Twas The Knight Before Christmas (Something Great #3.5)

by M. Clarke

  Max gingerly, without making it obvious, traced his finger down my bare back as we continued to sway to the music. “It’s not my party. It’s not for me. It’s for everyone else. They’re having fun. They don’t care if their boss is around. In fact, they might even enjoy themselves more if I wasn’t around.”

  What Max had said made sense. “What about Becky and Matthew? We came with them.”

  “Babe.” Max lifted my chin with his finger to meet my eyes. “If you really want to stay longer, we can. I’d just rather spend this time with you. It’s been crazy at work and home with the kids. We have the limo all night and we live thirty minutes from here. The limo can take us home and come back for Becky and Matthew.”

  “Okay,” I said. “Let’s go home.”

  Max rewarded me with that sexy grin I loved so much. His eyes glistened with happiness. He was right. It had been a struggle to have some alone time. We might as well take advantage of the opportunity at hand. After we said our goodbyes, Max and I headed home.

  When we got inside the limo, Max told the driver not to disturb us unless it was an emergency.

  “What are you doing, Max?” I asked, taking in his soft kisses on my lips.

  Max wrapped his left arm around the back of my neck for support and the other hand was fishing for something by my ankle…until he found an opening. Under the dress, he traveled up my leg until he reached the upper part of my thigh. At the same time, his lips moved lower…down my neck, my shoulder, and down to the swell of my breast.

  “Max,” I moaned, feeling tingles everywhere.

  “Jenna, I want to fuck you here in the limo. We’ve never done this before.”

  “What?” I think that’s what I said. The intense pleasure he was giving me was already taking me over the edge. He could take me anywhere, I didn’t care. I wanted him now. But how were we going to do anything with all the fabric between us? My dress would make it impossible, but then I understood what Max meant by fucking in the limo.

  Max’s tongue pushed down the fabric and found my nipple as his finger swirled under my panties and found the entrance. I was so wet that his finger slid right in.

  “Oh, Max.” Sounds of my pleasure escaped my mouth. I threw my head back and shifted my body to give Max easier access to wherever he wanted to touch me. When he reached deeper and faster, I could feel my climax nearing. My hand gripped his arm and then found the bulge of his hardness.

  I wanted more of Max, but couldn’t. I wanted to scream harder, but I couldn’t. Max was driving me crazy, and he made me insane when he released me. Out of breath, I looked at him.

  “Sorry, babe. The phone wouldn’t stop vibrating. It must be an emergency.”

  “It’s okay. See who it is,” I said, still panting and hoping it wasn’t bad news. It always made me nervous when we were away from the kids.

  Max answered, “Dad? What’s going on?”

  Pause. Max’s frown indicated it wasn’t good news, but I was hoping I was wrong.

  “Okay. I’ll get in touch with Matt. We’ll be right there.” After Max hung up, he looked at me. “It’s Mom. She’s in the hospital. When we get home, I’ll send the limo for Becky and I’ll drive Matt to the hospital with me.”

  “What happened?” I started to panic, feeling my pulse start to race. If I felt like this, Max was a hundred times worse than me.

  “I don’t have the full details. I’ll call you as soon as I know.”

  Max held me in his arms all the way home as we stared out the window.

  Chapter 10

  Matthew

  Becky and I hadn’t had this much fun in a long while. Dancing next to Rachel and Jax, we laughed and sang along with the familiar music. When sweat dampened my forehead, it was time for a break. Becca and I sat at our table, drinking water to cool off.

  “My brother is getting old,” I said to Becca, placing my arm around her shoulders.

  “Maybe, but you’ve got the moves. You’re so sexy when you shake your ass,” Becca said with a naughty smile.

  “Careful, my firecracker. I just might find a quiet place to take you.”

  Becca curled her lips while her eyes danced. “Why don’t you take me home and see what I’ve got for you?”

  My eyes grew wider. “Is it a toy for me?”

  Becca bit her bottom lip and nodded. Holy Fuck! That expression alone told me I was going to like whatever it was.

  “Let me show you a snip of it.” Becca reached into her purse, pulled out our phones, and frowned. I had placed my phone inside her purse for safekeeping.

  “What is it, babe?” I asked. “Everything okay?”

  Becca’s expression suddenly turned serious. “Your father has been trying to call you. You’ve got so many missed calls from him.” She handed my phone to me.

  I scrolled through my messages. “Looks like I got a text from Max. Mom is at the hospital. He said to meet him out front. The limo will take you home, Becca, and I’ll go to the hospital with Max.” My heart stopped for a second, and I reread Max’s text to make sure I was reading it correctly.

  “Text him back, Matt,” Becca said.

  I’ll be waiting, I replied to his text. Knowing Max was on his way and he couldn’t text me the details, I told myself that everything was fine. When I couldn’t take it anymore, I tried calling my father, but he didn’t pick up. Heart attack, stroke, cancer—all possibilities ran through my mind. Becca and I said our goodbyes to Rachel and Jax and to some of our friends on our way out, and then waited outside. Shortly after, the limo and Max drove up. After Becca left in the limo, I got in Max’s car.

  “What happened?” I asked, closing the passenger door.

  Max glanced at me, released a soft sigh, and sped down the street. “Mom has acute respiratory arrest.”

  “What?” My voice came out louder than I had wanted. “What the hell is that?”

  “Apparently, she had difficulty breathing because of bilateral lobe pneumonia. That’s what Dad said. She started out with a fever and then coughing increased. When she had shortness of breath, Dad decided to take her to the hospital. She was admitted right away. She’s in ICU.”

  “Why didn’t they call us?” I rolled my eyes at my stupidity. Dad had tried to reach me, but only when Mom was admitted. I knew they hadn’t wanted to trouble us. Knight Fashion was my parents’ baby. They knew how busy we would be, especially at the end of the year. I wondered if Dad knew about Victor suing us. Though he had said he wouldn’t interfere, I knew he’d called a few employees he’d hired at the managerial level to see how things were going. It wasn’t because he didn’t trust us. I knew a part of him missed the action.

  Max signaled right and hopped onto the freeway. “I feel guilty. Mom and I played phone tag, but I should have been persistent. Maybe I could have done something about it, like telling her to go see a doctor.”

  I looked out the window, thankful that there was no traffic. “I feel guilty too. You can’t blame this on yourself, Max. You know how Mom can be. She wouldn’t have gone. And how would you have diagnosed her condition over the phone? She’s fine and that’s all that matters.” I paused. “She’s fine, right?”

  “As long as it doesn’t get worse. I’m just thankful it wasn’t a stroke, heart attack, or cancer,” Max said wearily.

  I ran my hand down my face. “Yeah, I know what you mean.”

  “We need to take care of ourselves too,” Max added and then changed the subject, “I can’t wait till Christmas. Three days. I’m counting down to our vacation.”

  I crossed my legs and rested my head on the headrest. “Me too. I feel like I’ve been running in circles and can’t stop.”

  Max looked over his shoulder and changed lanes. “Yeah, me too. I’m excited about the couple of new employees we hired to take some of the load off our shoulders.”

  “Same here,” I agreed. Then I changed the subject, “So, just because I know our wives will talk, what did you get Jenna for Christmas?”

  �
��It’s a surprise.” Max chuckled, teasing me. “It took me a while to decide. What do you get a wife that has everything? I’ll show it to you later. I took a picture of it. I just need time to get her out of the house so I can do my thing.”

  I tapped Max on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, big bro, I’m good at being sneaky. I’ll get her out of the house for you. Just let me know when.”

  After about a ten-minute drive, we got off the freeway and into the parking lot. After Max parked the car, we entered through the automatic double glass doors.

  “Hello. May I help you?” the night receptionist said, her eyes scanning us from head to toe.

  I looked at myself to see why she was securitizing our attire. She must be wondering why we were dressed so formally. Also, since women looked at my brother and I all the time as if they wanted to take us to bed, I didn’t really think twice about it. I knew Max was feeling it too when he spoke.

  “We were at a Christmas work party when we got a phone call that our mother was in the hospital. Ellen Knight,” Max explained.

  The receptionist gazed at the computer screen. “Oh, Mrs. Knight. She’s in ICU. Take the elevator to the fourth floor. Turn right when you get out, but visiting hours are over.”

  “Thank you. I know. We’re just here to make sure our father is fine and to speak to the nurse,” Max said with a smile and proceeded toward the elevator. He turned to me and whispered, “Visiting hours are not over.”

  I had no idea what he had planned, but knowing my brother, he had something up his sleeve. The only thing I could think of was that my parents had donated lots of money to the hospital and I bet Max planned to use that connection.

  “What are you going to do, sweet talk your way in?” I asked, pushing the elevator button. The door opened and we entered.

  “You know me so well, little brother,” Max quipped, pushing the button for the fourth floor.

  I chuckled lightly. “I can’t wait to see this.”

  When we exited the elevator, we turned right as instructed. Dad was waiting for us by the nurses’ station. I had texted him when we were in the car that we were on our way. He looked so tired and worn.

  “Max, Matthew.” Dad greeted us with a hug.

  “How’s Mom?” I asked.

  “Any changes?” Max asked.

  Dad took us to Mom’s room, but we couldn’t go in so we stared through the window. Mom was hooked up to monitors. She looked so weak and fragile. It broke my heart to see her this way. Looking at Max with his tense shoulders, I knew how he was feeling—guilty for not calling and visiting more often and taking our parents for granted.

  “She’ll be fine,” Dad assured us. “The doctor said she seems better than this morning.”

  “This morning?” Max and I questioned a bit louder than intended, staring at our dad.

  “I thought she was admitted an hour ago,” I said, feeling confused.

  Dad sighed. “I knew you were going to the party. I didn’t want to bother you, but I knew if I didn’t let you know, I wouldn’t hear the end of it.”

  Max released a puff of air and wrung his hair with his fist in frustration. “Dad, Mom is more important than a stupid party we throw every year. Next time please let us know what’s going on right away. We appreciate that you put our needs first, but we want to be there, okay?”

  Dad nodded, shifting his attention to Mom. “Okay.”

  “Why are you out here?” Max asked. “I know visiting hours are over, but who cares? It’s not like you’re going to make her sick even more. It’s not too late in the evening. I’m going to make some phone calls.”

  When Max walked away to make the call, Dad and I continued to gaze through the window at Mom. We stood side by side.

  “You called us because you thought she was getting worse, didn’t you?” I asked wearily.

  Dad covered his face with his hand for a second, and then placed it inside his jacket pocket. “Yeah,” he said, without making eye contact. He sounded so calm, but I knew he hadn’t been when he tried to call us. “Time is so precious, and yet we sometimes we take it for granted,” he continued. “Don’t miss out on the things I missed out on when you were growing up. I missed your kindergarten performances. It’s one of the things I wish I could redo. Your mom and I were hoping to see Addy and Connor’s performance, but then your mom got sick. You just never know.” Dad turned to me. “Matt, you can’t ever get those special times with your children back. You’ve got one shot at each stage in their lives. Make the most of it. Money is great to have, but it isn’t everything. You can’t buy those special moments with your family. That is the biggest regret Mom and I have. Don’t make it yours. We weren’t there for you and Max. Yes, we were starting a new business, but if I think back on those days, I could have done something about it.”

  “Dad…you don’t know that. Max and I understand.” I tried to ease his guilt, but I knew it wasn’t working. And at that moment, what Dad was saying wasn’t just pertaining to the children. We needed to be there for our parents too. He was right. We just never knew when our time to leave the world would come, and we couldn’t ever get those special times with our parents back.

  “I know.” Dad patted my back. “Your mom and I are lucky that we raised two amazing men without doing much.”

  “Well…I don’t know about Max,” I joked, causing Dad to smile. “But don’t worry. Max and I have hired more help.” I would never tell Dad that we had learned from his mistakes, but it was true. His regret was our lesson not to make the same mistakes.

  Dad patted my back again. “Good. I’m glad to hear that. We’d like to spend more time with the grandchildren if that’s possible.”

  “Of course,” I said. Just when I wondered how long that phone conversation was going to take, Max showed up with a nurse.

  “Matt, Dad, this is Nurse Abby,” Max introduced her with a smug grin and an “I told you so” expression directed to me. “She’s going to let us in.”

  Well, I’ll be damned. My brother knew how to work his connections.

  Chapter 11

  Max

  The next day, Jenna, Becky, Matt, and I visited Mom at the hospital. Thankfully, she had been moved out of the ICU and would be home just in time for Christmas Eve. We wanted to bring our children to see her, but she had asked us not to. She didn’t want her grandchildren to see her in that condition in the hospital. Mom was so upset about missing their Christmas play that the only request she had was to see the video of Addy and Connor performing. Knowing my mom, she was going to make it up to them by spoiling them during Christmas, as if they weren’t already.

  Matt and I had trained the new managers enough to get them started. It was going to take time for them to get adjusted and learn about our company, but in the meantime, it was going to take some of the load off our plates. It had been a difficult decision to make, especially when we had to entrust the new managers with our plans for the upcoming year for both the magazine and the clothing line. We had them sign confidentiality contracts stating they wouldn’t share what they learned about our company. Regardless, Matt and I knew we’d done the right thing. And having that scare with Mom was a reminder of what was most important.

  It was Christmas Eve. Everyone would be over close to dinnertime. The food was catered, the house looked clean, and Christmas music filled our home. All the presents were under the tree except for Jenna’s. Sitting on the floor with my children, we were building a Star Wars battlefront with Legos.

  Jenna walked into the family room from the kitchen, looking a bit flustered. She was wearing comfortable sweats, but her hair and makeup were done. She wanted to look nice for Christmas dinner, since afterwards we were going to take family pictures.

  “Hun, Matt asked me to sign some documents. He wants me to go over, now.”

  I peered up and tilted my head sideways. I had to play along. Matt had promised me he’d get Jenna out of the house so I could get her Christmas present ready. “Why can’t he bring th
e papers here?”

  Jenna threw up her hands. “That’s what I said. But he said I had to do it now.”

  “Fine, but tell him to get his ass over here. Why is he bothering my wife?” I sounded slightly annoyed, trying to put on a good act. It was what I would have said anyway.

  “Well, it’s fine. It’s only a ten-minute drive. I’ll be right back.”

  “Mommy, look what we’re building,” Connor said, looking proud.

  “Wow.” Jenna placed her fists on her hips. “I bet I know what you’re building. It’s the rebel headquarters, isn’t it?”

  Christopher held up a few of the Star Wars figures. “Yes, it is,” he said happily. “It’s going to be huge.” He stretched his arms sideways.

  Connor broke in, “We’re building it so we can play with Addy and Mason.”

  “It will be fun.” Jenna bent down to kiss the boys on their heads. “Should I take Cassie with me?”

  I gazed at Cassie, holding a Lego piece in each hand, banging them together and smiling.

  I smiled. “No. She’ll be fine.”

  “I’ll be back. Don’t miss me too much.” Giving me a kiss on my lips, she left.

  When the front door closed, I got up. “Okay, boys and Cassie, time to help Daddy get Mommy’s present ready. Are you ready?” I cheered loudly.

  “Yeah!” they squealed excitedly.

  Jenna

  I couldn’t understand what was so urgent. It was Christmas Eve for goodness sake. Did people work on Christmas Eve day? And I answered my own question: of course they did.

  When I got to Becky’s place, it was just Matt and Mason. Becky had taken Addy out to do some last minute shopping. Becky was crazy. I wouldn’t dare step out of the house unless I had to. Not only was every shop crowded, but so were the gas stations, the local drugstores—every way I turned, people were everywhere.

  By the time I arrived back home, an hour had passed. I still couldn’t understand the urgency of having my signature on the documents, but I had gone along with it anyway with a smile. Matt was not only my brother-in-law but my boss, so I had to be on my best behavior all the time.