MC: LaPonte

by L. Ann Marie

  Once Darren is in bed Danny sits by me, "what a fuckin day this turned out to be. It had horror, anxiety, anticipation, joy, grief, happiness and so much love that everything else paled in comparison." I giggle. "I can't fuckin wait for tomorrow."

  I crack up. "Me either." I kiss his lips thanking him for making it easy.

  "I'm so proud of you willing to take the twins. I think Ben called around before asking us." I nod and tell him I heard. "You didn't even have to think about it. I love you baby. I love that you're not afraid to share me or the kids. This was an awesome first Christmas and it hasn't even hit yet." I smile at my man.

  "I wouldn't have taken the twins if I saw you didn't want to. So thank you. I think if someone needs it and we have the room, we should help. So many people make sure we don't fall or fail. There's no reason not to take them. This is the best Christmas I've ever had. I would usually be alone or at Jess'. Thank you." I give him a sweet kiss.

  Patches clears his throat. I feel Danny smile before he pulls away. Patches looks embarrassed. "Husbands and wives, moms and dads, women and men all kiss Patches. We decided you're going to be part of our family, you can see normal. Kissing and showing love is a normal part of relationships, nothing to be embarrassed about."

  Patches lifts his chin making me smile. I get up to put Devan in his playpen/bassinet thingy. "You ready to put the stuff under the tree?" I ask them.

  "Fuck yeah, do we have a system or is it a free for all?" Danny asks Patches.

  "I'll put them together by name. We have stuff as extra if someone comes up short." He tells us. I nod and head into the laundry room smiling because he would die if it weren’t organized. When I open the door stuff falls like an avalanche. Patches comes running when I squeal. Danny comes around the corner with a bag and cracks up holding his face. The cops filled the whole friggin laundry room. It's like opening a closet door on a cartoon, balls are bouncing and everything slides forward around my feet.

  "Dear Lord! You think they went a little over board? How the hell are they going to get all this stuff home?" I ask the still laughing men.

  "I'll drive it up for them." Patches says through fits of laughing.

  I start pulling things from the floor. I put outside toys together and take the wrapped packages into the living room. They follow with packages. After an hour of dropping stuff for Patches to organize I plop on the couch. "I put the outside stuff and the things for their mom in the mud room closet." They nod still sorting the last of everything.

  "We need a bigger house just for toys." They laugh. Seems like we need a bigger everything lately. Patches stands up looking around. "The only thing left to do is eat cookies and drink milk Patches."

  He smiles looking over at them then he looks at Danny. "Go for it." He does. When he's done he kisses my cheek and hugs Danny thanking us for the best Christmas. He's headed to the Club but will be here at seven tomorrow.

  I shut the lights in the living room and watch the twinkling tree. Danny joins me after locking up and getting Devan to his crib. "It's almost twelve you ready baby?" I give him a nod and smile.

  We leave the tree on, grab the monitors and fall into bed. Holy Crap what a day.

  Chapter Thirty Two

  Christmas

  Danny brings me Devan then does the burp bond thing and brings him back to his crib. I fall right back to sleep until I here kids screeching on the monitors. Someone went to peak and saw Santa came. I climb out of bed laughing. Danny yells down the hall everyone needs teeth and hair brushed before they can go downstairs. I laugh at the chaos he's caused. Darren begs to use our bathroom. Danny tells him he'll have to share and brushes with him. I feed Devan while I wait my turn.

  I check everyone as I get into the hall. Ally’s hair is everywhere. I bring her in her room sitting her at the vanity showing her the mirror and her brush. We brush her hair together. I put two purple barrettes to match her pj’s and she hugs me. She is so freakin cute and loveable. The boys are standing at the door watching. I tell her she’s ready to see what Santa brought. I follow her out laughing at her unidentifiable yelling. Danny waits for me at the top of the stairs with Devan. I kiss him before we go down to the circus below. The kids are so happy yelling and laughing. Patches has coffee cups waiting at our spots I thank him and compliment the camera around his neck. He smiles. It was his secret Santa gift. I’m glad he likes it.

  Danny tells everyone we’ll open in order two at a time. The boys decide Alex and Ally should start. They are so sweet. An hour later the presents are opened, the kids are happy and we’ve been hugged a million times. Patches thanks us for his clothes, watch and new ski’s. He can’t wait for Rich to get home so they can go. Danny likes his new patches and the iPad I had Geek set up for him. I love my new coat, tennis bracelet and earrings. He even got me new nipple jewels in gold. He hid them from Patches though. I laughed.

  Ally starts crying, this causes Alex to cry. I sit on the floor and hold her Danny holds Alex. “What’s wrong pretty girl?” I ask. She talks but I can’t understand. I sign for her to sign so I understand. ‘We have to leave toys when mom better.’ I smile and tell her Patches will drive their toys to their house so they can have them at home. ‘We can’t have toys we are retarded.’ She signs. Danny sucks in a breath. I’m really getting to hate that word. ‘Your mom is away from your dad. You can have toys now.’ She doesn’t stop crying. I ask Alex what I can do to help her. He signs ‘grandma is angel and she is happy you share love.’ I hold my breath and look at Danny. I mouth ‘how?’ he shrugs I can see he’s as shocked as I am.

  “Ally are you sad that you saw your grandmother?” She nods her head against my chest. Darren sits by us and holds their hands. He signs to Alex ‘my mom is angel too.’ I look at Danny he just watches them. Alex signs back ‘wish mom angel grandma here.’ Danny looks at me with his eyebrow drawn down.

  “What the fuck?” Patches says low. Darren looks at him and shakes his head no. He signs to Alex ‘mom is ok at my mom’s old house going to be ok.’ Alex cries while signing ‘never ok mom don’t like us we retarded’

  Darren looks at Danny. ‘Dad how to use strong to fix.’ He has tears falling. Fuck! Danny hugs him around Alex.

  “Some help here Patches.” Danny says his voice thick with emotion. “We love them while we can Darren.” Patches signs for him then lifts Darren onto his lap. I’m a blubbering mess just holding onto Ally. Arron and Victor sit by us. This is how Ben and Jessie find us.

  “What happened?” Ben asks.

  “They need more strong Dad.” Jessie says, he sits and holds onto Alex’s hand. He looks at Danny. “You can do it Uncle Danny. You have more strong to give.” He is so matter of fact I get myself together deciding we have more. He nods at me and I can’t help but laugh.

  Ally lifts her head and looks at Jessie. She signs ‘you my friend’ to him. He signs back ‘always’. Fuckin kids.

  Ben smiles ruffling Jessie’s head. He looks at Danny. “We need to talk.” Oh shit, that’s never a good phrase to hear. Patches gets the kids to show their favorite Christmas present. Ally and Alex get up and start talking to the boys. Arron holds Ally’s hand and looks at her presents with her. Jessie holds onto Alex. Patches nods at us they’ll be ok. Ben throws a chin lift to him. Danny follows him into the kitchen. He turns to me and puts his hand out. I didn’t think Ben meant me too but I go to him.

  We get more coffee and sit at the table waiting for Ben to talk. “Doc called, their mother is doing better. He told her once she was out of the woods we can return the custody back to her.”

  Oh shit. I don’t want to tell him what the kids said. Danny looks at me grabbing my hand under the table. Ben isn’t looking at us. “And?” I ask.

  He looks at me with tears in his eyes. “She doesn’t want them back. She didn't want to talk to them today. I had no idea when I asked you. I thought it would be just a couple of days. I can try finding someone to take them but it might be…”

  “Ben, we’ll keep
them.” Danny tells him while looking at me. “We’re going to need to hire some help but we’ll keep them. This is the first time they’ve had a Christmas. They just finished telling us their mom doesn’t like them because they’re retarded. We’ll keep them and teach them how to love and what a family is.” I smile at him through more tears.

  “Fuck. Thank you. I had no idea you would do this. I’ve been trying to figure out who the fuck would take them. Thank you. I’ll help you find someone but I think you might want to ask Patches. He seems to like being around you and loves the kids.” He tells us. Danny laughs.

  Patches comes in looking tentative. Danny tells him to have a seat it’s a senior family meeting. Ben smiles. “The twins mom doesn’t want them back.” He gives Patches a minute to take it in. “We’re going to keep them.”

  “Thank Fuck. I don’t know how I was going to let them go back to a mom that tells them they’re retarded.” Patches says surprising Ben.

  “We have to hire help to take care of all these kids.” Danny goes on.

  “No! You can’t just hire someone. What if they treat them bad again? They already lived through hell Danny.” Patches is pissed. I’ve never seen him pissed.

  “Do you want the job Patches?” Ben asks him.

  “Fuck yeah. I’m not letting my little brothers go with some flaky nanny. You've seen the news.” He tells Ben. I crack up.

  “I love you Patches. You’re one in a million and I’m glad you’re our one in a million.” I lean over and kiss his cheek. “We should get the kids in here before there’s another melt down.”

  “Before you do, do you mind if Jessie stays here for a little while?” Ben asks looking embarrassed.

  “Not even a little.” I tell him. “I need to talk to the kids then get some breakfast going. Devan is going to want to eat again soon. Thank you Ben, you give the best Christmas presents.” I get up, kiss his cheek and pull Patches out with me. He doesn’t look at me. Fuck. Leaving Jessie on Christmas morning isn't a good sign.

  In the living room Patches gathers all the kids into a circle on the floor. I sit on one side by Ally and Patches sits across from me. “This is a family meeting.” He tells them. Darren signs ‘no dad.’ Patches signs and says, “He’s talking to Uncle Ben but this is too important to wait.” He looks at me.

  “Alex and Ally would you like to live here with us and be a sister and a brother to Rich and Patches, Darren, Victor, Aaron and Devan?” Ally looks at me. I smile at her then look at Alex. “You would be part of our family just like the boys.” Alex signs ‘you mom’ Patches signs ‘yes and Mr. Danny is dad’ Ally signs ‘you want me retarded’.

  With tears I say and sign, “I want you because you’re a beautiful little girl that needs love and we have lots of love to give. We want Alex because he needs love too. We can’t leave him out can we?” She shakes her head no. ‘you want us you be mom,’ she signs like this is too much to comprehend. “Yes Ally we want you to join our family. I want you to be my daughter. Do you want stay here?” She launches herself at me, the boys cheer and Patches cracks up as they all pile on me again. “Holy crap. A simple yes was all I was looking for.” I say laughing. Patches helps get me out from under the kids. “Thanks Patches.” Ally won’t let me go. I tell the boys I’ll get them some breakfast and they all decide to help so they can be with Ally. Patches tells her this is what brothers do, they look out for their sister.

  She signs, ‘me sister always?’ Jessie answers her signing, “You are Ally LaPonte now, and you have seven brothers. Your brothers always look out for you because you’re our girl; brothers always take care of their girls. Your job is to always stand with your brothers. No matter what, you stand with your brothers. When they need help you give it, when you need help we will give it. Me and Little Ben are your family too. We will take care of you and stand up for you just like your brothers. That’s what families do.” He takes her hand and walks her to the cabinet to get napkins for the table. Holy shit. He says it so matter of fact, that's just the way it is.

  Me and Patches finally look away from them and look at each other. “Fuckin kids.” We say together and crack up when the boys put their hands out. I tell Patches to get them quarters from the stash on top of the fridge. We make breakfast together.

  Danny

  Ben wants us to keep Jessie on Christmas morning. What the fuck is going on? Patches and Kate just went to talk to the kids. I stand up and refill my coffee. "I find looking at the water calms me. You want a refill?" He gets up and brings his cup over. I refill it and walk to the back patio. We sit looking at the water. I wait for him to talk, just when I figure he’s not going to he starts.

  "Tracy went to the club last night. She never came home. It's Christmas morning I had to let Jessie open his presents without his mother being there." He keeps his eyes on the water.

  "Sounds like a stupid question but did you call her?" I ask not really knowing what to say.

  "She's not at the club. The whole fuckin town is on camera. I watched her get in a truck with tinted windows a couple of weeks ago. She walked out the back of Nancy's shop and climbed in. No one knows where the cameras are. They just assume they're on roads and the fronts of buildings. The same truck picked her up last night. She's not answering her phone." He sounds empty.

  "What can I do to help you right now Ben?" I ask.

  "I have no fuckin clue at this point." He says deflated.

  "We can go beat the fuck out of someone or find her and drag her back for a reasonable explanation then beat the fuck out of someone. I'm up for either one." I throw out.

  He laughs. "The best kinds of friends don't say I'm here for you, they grab their bats and say let’s do this shit. I read that somewhere. I know the truck belongs to a fireman that works on the other side of town. We have a recognition program that tagged it. I don't know what the fuck to do about it. I tried talking to her but she denied it. You can't argue alone."

  Fuck, "That's the truth; I wouldn't expect this from Tracy. I have noticed her distancing herself lately but walking out on Christmas is pretty fuckin low."

  "Yeah. I'd like to beat the fuck out of the guy but she walked out on Christmas. How does that make him wrong? Does he even know she's fuckin married? I have no clue what to think or what to do."

  "What are you going to do while you leave Jessie here?" I don't want him to do something equally stupid.

  "I was going to his house, hopefully to talk some sense into her." He says.

  "You're not going alone Ben. You're boy isn't going to lose his father on Christmas after losing his fuckin mother Christmas Eve. If you go there you'll beat the fuck out of the guy. I know I would, I did. When you go I'll go with you, even if it's just to drive."

  "I keep telling myself I'll just talk to her but you're right. I want to beat the fuck out of him."

  I hear a commotion at the door and look into the house. Jess and Steve are here with the kids. Steve sees me and comes over. "You didn't call me?" He throws at Ben.

  "Brother, I didn't want to drag Jess in the middle of this." Ben tells him.

  "Ain't fuckin Jess. I lay my fuckin shit out to you and you give me no judgment for the shit I've done. I will give it back. Now; we goin to beat the fuck out of him or what?" Steve's pissed. I crack up holding my fuckin face. He looks at me like I'm crazy.

  "That's what Danny asked." Ben tells him. Steve gives me a smile and lifts his chin. "I don't know what the fuck to do Brother. She's not answering her phone. She denied getting in his truck the last fuckin time. I've got no fuckin clue what to do. A fuckin explanation would be nice, something to tell her son would be better."

  "Fuck!" Steve says.

  "I was going to leave Jessie here and go over there. I keep trying to weigh out the outcome. Do I even want to know why? I'm not sure it fuckin matters at this point. She walked out on fuckin Christmas." He tells us.

  "If you do nothing you're guaranteed to get nothing from it. If you go there you have a chance at getting th
e explanation." I tell him.

  He looks at me as if contemplating. "You're right Brother."

  "You're not going alone. Let me get some clothes on." I tell him.

  "You have a whole fuckin family that I just fucked up and made bigger...."

  "You're not going alone. You wait or I'll drag the whole fuckin family that you just made bigger along with me following your ass to his house." I tell him.

  Steve smiles, “We’ll wait." I give him chin and run up the back stairs.

  Coming down I see Kate in the kitchen. "I need to go with Ben and Steve. It's important." She kisses me and tells me to go. My beautiful K.

  I go back to the patio and ask Steve if he's driving. He smiles giving me a nod. In the truck we head toward Providence. Ben asks him, "How did you know?"

  "Jess. Knew somethin was off last night, called this mornin got no answer. She told me. I pulled the cameras and watched her get in the same fuckin truck last night." Steve tells him. "Had to pull gps to find where the fuck you were." I smile, he was worried enough to track him down.

  "I thought she was just pissed because I asked her to take the twins yesterday. She wouldn't talk to me. I had no fuckin clue." Ben says his voice sounds deflated.

  "You might as well give it up Ben. You'll drive yourself fuckin nuts trying to guess. With my ex it wasn't about what I did or didn't do, it was about what she wanted. She didn't want me. It was that fuckin simple." I tell him.

  "De fuckin cheated on you?" Steve asks.

  "Yeah, found out the week I left her. Beat the fuck out of what I thought was good friend."