Lasting Fate

by Charisse Spiers

  It's really true when you hear a win is a team effort. Also, when you think you've completely lost out on the opportunity to play and you've wanted to since you were old enough to throw a ball, you tend to find a passion you never knew you had, and that in turn makes me play better.

  Kinzleigh's mom was a little upset when we told her we kind of eloped after our return, but her faith in me was restored once Kinzleigh told her that we were still having a wedding and asked her to help plan it. Kinzleigh explained that with all we have been through it was something we needed to do alone. The big shot attorney actually cried and hugged us both.

  Her mom is really nice, but from what Kinzleigh has told me she is brutal in court. I think she's even been helping Mom with the whole accidental overdose situation at the hospital. Mom’s been seeing someone, but has not been cleared by the hospital to practice until she finishes the program that they required of her with a licensed hospital psychiatrist. Once she goes back to the clinic there will be a period in which her plan of care will have to be evaluated on every patient to ensure her mental state is well enough to care for a patient. It has something to do with malpractice prevention.

  Kinzleigh and her mom have been going crazy with wedding details since we got back from our little weekend wedding getaway. Apparently in a girls world four months to plan a wedding is like a week in real time. They are in full panic mode. I don't even step foot in the spare bedroom, especially after Kinzleigh had to devote some time to us getting moved in here.

  The plan is to get married the first weekend in March. It will be at the barn like Kinzleigh wanted, but they are building a large gazebo on a section of wooded land between the barn and our house for the reception, and then after it can be used for whatever else. It's actually really nice. The wedding preparations are another reason it's been hard to keep Kinzleigh out of the barn, so I had to let her mom in on the surprise to help me out.

  I stand upright and reach for a pair of sweatpants. Kinzleigh jumps up from the bed and takes off for the hallway. I walk into Bryce's room at the same time Kinzleigh's footsteps are trampling against the hardwood floor. Bryce is so mad his face is turning red as he cries. I reach into his crib and pick him up underneath his arms, raising him slightly above my head. "Good morning, little buddy. Are you ready to see what Santa brought you? You have no idea what Daddy is even talking about do you," I ask in a baby voice as I lay him on the changing table to change his diaper.

  It only takes me a few seconds to change him. I’ve got diaper changing down to an art. I pick him up and place him beside my ribs on my arm like a football. It's the kid's favorite spot. Don't ask me why, because it looks really uncomfortable, but every time I put him there he chills out as if he's lounging and content. It doesn’t matter whether he’s hungry, wet, or just moody.

  I walk to his closet and reach under the stack of neatly folded blankets for one of Kinzleigh's presents. It's small, so I didn't want to put it under the tree making it obvious. I hid it here, because she put all of his blankets on the top shelf until it was cold enough for the extra ones. She hasn't touched them since they were put up there, because she has to get a chair or have me reach up to get whatever she needs. Short people and high things don't mix well, but it's good for me. They make great hiding places.

  Grabbing the small box I hear her voice. "Breyson! You're slower than Christmas. Would you come on already?"

  "Someone's impatient." I look down at Bryce and smile as I mumble the sentence. He just stares at me, returning his toothless baby smile. I love this kid. He's the greatest thing ever. You really couldn't ask for a better baby. He only cries when he needs something, and generally if you pick him up and talk to him he will calm down for a little while until you get it. He has the most easy going temperament.

  Placing the small box in my pocket I walk through the hallway and into the large, open living room. The ceilings are high, so Kinzleigh got the twelve-foot tree she had to have. That bad boy was a bitch to put together, but it definitely makes for a better Christmas. I guess for something that only rolls around once a year you might as well go big.

  I look in the direction of the tree and my eyes widen as they stop on Kinzleigh. Fucking Hell, she is hot. I adjust my semi hard-on trying to keep it from getting any harder. "Where was that outfit last night?"

  She is standing in the corner of the room by the fireplace, positioned in front of the tree with her hands pressed together, and rubbing them against each other. She is wearing a hot pink Santa hat trimmed in white and decorated with small rhinestones over her long, curly hair. The only form of clothing she is wearing is what looks like a velvet bra in the same pink shade and a short, velvet, hot pink skirt also lined in white fur along the bottom hem, exactly like the hat. All three pieces of material are covered in some kind of rhinestones, giving off a reflective light.

  You can tell her training is paying off by the light sculpting of abs in the beginning stages down her stomach. Her face is bare of makeup except for the hot pink lipstick on her lips. My eyes burn into her as they trace down the seam of her body, memorizing every inch of the way she looks in this very moment. This is the best damn Christmas I've ever had.

  I can't help but smile when I get to the white furry slippers on her tiny feet. She goes for Santa's sexy mistress until you get to her feet where she mixes it up with Legally Blonde's version of comfort. That's my baby, my wife, and the girl that undeniably stole my heart. Even dressing down she is completely prissy. God, I love her.

  She smiles at me, most likely because I'm standing in the middle of the room staring. Every day with her gets better than the day before. I'm not exaggerating. It really does.

  "It was a surprise. I'm Santa’s helper. Sit in the present opening chair. I want to watch you open yours and Bryce's gifts. I even invested in us a video camera since this is our first big event as a family," she says, pointing to the video camera mounted on a tripod behind the couch. She has it angled at the chair she has beside the tree. When did she set all this up? I haven't been gone that long.

  "Damn woman. How am I supposed to concentrate with you wearing that? Are you trying to drive me insane? You better watch your backside when you bend over to pick up the presents. I will not be held accountable for my actions."

  She puts her hands on her hips and sticks her leg out to the side, tapping her fuzzy slipper covered foot against the floor. I have to bite my tongue to keep from making a dirty comment. That sexy woman is going to be the death of me.

  She points at the baby swing she has sitting in the middle of the floor facing the tree. She has been putting it there a lot since we put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving. Bryce likes to stare at the twinkling colored lights. "Baby. Swing. I'm going to get our hot chocolate I made from Grams' famous mix while you so kindly build a fire. It's snowing on Christmas! We have to have a fire. They just go together. How on earth we got lucky with snow and on Christmas Day, I have no idea, but I'm taking full advantage. I'll turn down the heat so it doesn't get too hot, and I'll bring back a bottle so he can eat while you open your presents. Until then his pacifier is in the swing."

  She says nothing more and walks into the kitchen, swaying as she passes causing me to grunt a little. I feel like a deer in rut needing to mark her. I watch her ass all the way into the kitchen where she disappears out of sight. There is no adjusting myself now. I have a fully erect cock to deal with and a fully awake infant, leaving no way to properly make it go away until it gives up from not getting any. It won't be anytime soon either with her wearing that.

  "You're putting that back on when innocent eyes are not present and entering into dreamland," I shout loud enough for her to hear me.

  "As long as it ends up back on the floor," she yells in return. Damn, she was made for me. It doesn’t matter how crazy of a scheme I could come up with. She would do it. I don’t think she has ever denied me anything.

  I look down at Bryce not making a peep, but now that we're quiet I can hear his b
reathing. "Little man, you heard the boss. You have to get in your swing. I know you like your spot, but Daddy is not making Mommy mad. I'll have to pay for it later and that’s not happening. One day you’ll understand. Us men have to look out for each other."

  I move my feet from the spot I'm standing in and walk to his swing, lay him inside, and fasten the straps. I turn it on, letting it begin the rocking process. Christmas music starts playing through the built in speakers. It sounds like the Chipmunks to be exact, making me laugh. Again…only Kinzleigh.

  "I'll be right back, buddy." He’s already staring at the lights on the tree in a peaceful contentment. I walk across the room to the front door and step outside onto the front porch. The wind blowing across my bare chest causes chill bumps to form. "Shit, it's cold."

  All of the greenish brown grass is covered in a thin layer of white. We rarely get snow here and for it to actually stick is even more rare. I guess the anchorman actually got it right this year. I've heard that it's supposed to snow and didn't so many times I don't even listen to it anymore.

  I was going to ride them to the barn on the four-wheeler later, but I'm not getting Bryce out in this. I'll have to start my truck in a little while to let it warm up.

  When we built the house we went ahead and put a large building in the back for my four-wheeler and man things. Kinzleigh got free reign on the house. All I wanted was a man cave for my stuff and a place to store things I accumulate over the years. I don't imagine a west coast girl going for deer heads hanging on the wall of the living room, so I made it easy for both of us. Man cave. Problem solved. The pool goes in the ground this spring. There was no point in doing it in the winter.

  I look out in front of me at the view. I can't believe we were blessed with so much at such a young age. Thank God for hard working parents with values. Had Pops not taught me the importance of saving and investing money at a time I didn't need it for myself and Dad's work ethic that we needed to learn responsibility, I wouldn't be here.

  Kinzleigh and I would have probably ended up as drop outs, working dead end jobs, and barely making ends meet in some run down house or economy priced apartment, but instead we are blessed to have come from such good families. It's a luxury. Not all people get this kind of ending. The things that were instilled in me I want to pass on to my kids.

  I cross my arms over my chest from the chill in the air. Even with it being cold all I can do is stand here and relax. It's kind of nice to have a break from school and football. I've been going nonstop since I showed back up from Spain.

  Things are finally on my side. I am married to the girl of my dreams, we have a beautiful son, we live in a nice house, and I have one semester of college under my belt, not to mention getting to play football when I thought my chances passed me by. My life is pretty fucking great.

  The door opens and I turn around. Kinzleigh is standing behind the door with her head peeking out. "Are you okay? You've been out here for a while and it's freezing."

  "Yeah, sorry baby. I was just enjoying the view." I’m consumed with a rush of emotions from my previous thoughts. "I love you, Kinzleigh. I know our life hasn't been perfect, but it's getting pretty damn close. I'm really glad you married me."

  "I love you too, baby. Should I be worried?"

  "Not at all. I just needed to say it. I was feeling sentimental I guess."

  "Okay. We better get started. We have a lot of stops today. Your parents’ house at lunch and mine at dinner. Then, I was thinking we could come back here for Christmas movies in front of the Christmas tree, and maybe even a little sexy time in front of the fire. What do you think?"

  She flashes a cheesy grin at me. I laugh and walk to the woodpile sitting on the drying rack by the door, grabbing an arm full of logs. "Sounds like an amazing Christmas night. You know I'm always down for sexy time with you, no matter where it is."

  I get to the door and she opens it letting me pass. It's time to build my woman a fire. I'm always striving to make her happy, because in return it makes me happy.

  After a few attempts, the fire is finally breathing in the fireplace, steadily building into a large flame. I stand, waiting for my next set of instructions from the hot as hell naughty elf by the tree. "What next?"

  Bryce is laying in his swing with a bottle propped on a cushion to hold it up. "Your chair and hot chocolate are waiting."

  I sit in the chair as instructed and watch as Kinzleigh bends over, now shuffling through the never-ending presents packed beneath the tree. I have no idea why we have so many presents. I don't need anything and Bryce isn't old enough to enjoy presents. I grab my mug of hot chocolate and tilt my head, trying to see underneath her skirt. She starts to stand upright and I notice a black thong. Things are getting a tad bit difficult.

  "Here it is," she says. The box she holds up is wrapped in black wrapping paper. It isn't big, but she looks like she is about to burst to give it to me so it makes me more excited to open it.

  She holds out her hand with the present lying in her palm. "I know you said you didn't want to go overboard on presents between the two of us this year because you wanted to save it for our honeymoon, but there was something I wanted to do for you. It wasn't really something to wrap, so I had an idea to give you something to open."

  She takes a deep breath as if she's nervous. "It's something you wanted, but I've watched you put it off over and over again because there is always this or that. You've given me so much that I wanted to give something back to you, something that is only yours. Here, just open it. I'm rambling."

  I take the box and pat my thigh. "Will you sit with me while I open it?"

  She walks closer and sits on my leg, wrapping her arm around my neck. I slide my fingers underneath the fold and tear the paper until the box is all that's left. I pull off the lid and inside sits two silver keys on a Browning keychain. I didn't even know she knew what the Browning logo was. "What does it open?"

  She has a sly grin on her face. She stands and grabs two jackets off the couch that I didn't notice before, handing one to me. "Put this on."

  I pull the hoodie over my head and watch as she puts on her puffy, white jacket, zipping it all the way up the front. "Hold onto that key. I'll be right back."

  She disappears in the direction of the laundry room and comes back with Bryce's stroller and a pair of his pants. "Will you pick him up?"

  I stand from the chair and walk to his swing, turning it off. I do as she asks, pulling the empty bottle from his mouth and moving the cushion to get him out. Holding him to my chest she slides his pants over his bare legs and his onesie-covered bottom. It's long sleeved already, but she wraps a blanket over him in my arms. "Lay him in the stroller if you don't mind while I get his pacifier."

  I pat his back until he burps and lay him down flat in the stroller. She sticks his pacifier in his mouth and pulls a hat on his head to rest on top of his ears, then lays an additional blanket over his front. "Okay, we're ready. Come on. Your boots are by the back door. You can just put those on."

  Without another word she takes off in that direction, never looking behind her to see if I'm following. I have to sprint to catch up to her. I discovered the first week I met her that she is fast for such a short person when she wants to be, and that is still seen to be true. The door is cracked from where she recently went out. I step in my boots and pull them on in a hurry before running after her.

  "Kinzleigh, wait up. What's the rush?"

  "You want your Christmas present, don't you?"

  "You are my Christmas present..."

  "No need for the romantic banter. You're already getting laid tonight.”

  "I wasn't trying to get laid. Hey, why are we going to the shed? Nothing is in there except the four-wheeler."

  She stops abruptly at the entrance and I almost run into her. "Or is it? Pick a door and then you'll see which lock in turn will fit the key."

  She pushes open the door to the main part of the shed. There are only two doors inside. One is
a small tool room with a workspace and the other is upstairs to what at some point will be my man cave. "So this is a scavenger hunt of sorts?"

  "Something like that." She slaps me on the butt. "Now go."

  I walk inside and take in my surroundings, but nothing looks different. I walk towards the steep set of stairs to the upper floor. It's not finished yet, so I don't see how anything could be in there, but it’s the bigger of the two spaces. They haven't even finished the floor yet.

  Regardless of what I think I climb the steps with the keys in my hand. When I reach the top I slide the key inside and turn it. It unlocks. I open the door and let it swing open, now in complete shock as I see what is laid out before me. "Merry Christmas, baby. You deserve it."

  I turn around and she's standing behind me holding Bryce to her chest. I grab her face in my hands and slam my lips against hers so hard that I wouldn't be surprised if I left a bruise. "Baby, what the fuck? When did you do this? You shouldn't have. It's too much."

  "Breyson, I love you, but shut up. You are the most giving person I know and you never expect anything in return. I did this just as much for me as for you. Your reaction made it totally worth it. For once relax and be on the receiving end."

  "I love you, woman. You are the most amazing person I know. Just wait until later."

  "I'll be counting on it."

  I turn and step inside the door. I cannot believe she finished my room. Holy shit. It's so much fucking better than I envisioned it.

  The floor is wood, but it's gray stained two by twelve plywood boards giving it a rustic edge. The sheetrock has been painted khaki and immediately on my right side, the wall next to the door, is a rack for pool sticks. In front of it stands a pool table with black felt. On my left, opposite of the way the door swings is a short countertop holding a microwave and sink; beside it is a refrigerator in black. I walk further inside and against the back wall to my right is a black, leather sofa that sits directly across from a built in entertainment center holding what has to be a seventy inch television, a game system, and a speaker system.