A Second Chance at love

Chapter 43: Time is on our side

After several hours of waiting and dealing with more of Mark's obnoxious behavior the whole time and even while we had lunch, we were informed by a sad looking Evelyn that their flight was going to be delayed another couple hours and they were supposed to arrive in Boston around 2am.

We were all feeling the effect of our adrenaline wearing off and Allison and I just kinda groaned at the news.

"If they don't get home tonight, there is no way they will be able to get a flight home till after Christmas" Alma said glumly-"not with all the holiday travelers getting in and out of town in the next 12hours."

I swallowed hard at the thought of having to try to explain to our 2 little girls why daddy wasn't going to be home for Christmas and the thought just made me sad. Brianna was thankfully way too young to understand, but all poor Emma had been talking about for the last few days was "Daddy and Christmas"

"Don't look so sad sweet thing" Mark said as he tried to put his arm around me- "Donnie will be here and you'll be able to show him how much you love him before you know it."

"Fuck you Mark" I spat angrily as I spun around to face him

"you offerin?" he asked quietly "you disgusting little pig!" I said as I slapped him across his pretty boy face. We ended up in a heated argument after I slapped him and I ended up leaving the airport and taking a cab back to Marlene's--not exactly the way I wanted to spend Dec 23rd.

I gave the girl's their baths and put them to bed and had a bath myself before sitting and having some hot cocoa and talking to Marlene.

"I don't know how I am going to explain to Emma if daddy doesn't come home for Christmas." I said sipping from my steaming mug.

"I know my boys" she said "they wouldn't miss Christmas with the family for the world-they'll make it home"

"I hope so" I said "or else Jon's Christmas gift will be a big flop."

Evelyn called to let us know that the guys were set to be on the earliest flight possible the next morning and that she and Allison were on their way back. As I hung up the phone, I heard the padding of little feet behind me.

"Mommy?" a sleepy sad eyed Emma asked "can you take me back to see Santa tomorrow? I forgot to tell him something really special I wanted for Christmas."

"I suppose I can" I told her "but, you need to get back in bed right now like a good girl" I added.

"Ok, night mommy, night grandma" she said as I took her back and put her in bed.

When Evelyn and Allison got back, it was decided that Evelyn and I would take the girls to the mall the next morning and Allison and Sharon would pick up their brothers from the airport.

The next morning I heard Sharon and Allison get up at 6am and get ready to head to the airport, Emma woke up as did Brianna shortly after they left, so, Evie and I got them ready for the day and headed for the mall after breakfast.

We totally lucked out and found a decent parking spot-which had to be a miracle considering it was Christmas Eve day. As soon as we got inside we headed straight for Santa since he was there for just a short limited time that day.

We had a few people in line in front of us which wasn't too bad., When it was Emma's turn she went up and sat on Santa's lap and after he found out she'd been a good girl he asked what toys she wanted for Christmas, and she said so sweetly, "no toys, I just want my daddy home for Christmas"

Let me tell you something, I teared up when she said it, and Santa did too- he just smiled and told her he'd see what he could do. After she got her ornament, she came over to where we were waiting for her and we walked around for a bit, I stopped to tie her shoe when Evie's pager went off so she took the kids over by the pay phone- as I tied my own shoe I heard a voice behind me say, "she really misses D doesn't she?"