Starting Over

Chapter 80- It's Christmas

Bridget and I spend hours last night wrapping the last of the Christmas presents for the kids and then got everything underneath the tree. I didn't think we were ever going to make it to bed. Before we put the kids to bed we made sure to inform them not to wake us up before 7am since last year they decided it would be appropriate to wake us at 2am. We had been only been in bed for about thirty minutes when they came barreling into the bedroom screaming Merry Christmas at the top of their lungs. That was a hard day. As happy as Bridget and I were to watch our kids open presents and then spend time with family there was food to cook and other stresses that mounted on us that day. With no sleep it was just a whole lot harder.

I've been lying in bed awake for at least an hour now. I've heard the kids going up and down the hall talking about what time it was and how long it would be before they could wake us up. I smiled knowing that I was the same way as a kid. I rolled over and lightly kissed Bridget on the cheek. I couldn't get over how lucky I was. I have a beautiful wife who lets me have the career of my dreams while she stays home and raises our children and my nieces and nephew too. She's my number one fan. I have five beautiful children who I couldn't be more proud of. Two beautiful nieces who I absolutely adore and a very handsome nephew who is more of a son than anything else. I still have momma and daddy. And Kaye too. Bridget's parents have been more than supportive through everything, even when we were going through our roughest times.

"How much more time?" Til asked someone right outside the bedroom door trying to be quiet, but failing horribly.

"Like ten minutes," I heard Jordan holler from down the hallway.

Bridget began to stir. I figure now would be a good time to wake her up. I gently shook her arm.

"Bridget, it's Christmas morning. The kids are going to come busting through the door any time now," I said as I shook her arm gently again.

"Luke, go back to sleep. It's too early," Bridget whined not realizing it was almost seven.

"Bridge, Baby, the kids are getting ready to come through the door," I told her again.

"What? It's already seven?" Bridget questioned groggily.

"Yes," I said simply as we both sat up in the bed.

"You know the kids would freak if we weren't in bed," Bridget said with a smirk on her face.

I knew exactly what she was thinking. We were going to play the ultimate trick on the kids. Bridget and I jumped up out of the bed making sure to be quiet and ran towards the bathroom. Bridget made sure to set up her camera and hit record to catch the kids reaction when they came in first though. We stepped into the bathtub and pulled the shower curtain closed slowly making sure to keep quiet. We both had huge smiles plastered across our faces. Thankfully the tub had dried out over the night so we weren't slipping and sliding around, but that didn't stop Bridget from leaning against my chest as we stood there waiting for the kids to get the shock of their lives. Moments before the kids come busting in the door Bridget looked up at me and I couldn't help pulling her into a passionate kiss.

"Merry Christmas!" the kids all shouted in unison as they barged into our bedroom.

"Where are they at?" Til asked.

"I thought they were in bed," Kenzie said.

"Did you check the kitchen?" Kris questioned.

"I swear, no one is in the kitchen," Jordan finally chimed in.

"Where's Momma and Daddy?" Tate asked.

"I don't know, but we'll find them. Come on. Let's go," Jordan answered him as the kids filed out of our bedroom.