A Heavy Metal Christmas

Chapter 2

*COREY'S P.O.V*
'Am I a shitty father or what?' I think to myself as I slowly wake up.
Opening one eye, I wince at the harsh afternoon sun blazing from my bedroom window. I let out a groan and slowly sit up, holding my pounding head. I could barely remember what had happened last night, but I knew that Shawn had offered me some drink that I got instantly hooked on...
"Must have had six of those motherfuckers," I murmur.
I swing my legs over the side of my bed and instantly regret it. Bile rises to my throat and I make a beeline for the bathroom before I puke my guts out. When I finish, I lean against the wall, trying to catch my breath.
A quiet shuffling sounds from the door, and Jay wearily pokes his head around. "G'morning, Corey... Did Shawn give you the 'Temptress' too?" he asks.
I blink in confusion, then nod as realization hit me. "Mmhm," I grunt once before carefully getting to my feet. "Easy there," Jay cautions, coming into the bathroom and grabbing my shoulders. "It's a bitch to recover from." I laugh and say, "I've been drunk many times before, Jay, I'm pretty sure this won't be any different..."
"Even so," Jay chides me, "Just take it easy, all right?"
I nod and let Jay sit me back on my bed. "I'll ask Chris to make you some coffee. Just sit tight."
Again, I laugh, then mumble, "You sound like Colleen..."
Jay chuckles. "Wish she was here so I wouldn't have to babysit your hungover ass," he jokes.
I smirk weakly, then lie back down. Closing my eyes, I relax into my bed as my thoughts wander to my daughter. It had been over a year since Col was last here, at Thanksgiving. Along with that, Sid had moved into his new house with his wife Haley and their four-month-old daughter, Isabella. With them gone, it had been pretty quiet around the house. I sigh. "Fuck it," I grumble, slowly sitting up. "I'm gonna round everyone up for a Christmas reunion."
As the words leave my mouth, Chris enters with a big mug of coffee, a glass of water and some painkillers. "What's this I hear about a Christmas reunion?" he inquires.
I turn to him and accept the cups and pills. "I want to gather everyone together for Christmas. It's been way too quiet around here for my liking." I reply as I pop the pills in my mouth, take a swig of water, then continue. "Plus, I really miss Col. I know everyone else does, too." I finish there and trade the water glass for the coffee mug and take a long sip, waiting for Chris's response. He was quiet for a moment, mulling it over.
Finally, he sits next to me and says, "I agree. It's been over a year, hasn't it?" I nod, then he continues. "That actually sounds like a good idea. I'll text Sid and see what his plans are. You text Col-"
He was interrupted by my phone buzzing with a text. We exchange glances, then I reach over and grab my phone off the nightstand, opening it. I read the text out loud:
"Hey Dad! Um, so, Jake and I have some exciting news...
I'm pregnant!!!"
Chris inhales sharply and I clench my phone. Staring at the screen, I grit my teeth in anger.
I didn't really know why I was mad... Paternal instinct, I guess. 'She's twenty-three now, Corey,' I tell myself. 'She's married, it's fine, it's all fine. Don't blow up. Don't ruin her happiness.'
I glance up at Chris, who must have had the same idea. He crosses his arms and lifts an eyebrow at me.
I shake my head and turn my attention back to the screen. I decide to call her and press the little phone icon by her name.
She picks up on the third ring, breathless and giggling. "Hi, Daddy!!" Colleen squeals into the phone.
"Hey, baby girl," I answer, my anger melting away at the sound of her voice. "So you're actually pregnant, huh? How far along are you?"
Giggling, she answers, "Two months!! I really hope it's a girl!"
I smile, then say, "Chris is here, too. Want me to put you on speaker?"
"Yeah, please!" she answers.
"All right, hang on a second.... There we go." I murmur.
Chris leans over and says, "Hey, Col, how are you, honey?"
"Great! Fantastic! I couldn't be more happy!" Colleen replies.
Chris smiles. "That's great! Say, uh, this may be a little sudden and off topic, but Corey was thinking about getting the band together for Christmas. You think you can swing by a day or two before? Maybe tell the others? It would be nice to see you." he says.
I shoot him a look.
He shrugs and mouths, 'You weren't going to.'
I roll my eyes at him.
Colleen was quiet, thinking. Then she replies, "Yeah, that sounds good. I'll ask Jake if he has any concerts." Then there was some muffled conversation, and she gets back on. "He doesn't have anything scheduled. Can he come too, Dad?"
I shrug and say, "Sure, what the hell." I could hear her smile as she squeals, "Thanks, Daddy! I'll be there! I can't wait to see everyone!!"
I laugh and say, "Sounds great, baby. I can't wait to see you. I love you."
"I love you too, Dad. Oh, and you too, Chris," she replies happily.
Chris chuckles. "Love you, Col," he says. Then Col bids us goodbye and hangs up. I shut off my phone and glance over to Chris.
He meets my eyes and shrugs. "Looks like we'll have everyone plus one," he says, a small smile dancing at the corners of his mouth.
I nod, also smirking a little. 'I'm going to be a grandfather,' I think, astonished.