Life After Dark: Book Two of the Dark Series

Chapter 106

~ Christmas Eve: Discourse ~

"She's not here," Jason said, smirking to himself as he turned away from his guest. He busied himself with the remainder of the holly as he wrapped it around the banister.

Standing just in front of the closed front door, Sonny stared at Jason. Wise ass, he thought, as he could have sworn that he saw Jason's shoulders shake in laughter. Shrugging out of his overcoat, he asked, "Who?"

Jason glanced at him over his shoulder. Cocking an eyebrow, he said, "As if you didn't know."

"I don't know. Who is this she person?" Sonny asked in all seriousness. "Keesha? Is she the woman in question?"

"Man, you're unbelievable," Jason laughed, turning back to his task. He gave the holly one last pat and then he grabbed the box of remaining decorations. He headed towards the living room. Knowing that Sonny was right behind him, he called over his shoulder, "So, what's up?"

"Does anything have to be up?" Sonny asked, looking around the very decorated room. He laughed softly to himself as he took in the many Christmas cards, the matching pair of Christmas stockings, and the huge Christmas tree. And there was his best friend...former mob boss and now extremely domesticated husband... Jason, sitting there in the thick of it with a dopey grin on his face as he sorted out the contents of the box. Sonny laughed out loud.

Jason shook his head as Sonny wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes. He pulled out the Christmas lights and grimaced as he encountered the tangled wires. Carefully unraveling the cords, he said, "Nothing has to be up. You're welcome here any time, you know that, but if you're here to peep out Simone, she's not here."

"Peep out?" Sonny asked, frowning. "What's that? Besides, what makes you think I'm here to see Simone? Unless my invite to dinner was-"

"Oh, cut it out," Jason grumbled with a little impatience and a little humor. The tangled lights were bothersome, and Sonny's sorry state of denial was a joke. "You know damn full well what 'peep out' means 'cause you've been doing it ever since Simone started working here. You're not fooling anybody, man."

"What!" Sonny asked, incredulous. "I stop by on occasion, but it's not to see her. She hates my guts!"

"Which is exactly why you can't stay away," Jason told him. Frustrated with the lights, he abruptly stood and flung the lights into the nearest trashcan.

"What!" Sonny repeated. "I'm not interested in that woman!"

"Yeah, Sonny. Sure," Jason smirked. He reached inside his jeans for his keys, but they weren't there. "Are my keys over there?" he asked, indicating on top of the mantle.

"Yeah." Sonny grabbed the keys and tossed them to Jason. "You going somewhere?"

"Yeah, to the store. I have to get this place fixed up and I'm running out of time," Jason said, grabbing the box of decorations and heading for the hallway.

Taking the opportunity to tease, Sonny followed him and said, "So, what? The little woman will put you out for not having it all Christmasy when she comes home?"

"Nope, but I told her I'd do it and I'm gonna. Besides, it won't be just the two of us come Christmas morning. We're having our first over-nighters. Keesha and Gina are picking them up and taking them shopping now," Jason called out from the hall closet.

"Oh, so what's the story?" Sonny asked, all traces of teasing gone.

Carrying his leather jacket, Jason exited the closet. As he pulled his jacket on, he said, "They're twins, Gracie and George Lee. Four-years-old and their parents abandoned them, just left them at a shelter and took off. Social Services called us, and the Ward House is ready and waiting for them."