Just In Time (The Santa Clauses)

Reminiscing On the Past

"You've been awfully quiet tonight." Scott pushed back the bed covers before getting in. "Don't tell me you're having second thoughts about becoming principal."

"A single dad and his kids came into my office this morning. The anger and sadness radiating from those kids, it was truly something else." I pushed back the covers more on my side as I got in. It was heartbreaking to witness. The school system failed them on so many levels and it is infuriating."

"I can only imagine it is." He leaned over to turn off the lamp on his side, leaving the room a little less lit. "Little do they know what they're in for. They finally landed in a caring place. I mean, look what you did for Charlie."

"Admit it, Charlie was afraid of me for a very long time." I couldn't help but chuckle as I laid back against my pillow. I could still hear the metal ring of the ladder hit against the wall. It turned out he wasn't as quiet as he thought he was and in turn he had been caught spray painting the gym wall while hanging by a rope from the ceiling. "Do you remember what the kids called me at school?"

"Not ringing any bells. What did they call you?"

"The ice queen."

"That's great, honey. So that's why people started giving us the look when we first started dating."

"Stop it." I laughed, swatting him lightly on the shoulder. "You're just saying that because I'm your wife."

"Honestly, I never cared what they called you." After divorcing Laura, I was sure I would never get married again. All I knew was Charlie needed someone who could straighten him out, and it sure wasn't going to be me. Heck, I needed someone to straighten me out. I was a complete wreck." Leaning over, I turned off my lamp and we started to settle into complete darkness.

"Oh, I think a little thing called the escape clause had something to do with us meeting." I could sense he was smiling, even though my eyes hadn't adjusted yet.

"You're right. It had everything to do with it. Now look at you." You're more beautiful than ever." I snuggled against him, the lull of his breath relaxing as our eyes grew heavy after a long day. Before I knew it, my alarm was going off again and I was pulling myself up for another day of work.

"Morning." I had quickly gone through the motions of getting ready, finally making it down to the kitchen for some cereal.

"Morning." Sandra took the last few bites of cereal and rinsed out her bowl before placing it in the dishwasher.

"Are you all ready for your math test?"

"I think so? I've been studying really hard for it. I have the concept down, so I think I'm going to do good."

"That's the spirit." I could tell she wasn't quite sharing in my enthusiasm, but it would have to do. Even though she was getting used to school and making friends after moving here, I could tell she was still struggling to adjust to the real world. "Look, I know things haven't been the easiest, but I'll be proud of you no matter how you do."

"Thanks, Mom."

"Always."

"Do you know if Dad is ready?"

"He was getting dressed when I was upstairs a few minutes ago..He should be down in a few minutes. Why?"

"I think he is taking this retirement thing way too seriously."

"He really wants to be there for all of us." Grabbing some cheerios from the cabinet, I filled the bowl halfway, waiting to pour the milk until after our conversation. "I'll admit it's been a bit strange having a job after being home for so long, but I am really enjoying being a principal again. I imagine its like that for your father, but getting used to doing other things than his job."

"I guess so. I'm glad you're happy." Sandra smiled up at me, referring to the conversation we had that last night about me always having to be joyful at the time. "Dad may be staying home, but I think we all know who runs this house."

"What was that?" Scott walked into the kitchen, pointing in the direction Sandra had gone before kissing me on the lips.

"She told me she's all ready for her math test."

"I'm glad she's finally getting the hang of school." Scott grabbed two pieces of bread and pulled down the lever to the toaster. "I still can't believe our kids are going to a real school like we did."

"I can't either, but here we are. Speaking of children, Cal has a guitar lesson after school at four."

"Not sure how you remember all this."

"If you have any doubts, check the calendar." I lifted my chin to the far wall of the kitchen. The kids and I were the ones who wrote down the most important dates, with me writing down most of the appointments. Scott seemed oblivious to it in the first place, even though he was big on lists. "You've got this. I believe in you."

"Tell me what I did to get such a loving wife?"

"You showed me how to believe, so I repaid the favor." Patting him lightly on the chest with my hand, his toast popped up and he turned to grab both pieces with his hand onto a plate--all without burning his fingers. "Maybe those students you keep thinking about need someone to believe in them."

"If I didn't know better I would say you still have some of that Santa magic in you."

"Ho, ho, ho." He did his best Santa laugh which never failed to make me smile. We settled down and finished our breakfast, the kids coming downstairs with their backpacks stuffed with everything they needed for the day just as we were finishing up.

"I'm ready." Sandra let her backpack rest on the chair with a thud just as I put my bowl in the dishwasher.

"Great." Scott exclaimed, taking the last bite of his food. "Now all we need is your brother if we're getting you both to school on time." Scott eyed her bag which was clearly overpacked. Just as he was turning away, Cal came bounding down the steps with his backpack hanging over one shoulder.

"Ready to go."

"I hope you all have a great day."

"Bye Mom." Sandra gave me a little wave and hug before pulling her backpack on and walking towards the front door. "She was a lot like me on that front where I was ready to go before everyone else was.

"Bye Mom," Cal gave me a gentle kiss on my cheek.

"Bye. Don't forget you have guitar lessons at four."

"At four. Got it."

"Bye." Scott was standing near me, waiting patiently for his turn. When the kids were out of the room, he leaned into me with a parting kiss. "I know you are going to do great things today."