Chapter Eleven

Stephen

Stephen - I’m not gonna lie, Benji, I didn’t understand half of what you just said. But damn, you really do earn your keep.

Benji - I know I do.

Stephen - I can’t thank you enough, man.

Benji - It was my pleasure.

Stephen - Really?

Benji - Absolutely. I love making them look like fools.

We all laugh because we can see how much he enjoyed that.

Stephen - I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready to go home and take a real shower.

Clint - You mean one where you don’t have to worry about dropping the soap?

Stephen - Ha, you’re a funny guy, Clint. I’ll drop you.

We all laugh, even Clint.

Stephen - So, Benji, what are your plans for Christmas?

Benji - Not much, my folks are going to Canada to visit my sister and her family. I was planning on a quiet one.

Stephen - No way, you’re coming to our place. Dave and his wife Felicity will be there too. If you have someone special, feel free to bring her along.

I glance at my wife for approval. It’s only a few weeks away, but two extra mouths won’t make a big difference. She smiles warmly and nods. She hands me our little princess who was practically leaping out of her arms to get to me.

Benji - Are you trying to find out if I’m seeing someone?

Stephen - Absolutely.

Benji - Well, there is someone. Her name is Maddie. It’s new, so I’ll ask her, but no promises. You guys aren’t exactly the type to bring a date home to. You’re worse than meeting the parents.

Clint - Benji, don’t be like that. You’ll break Stephen’s heart.

Stephen - Clint, you’re killing me!

Benji - Daddy?

Clint - Come to Christmas and I’ll tell you all about it.

Trinity - You absolutely will not!

Benji - If Trinity’s blush is anything to go by, this is a story I need to hear. I’ll definitely be there.

Stephen - Looking forward to it. And thanks again, Benji. I owe you big time.

I watch as my wife hugs him and whispers something before giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Clint - See you in a few weeks, Benji. Hopefully not before.

Benji - Hopefully!

I turn to my wife and pull her into my side, giving her a kiss on the temple.

Stephen - Ready to go home, baby?

Trinity - Absolutely.

Clint - Any plans for the rest of the day?

Trinity - Actually, I have an idea.

Stephen - Am I going to like where this is going?

I raise my eyebrows at her, giving her a cheeky wink.

Trinity - Pervert, there are children present.

She laughs as she slaps my chest. I end up roaring with laughter when my little princess tries to slap her back.

Stephen - Busted, mommy! Livy says stop picking on her daddy, right princess?

I cover my little princess’s face in kisses while she giggles.

Clint - So what’s this idea?

Trinity - The kids are all dressed up. Why don’t we go get their Christmas photos done?

Mia - I love it! Can we?

Clint - Sounds good to me.

Stephen - I’m in, as long as I can go home first and shower and change.

Clint - You need to. I can still smell your cellmate from last night on you.

The girls burst into laughter at my expense.

Stephen - You’re a jerk, Clint. Let’s go.

We get back to the cars and I help my wife strap our kids in. We agree to meet Mia and Clint back at our place.

Stephen - Want me to drive, baby?

Trinity - Sure, if you feel up to it.

Stephen - I’m more than fine, sweetheart. I’m here with you three now. What more could I want?

Trinity - Another baby.

She smirks and winks at me.

Stephen - I haven’t forgotten you said yes, you know!

Trinity - I never thought for a minute you would have.

Stephen - Get that gorgeous butt in.

We get in the car and start to head home. As always, my wife reaches across and places her hand in mine, holding it tight.

Trinity - Do you think they’re going to come at us harder now that they’ve messed up twice?

Stephen - They’ll keep digging, sweetheart. I won’t lie to you about that. But like the judge said, there’s no murder if there’s no body.

Trinity - Sometimes I feel bad, baby. I brought this on you.

Stephen - No, you didn’t. You came into my life and pulled me out of that world. You saved me. I’m just sorry you got caught up in it. But Chad brought him into our home and that’s on me because he worked for me. Please don’t ever blame yourself.

Trinity - Can we just run away? Sell everything and go live on one of those islands we visited in Thailand with our children?

Stephen - Will you give me a whole tribe of children if I say yes?

Trinity - You’re insane.

Stephen - Nah, I just think we make the cutest babies. I mean, look at us. We’re pretty hot. It was bound to happen.

Trinity - And not at all conceited, right baby?

Stephen - Don’t deny you want this, momma. You married it.

Trinity - Consider it my contribution to charity.

Stephen - Ouch! My ego.

Trinity - Poor baby.

We look at each other with nothing but love and admiration in our eyes.

Stephen - I really do love you so much.

Trinity - And I love you.

We get back to our place and Trinity makes a quick cup of tea for Clint and Mia while I go shower and change. Before long, we’re headed to the mall to get Christmas photos done.

Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait too long to get them taken and the wait time for processing was only an hour. So we go and get lunch while we wait.

After lunch, we go back and collect the photos and head to the car. We say our goodbyes to Clint, Mia, and Willie and head home so we can get our little ones down for a nap.

After an eventful morning, it doesn’t take long for the babies to fall asleep. Trinity makes us a cup of tea while I roll a blunt and we head out onto our patio to relax.

Stephen - Baby, go grab the photos so we can have a look.

My wife heads inside and comes back out with them shortly afterwards. I pull her into my lap as we open the photos up together.

My heart swells as I gaze at our children, feeling a rush of gratitude for their existence and for their mother. I draw Trinity closer, wrapping my arms around her as I marvel at the photograph of our little ones. My heart is brimming with contentment, peace, and love.