“Mr. Dixon, I’m Mike Harrison. Thank you for having me out this morning.” The man grinned.
“My pleasure. Thank you for coming on Christmas morning. Please step inside and we will complete the rest of the paperwork so you can get back to your family.” Ryan led the man into the living room.
It had taken longer to get the paperwork in order, making sure that it was all completed correctly. It had been even more of a pain in the ass to secure documents for Abbi. After pulling some strings, a lot of them, he had managed to find an Aunt who had a copy of her birth certificate and also a copy of her social security card. He was amazed that in a day and age where identity theft was so prevalent she had been more than happy to send them over to him. She explained to Ryan that she knew that the pictures on the covers of the magazines had been of her Abbi-bug and that she would be more than happy to send whatever he needed. In return he had sent them a large thank you basket full of goodies and made a note to fly them out to visit.
After everything was completed and the other gifts had been placed under and around the tree, he found himself restlessly pacing around the great room. He checked the clock. It was a little after seven. Was it too early to wake everyone? Hell he wanted to go screaming through the house like a five year old, banging on a pot with one of the serving spoons waking everyone so they would come down and open their gifts. As he contemplated whether it would just ultimately piss everyone off he heard a creak from the stairs and the slight sound of voices.
“Merry Christmas, son.” His dad came walking into the great room followed by his mother who took him into a tight embrace.
“Merry Christmas, Ryan. I am so glad we could be here to spend it with you.” She smiled up at him.
“Merry Christmas to you too, mom and dad. I am glad y’all came out to be here.” He hugged her back. He had always been a mama’s boy.
“Mission completed son?” His dad gave him a sideways look.
“Yeah, and a few others as well.” Ryan smirked back.
“What are you two talking about?” His mother looked from Ryan and then to his dad and then back to Ryan with narrowed eyes.
“Nothing mom. Don’t worry about it.” He knew that wouldn’t happen because his mom was too nosey. In an attempt to change the subject he asked, “Would you like some coffee?”
“Sure, black two sugars please.” His dad shot towards him as he escaped into the kitchen.
His mom didn’t drink coffee, so he brought her a cup of hot tea instead. Placing the tray on the table in front of his parents, he immediately started towards the stairs. He took the first flight two at a time, the second three at a time it felt like. As he made his way up to the bedroom door he stood just outside of it. He was nervous, jumpy almost. He was excited, but afraid that his lack of counseling with Abbi in regards to securing her personal documents might make her feel a little betrayed. He knew her better but he was still nervous. The biggest thing would be trying to get her to enjoy her presents instead of feel guilty for not getting him anything. He opened the door peeking in. Still in the same place he left her. He made his way over to the window opening the blinds so that the now pink and orange water colored sky could seep in.
“Mmmm.” She mumbled shoving her face further down into her pillow.
“Wake up sleepy head. It’s Christmas.”
“Mmm, five more minutes.” She smiled as she pulled the covers up over her head.
“Oh come on. Santa was here and left you some presents downstairs.” He leaned over the edge of the bed.
She shot up so quickly she almost head butted him. “Presents?” She smiled sleepily.
“Yes, presents. Now get some clothes on and come join us so you can open them.” He leaned in kissing her forehead.
It was everything in him to not laugh as she scrambled out of bed practically running for the closet. In a matter of two minutes she re-emerged in a pair of Yoga pants and a bright blue top peeking out from underneath one of his old PT sweaters, her hair wrapped into a messy bun on top of her head. Her eyes shining brightly as she came back out. He smiled as he took her in her arms.
“And to think, I thought you’d be mad at me for getting you presents.” Ryan leaned down kissing her soft lips.
“I thought you said Santa brought them.” She gave him a sideways look.
“Yes, that’s right. That sneaky bastard who breaks into your house and steals your milk.” He grinned.
“Leaving presents is a fair trade for some milk and cookies.” She smiled.
He took her by the hand leading her downstairs. At least until the second flight in which she took the lead and drug him the rest of the way down. He was pretty sure she had called him a slow poke at one point. Once they hit the landing in the foyer he ushered her into the great room. Smiling as she went bouncing off in the direction of the tree.
“Ryan!” He laughed imagining her face.
He came in propping himself against the door frame as she went from one box to another, looking over the bicycle with the bright red shiny bow on it. He knew she hadn’t had a Christmas, a real Christmas, in a long time. And no one ever stops liking having presents to wake up to.
“Oh Ryan, this is too much!” She turned back to him with tears glistening in her eyes.
He took a few big steps towards her meeting her in the middle of the room. “Hey, no crying on Christmas and it’s not too much. It’s the exact amount I wanted to get. Don’t worry a box or two under there are for my parents. So you don’t have to worry ok. I want you to enjoy the day.”
“Thank you Ryan. I love you so much. How did I ever get this lucky?” She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down against her lips. Quickly she pulled back. “Where are your parents by the way?”
“Um, not sure.” He looked around the great room before he heard their voices coming from the kitchen. “Sounds like they are raiding the fridge.” He smiled. “Breakfast first?”
“Sounds great.” She clasped his hand and together they walked into the kitchen.
“Well, Merry Christmas, Abbi.” Janet came over embracing her in a tight hug.
“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Dixon.”
“Well well young lady. That looks like a nice piece of hardware you got there.” William smirked as he flipped the pancakes over.
Janet immediately held her back at arm’s length surveying Abbi’s neck, ears, and her wrist. A large grin spreading on both Abbi and Ryan’s faces as she slowly lifted her left hand splaying it out for Janet to see.
Gasping. “Ahh!” A shrill shriek coming from her mouth as she stood there opened mouthed. “You’re getting married!” Janet then grabbed them both in a tight hug. Ryan could feel his mother’s body shaking as she let the sobs out. “Oh, I am so happy for you both!” She looked up at them before she hugged them again.
Ryan couldn’t help but laugh “Ok, I can’t have both of y’all crying on Christmas morning.”
“Oh I’m sorry Honey. I am just so excited for you both.” She reached up grabbing Abbi on both sides of her head smiling. “Oh Abbi, welcome to the family dear. Not that you weren’t a part of it already. But now it will be official.”
“Congrats son and welcome to the family Abbi.” His dad came over hugging them both separately. “What do you say we have some celebratory pancakes and bacon?”
“Mmmm that sounds great, I am starving.” Abbi looked up at Ryan.
The four of them sat down in the great room to eat. It was everything in him to keep his mom’s questioning at bay. She was already planning the wedding and on more than one occasion he had to remind her that it was Abbi’s choice in the end. It didn’t seem as though Abbi minded his mom’s suggestions and agreed with a lot of the same ideas she had. It was almost scary.
Once they had eaten breakfast they began opening the presents that Ryan had gotten them. Abbi cried over the laptop, the diamond tennis bracelet that matched the setting of her ring, and the large canvas painting he had made at a local framer of h
er and her mother. She seemed to hold it together through the endless amounts of clothes and purses, shoes and gag gifts. His mom had cried when she opened the box containing the key to the beach house he had purchased for them. Hormones must be thick in the air today. The house was not far away and he had also hired an interior decorator for his mother to use and abuse. It hadn’t been the easiest task finding an interior decorator in LA with an extensive background in Southern Homes and Garden decorating.
“Oh, babe. Thank you for everything. This is all great, but I didn’t get you anything at all.” Abbi pouted up from where she sat on the floor between his legs.
“You said yes, that’s all I ever need.” He smiled down at her. “Do you mind helping me take these bags out to the garage so we can toss out all of this wrapping paper?”
“Of course not.” Abbi hopped up grabbing a trash bag full of wrapping paper.
He could barely contain himself as he opened the door leading to the garage, stepping in he held the door open for her. She was completely oblivious as she walked into the spacious room until she looked up. She stopped dead in her tracks dropping the bag on the floor. He stood at the door as his parents came up beside him. If there was one thing for sure, he knew how to stop Abbi in her tracks and leave her speechless.
“Uh, Ryan.” She turned around to him with a huge smile on her face.
“Yes, Love?” He smiled over at her.
“Is this?”
“For you? As a matter of fact it is.”
He barely had time to catch her as she came running over to him leaping up into his arms. “Ryan, I love it! I don’t even know what to say.” He laughed as she splayed kisses all over his face before she hoped down to run back over.
“Holy shit, you got me a Range Rover!” She immediately threw her hands up over her mouth as it sank in she had cussed in front of his parents, who were now laughing almost as hard as he was at her reaction. “Sorry.” She smiled innocently.
“You have nothing to worry about.” His dad grinned.
“How on Earth do I get to drive a Range Rover and you have a 4Runner?” Abbi’s eyes turned towards Ryan.
“This boy has had a 4Runner since the very first one we bought him in high school.” His dad clasped down onto Ryan’s shoulder.
“What can I say? When I find something I like I hang on to it.” Ryan beamed over at Abbi as he made his way toward her.
“Can I get in it?” She peeked over at him.
“Of course you can, it’s yours babe.” He hit a button on the key chain unlocking all of the doors.
For the next hour he showed her around the truck, explaining what everything did, how to move the seats, and open the sunroof. She beamed the whole while. She was like a kid in a candy shop, setting her presets and adjusting all of her seats and mirrors. He was definitely glad he went with the Autobiography model; it was as classy inside as it was out. And she seemed to not mind at all that he had gotten her information and had everything put in her name. As they walked back inside he watched her stop and take it in one last time.
“I wasn’t sure what to get you at first. I looked at probably a hundred different cars and trucks. I knew you were still a country girl at heart, but you never seem to like how big Gabe’s truck is. So I thought I could put a slight lift on it and it would be high enough, but not quite as big as a truck.”
“It’s perfect babe. I love it and I love you. And I love that it’s black and has black rims like yours. And the lift is perfect, it’s not too high but I feel comfortable, not like I am going to get ran over by the crazy lunatics out there.” She leaned her back against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her.
“Merry Christmas baby.”
“Merry Christmas Ryan.”
Chapter Seventeen
“He did what?” Judy practically screamed. “Let me see that thing.” She reached down grabbing Abbi’s hand and holding it up to inspect. “Hot damn, that thing definitely makes you look like a trophy wife!” Judy giggled.
“Thank you, thank you. I am very excited. Although I do need to ask you something on a more serious note.” Abbi tried as hard as she could to keep a straight face.
“Ok, shoot.” Judy looked up at her with slight concern.
“Will you be my maid of honor?” Abbi couldn’t help the smile beaming across her face.
“What? Of course I will! Oh Abbi, I would be honored to.” Judy jumped onto Abbi giving her a huge hug.
“Congrats Abbi.” A mumble came up from behind her.
Turning around she saw Ashley walking up behind the bar, giving her a weak smile. “Thanks Ashley.” For a moment she really looked at Ashley, she look like she had been rode hard and put up wet. She looked exhausted, skinnier, and just unhealthy altogether. What was going on with her?
Abbi turned back to Judy, taking in the look on her face. Yeah, yeah. Abbi knew it was probably time to make amends, but she really wanted Ashley to apologize first for the way she had been treating everyone. Abbi could understand how it felt to not have people in your life that supported you, especially around the holidays, or people who showed that they cared, but she had never faltered from Ashley as a friend and had always been there for her. In no way had she or anyone else for that matter, done anything to deserve her random emotional fits of rage.
“Well one day this next week we will have to plan a lunch date and you will have to fill me in on all of the details. I am so excited! I can help you plan. Jace got me a new Ipad for Christmas! I mean, it’s not a rock and a Range Rover, but I can always trade it up later.” Judy joked.
Since the holiday season had started the night club had been packed, businesses had been renting out the private booths to use for Christmas parties. Abbi had decided that once the New Year’s holiday was over she would be putting in her resignation. She had contacted George Patton, the owner of the Sweet Shoppe, who had graciously offered for her to work part time if she were interested. She wanted to take a little time off and relax some before she got settled anywhere else, but knowing her attention span that wouldn’t last very long. The past few months had been exhaustingly busy and lately she found herself feeling completely ran down. Fatigue seemed to hit her just about every night and Ryan had been concerned that through the stress of the Holidays that she was beginning to come down with something again.
Throughout the night Abbi made drinks, chatted with customers who purged all of their depression of the holidays out on her. If there was one thing all bartenders should be given by default it was the title of shrink. People gravitated to bartenders, telling them all of their dirty laundry and secrets. She was sure between the three of them that they would be able to write a best seller from all of the stories they could collaborate on. Some of her tales from the backwoods were even better.
As the clock rounded two o’clock in the morning, Abbi noticed they were running out of drink supplies under the counter and she thought Ashley was in charge of restocking the bar tonight. Where was she? It was close to last call and the bar had died down quite a bit so she took the initiative to do it herself. She made her way past Aaron who stood alert just outside the side entrance behind the bar, Abbi made her way into the cooler that sat in the wall behind the counter. She took a few steps in and noticed Ashley towards the back of the cooler. Leaning over the small counter in the back, she heard her take a deep breath through her nose before she stood upright and wiped the remaining white powder off.
“Ashley, what the hell are you doing?”
“Nothing Abbi, don’t worry about it.” Ashley frantically wiped the counter before she made her way back to the entrance, but Abbi blocked her attempt.
“Ashley what the hell is going on with you? Have you been on this shit? Is this why you have been acting the way you have?”
“You don’t know anything about me Abbi so back off my shit. You walk around here with your “holier than thou” attitude, with your big rock, and your rich fiancé. It seems like as soon as you made it up the l
adder you just forgot all of us.”
“You know what, screw that. You can think whatever the hell you want to, Ashley, but you’re not answering my question. How long have you been on this shit?” Abbi stared at her glazed eyes. Ashley stood silent. “Answer me!” Abbi screamed.
Ashley flinched from the tone in Abbi’s voice. She opened her mouth to speak but before a word escaped her lips Ashley reared back her hand and brought it straight up towards Abbi’s face. Luckily for Abbi she wasn’t under the influence of anything and before Aaron could make it into the door, Abbi grabbed Ashley’s hand and swung hard with her other towards her face. Her fist connected just on the right corner of Ashley’s chin sending her stumbling back before she crashed to the floor. Son of a bitch that hurt, she grabbed her throbbing fist, clutching it to her stomach. Pain shot through her arm, making her stomach turn.
“What the hell is going on back here?” Judy came through the door. “Jesus, Abbi. I wanted you to make nice, not knock her out.”
“She was back here snorting coke on the back counter when I came in. I confronted her and she tried to hit me first. Needless to say she’s too messed up to see straight.” Abbi gave her hand over to Aaron who was waiting anxiously to make sure she was ok.
“It doesn’t look broken.” Aaron said flexing her fingers. “Does that hurt when I bend them?”
“It hurts, but mostly the skin.”
“Yeah, it looks like you ripped your knuckles open. Remind me to not piss you off.” Aaron smirked up at her.
“Damnit Ashley, get your ass up. I am calling you a cab.” Judy tried helping Ashley off the ground.
“I’m fine. Get the hell off of me.” Ashley sat up on the floor glaring at Abbi. “You’re going to get what’s coming to you bitch.”
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