Christmas With The Houstons (Acceptance #4)

by D. Kelly

  “Dad, we’re not unhappy. At least I’m not,” Connor says, throwing the blame my way.

  “I’m good at my job and I’ve never been unhappy until lately. The company is thriving and we’re too short-staffed.”

  Dad nods in agreement.

  “I’ve noticed. One of the things I’ve been the proudest of is this company has always been mine. I’ve never had to answer to a board of directors or had any of my decisions questioned. Being your own boss definitely has its advantages.”

  “Connor, I know Kate has been trying to pull you over to her foundation for a full-time position. Be honest with me… If you didn’t feel obligated to stay here, would you take it?”

  “Dad, I don’t feel obligated. The drive is a bitch but other than that, I like it here.”

  “Yes, you like it, but would you like it there or would you love it?”

  “I’d love it,” he answers softly.

  The ice clinks in my dad’s glass as he pours himself a refill.

  “Boys, life is about passion. If you aren’t passionate about something you should rethink what you’re doing with your life. Connor, you light up when you talk about Lila’s Place and the funding you’re securing for them. That’s your passion, this is your job. There’s a huge difference.”

  When was the last time I was passionate about something?

  “Jake, you have passion oozing from your pores.”

  What the hell? Is he reading my mind?

  “I’m not so sure about that, Dad.”

  “Passion isn’t always about a job, Jake. Some people have a passion for life, for love. That’s you, Jake, and it always has been. The passion you have for April, for your marriage, for your unborn child, it’s inspiring and always how I hoped you would be. Both of you.”

  “Yeah, well being passionate about family isn’t exactly a career.”

  “It could be. It could be anything you want it to be, Jake. The world is your oyster. I’ve worked my entire life building an empire, amassing a personal wealth which will take care of my family for years after I’m gone. My work was my passion, but so was my family, which is why I worked so damn hard to build trust funds for the two of you.”

  “Were you happy, Dad?” Connor asks.

  “As long as I have your mother by my side, I’ll always be happy. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished, proud of the family I’ve raised, of the men you’ve become. I’m damn proud to be a doting grandfather for all of your children.”

  He looks directly at me as he emphasizes his words.

  “I’ve been offered a substantial amount of money to sell the business.”

  “What?” Connor and I echo each other at the same time and my dad holds his hand up to quiet us.

  “I haven’t accepted… yet. This is a family business now and the two of you are the only ones who have a say in this. I’m happy to retire and collect my retirement package with the two of you at the helm. Or we sell and split the profit three ways. There is a guaranteed retention rate of one hundred percent for all employees for five years, unless fired for cause, of course.”

  “So you essentially want the two of us to decide what happens now?” I need to know if he’s serious about this.

  “That’s exactly what I want. I’m happy to answer any questions or give you my thoughts on things, but the final decision is up to the two of you. Just know I will not be in any way disappointed if you choose to sell.”

  “Why us? Shouldn’t this be something you should decide? Dad, this is huge!” Connor is borderline whining now and Dad is enjoying his discomfort.

  “Lila.”

  “What’s Lila have to do with this?” I ask, voicing my thoughts out loud.

  “Everything, actually. When Lila came to me to set up Kate’s trust, I thought she was being overly dramatic. It was just a short time later she passed away. When Lila told me she wanted Kate out of Joseph’s clutches and financially free to live her life in whatever way she chose, I was surprised.

  “Not because Lila wanted those things for her but because she didn’t want a single string attached. Lila said Kate could live her life as a bum, work a job, or travel the world. She didn’t care what she did or how she did it as long as it made her happy.

  “Think long and hard about this. Especially you, Jake, because although I know you like working in the family business, I’ve never really felt you have the passion for it like I do. And that’s okay, son. I’d rather have your passion be toward your family loyalty than your work any day.”

  “Dad, how much money are we talking if we sell?”

  “Fuck, Connor, do you have any tact? Jesus! Dad is talking about selling his life achievement and you just want to know the financial bottom line?”

  “First of all, you two are my life achievement and what I am most proud of. Don’t ever lose sight of that. And secondly, I don’t mind talking about the financial aspect. It is what we do here, after all. When all is said and done, each of you would at least triple your existing account balances once the sale goes through.”

  “Whoa.” Connor whistles softly.

  That’s a lot of money.

  Lunch arrives and we all eat in complete silence. We’ve all got lots to think about. Especially me. Connor will no doubt go work for Kate, my dad will enjoy retirement, but what the fuck am I going to do?

  “Here’s the downfall,” Dad says, interrupting the silence. “I have to give the buyer an answer in the next twenty-four hours.”

  “What? Jesus, Dad, that’s not much time at all!”

  “Maybe you’re more like me than you know, Jake. I’ve avoided having this discussion for a while and after hearing your conversation this morning, I really wish I hadn’t, but like you, I wasn’t sure how to go about it. I’d like the two of you to come up and spend the night with your mother and I tonight so we can work this out as a family.”

  “Works for me. Jess took the babies up to spend the weekend with Maryanne, anyway.”

  “Works for me, too. April and I need some time apart right now.”

  “Don’t be a dick, Jake,” Connor cautions.

  “I’m not being a dick, but I’ve got a right to be pissed at her. It’s my marriage, so back the fuck off.”

  His hands raise in surrender. “Fine, but don’t say I didn’t tell you it’s a bad fucking idea. At least call or text her and let her know where you are.”

  “I’m not that much of a dick. Of course I’ll text her.”

  Dad’s phone rings and the look on his face emulates the way I feel when I’m with April. It’s fucking awesome my parents still love each other so much after all this time. They deserve to travel the world and live out their happily ever after.

  “Let’s go, boys. Your mom is outside and she’s going to drive us back to the house. I don’t think any of us should be driving right now. We’ll bring you back here tomorrow to get your cars. She said to hurry up, she’s making tacos for dinner.”

  Fuck yeah, at least something is going right today.

  Now to text April and try not be too big of a dick.

  Something big is going down at work. Dad is having me and Connor stay at the house tonight. Honestly, I think the distance could do us some good. I love you, April, but you betrayed me by talking to Connor and I don’t know how to deal with that right now. I’ll see you tomorrow.

  A few minutes later, I receive her reply:

  I love you, too, Jake but maybe love isn’t enough anymore. Before accusing me of betrayal, maybe you should take a long look in the mirror. You were supposed to take care of this weeks ago and you didn’t. Guess I’m not the only one breaking promises.

  Can this day be over already? Last night was nearly fucking perfect and now everything has gone to shit.

  When we got to my parents’ house, I knocked back a few shots, took a short nap, ate some tacos, sobered up, and then we decided to sell our company. I’m still a bit unsettled about it, but it’s not what Connor wants with his life and even though he w
as trying to suck it up because he wanted me to be happy, I’m not necessarily sure it’s what would make me happy, either.

  I think I’m mostly unsettled because of my fight with April so at one in the morning, I borrowed one of my dad’s cars and took it to the office to pick mine up so I can go work this shit out with my wife. I’m glad I took a nap because it’s three in the morning by the time I park the car and walk into my house and the only thing I hear when I walk inside is April crying.

  She’s sitting on the couch, the TV is on, Luvbug is sleeping on the floor next to her feet, and she’s wrapped in a blanket, sobbing.

  “April—”

  “Go away, Jake,” she sobs, and I feel like a world class asshole.

  “I’m sorry, April. Talk to me, please.” When I sit next to her on the couch, she pulls as far away as she can, backing all the way up against the other side.

  “You used to put me first.” She’s wailing through her hiccups and her sobs. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen her this sad before.

  “You used to love me… and want me. We’re making a colossal mistake, Jake. We just keep making each other sad and mad. It’s not fair… we can’t… we can’t be the kind of parents who bring kids into their…” She’s trying to catch her breath and talk but she’s absolutely hysterical.

  “Their crappy relationship.” As she finally spits the rest of it out, her sobs are coming harder and faster and for the first time ever, I’m at a complete loss as to what to do or say to her.

  Maybe I should call Daniel.

  No. Man the fuck up, Jake, this is your wife. Handle your shit.

  Before I even realize what I’m doing, I’ve crossed the couch and I’m cupping her face in my hands, simultaneously trying to kiss away her tears and wipe them away with my fingers. The salt from her tears coats my lips as I bring them to hers. As soon as our lips meet, she hiccup-sobs and I wrap my arms around her and pull her close to me.

  “I’m so sorry, babe. I need to communicate with you more. I’m so fucking sorry. I always put you first, April, because you are the only thing in my world that’s right.”

  She’s shaking her head, trying to pull away, but I hold onto her even tighter.

  “Yes, April, you are my world. I love you and only you. For the last three weeks, I’ve been working on a way to make this all better, but it doesn’t matter anymore. It’s done.”

  “I don’t understand,” she chokes out.

  “I know you don’t and it’s okay, I’ll explain later. We’re not a mistake, nothing about us is or has ever been a mistake. Our relationship will never be crappy and I don’t know about you, but I’m over making each other miserable.”

  “Really?”

  “Really” I answer, capturing her lips with mine. She sobs on an inhale as we kiss and it makes me realize even more how much she owns my heart.

  “Nothing is ever going to come before us again, April, I promise. Would you like some water?”

  She nods and grabs a tissue to wipe her face and her nose.

  “I’m such a mess.”

  “You’re beautiful and you’re mine.”

  After she drinks some water, I hold my hand out for her and help her up.

  “Come on, you’ve got to be exhausted and right now, I need you in my arms. We have a lot to discuss in the morning.”

  “Did something bad happen?”

  “No, to be honest, for the first time lately I think something really good might have happened.”

  She’s yawning as I’m pulling off her clothes. “We can talk if you want.”

  “I love you for that, but I’m just as exhausted as you are, and I didn’t feel right staying there without fixing things with us tonight. Besides, I don’t sleep well if you aren’t in my arms.”

  Once she’s naked, I strip my clothes off and pull her into bed with me. As soon as her head hits the pillow, she’s struggling to keep her eyes open.

  “Thank you for loving me, Jake,” she murmurs.

  “I never had a choice, April. God only made room in my heart for one woman. I’m a lucky son of a bitch to be the one he chose for you.”

  “Such a romantic,” she answers with a sigh as her eyes finally flutter closed.

  The next morning, I’m up before April and decide to be the husband she deserves today and every day from here on out.

  I make her some pancakes with fresh fruit, sausage, and mint tea. After pouring her a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice, I make two trips upstairs—one with her tray of food and one with mine.

  She looks so peaceful; I hate to wake her. But it’s after ten and I know she’ll be mad if I let her sleep much longer. Besides, I don’t want her food to get cold.

  To wake her up gently, I place soft kisses all over her face, her lips, her cheeks, her forehead, and back to her lips. I love waking her up like this; she always releases these soft, erotic moans, and I’d much rather make love to her than eat but I know Jaxson has to be hungry by now.

  “Good morning, babe.”

  “Good morning, Jake.” She flashes me a smile and once again, I’m reminded what a lucky son of a bitch I am that she’s mine.

  “You brought breakfast in bed?”

  “Yup, so go take your sexy ass to the bathroom and throw on some clothes… unless you want to eat naked?”

  “Ew, no. I’ll be right back.”

  As April crosses the room, I lean back on the bed and watch the way her hips sway and her ass moves as she walks. I’m already fucking hard. Closing my eyes, I pull my cock out and stroke myself, keeping the image of her walking into the bathroom in the forefront of my mind.

  “That is supposed to be my job,” she says, crossing the room with desire in her eyes. She got dressed like I told her to but that doesn’t stop her from leaning over and taking my cock in her mouth.

  “Fucking hell, babe, that feels so fucking good.”

  She pushes my hand to the base and motions for me to keep pleasing myself while I’m in her mouth. I won’t last long like this and she knows it.

  Her tongue circles the head of my cock and she moans in ecstasy as she tastes the pre-cum. With my free hand, I lace my fingers through her hair and pull. April loves having her hair pulled when she’s going down on me. The more I pull on her hair, the more she moans in pleasure around my cock.

  “Babe, I’m going to come.” I always give her fair warning, but she doesn’t move.

  “That’s it, babe, take it all. Fuck yeah.” My body tingles everywhere as I come in her mouth and she greedily swallows every fucking drop. When she’s done, she wipes her bottom lip with her finger and looks so fucking seductive. I pull her on top of me and kiss her relentlessly. I don’t care her mouth tastes like me; it makes it that much hotter because she’s fucking mine.

  But then something happens that’s never happened before. As she’s lying on top of me, Jaxson kicks, hard, and April gasps. She sits up and lifts her shirt and you can see him twisting and turning all over the place. It’s the coolest thing ever, although it does look like it can be quite uncomfortable.

  “Well, that’s new.” I laugh as she moves up to sit next to me.

  “Maybe I should feed him something and he’ll kindly dislodge from under my ribs.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Jake, thank you for coming home last night.”

  “This is the only place I wanted to be and I’m glad I came home. You were a mess, April. I’ve never seen you so worked up like that. I don’t care how bad we’re fighting or how much of an ass I’m being, if there’s ever a next time you need to call me. It was the worst thing in the world seeing I hurt you as much as I did.”

  “It’s the hormones,” she says after swallowing her food. “I’m not an emotional woman but I couldn’t stop thinking about why you wouldn’t keep your word about fixing things with Connor. I convinced myself it meant you didn’t want me, and then I convinced myself you didn’t want us.”

  “That’s never going to happen. As long as I’m bre
athing, I’m always going to want my family.”

  “I’m sorry I freaked out.”

  “I’m sorry I gave you a reason to.”

  As we eat our breakfast, she’s still pensive. Maybe I can break the ice.

  “So… I’m sort of unemployed.”

  Her fork drops and clatters on her plate, the look of surprise evident on her face.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Houston Financial Inc. has been sold.”

  “Just like that? Brian sold the company out from under you guys? Is he in trouble financially? Are we in trouble financially?”

  After putting our trays on the floor, I scoot next to her and wrap my arm around her.

  “No, everyone is fine. Dad is retiring. My parents want to enjoy their golden years. They want to travel and spend time with their grandkids.”

  “Okay, but why sell?”

  “Well, he came and talked to me and Connor yesterday and left the choice up to us.”

  “You chose to sell?”

  “Yeah, I guess I did. Connor was willing to stay on and help me run the company but my dad spent all day talking to us about life, love, and passion. He pointed out my passion seems to be my family, not my work. And Connor’s passion is his family and working for Kate.”

  “Well, the Connor part is true but what about you, Jake?”

  “I’m not sure. I was definitely thrown for a loop and when we got back to their house, I had a few shots, napped, ate way too many tacos, and made sure I put Connor’s happiness before mine. I don’t think at this stage in my life I want to run a company, but I also don’t think it’s going to be easy to give that up, either.”

  “Did you give up because of Mia and Hannah? If so, it’s not too late to change our minds and think of some other way. I don’t want you giving up what makes you happy to make me happy.”

  “That’s just it, babe, Dad was right. What makes me happy is you, Jaxson, Mia, Hannah, and everyone else I hold close. Work was just that, it was a job. What made it special was being with Dad and Connor. With Dad leaving, it wouldn’t have been the same.”

  “What about your proposal? Would that have worked?”

  “Yeah, I think so, but Connor and I would have still been commuting at least one if not two days a week. With Dad gone, working from here anytime in the immediate future would have been out.”