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When You Least Expect By Josh Blake
Chapter 51
"Hurry up, we're going to miss it!" I said, racing to the TV in the parlor at the bed and breakfast. Austin, Rose, and Mom all came into the room and sat down.
"Mom, where's Jack?" Braden asked. "He's going to miss it!"
"He's still asleep, dear. It is 4:30 in the morning and he's just a little boy. He can see it later. You are recording it, right?"
"Yeah, we are," I said. "And Mom's right. 4:30 is almost too early for me, much less him."
"I'm with the little guy," Dorothy said, walking in with a steaming mug of coffee and settling gingerly into her recliner. "You could have shown me the recording later."
"Is there any coffee left?" A groggy Asher asked as he came into the room in his pajamas.
"Hush," Rose scolded. "It's starting!"
"Good Morning, Chattanooga! Thank you for joining us for our morning news. I'm Jenel Gray."
"And I'm Mitch Delaney," the male anchor spoke. "Jenel, it sure is a cold morning. I had to heat my car up before I could come in this morning."
"It sure is, Mitch. Let's find out how cold it is. We are proud to introduce you to News Channel 4's new morning meteorologist, Lucas Patterson! Luke, tell us how long this cold weather is going to last!"
"Oh my God!" Austin said. He clenched his fists and beamed with excitement like a little boy on Christmas morning. "I can't believe this is happening! Luke is on TV! This is real! And look how handsome he looks!"
"Shhh!" I said. "We're going to miss his forecast!"
"Good morning, Jenel and Mitch," Lucas said. "And thank you for the warm welcome. Or perhaps I should say cold welcome based on the temperatures this morning!"
"Good one, Luke!" Dorothy said. "If he masters humor on TV he'll be on his way to being a star!"
"Let's go live to TowerCam 4 atop the Edwin Hotel in downtown Chattanooga. It's a clear morning and that has allowed our temperatures to bottom out in the mid to upper twenties. The temperature downtown is 28 degrees. Taking a look at our regional view, you'll see temperatures pretty consistent across the area. We're looking at 27 in Soddy Daisy, 29 at Cleveland, 26 at Chickamauga, 25 at Collegedale, and our cold spot is atop Lookout Mountain with a temperature of 23 degrees. As we go through the day, you can expect a mostly sunny day. We should make it up to around 53 degrees with a light wind making it feel colder at times. As we move into tonight, we'll dip back down into the lower to mid-thirties, but as we move through the time lapse, you'll notice some cloud cover moving in that will act like a blanket and keep us from getting quite as cold as we did today. When you wake up tomorrow, it'll be about 35 degrees. Let's take a look at our seven-day forecast. We trend warmer toward the end of the week with highs approaching 65 degrees by Saturday. I'm sure that will be a welcome warmup for many of you. Mitch and Jenel, back to you!"
"Thank you, Lucas! And once again, welcome to News Channel 4! Coming up in the next half hour, we will allow Lucas to tell us more about himself and his family so you the viewers can get to know him as well as we have over the last few days," Janice said.
"Wow! He did great!" Mom said. "He'll be on the Weather Channel before you know it!"
We were all clapping and cheering.
"That's our son!" I said to Braden. "I'm so proud of him!"
"I am, too!" Braden said. "People always talk about being proud of their kids and I never knew what it felt like. Wait, that sounded bad. I'm plenty proud of Jackson. But this is big! Lucas is on TV!"
"We knew what you meant, dear," Rose said. "He did a fabulous job. We are all proud of him."
"Austin, you're pretty quiet all of a sudden," I said. "Is something wrong?"
"No, everything is fine. He did great and I'm so proud of him," Austin said.
"Then what's wrong, bro?" Braden asked. "I know you enough to know when you're bothered by something. Spill it."
"It's nothing. It's just they said they are going to have him tell about his family. What is he going to say? That his dad is in prison and his mom is out of the picture? And he's engaged to a man? I don't know how well that will fly. Tennessee is still pretty conservative."
"I'm sure whatever he says will be fine," I said. "The station wouldn't allow him to say anything that would hurt their ratings. They are invested in him. Afterall, they signed a contract."
"You're right," Austin said. "Let's just wait and see how it goes."
Rose went into the kitchen and made more coffee while we waited for 5:00 to come to see Lucas's next segment. She had just finished pouring a cup for all of us when the news resumed.
"Welcome back to News Channel 4's Good Morning Chattanooga! I'm Mitch Delaney."
"And I'm Jenel Gray. Let's head over to the Weather Center and get an update on the cold temperatures with our new morning meteorologist, Lucas Patterson."
Lucas gave another weather forecast very much like the one he gave thirty minutes prior. He did an excellent job again and seemed like he had been doing this for years.
"Thank you, Lucas," Jenel said. "Now, let's give our Chattanooga and Lookout Mountain viewers a chance to get to know you a little better. Tell us about yourself."
"Jenel, once again, I'm extremely grateful to the management here at News Channel 4 for this opportunity. I'm originally from Alabama, where my parents still live. But, they did come up for the day just so they could watch me live on TV. Good morning, guys!" Lucas said, waving at the camera.
"He played that one smooth," Braden said. "At least we got a shout out!"
"I just graduated from Mississippi State University with my Bachelor's degree in Geography and Broadcast Meteorology. I've always loved Chattanooga and the entire Lookout Mountain area, and I'm so happy to call it my home!"
"Thank you, Lucas, and once again, welcome to News Channel 4," Mitch said.
"Yes, welcome, Lucas!" Jenel said. "We'll be right back."
The television went to a commercial for a local car dealer.
"I can't believe I didn't even get a mention," Austin said, visibly hurt.
"Bro, you can't expect him to get on TV and tell every detail of his life," Braden said. "He has to be careful what he says. A lot of people still don't agree with the way we live our lives, and his career is important to him."
"If we keep living our lives in secrecy and trying to make sure no one finds out who we love, we are going to keep repeating this cycle over and over for years and years. We have to let the world see that gay people are the same as everyone else. We don't want special treatment. We just want to be treated with the same respect that everyone else gets. Straight people don't have to announce to the world that they are straight! People just assume that they are straight unless they announce otherwise," Austin said. "You guys don't hide who you are and look at you! A teacher and school superintendent!"
I put my arm around Braden and he leaned into me. As a teacher, he had never hidden his sexuality from his students. He kept a framed picture of the two of us as well as several pictures of us with Jackson on his desk in his classroom. I did the same in my office.
"I'm not saying that Lucas not mentioning you is right or wrong," I said, "but it is a little different. Braden and I don't hide who we are on our jobs, but we are established there. People know us and know that we are just regular guys. These people don't know Lucas, yet. He is living a very public life and he has to keep his private life to himself. At least for now."
"I guess you're right," Austin said. "I just didn't realize I was going to be living in the shadows."
Just then, the commercial break ended and the morning news resumed. The anchors, Jenel and Mitch, went through the routine of reporting the news. Lucas gave several quick weather updates. There were traffic updates after each weather segment. Finally, that half hour segment ended and went to a commercial break once again. The start of each half hour segment was a reset for the newscast and gave them an opportunity to reset the program for any viewers just joining in.
"Live from Chattanooga, you're watching the News Channel 4 Morning News!" The announcer bellowed. "With Jenel Gray." A picture of Jenel appeared on the screen sitting at the anchor desk. This quickly flashed to an action shot of Jenel at some public event talking with viewers. They were smiling and laughing. The announcer continued "Mitch Delaney." Similar shots of Mitch appeared. "And Meteorologist Lucas Patterson." A quick shot of Lucas appeared in front of a weather map. It had been staged as part of the station's promotional materials they prepared prior to Lucas's first day on the air.
"Welcome back on for our 5:30 half hour," Jenel said. She and Mitch went through their introductions again. She once again introduced Lucas as the new morning meteorologist. Lucas did his weather report once again. When he finished, Jenel had something to say.
"Lucas, I'm sure some of our eagle-eyed viewers have already noticed that you aren't wearing a ring on your left hand. But, ladies and gents, before you start flooding Lucas's email trying to get a date, Lucas wants to tell us about someone special in his life."
Austin sat straight up. Braden put his hand on Austin's back for comfort.
"That's right, Jenel," Lucas said. "You and Mitch got the opportunity to meet Austin during the station's promo shoot last week down by the river, but I want to introduce everyone to my fiance, Austin." A photo of the two of them together appeared on the screen. Lucas told the audience briefly about their past together and how Austin was running the bed and breakfast on the mountain. After that, the news continued as usual.
"Well, they are probably going to get some interesting calls about that one," Dorothy said, slapping her knees and standing up. "He'll be lucky if they don't make a huge deal out of it."
"Hush, Dorothy," Rose said. "I think it was sweet."
"What do you think, Austin?" Braden asked.
"He made me feel special. I knew he loved me, but to put himself out there like that, he has to really love me," Austin said.
"Of course he loves you!" I said. "If he didn't you wouldn't be engaged.
"I just don't want it to hurt his career," Austin said.
Braden yawned, causing me to yawn as well. "That was fun, but I'm going back to bed," Braden announced. You coming, babe?" He held his hand out to me.
Braden and I returned to our room where we fell asleep for another couple hours, then woke up and made love. After showering, we made it back downstairs for a late breakfast just as the midday news at 11 was starting. It was a very similar format to the morning news, except that an anchor team of Wendy Michaels and Chet Townsend had replaced Jenel and Mitch. Lucas was in charge of weather updates for this newscast as well. Wendy and Chet seemed almost as happy to have Lucas on their team as Jenel and Mitch. Wendy brought up Austin this time, prompting Lucas to share the same information again. If station management had a problem with Lucas's sexuality, they didn't make an effort to prevent him from telling the audience about it.
Lucas arrived home at around 1:00. He was tired from getting up so early to go to the station, but his mood was good.
"Babe!" Austin exclaimed as Lucas came in the door. He ran to him and threw his arms around the ginger hunk.
"I've only been gone a few hours," Lucas said. "You can't miss me that much."
"It's what you did on the news! You showed the world our picture and you didn't hide it. First I was upset because you didn't mention me, but then you did, and I didn't know how to feel, but I was so happy, and..."
"Shhh," Lucas said. "Calm down, babe. It's all good. I talked to the station manager about it before we planned this morning's show. She was cool with it and said it's just what the station needs. Chattanooga is growing and it's not the same place it was thirty years ago. It's more diverse and more open."
"I know, but I was worried it would impact your career," Austin said.
"It won't. But even if it did, it would be worth it to have you," Lucas kissed Austin on the lips, lowering his hands to grip Austin's butt cheeks, squeezing them.
"Ahem," I said, walking into the room. "You two might want to take that upstairs. But not right now. Rose has lunch ready."
Rose had prepared a fabulous lunch spread, complete with her famous fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. This menu was a hit on the restaurant side and a hit with the family!
We were enjoying our meal and hearing all about Lucas's first day at the station when Austin's phone buzzed.
"Uh guys," Austin said.
"What is it, babe?" Lucas asked.
"Uh, I just got a news alert from CNN. It's about you."
"What? No way," Lucas said.
Suddenly, my phone, as well as Braden's buzzed with the same news alert. I read the headline out loud.
"Christian group calls for boycott of Tennessee news station over gay weatherman."
"You have to be kidding me," Dorothy said. "Don't these people have anything better to do?"
"You have to hear this shit," Braden said. "The forecast at News Channel 4 in Chattanooga, Tennessee looks gloomy after The Coalition for the Sanctity of Life called on viewers to boycott the station after newly-hired morning weatherman Lucas Patterson introduced his fiance on air," Braden read.
Lucas took Austin's hand and stared down at the table.
I picked up reading where Braden left off. "The president of the Coalition, Pastor Barney Lee Ray, released a statement condemning the news outlet's condoning of what he refers to as a sinful act of homosexuality. Ray, along with his wife Betty Gene, started the Coalition in 2006 after disowning their son for being gay. The couple has never hidden the reason they started the Coalition, and blames the media and the public education system for what they call the indoctrination of America's youth. CNN has reached out to News Channel 4, but has so far not received a response."
"How bad is this going to be, babe?" Austin asked.
"I don't know, but I guess I'll find out soon enough," Lucas said. About that time, we heard his phone ring in the other room. He went to answer it, leaving the rest of us at the table.
"Just when I think the worst is behind us," I said.
"That was the station manager. She wants me back at the station immediately," Lucas said.
We didn't hear from Lucas for the rest of the afternoon, and we were all getting worried. Austin was inconsolable and spent most of the afternoon in the restaurant's kitchen with Savanna. Finally, the news at 5:00 started, and we hoped we might get some answers.
"Welcome in to the news at 5:00", a female anchor stated with little fanfare. "I'm Joyce Kinney. Right now, let's go live to the newsroom to our general manager for a special report."
"Well, that's ominous," Braden said. "What do you think that means?"
"I think we're about to find out," I said.
"Good evening," said a smartly dressed woman in a purple business suit. She wore black-framed glasses, had white hair cut in a bob, and looked to be at least seventy years old. One look at her said she meant business.
"I'm Connie Majors, the general manager here at News Channel 4. I don't get the opportunity to address our viewing audience regularly, but I felt this was the time to do so. This morning, our viewers were introduced to our new morning meteorologist, Lucas Patterson. I interviewed Lucas and found him to be delightful and a wealth of knowledge about the weather. I guess you could say he was a breath of fresh air. Lucas told me that he was in a same-sex relationship, although I didn't ask. Asking questions such as that are not legal in an interview, but it would not have mattered. I had decided he was the right fit for our station and our viewers. I stand by that decision. I am quite frankly appalled with some in our community who are calling for boycotts of our station unless I terminate Lucas. I am here tonight to make sure everyone knows that the management and staff of News Channel 4 firmly support not only Lucas Patterson and his fiance, but all of our LGBTQ+ viewers. We will not be bullied into changing our stance on the topic. While this may come as a shock to some viewers, most of the staff a News Channel 4 are aware that I have been together with my wife, Linda, for nearly thirty years. We were pioneers in the LGBTQ+ arena, and I intend to be a voice for our community as long as I have a platform such as this. You have a choice when it comes to where you get your news, weather, and sports information. We hope it continues to come from News Channel 4, but let me once again state that we will not be bullied or intimidated by extremists in any form. This is Connie Majors with News Channel 4. Back to you at the anchor desk, Joyce."
"Thank you, Connie. Let's get a check on weather."
About that time, the door opened and Lucas walked in.
"Baby!" Austin said as he went to Lucas, throwing his arms around him and burying his face in his chest. "I've been so worried."
"It's okay, babe," Lucas said. "I take it you saw Connie's statement."
"Yeah, we did," I said. "She's quite a woman."
"That she is," Lucas said. "She's taking a gamble on this. If this backfires, it could mean the end for her career. If the ratings tank, we're in trouble."
"Do you think they will?" Dorothy asked.
"It's too early to tell," Lucas said. "Chattanooga is growing and it's much more liberal than it used to be. But there are still some strong right-wingers around who want to make life miserable for people like us. Time will tell. But I'm going to bed. I have to be back at the station at 2:30 in the morning. I'll get used to this schedule, but it'll take some time."
"Can I join you?" Austin asked. "I think I have something that will make you feel better."
"I'd like that very much, darling," Lucas said. They kissed with their arms around each other, then headed up the stairs to their room.
Once they made it to their room, Austin was all over Lucas. He pushed him back on the bed and started loosening his tie and unbuttoning his shirt. He soon had the ginger haired hunk naked from the waist up. Austin started nibbling Lucas's nipples, causing Lucas to moan in pleasure. Austin licked his way down Lucas's torso to his belly button and followed the blonde happy trail to Lucas's pants. Austin opened the button on Lucas's slacks and tugged them down. Lucas raised his hips to allow his pants to be removed. That left him clothed in only his boxers and his socks, which Austin made quick work of. The socks came first, followed by the boxers. Lucas was now completely naked with his card cock leaking precum into his happy trail. Austin went down on Lucas, fully devouring his lover's penis.
"Fuuuck babe!" Lucas moaned. "You know just what I need after the day I've had!"
"I need it too," Austin said, taking Lucas's dick out of his mouth long enough to talk. He continued to stroke the stiff member with his fist while moving to kiss Lucas on the mouth. He then returned his attention to Lucas's dick, causing Lucas to throw his head back and moan out in pleasure.
Austin washed Lucas's balls with his tongue, thoroughly coating them in saliva. He moved his attention lower to Lucas's taint, then moved to raise Lucas's legs to get to his hole.
"Babe, I'd love to have you inside me, but we should probably move to the shower before that. I want to be fresh for you," Lucas said.
"You don't hear me complaining, do you?" Austin said. "But if you want to shower, we can."
Austin started removing his clothes and was naked in a matter of seconds. Lucas whistled at the sight of Austin's naked body.
"I never get tired of seeing that," Lucas said. "I'm so glad you're mine."
"And I'm glad to be yours," Austin said, wrapping his arms around his fiance and kissing him on the mouth. "Now let's go take that shower."
The two men moved to the shower where Austin soaped Lucas up, starting with shampooing his hair. He sensually massaged Lucas's scalp with his fingers, turning Lucas in to jelly and causing him to brace himself against the shower wall. Austin continued bathing Lucas with his hands, working his way down his lover's body. He had Lucas raise his arms so he could wash his hairy pits, then lathered up his chest and torso before working his way down to Lucas's legs and feet, then returning to his crotch. He soaped up Lucas's balls and dick, making sure they were thoroughly clean. He then stood up and grinded himself against Lucas's soapy body.
"No reason to waste all this soap," Austin said. "We might as well both get clean." He slid against Lucas's body, grinding their dicks together.
"Aww babe," Lucas said. "That's so good!"
"It is, but I need you to turn around," Austin said.
Lucas turned around, presenting Austin with a few of his exquisite backside. Austin applied more soap to his hands and lathered up Lucas's shoulders, back, legs, and his ass. When he started washing Lucas's ass, he first avoided the crack. Then he let first one, then several fingers slip into the hairy lining of Lucas's crack, making sure that it was squeaky clean. One of his fingers found Lucas's hole, which he then started massaging. His soapy finger had everything nice and clean. He inserted a finger gently inside the hole, cleaning the area just inside Lucas's anus. He found Lucas's prostate and massaged it gently.
"Oh babe. I need you inside me," Lucas moaned.
"Let's get your rinsed off," Austin said. He removed the hand-held shower head and rinsed all the soap off Lucas's body and his own. He spread Lucas's ass cheeks with one hand and sprayed water inside his crack to remove all the soapy residue there. He then returned the shower head to it's rightful position before getting on his knees, spreading Lucas's cheeks, and burying his face in his lover's freshly washed ass.
After eating Lucas's ass out for a couple minutes, Austin stood up, grabbing the lube he had brought into the shower. He applied a generous amount to his cock and to Lucas's hole. He positioned his cock at Lucas's hole and gently pushed. Having taken Austin's cock numerous times, Lucas knew when to push out, allowing Austin's cock to make its way into his rectum. Both men moaned in pleasure as Austin's cock was inserted fully into Lucas. Austin placed his left hand on the shower wall next to Lucas's head, and placed his other hand on Lucas's hip, bracing himself as he almost completely withdrew his cock, then pushed it back in.
"Oh babe." Lucas whispered.
Austin continued to slowly fuck his cock in and out of Lucas. There was a slapping sound each time his body made contact with Lucas's. Austin nibbled the back of Lucas's neck as he fucked him, both boys moaning audibly.
"I love you so much," Austin whispered in Lucas's ear. He continued fucking his lover, picking up the pace and going faster. This elicited more moans from Lucas.
"Babe, I'm gonna cum," Lucas panted. Austin could feel Lucas's rectum contracting as his orgasm approached. With a groan, Lucas sprayed his load all over the shower wall. The spasming in his rectum caused Austin to cum as well. With a moan of pleasure, Austin coated the walls of Lucas's rectum with his cum. He buried his cock as deep as it would go and left it there to continue unloading his seed deep inside his lover. He kissed the side of Lucas's neck hard. Lucas suddenly moved to turn around, causing Austin's cock to slip out with a burst of air and a gush of cum. Lucas put his hands on Austin's face and pulled him in for a kiss. The two guys kissed in the shower until the water began to cool off. Lucas took the shower head and washed them both down. He then squatted over the shower drain and allowed as much of Austin's cum as possible to drip out of his ass. He gently pushed, causing more to gush out.
"Damn, babe, you really filled me up," Lucas said.
"We haven't done much in the last few days, so I had a good load built up," Austin said. "Next time you can fill my ass up."
"Deal, but it'll have to be tomorrow afternoon. I'm beat," Lucas said.
The guys dried off and then headed to the bedroom. It was just after 7:00 p.m., but Austin joined Lucas in the bed. They snuggled together and soon drifted off to sleep.
What happened in Chattanooga in the days that followed was nothing short of amazing. While it was November according to the calendar, it might as well have been June with all of the gay pride flags, rallies, and parades that happened. It seems that News Channel 4 had awoken something in the people of Chattanooga.
The story caught on in the national media, which caused reporters from the national bureaus to take interest in not only Connie Majors but in Lucas as well! A major network news outlet even offered him an opportunity to take a job in New York City! While he was flattered by the offer, he ultimately declined and decided to stay in Chattanooga.
News Channel 4 saw a ratings surge that took them to the number one slot in the Chattanooga market for the morning and noon newscasts! The station even decided to add a once-weekly LGBTQ+ segment that covered information on the history of the movement, local events that were taking place, and interviews with prominent LGBTQ+ people from the region. The segment was hosted by Connie and Lucas. Once again, the national media took notice and the segment was eventually syndicated to other TV markets around the country. Other TV markets added similar segments hosted by their own local talent. Before long, Lucas was fielding job offers from all over the country!
Before we knew it, Christmas was approaching. Lucas and Austin had settled into a routine. They would enjoy their together time in the late afternoon and early evening before going to bed together. Sometimes Austin would stay in bed with Lucas and fall asleep himself and other times he would go back downstairs and sit with Dorothy, Rose, and Asher for a while before returning to bed. After a while, he was able to sleep through the alarm that woke Lucas up at 1:30 a.m. each morning.
With Christmas approaching, we decided that a big family Christmas in Chattanooga was just what we all needed. Lucas was on call to work Christmas night, so he wasn't able to leave and it only made sense for us to drive up to them. I was somewhat surprised by a call I got from David a few days before Christmas.
"Josh, it's David. How are things going? How are the twins?"
"The twins are great! They are growing so fast. And you won't believe how big Jackson is getting! I know it's only been a few weeks since you saw them, but you and Robert really have to get up here to see them," I said.
"That's just what I'm calling about," he said. "I've spoken to Dorothy, and she and Rose have invited Robert and me up to spend Christmas with you all on the mountain."
"That's wonderful," I said. "We'd love to have you!"
"That's just the thing," David said. "Robert and I want to be there, but neither one of us wants to drive that far anymore. We asked Ryan to go and drive us, but he's taken up with that guy Chad, the drag queen, and they are spending Christmas with Chad's family down at the beach! Can you believe it? Christmas at the beach. I've never heard such a thing. So anyway, we were hoping that maybe you or Braden could drive us up there, or something. Any suggestions?"
"I think we can figure something out," I said. "We are already taking two cars. We're taking my truck and Braden's car. And Mark and Bonnie are going and taking their car. You could easily ride with them."
"You don't think they'd mind two old gays tagging along?"
"No, I don't think they'd mind at all," I said. "I'll clear it with them to make sure, but go ahead and make plans. Can you make it up here to the house or do we need to come get you?"
"I think we can make it that far," David said. "We sure appreciate this, Josh."
Having everyone together in one place for Christmas was amazing. It was the twins' first Christmas, so everyone was excited about that. We took lots of pictures. Jackson was at an age where the magic of Christmas was at its peak. To him, everything was magical and inspired by Santa himself. He was enamored with his personal elf, Jingles, who was sent by Santa himself to keep an eye on Jackson! The elf caused all kinds of mischief at night and caused messes that had to be cleaned up the next morning. One of the more humorous acts of mischief was played at Dorothy's expense when "Jingles" replaced the sugar in the sugar jar with salt! Dorothy cursed when she took a gulp of her morning coffee, thinking that she had sweetened it just right.
"That damned elf!" Dorothy cried out. "Which one of you..." she trailed off after remembering that Jackson was in the room.
"Which one of you told him I like sugar in my coffee?" she finished.
"He already knows, Dottie!" Jackson said. "He's from the North Pole!"
"Right, of course he does. How silly of me," Dorothy said. "I'll just make a fresh cup right after I find the real sugar."
Asher was laughing so hard he almost peed in his pajamas. It was obvious to everyone in the room that it had been his night to plan the elf's mischief. It was great to see him coming alive and having so much fun with the family for Christmas. He'd been through a lot at a young age, but we all loved him like he was our own son.
On Christmas Eve, we all settled into the parlor in our pajamas. Rose served hot chocolate and we watched Christmas movies all evening. David asked to read The Night Before Christmas, which had been a tradition in his house when his children were growing up. Jackson loved it as David really put emphasis into reading it. We all enjoyed it.
On Christmas morning, mom and Bonnie made a delicious breakfast of cinnamon rolls, eggs, and bacon. We all helped clear the table before moving to the parlor. With its 12-feet high ceilings and the 9-foot tall Christmas tree, the parlor as a splendid sight on Christmas morning. Jackson had already attacked his bounty from Santa. He moved from one toy to another. He had so much to play with he didn't know what to do next. In keeping with the spirt, Asher expressed excitement with his gifts from Santa as well. Even though he was old enough to know the truth, we wanted him to have a splendid Christmas and regain some of the childhood innocence he had lost. Since he was older than Jackson and was interested in more expensive gifts, he got fewer items in quantity than Jackson, but they were more expensive. He was especially happy with his new iPad and his wireless earbuds! He soon settled into watching something on the iPad and we didn't hear from him for hours!
Mom, Bonnie, and Rose started on Christmas dinner. They had been preparing for several days, making cakes, pies, and casseroles that could be baked on Christmas. The culinary-grade kitchen equipment came in handy for cooking so much food! In addition to our entire family, Rose and Dorothy had invited several friends from the community to join us for dinner. In total, there were over twenty people at the house for Christmas dinner. We feasted on a delicious meal. We had both roast beef and ham with all the fixings! Our desserts included red velvet and Italian creme cakes along with apple pie, pecan pie, and a coconut creme pie. There was so much food that all of the visitors were able to take plates of food home with them. There was still plenty for us to have leftovers for the next couple of days!
At the end of the day, we settled into the parlor for coffee and to relax. The Christmas tree created a soothing ambiance coupled with the dark wood paneling of the parlor. Dorothy had built a fire in the fireplace, which added to the soothing aura of the room. Jackson had fallen asleep in my lap. The poor little guy had played so much that he tired himself out. I looked around the room at my family and friends and realized that in this moment, I was the luckiest man in the world. I put my free arm around Braden and hugged him close to me.
The next chapter in this series will be published soon!
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