That's Christmas To Me

14. Carol of the Bells

"I'm sorry Mr Barber. He just...his mom has been pushing him a lot too." Sarah said as she sat with us. Jacob had gone on a car ride.

"With what?"

"I don't know. She's been weirdly reading your books Mrs. Richards. And Jacobs grades and that he's not allowed to come up here unless he has all a's and stuff. He misses you mr. Barber. And no offense Mrs. Richards but I think he was hoping to just see his dad."

"I can leave. Seriously it's not a problem. I don't wanna get in the way."

"You're not Rory. But what is this about Laurie not letting him come up here until he has all a's?"

"Yeah. She will make him clean the house, get all of his grades up, and make sure that everything is perfect before he can even ask to come up here." Sarah said. "I really shouldn't be sharing all of this it's not my place."

"You're fine sweetheart." Andy said as he picked up his phone and dialed Jacob's number. He answered and Andy left the room.

My food was done. What's the point in cooking though. I felt awful. This was my fault.

"So is the book actually about you and Andy?" Sarah asked. I smiled and nodded.

"Yeah. I'm writing the sequel but it feels wrong to publish it. I think everyone made up their own ending in their head." I said as I sat back more.

She nodded. "Well you're very talented." She said.

"Thank you. Got any hobbies or anything?" I asked.

"I play guitar and sing." She said. "I have a YouTube channel now."

Jacob walked into the house. I looked back over at Sarah. "That's awesome. You should show me." I said. She nodded.

Jacob walked into his dads arms. Sarah smiled.

Andy hugged him tight. Obviously the call went well.

"Please just talk to me." Andy whispered to his son.

"Yeah. But umm- I don't know I feel bad for saying it but I don't know Aurora."

"She's gonna listen. Trust me she's safe-"

"Andy. It's okay." I said. I got up and went to the door, grabbing my jacket.

"You can stay I just don't know you at all. I wanna get to know you." Jacob said.

"I don't want to intrude. Seriously I have a kid. I get it. I would never want that. Families need time together."

"Seriously. Stay. You're obviously treating my dad really well which is something he needs for once in his life. And I'm willing to get to know you. I think that my mom is doing some stuff that has to do with you anyways that you should hear."

I nodded.

Jacob went to go sit by Sarah. She kissed his cheek.

I looked up at Andy as he rubbed my back. "I know this is weird for you and I'm sorry." He whispered. I nodded.

We went and sat down. I sipped on water while Andy and Jacob talked.

•••

An hour passed where Andy and Jacob caught up. Andy was obviously pissed at his ex wife but he tried to stay good.

"You know if something like this happens you can call me? I will pick up in the middle of the night for you jake. If you need to get out I'll drive down there. It's only an hour away. You're my son. I wanna be there for you."

I smiled softly. I hadn't really gotten to see his dad side. He was definitely a good one though.

"Thank you. Seriously I miss you, I miss being here. But now onto the whole thing where I think mom has something to do with Aurora. Now Aurora your maiden name is sperling right?"

"Mhm."

"Yeah so I think she's been looking up where you live, your ex-husband, your son. I didn't know who you were so I didn't make anything of it but when I saw you, it clicked." Jacob said.

"Oh. Uhm Andy did you ever talk about me?"

"Yes." Andy said. "Where are Connor and Adam right now?" Andy said.

"At Adams girlfriends." I said.

"Okay. Umm yeah Laurie's known for being stalky and weird when it comes to women I've talked to in the past."

"Does mom ever do anything?" Jacob asked.

"No. She will just dig up dirt on them and try to put herself in the dirt and roll around in it to make their lives worse. So Aurora any gossip you have she might bring up." Andy said.

"Good thing I don't have any."

Andy chuckled. "She won't do anything. It's just a power trip for her."

I nodded and looked down. "Well you guys I made food if we wanna eat."

"Oh god yes." Jacob said. Andy and I chuckled.

•••

We all sat around the table after dinner. Jacob and Andy were talking and laughing. They definitely had a connection.

I felt better now. Everyone seemed to be happy at the table. Obviously Jacob had a lot on his mind. And he was really nice to me.

I just wanted to make sure that we weren't on bad terms, especially because I really wanna keep this going with his dad.

I sipped on sparkling wine while Andy and Jacob caught up. Andy really seemed to come out more around his son. Something about his eyes. He definitely loved Jacob with all of his heart.

Sarah seemed to really like Jacob too. He would bring her into conversation ever so often. She would light up when he said her name.

I liked to just watch them all interact. It was fun.

I thought about Andy's ex wife though. Something still didn't sit right. How Sarah and Jacob talked about her constantly reading my books and knowing my family's name...something felt off about it.

Maybe she knew me. Maybe Andy told her about us and now she's jealous. I don't know.

But honestly, it doesn't matter. I'm successful.

I don't need the validation of someone else that I don't even know.