by Terra Kelly
Then, Alyssa let the tears run free. The tears were not for Derek this time. They were for her family, Alex, the Winters, the people who cared about her, loved her. She felt so lucky to be blessed with such love. They were all huddled on the bed and soon there was laughter filling the room. Jax and Georgie looked at each other, then at Alex, Sam, and Zach. They all looked down at Alyssa who was in fits of giggles.
Georgie smiled. “Okay, I’ll bite. Why the giggles, sis?”
Alyssa just took in a deep breath. “I’m so tired of crying, laughing is so much better. I’m so lucky to have you all in my life. I have a wacky idea!”
Zach laughed. “You always had great wacky ideas, let’s hear it.”
“Let’s all pile in the truck and just drive to Wilmington tonight? I have so much I want to celebrate. Plus, I can’t wait for you to meet the Winters, Mom and Dad.”
Alex was behind her, holding her tight. “I kinda love your wacky idea.” He then kissed her neck. “You think everyone can fit in the truck?”
Jax laughed. “If you can deal with the three girls in the front, Mom and Dad with Lexie in the back.” She then looked at Alyssa. “But we need to make sure they pack okay.”
Sam looked confused. “I have packed for trips before, I think we got this.”
Alyssa smiled. “Mom, Dad, can you pack a gorgeous suit and a beautiful dress?”
Sam gasped. “Is this for what I think it’s for?”
Alex laughed. “We have no idea what you’re talking about. My parents love dressing up is all, so we want you to have your Sunday best.”
“Right, well we will go with that story for now,” Zach teased. “Should I have a certain color tie?”
Jax smiled. “Green.”
They all laughed and hugged again. Then they packed up to leave for Wilmington. Lexie woke up about an hour into packing. She walked downstairs to find her momma. Everyone was in the kitchen talking and loading up on snacks.
“Momma?”
Alyssa hopped up. “There’s our sleepy head. Did you sleep good?”
“Yup. Where we going, Momma?” She then walked into Alyssa’s open arms for a big bear hug.
Alyssa kissed her cheek. “We are leaving today for Wilmington. We want to get there and all settled, so it is easier for Santa to find us. Sound good?”
She hopped up and down. “That sounds fun, Momma!”
It was about 5:00 p.m. when they all piled into the truck. They had about 16 hours of driving and lots of snacks to keep them company. Alyssa had called Connie earlier and let her know their traveling plans. They were ready and excited to see everyone and celebrate the holiday season together. The truck was overstuffed, but Jax insisted it would be fine. They all wanted to stay together, instead of driving in separate cars. Alex drove for most of the trip, but Zach helped and drove for a few hours.
When they pulled into Wilmington, the sun was just peeking through the clouds. Alyssa had her head on Alex’s shoulder, she had been sleeping for about two hours. When she woke-up, her eyes went wide. “Oh my, Alex, this is gorgeous.”
Alex grabbed her hand. “It was an amazing city to grow-up in. I loved it here.”
Georgie looked out the window. “What made you leave?”
“Independence. Change.”
Sam agreed. “Sometimes it is good to get out and explore the world on your own.”
As they drove closer to Alex’s parents place, the road got narrow. They were surrounded by trees and only a few cars were on the road with them. Then they were driving down a long winding driveway and at the end stood the most beautiful home. Alex put the car in park. “We’re here!”
Alyssa squeezed his hand. “I’m in love.” Then she looked up to see the Winters standing on the porch. “Oh my god, let me out.” She climbed out of the car and ran to Connie and Jim. “I’m so excited to be here with you all.”
Connie held her close. “We’re so excited to have you here too, sweetie.”
Alex cleared his throat. “I brought my entourage, especially that rowdy one.” Then he pointed to Lexie, who giggled.
Everyone met, hugged, and then unpacked the jam-packed truck. Sam looked at Connie and Jim, and asked, “Should Zach and I stay somewhere else, it feels as if it may be too crowded for you all.”
Jim laughed. “We have six rooms, so we have more than enough space. We’re so happy to have a houseful again, it’s been awhile.”
After an hour of unpacking, and getting settled in, they sat down to have breakfast. Connie looked around and smiled. “So, who is ready for Santa?”
Lexie squealed. “ME!”
They spent the next few days relaxing with each other. Drew and Isabel had stopped by several times. Joshua and Grant popped in a few times in between their work schedule. The week slipped by quickly and it was finally Christmas Eve.
Joshua was sitting at the kitchen table with Lexie on his lap. “So, what snack are we leaving Santa tonight? With all his hard work, he deserves a treat.”
Lexie looked up at him. “Cookies.”
Joshua shook his head. “Cookies sound good. Who’s making them? I can’t bake, do you bake?”
“I bake.” Then she looked at her Momma, and asked, “We making cookies for Santa, Momma?”
Isabel walked into the room. “Way ahead of you all, how do these look?” Then she held out a container full of frosted cut-out cookies. She looked at Lexie. “Do you want to inspect them, make sure they taste okay?”
Lexie rubbed her belly. “Yes.” Then she took the first bite, and declared, “Yum. Santa will love them.”
Christmas time in the South differed greatly from Michigan. The weather was cool, but still perfect for sitting on the patio and relaxing. The house was decorated from top to bottom, inside and out. They all put the Christmas tree up together, it was a Winters family tradition. On Christmas morning, the tree was surrounded by presents, they almost took over the living room. Lexie had gone to bed about 10:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, she was so excited for Santa to come. She had been tracking where Santa was all evening on the computer with Joshua and Grant. Once she crashed, everyone hustled to get the gifts wrapped and placed under the tree.
Alyssa was snuggled into Alex, and Lexie was in her fort on the floor. About 7:00 a.m. Alyssa felt a tugging on her arm. She awoke to two big blue eyes, and said, “Is it time to get up, cutie?”
Alex laughed and rolled opposite them. Lexie hopped up and climbed onto Alex. “Get up, get up, Santa was here, you have to see.”
They both laughed and slowly got up. When they walked out of their room, Connie, Jim, Sam, and Zach were walking out of their rooms, too. Lexie hopped up and down. “Where’s everybody?”
Alex insisted. “You better go wake them up, they’re all lazy.”
Lexie didn’t miss a beat, she ran to the other rooms and woke everyone up. Drew and Isabel were camped out with Joshua and Grant in one room. Everyone wanted to be here for Lexie’s first real Christmas. Watching the joy on her face was going to be priceless.
Lexie was holding both Alex and Alyssa’s hands, as they walked into the living room. Lexie’s eyes were bigger than saucers, she was so surprised. “That’s a lot of presents!”
Alyssa laughed. “There are a lot of people here.”
There were 13 people piled into the living room, laughing, and having a blast. Every time Lexie would open a gift, she would gasp, then hug it tight. She had new dolls, doll clothes, doll houses, baking sets for kids, clothes. Joshua cleared his throat, and said, “I know the tree is now empty, but there is one gift left.” He looked toward Lexie. “Hey beautiful, go look out the window on the patio.”
Lexie screamed. “YES!” Then she ran to Joshua and hugged him. She pulled him toward the door to go play with her new bike.
Alyssa stood. “Hey, Lexie girl, can you wait for a few minutes to play with your bike? I was hoping you would help me give a special gift to, Alex.”
Lexie ran over to her momma, “Okay!”
Alyssa looked around the room, and said, “First, I want to say thank you. Thank you to the Winters for opening your lives to Lexie and I, and thank you to my family for your patience. I can’t even express how much I love you all.” Then she turned to Alex. “Wow, how to say thank you and I love you all in one? You have helped me to live again, and for that I will be forever grateful. Lexie and I have found that without you, well, life is boring. When you are near, we feel so much happiness.” She went and grabbed a thin 8 x10 inch wrapped box, then she sat on her knees in front of him. “Alex Winters, in a short amount of time you have helped me to see how very much I love you. The other day Lexie’s teacher was sharing with me that she talks about you all the time.” She handed the box to Alex. “Please open this.”
Alex didn’t know what to do, so he looked at her, then opened the box. Inside were adoption papers. For the first time in Alex’s life he was lost for words, and few tears slipped from his eyes. “Alyssa? Are you serious? It would be an honor.”
Alyssa looked at everyone. “We still have more papers and meeting, but I have started the process to have Alex adopt Lexie.” She looked toward Lexie. “How would you like Alex to be your daddy?”
The room was silent, sniffles were the only thing heard. Then Lexie jumped around yelling, “Alex is my Daddy!”
Alex looked at Alyssa. “I don’t think I have ever been surprised like this before.” He stood up and pulled her into his embrace. “This would make me the happiest man alive. By the end of this trip you will be my wife and I will be a Daddy. Who would have thought my year would end this way?”
Jax walked up. “Should we pinch you to make sure it’s all real?”
Georgie laughed. “So now is the time to share the other surprise, while we’re all weepy and happy.”
Joshua had gone to the patio with Lexie to check-out her new bike. Alyssa looked at everyone. “Okay, one more surprise.” Everyone stopped talking. “We’re going to get married here, on the beach by Isabel and Drew’s place.”
Everyone hooped and hollered, the room was full of cheers, tears, and so much love. Isabel cheered. “Oh my, a first real Christmas for Lexie, adoption papers, and a wedding? You were right Georgie; this Christmas is going down in the Winters’ history book.”
Georgie laughed. “Just wait till you see Alyssa, she is going to steal the show.”
Sam and Zach walked over to Alex and Alyssa. Sam grabbed Alyssa’s hand, and said, “You deserve so much happiness. I guess it’s true when they say, life takes us down paths for a reason. Boise was the path you had to take to end up here. I don’t know if I want to live away from you all anymore. What would you say if your Dad and I moved to Boise?”
“Seriously? Will you be there when we get home? I would love you near us, please, please come to Boise with us.”
Christmas day was spent together, everyone stayed there until around 8:00 p.m. Lexie had crashed around 7:00 p.m. She wore herself out playing all day. Alex and Alyssa were walking into their room holding hands. Alex stopped in the doorway. “How did you plan the adoption process without me finding out? You must’ve had help?”
She beeped his nose. “Of course, silly. Jax, Stu, and Anna all made sure you never knew what was up. That was one thing I wanted to keep a surprise.”
He pulled her in for a hug. “Well played Ms. Benson… hmmm… almost Mrs. Winters.”
She smiled. “I can’t wait to be Mrs. Winters.”
Epilogue
Alex was standing on the beach, facing Isabel and Drew’s house. He was wearing a forest green silk button down shirt with a black tie and black pants. Lexie was standing in front of him, leaning against his legs, holding a pillow with two rings attached. She was wearing a flowing pink dress because she only ever wore pink.
Jax, Georgie, and Isabel were standing up opposite Alex, holding a flower bouquet of gorgeous pink, purple, blue, green, and red flowers. Joshua, Grant, and Drew were all standing opposite the girls and wearing black silk shirts with green ties.
They had someone playing the guitar behind them. The minister was a woman in her fifties’ and was happy to be a part of the wedding. She was dear friends with the Winters family and enjoyed book club with Connie.
The family and a few friends were standing, enjoying the beautiful wedding about to take place. The guitar player stopped playing and everyone looked toward the house. Alyssa had her arms looped with both Zach and Sam and tears were already flowing. She was dressed in a gorgeous caramel colored dress, her hair was up in a French twist, and a pink flower was tucked behind her ear.
When she approached Alex and Lexie, she cried more. “Thank goodness for waterproof makeup.”
Alyssa faced Alex and smiled, then she glanced down at Lexie. “You look gorgeous, sweet pea.” She turned to her sisters. “My ladies, you are stunning.” She handed her bouquet to Jax to hold for a short time.
When it was time to exchange rings, Lexie hopped up and down in excitement. Joshua removed the rings from the pillow and handed them to Alex and Alyssa. Alyssa was shaking putting the ring on, but smiling the whole time. When the minister announced them Mr. and Mrs. Winters, it was Alyssa who screamed the loudest. She pulled Alex in for the deep and sexy kiss. Everyone whistled and cheered.
Isabel had her back patio area set up for the fun event. Several neighborhood friends and family members made dishes for the celebration. The wedding was not elaborate, which was how Alyssa wanted it. Since she had the big wedding with Derek, she didn’t want a huge second wedding. Alex was fine with whatever Alyssa chose, all he wanted was for her to be Mrs. Winters.
Once the party died down and just the thirteen immediate family members were there. Joshua glanced around, and asked, “Who wants to get a beer at the bar and celebrate?” Alex, Alyssa, Joshua, Grant, Drew, Isabel, Jax, and Georgie all headed to the bar to celebrate together. The parents stayed back and took care of Lexie.
Joshua worked as a math teacher for the public school and he also worked part-time as a bartender. He had worked at the bar for several years and didn’t plan to leave anytime soon. The other bartender, Stacy was working tonight, and held a table for the wedding group. Stacy was walking around the table taking orders from everyone and laughing. When she got to Jax, they both stopped talking for a moment. It was what felt like an awkward silence for the rest of the group until they realized the looks. Stacy shook her head and smiled. “Hi, can I get you something to drink?”
Jax couldn’t take her eyes off Stacy, she was stunning. “An old fashioned, please.”
Isabel moaned. “Oh yum! Hey Stac, can you get me what Jax is having.”
Stacy smiled. “Sure thing, Izzy!” She looked toward Jax, and asked, “Jax? Is that short for something?”
Jax flushed with excitement. “Jacqueline, but only my Mom and Dad call me that.”
Stacy smiled. “Jacqueline, I like it.” She then walked back to make their drinks.
Everyone looked towards Jax. Joshua spoke first. “Now I know why she never cares when the guys hit on her.”
They all burst into laughter. As they were laughing and enjoying the celebration. Drew looked toward the door and did a double take. He nudged Alex, and whispered, “Hey, isn’t that her?”
“I’ll be damned.”
A woman was standing by the bar with a leather jacket on and a beer in her hand. She was tall, maybe about 5’11” or 6’0”. She looked uncomfortable and out of place as she looked around the room. Her eyes caught site of something. Alex knew she was looking right at their table, and to be more precise, right at Joshua.
Alex kicked Joshua under the table. “Hey, man.”
Joshua reached down to rub his leg. “What the hell?”
“You may want to look up and toward your one o’clock direction.”
When Joshua turned, his eyes locked with hers. It was like seeing a ghost after almost a decade. He went silent, stood, and walked toward her. It was like an electric pull that forced them together. It had been ten years since s
he disappeared, what would he even say to her now. “Hey there, how the heck are ya?” Anything he said to her would come out wrong.
Maybe she would speak first?
Recipes made at Lexie Eats
Alyssa’s Favorite Pizza: Wood-Smoked Pork Shoulder, Arugula, and Mushroom Pizza
Ingredients:
Arugula
Sliced baby bella mushrooms
2 cups shredded Vermont sharp cheddar cheese
For Wood-Smoked Pork Shoulder:
Buy 1 pound wood-smoked shredded pork
shoulder from barbecue restaurant (or follow
recipe for pork shoulder in directions)
For Creamy Herbed Tomato Sauce:
1 Tbsp salted butter
1 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups shredded Vermont sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup crushed tomatoes (1/2 of 16 oz can)
1 Tbsp Italian herb paste
(Gourmet Garden Herbs)
Salt and pepper to taste
For Pizza Dough:
Buy one ball of pre-made pizza dough
(or follow Red Star Yeast recipe)
1 cup Water
2 Tbsp Olive oil
3 cups Bread Flour
1 tsp Salt
2+1/4 tsp Active Dry Yeast
For Roasted Garlic (Optional:)
2-3 bulbs of garlic
* * *
Directions:
For Wood-Smoked Pork Shoulder:
Buy a 9-10 pound pork shoulder for 6-8 people. To start the shoulder, inject with a mixture of apple juice, salt, brown sugar, and worcestershire sauce. There are no exact measurements when working with injections or rubs.
For rub, use a smoky mustard or favorite mustard and completely cover the pork shoulder. Next, for a basic rub combine salt, pepper, brown sugar, cayenne, paprika, onion flakes, and garlic powder.
Wood-smoking pork shoulder can take several hours, so plan to be home for the process.