Tapout

Christmas Part 2

Riley's Point of View

It's only been 2 years since my parents passed away. 2 years since I celebrated Christmas well, let me rephrase that it's almost been 3, in 1 month and 6 days it'll be 3. Either way, this whole thing is foreign to me. I know my parents wouldn't want me to quit living life, they wouldn't like the fact I'm not celebrating holidays and I am reminded of that when I see how happy all the cousins are with their parents.

They aren't at that rebellious teenage phase yet, they enjoy their parent's company. Granted, I was 16 when they died and I had yet to reach that phase. No doubt I'd be in that phase now. Anna has been attached on my leg like a damn leech, but I don't mind. She said I was pretty so she instantly became my favorite. Sparky has been throwing occasional glances my direction most of the time and I can feel his father watching me at random moments.

I've behaved myself and to my surprise zero cuss words have left my mouth. That's how I know I'll be cursing like a damn sailor when I get out of here. That wasn't a lie. The heavenly smell of food that was nowhere close to being on my clean diet filled the home. That is one thing I'm looking forward to, eating whatever the hell I want, when I want. "Come on sweetheart, dinner is served." I giggle lightly as he raises me off the floor like I weigh nothing.

Mr. Friar cleared his throat, "Family and friends I just wanted to say Merry Christmas. I'm very blessed to have a wonderful family and a great son." I squeezed his hand for reassurance. I haven't quite figured out if this was all an act for him or not. Just so he won't get hell from his parents and sisters, which he would. None of them could keep their mouth shut. "There are some people who can't be with their loved ones today." Shit. I instantly let my gaze fall to the ground. "Riley," Wow alright. "You have won me over, and you have won the women in my life over. I know it can never replace the family you've lost but you are welcome here, anytime." Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry! I give a reassuring head nod and refuse to blink, because I'd look like a damn waterfall if I did that.

"Thanks dad." Basically that was Sparky's way of saying let's drop this conversation because my girl is about to burst out into tears at the notion that her family is gone. A few minutes had passed, we had said a prayer to the big guy upstairs, I said my own silent one and now I'm sitting down eating turkey and vegetables. Even though I'm a carb girl, I ventured away from mashed potatoes and bread. Even sweet potatoes which are on my clean plan, but I had some what lost my appetite. "I can't believe my dad did that."

"Yeah me neither. I thought he'd hate me. Is this like a cruel joke, or fake or something?"

Lucas laughed and disagreed. "No, he wasn't lying. I can always tell when he's lying. Not that he does it a whole lot but at the same time he's painfully honest. I mean he speaks his mind, which was a great thing tonight. Hey Riley, would you want to get married and have kids?"

I lazily shrug my shoulders. "I don't know, never say never. I think little Riley's running around would be like a payback for all the hell I've caused." I giggle and set my drink down. "And I'd have to clean up my mouth which would be hard to do."

"So is sobering up, but you are going to do it."

I narrow my eyes as I agree with his statement. "You hinting at something Sparky?"

His hands went up in surrender. "I want to get married and have kids someday."

"Let's hope they have your personality." I playfully wink and lean back in my chair. When I think of having kids, the idea doesn't scare me. It's what can happen after the fact. What if something were to happen to Lucas and I? I'd be leaving them all alone, the chances are slim to none. In fact, I highly doubt it would happen.