by Xavier Neal
Disgusted I gag, “Please don't make me vomit before my body decides it's time.”
“Yeah, how have I missed that every morning?”
“It's not first thing in the morning. Besides these last couple of mornings when it's gotten really bad, you've been helping Destin move his stuff into his new apartment, so you haven't exactly been here when I woke up.”
With the holidays here, we've taken on fewer clients for big projects until the New Year. It's also allowed each of the McCoy brother's a little room to breathe and actually pick up the pieces of what's left of their lives. Without having to worry about The Devil around every corner you'd be surprised just how much easier that is for everyone, Madden included.
“Still can't believe he's moving out,” he mumbles.
“Did you think they'd all live here forever?”
Madden bobs his head around. “Part of me did.”
Seeing sadness return I take his hand and place it on my stomach. “Well, now those empty rooms won't be empty for too long....”
Thrill jumps back into his eyes as he tosses the box of cars onto the night stand. “How about we go one more round just to make sure you're pregnant?”
I giggle at the same time he throws the underwear box across the room. “That's not how science works.”
His response is lost in my neck that he's buried himself in.
Maybe the memories of Christmases gone will be haunting us a bit today, but the possibilities of the Christmases of the future will be what keeps the extra jolly in our stocking if you know what I mean.
Madden
“What do you mean it's going to be a girl?” I argue as we pull into The Commissioner's neighborhood.
“What else could I possibly mean?” Knoxie flips the mirror back up. “I'm not having a boy. The world cannot possibly handle any more McCoy boys.”
“That's exactly what the world needs.”
“No. It doesn't.”
Chuckling, I turn the corner for his house, spotting both of my brother's vehicles already there as well as an unexpected one. Confused I motion my head towards the Audi sports car. “Isn't that the car Merrick won at one of the races?”
“Yep,” Knoxie sighs before she shakes her head. “God, Jovi was so mean to that thing. Girl couldn't handle a stick if she were in caveman times.”
I laugh again putting it in park, the only available space across the street from his home. “Strong words from a woman who treats her own vehicle like it's completely made of rubber.”
“It's a jeep! It's supposed to bounce!”
“Not off a tree!”
“Shut up,” she growls. “Anyway, Vinnie promised Merrick if anything ever happened to him that he had to give that poor defenseless little girl to Jovi.”
“How do you know that?”
“Ran into him a little after she left for school when I was picking us up some burgers.” Grabbing her purse she adds, “It looks like it's in one piece with minimal damage, so who knows. Maybe the car God's blessed her with improved driving skills.”
“Well if they can let you carry my junior, I don't see why they couldn't give her that,” I comment on my way out of the car.
Oh that high pitched sound? Her shrieking. Don't worry. She'll repeat herself. Gladly.
When I open Knox's door I'm hit with a wave of squeaks, “-in hell would I ever name my son, Madden Junior!”
“Why not?”
“Because it's not a game!”
Don't laugh.
“You do realize you're going to have to learn to scream less.” I wrap an arm around her lower waist. “Stress isn't good for you while you're pregnant.”
“How on earth would you know anything about pregnancies that you didn't learn from a chick flick?”
“Apparently you have forgotten I am the oldest of five. I remember Mom pregnant with the triplets. More important, I was active when she was pregnant with Merrick. Which brings me to my next point. Your time at the shop-”
“Oh, we are not having that conversation until it is confirmed I am in deed 100 percent carrying your mini.” Hearing her say it makes me smile again. “Will you stop making your face do that? People are going to get suspicious.”
I shrug. “Let them.”
“God it's like you don't know what inconspicuous means.”
“Don't know or don't care?”
“Ugh,” Knox grunts and bangs on the front door.
Almost instantly it opens. On the other side is The Commissioner with his hand gripping a glass of a dark liquor.
Most likely a whiskey man. Another thing I respect about him. Lying to him wasn't something I exactly enjoyed, but my family comes before anything else. Never forget that.
“McCoys,” the greeting is warm as is the smile plastered on his face.
And they say I'm terrifying when I smile.
“Come in! Come in!” He ushers. “Everyone else is in the living room.”
I follow Knox in. Once he's closed the door, I help her out of the leather jacket she's hiding her low cut sweater dress in.
That's gotta change if she really is pregnant. Her tits are already fantastic. I don't need them drawing even more attention because she refuses to wear things in which they don't pour out of it because she likes the wrinkles on my fucking forehead.
“Thanks for having us,” Knoxie politely says to him, pulling all her hair to the side of her face. “You have no idea how much Mel and I appreciate not having to cook two meals today.”
He chortles. “Glad you accepted my invitation. We've got a minor announcement to make before dinner. If you'll just head straight down that hall, you'll see where everyone is waiting.” The two of us move when he speaks up again. “Madden, do you mind if I have a word with you in private first?”
Knox flashes me a look of disapproval.
Sensing her obvious apprehension he assures, “No need for concern, Knoxie. I'm not on duty. It's one of the only Christmases I'm not working. I plan to enjoy it.”
She nods, obviously still skeptical, but turns to head the direction of the instructions.
As soon as she's out of ear shot, he tilts his head. “Let's walk a little this way, shall we?”
We're not about to have a Godfather moment, but thank you for reminding me of Ben's favorite movie. Got him the collection for Christmas one year and I have to say it was the most violent Christmas to date. Between the movie, the play fights, and the way he pissed Knox off by breaking her favorite dishes, it was definitely one I don't think any of us ever wanted to relive.
My arms fold across my chest when we stop on the opposite side of the stairs from where we were.
“I wanna start by saying that dragging you in wasn't something I enjoyed doing,” he begins after having a sip. “But I had a job to do. I did it. And on the record your name is clear. Whether you actually had anything to do with the death of that man or not, in the eyes of the law that has already been declared. Off the record, I cannot possibly express the gratitude that comes with knowing he's dead.”
Slightly surprised.
I nod. “I understand the feeling.”
“Prison would've been paradise for him. It would've given him the opportunity to rebuild his empire from a safe place. Criminal networks don't always stop just because you remove them from the streets and his needed to stop. I'm not an idiot. I know this city isn't perfect or even done being cleaned, but with him out of the picture it is without a doubt a helluva lot safer. My family is a helluva lot safer. I may be a man of the law, but I know the law isn't infallible. I also know that it aims to be on the side of justice yet doesn't have rules that compensate for those who don't deserve that mercy. I'm thankful to the man who took it upon himself to correct the mistake the judicial system never would've been able to. I am...simply expressing from one citizen of this city to another, how much I appreciate the fact a threat that size has been neutralized.”
Huh. The Commissioner just thanked me for committing murder. Never thoug
ht this would ever happen. Wasn't sure I'd ever be a father either. Guess the day is full of surprises.
He has another sip. “On another note, as far as the issue of Tyler Meyer and whoever beat him within an inch of his life...”
Even less than that.
“Off the record-”
“Of course.”
“Well, they deserve a medal for that.”
A medal for ass beatings. I would accept.
“The damage he has done to his father's reputation, to his own, to the city’s is inconceivable. The tax dollars wasted. But ya know....it wasn't all his fault. It's a father’s responsibility to guide and protect his children, not just swoop in and sweep that shit under the rug. When no lessons can be learned, even more damage typically gets done.”
Don't you dare mention my father.
“Regardless, it seems like whoever gave him a glimpse into what happens when you choose to associate yourself in the way of life he had taken on with no safety net, did a great thing for Tyler. By not killing him the person bestowed upon him the memory of what can actually happen if he doesn't change his ways. It was better than death for him. A second chance to really open his eyes and get his shit together. World needs second chances. He also plans to take his second chance out of my city. So to the individual who literally knocked some sense into him, Merry Christmas.”
The corner of my lip tugs upward. “To whoever he is, I agree. Merry Christmas.”
Our moment is short lived by the sight of Jovi coming down the stairs. “Merry Christmas, Madden!”
Hearing my dead brother's girlfriend so full of life tugs at my heart harder than I thought it would. “Merry Christmas, Jo.”
Her smile doesn't fade as she looks at her father. “Can I show them the surprise now?”
“Yeah! Go get it,” he replies. “I'll lead Madden to others.”
On the way, I comment, “She seems...like she's doing well.”
“Being out of this city has helped,” the Commissioner agrees. “You'd be surprised what a little bit of space can do for a person.”
Wouldn't be surprised at all.
Arriving in the crowded living room, I move so I'm standing behind the couch where Knox is sitting beside Melody. She tilts her head up for a kiss. Pleased with the greeting I lean forward and deliver.
She whispers, “You okay?”
Recalling the many thanks I was just given, I whisper back, “Yeah. I really am.”
“That smells like heaven,” Melody says leaning into Drew's arms. “Is it almost ready?”
Nadie, the Commissioner's significant other, wipes her hands on her apron.
She's not Jovi's real mother, but she favors her in her ways. Same mocha complexion. Same bright smile.
“Almost. Just a couple more minutes.”
Destin adds, “Thank fuck, I'm starving.”
“It's Christmas,” Nadie fusses. “Can't you wash your language up a little?”
“Thank....Santa?” He playfully questions. “Better?”
When the Commissioner chuckles she pops him with her hand. “Nick!”
“It was funny,” he brushes her off. “But, before we get to digging into what I know is going to be a delicious meal, I wanted to say a few words to you.”
“As long as you're not gonna sing,” Drew inserts.
“If you're gonna sing we're gonna go,” Knox agrees.
“Dinner at IHOP is still dinner,” Destin sighs.
Confused the Commissioner questions, “What?”
“They have this weird thing about people singing,” Melody answers. “And if you ask me I think it's a little strange for you all to be that annoyed by others singing considering when you get drunk you all think you're Dianna Ross.” She turns her head at me. “Except Madden.”
Nadie folds her hands. “You don't ever sing?”
Bluntly I reply, “No.”
There's a little laughter and Commissioner Carter shakes his head. “Back on point. I asked you all here this evening to engage in a meal with my family as a thank you for all the services you have done to help bring down the tyrant that was holding so many lives hostage. While he was murdered instead of put on trial, the fact is he is no longer a direct threat. Getting him into the corner he was in is something I know I couldn't have done without the help of the McCoys and for that I thank you again.”
Thanks are mumbled from all of us.
“Your efforts rescued my daughter.” Jovi suddenly moves to his side. “Saved this city, and have helped me sleep better at night. It's brought me a new level of peace. It is my hope that this brings you some as well.”
When his hand extends to the area behind us there's a collective gasp from most of the rooms occupants.
That's not fucking possible.
With a crooked smile he says, “You look like you've seen a ghost.”
The reference to his nickname when we worked for The Devil, causes my body to tense to the point I'm worried I'm going to rip off the back of the Commissioner's couch.
Silence swarms around the room for what feels like an eternity.
What the fuck am I supposed to say?
“That joke wasn't funny when you did it to me,” Jovi reminds him scolding. “It's not funny now.”
“It's a funny play on-” he cuts himself off. “Fine. I'll put it in the lose category.”
None of us say anything, which prompts Nadie to suggest, “Nick, why don't you help me with the ham in the kitchen and give them all a minute.”
The two of them exit. Merrick slowly moves across the room until he's got his arm snaked around Jovi's waist. My eyes soak in every inch of what shouldn't be alive. What I buried. What I've spent months debating killing myself over.
He shouldn't be here.
“Triple D,” Drew speaks softly. “Status of cloning ability in the world?”
“Not there yet,” Destin whispers.
“Holograms?” Drew asks a follow up question.
“Not solid ones,” he croaks.
Drew nods slowly, “So what we're seeing-”
“Is fucking real.” Merrick finishes, turning around his signature black baseball cap. “No one is gonna hug me?”
Triple D scramble to their feet and fly at him. Embraces start in waves as Knox joins the dog pile of excitement. Unsure of what's happening I stay with my feet planted in place.
I don't think I can just go over there.
After playful punches and more hugs, Merrick finally breaks free and turns his attention to me. “Mad Man...”
With a slow nod I whisper, “You're real?”
“Completely.”
“How...”
“Greet him first,” Knoxie snips.
Numbly I nod and march towards him unsure how my own body functions. While the rest of the McCoys part to make room, I cautiously lean forward to drop an arm around him. Upon contact he immediately grips me with both arms, fists digging into my back, which turns me back into the big brother who saved him from the monsters under his bed, the big brother who saved him from the neighbor's dog, and the big brother who held him when his best friend died.
My fucking baby brother is alive...
“Madden,” he whispers voice clogged.
“Merrick,” I choke back giving him a hard pat. “Fucking...Merrick.”
The reunion causes little chortles of disbelief. We stay embraced for a long moment. When I pull away from him, the McCoy who has always looked just like me, but slightly smaller, smiles wide.
Fucking speechless.
“How?” Knox demands. “And I wanna know now.”
“You're not gonna introduce me to the lovely ladies who are patiently waiting,” he avoids the question again.
Drew points and she waves, “My girlfriend, Melody.”
Destin repeats the action. “My girlfriend, Azura.”
“And I'm Knox, the badass bitch your brother finally put a ring on-”
“He did what?!” Merrick shrieks.
“Yeah, you can have all those glorious stories and more after you explain yourself.”
Suddenly it hits Merrick, what's missing. “Wait. Where's Daniel? The Commissioner said all of you'd be here. Don't tell me he's flaking for a piece of ass. It's Christmas.”
I don't wanna tell him.
