“Renee, it's great to see you,” his mom hurried to hug her. “You are so grown up.”
Renee laughed, as she thought about high school and how young she had looked. They all laughed. Lucas stood up to say something to Jessica. Luke's mom looked at the little boy and her mouth dropped open. She walked closer to the boy and put her hands on his cheeks.
“You are such a cutie. How old are you little man?” she asked.
“Thank you. I am six years old,” he responded.
Luke's mom turned around and looked into Jessica's eyes. Her face was serious. Luke saw tears in her eyes.
“He has the most beautiful eyes, Jessica,” she said, as she sat down in front of the boy.
Luke knew that his mother had already figured it out. How did she know? He had not even known.
“What is your name?” she asked the little one.
Luke cut in before he could answer.
“You know how I told you we had a very special Christmas present for you?” he asked.
“I sure do,” she answered.
He could not tell what emotion she was feeling. Was she mad, happy, excited, or what? Lucas took the little box and handed it to her with a smile.
“My name is Lucas,” he said. “You asked me my name, but daddy said something and I couldn't answer. Oh no, did I mess up the surprise?”
“It's fine buddy. You didn't mess up the surprise. She can open the present now,” Luke answered.
Quietly, she unwrapped the box. Everyone was silent. She opened it and pulled out a cute necklace with a butterfly that said #1 Grandma.
“I love butterflies. They are my favorite,” she said.
“You're my grandma,” Lucas said. “I have a grandma.”
She wrapped her arms around Lucas as tears streamed from her eyes. They stayed there for a few moments, before Lucas pulled away.
“I love you grandma,” he said.
“I love you too, Lucas,” she answered.
“She makes the best cookies and snacks,” Renee joked.
“I am going to bake you everything I can think of,” Luke's mom laughed.
Lucas showed his grandma everything he had gotten for Christmas. Luke and Jessica finished dinner and got everything onto the table. Everyone joined them to sit and eat. They talked about the past few weeks and everything that had happened. Lucas told his grandma about his accident and had her sign his cast. As soon as dinner was over, Renee popped up from her chair.
“I'm going to get going a little early,” Renee announced.
“Why are you leaving so soon? You always stay until Lucas goes to bed,” Jessica said.
“I am going to go and visit a friend. He is by himself today, and I just want to say hello,” Renee answered.
“Your friend is a he?” Luke asked, with a grin. “Is he anyone we know?”
“Be quiet. Thank you for the awesome gifts. I love you guys,” she said, as she hugged each one of them.
Luke wondered why she didn't tell them who she was visiting. He laughed as he helped her get her stuff and walked her to her car.
“Are you going to tell me where you are going?” he asked.
“I wasn't planning on it, dad,” she answered.
He gave her a stern, serious look. She laughed and poked him in the arm. He walked back to the house and she drove away.
Lucas spent the rest of the evening with his grandma. He had her read his bedtime story. They all tucked him in and went back to the living room. Jessica made the three of them coffee. Luke knew they needed to talk.
Jessica apologized over and over as she told Luke's mom everything. They sat together for a long t
ime. His mom asked a lot of questions and Jessica answered them all. Luke's mom told her she understood how hard it was being a single mom and that she wasn't upset with her. The decisions had to have been hard for her.
When she left to go home, she seemed to be okay with Jessica. She said she loved her like a daughter and that she always would. They watched as his mom drove away. Luke could see Jessica relax as soon as his mom was gone. He wrapped his arms around her and held her.
“No more secrets,” he said.
“No more secrets,” she replied.
“Is there anything else I need to know?” he asked.
“You know everything. You are the only man I have ever been with and the only man I have ever loved. I feel so much better, knowing your mom doesn't hate me,” she said.
He kissed her on the top of her head and laughed.
“She'll be fine. My mom has always loved you. Before long, you'll want her to give you some space. She is going to be here often,” he joked. “I'm going to take a shower. I'll be out in a bit.”
Jessica kissed him on the cheek and playfully smacked him on the ass, as he walked away. Luke walked into the bathroom, got undressed, and stood under the steaming shower water. He was so glad that the day went well. Lucas was happy with his presents. Luke smiled as he thought about his son ripping the paper off of each thing. He never imagined having that much love for someone. The love he always had for Jessica was so strong, but the love he had for his son was stronger than anything he had ever felt. He was afraid that all of the time he had lost with Lucas would hinder their relationship, but they had already gotten so close and loved each other very much. If anything, it did the exact opposite. Luke appreciated every single second he spent with his son.
The shower door slid open and pulled him from his thoughts. Jessica stepped in with a huge smile on her face. She moved to him and kissed his cheek, as she slid her hands down his chest. He looked into her eyes and smiled. She was beautiful. The water splashed off of him and slid between her breasts. He reached for them, but she stopped him. She slid her hands and body down. Her hands ran up and down his legs, as she looked up at him. Neither of them spoke as she took his cock into her hand and stroked him. She ran her fingers over his tip, as she spread the bead of liquid on the tip around it. He let out a huge breath as she softly licked and swirled her tongue around him. She licked his shaft slowly from the base to the tip, repeatedly. He could feel himself grow harder and harder from her touch. She moaned as she slid him into her mouth, while she cupped him at the base. He groaned and put his hands against the walls of the shower. Jessica watched him as she slid her mouth down his length, until she covered him completely. His breathing grew rapid, and he knew she enjoyed the effect she had on him. She continued to lick his length and suck him as she took him into her mouth. He put his hand on the back of her head to guide her. Luke let out a groan of pleasure.
A Love Rekindled (The Game of Love #1) Page 8