Season's Greetings : Christmas Box Set

by Shyla Colt

  “He can’t win what isn’t his.” He balls his hands into fists. “You and Flora are my girls.”

  “It’s not that simple.” I cover his hands with my mine.

  “Let him think we’re giving him what he wants if you must, but don’t give up hope just yet. I’ll go for now. But only for now.” He kisses me softly and steps away.

  I watch him leave, holding it together until the door click shuts. Shoving my fist into my mouth, I rock back and forth. With one phone call, he’s wrecked my support system and shredded my heart anew. How can I allow this to continue? What can I do to win when he’s set to win? James sounded like he had a plan. I dash away my tears. Being upset isn’t good for Flora, and I have a shift later tonight. Work has always been my savior. A safe haven to escape in and help others. Even when I feel like I can’t do the same for myself.

  JAMES

  “Is Faye okay?” Warren’s worried voice comes on the line.

  “Yes and no. Faye and Flora are doing okay, but I just left her condo. Preston is up to something. She tried to break up with me over one of his threats.”

  “Jesus Christ. Do you know what?”

  “I didn’t see the text, but she mentioned him saying he’d negotiate about full custody.”

  “Provided she leaves you?” Warren says.

  “Yeah. I’m done playing games with him. I’ve been thinking about this since he first served her papers. I have a plan.”

  “Let’s hear it, Bailey.”

  “I’m not sure how it’ll affect everyone.”

  “As long as he leaves my sister alone, I don’t care.”

  “Be sure. ’Cause it involves your parents.”

  Warren sighs. “I meant what I said earlier.”

  “Okay. Can we meet up somewhere?”

  “Yeah. I was just leaving my office. I can head over to your place.”

  “I never told you where I live.”

  “You’re dating my pregnant little sister.” He hangs up as if his words were an explanation.

  I need to make sure I stay on his good side. Even if she hates me after everything is said and done, she’ll be free of Preston. It’ll be worth it. Set on my course, I make it home and gather my evidence.

  I let Warren in.

  “I hope what you have is good.”

  “Once your parents see this, I think they’ll change their tune.” I hold up a CD.

  “What is it?” Warren asks.

  “A tape of the incident at the drugstore where I first met Preston and Faye.”

  He frowns. “What do you mean? You said you found her dog.”

  “I did. But this happened before then. Faye never told you because she was embarrassed.”

  Warren’s eyes darken. “I’m not going to like this, am I?”

  “No,” I answer, honestly. “But I want to show you all together. Can you arrange that?”

  “I’m on it.” Pulling his phone out of his pocket, he walks away. “Hey, Mom. Can I come to your house? We need to talk. It’s about Faye. ... No. She’s not okay. The baby is fine. This is about her and Preston. ... Yes, I know how you feel about the situation, but there are some things you need to see. ... Okay, I’ll be bringing a friend.” He glances over at me. “Yeah, twenty minutes.”

  I swallow as my palm sweats. I wipe my hands on my pants. No time to second guess myself. This wasn’t the way I wanted to meet her parents for the first time but it can’t be helped. This is for my girl’s future happiness.

  Twenty minutes later, we’re pulling up in front of a ranch home with garden beds in front of it. A tire swing hangs from a branch of a thick tree. I smile, imagining a young Faye in it, her dark hair flying behind her as she pumps her legs. Seeing this side of her helps fill in some gaps. Humbling beginnings gave her parents a very definitive opinion on what being taken care of meant for their daughter. I can see the wear and love poured into the house. The roof has been patched multiple times. Cracks line the sidewalk leading up to the house, and the driveway’s blacktop is past due for a repave.

  Warren parks his car. “I know this makes my parents look bad, but they were great growing up. They worked multiple jobs to provide us with everything we needed and stayed engaged in our school and personal interests. After growing up poor themselves, they drilled the importance of school and saving. Preston was every dream they had for Faye come true.” Warren shakes his head.

  “You don’t have to explain it to me. Preston looks good from the outside. And he’s careful not to let that façade slip.” I tap the DVD case on my dashboard. “This will change that.”

  “I’m going to want to put his head through a wall, aren’t I?” Warren mumbles.

  “I already do. So, you’ll have to get in line.”

  Warren nods his head. “I wasn’t sure about you at first. It seemed questionable a man that attracted to a woman pregnant with someone else’s baby. But you stepped up and made her happy. You take care of her without stifling her spirit or independence. I respect that.”

  “Thanks?”

  “Don’t let her push you away. She’s running scared.”

  “Look, I know this is soon, but I love her and Flora. I’m not giving them up without one hell of a fight.”

  “Good. I’d like to see my niece have the kind of father she deserves.”

  I blink as my throat threatens to close. Unable to speak around the lump, I nod. Clearing my throat, I follow him up the walk into the house.

  “Mom, Dad,” Warren calls out as we enter the living room.

  “Warren. Who’s your friend?”

  The petite woman with streaks of gray hair woven into her dark bob steps toward us from the hallway.

  “This is Faye’s new boyfriend, James.”

  “What?” Her father walks in, a mountain of a man at six-foot-three with a fade just starting to gray around the edges.

  “They’ve been seeing each other for a few months now. Which you’d know if you weren’t too busy being stubborn.”

  “I don’t understand.” Their mother glances from me to Warren.

  “I’m sorry that we’re meeting under these circumstances, Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson, but I love your daughter and her baby. I want nothing but the best for them, and Preston is anything but that. I have proof here of why. If you’d allow me ten minutes of your time, I’ll show you.”

  Her father frowns.

  “Dad, I trust him,” Warren says.

  “You knew about this the entire time? Her and this man?”

  “His name is James Bailey, and yes. He’s been here helping her through her pregnancy while Preston jet sets in California and causes her unnecessary stress.”

  “He just wants his family together,” his mother whispers.

  “No, he wants to control Faye,” I answer.

  Her father eyes me distrustfully. “Those are powerful accusations.”

  “Just sit down and let him present his case,” Warren says.

  “Better be worth it.” Her father sinks down onto the worn, beige couch, and his mother follows suit. My hands tremble slightly as I place the DVD into the system, and Warren cues the TV up.

  “This won’t be easy to watch.” I turn away as the surveillance begins to play.

  Preston steps into her personal space and raises his voice, and her mother gasps. He grabs her wrist, jerking her around, and her father swears. “I should go get my pistol. That boy is crazy, putting his hands on my daughter.” The words are music to my ears because it means I have an ally.

  “Thank you for stepping in. I can’t believe he’d do that.”

  “If he’s that bold in public, I can’t imagine what he’s like in private,” her father mumbles. His nostrils flare.

  “What he’s trying to do now is take Faye to court for full custody,” I tell them.

  “Unless she leaves James.”

  “His sticking point is the fact that he makes more money and can afford to have a nanny instead of daycare.”

  “I’ll be more
than happy to watch the baby,” her mother says.

  “Mrs. Ferguson, I was hoping you’d say that.”

  Mr. Ferguson bows his head. “I’m ashamed of the way we acted. We just didn’t want her to go through what we did.”

  “You need to tell her that yourself, sir,” I say.

  “I will.” He nods.

  “Tell us what you want us to do, son. You seem like you’ve already got this figured out, and we owe our daughter.”

  I smile and begin to lay everything out.

  “DR. BAILEY.”

  I glance up from the paperwork on my desk.

  “There’s someone out there who insists on seeing you.”

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No, they had their dog in for a regular check-up, and when we were done, they requested you.”

  “Don’t worry about it Carole. Sometimes people just like to see the man who they’re familiar with. Dr. Parsons didn’t have any issues with him, did she?”

  “No, she said it was textbook perfect.”

  I smile. “I’ll be out to speak with them shortly.”

  “Thank you.”

  Lowering my head, I inhale and release the breath slowly. I don’t have my usual enthusiasm for work lately. I haven’t seen or talked to Faye in over a week, and the wait for Warren to set things up has been torture. I start to drive to her home and turn away at the last minute at least once a day. I want to know if her back is hurting, what she’s craving now, and how much Flora has grown. Sleep eludes me until exhaustion takes me out. Rolling my shoulders, I put on my business face and walk up the hall to the entrance.

  I freeze at the sight of Preston holding Monty in his arms.

  “Well, hello, Dr. Bailey.” Preston smiles so wide I’m shocked his jaw doesn’t break.

  I grit my teeth. He has some fucking nerve showing up here.

  “Did you know he found my Monty when he ran away during Christmas?” Preston purrs, playing the part of grateful owner.

  “You never told us about this,” Jen says.

  I shrug. “I was just helping out a four-legged friend.”

  “You’re a hero.”

  “So modest, Doc. Take some credit.”

  “I’m glad to see Monty is doing well.

  “The whole family is.”

  The fake smile freezes on my face as I fight the urge to pull him across the front desk and beat him senseless. Monty yips and struggles to get free.

  “It looks like he remembers his rescuer.” Jen laughs.

  Preston smiles thinly. “Looks so.”

  “Hey, buddy.” I scratch him behind the ear. “You’re a good boy, aren’t you?”

  “Why don’t you walk us out, for old time’s sake.”

  I tense, unsure if he’s warning me away or rubbing things in.

  “Sure. Are you ladies okay here?”

  “Of course. Put the sweet thing out of his misery. He’s ready to jump out of his skin to get to you,” Carole insists.

  I step from behind the counter and follow Preston.

  “You know it’s a matter of time until she agrees to relocate to California. You put up a good fight, but my girl is smart. She knows what’s good for her and the baby.”

  “Does she?” I arch my brow and smile. The bastard has no clue what’s coming.

  “Of course.”

  “And that’s you?”

  “Obviously.” He rolls his eyes.

  “I think you actually believe that.” I shake my head, disgusted.

  “It’s the truth.”

  “Why? Because you have money? You think your bank account is going to make you Father of the Year?” Preston blinks dumbly. I press on. “How are you going to help her grow up and be the best version of herself? Emotionally, how will you provide? You’re bullying your way into getting what you want with Faye. Is that how you plan to control Flora? Because kids tend to rebel against that sort of thing.”

  “Don’t try to twist the situation.” He sneers, hitting the alarm on his black luxury rental.

  “The picture isn’t so pretty when you look in the mirror and see what’s really there, hmm?”

  “And you’d know all about parenting why? Is there an ex-wife and children in the wings? Is that why you’re trying so hard to play Daddy to mine? To make up for past mistakes?”

  My temper flares. I hold Monty out. “You should go.”

  “Ahhh. I struck a chord.” He smirks. “I wonder if she’d see you as her hero once she knew that.”

  “Good-bye, Preston.”

  “I came here to tell you to stay away from Faye. She’s not yours to take.”

  “The way I remember it, she’s not yours either. “

  “Yettt.” Preston draws out the t.

  “Keep telling yourself that.” He takes Monty, and I step back. “Bullies always meet their match eventually and find themselves alone. Because fear only gets you so far.”

  “Are you threatening me?” he barks.

  “I’m making you aware of how the world works. Free of charge.”

  “Faye is mine. You can’t have her or my child. I’ll make her life a living hell before I let that happen.”

  I spin on my heels and walk away, ignoring his shouted insults. His time is coming. I won’t jeopardize everything we’ve worked so hard to set up to make myself feel good.

  Chapter Five

  Faye

  This must be hell. I sit on the couch beside my mother and father as Preston charms them with talk about California. How lovely the weather is, and how much he thinks I’ll enjoy it. He canceled the lawsuit, but I know he’ll push for more. I need to figure out a way to get back from under his thumb. But first, I have to give birth. Sadness sweeps over me. My coach is gone, and I’m alone again most days. Except for the one person I don’t want to see. He’s here nearly every other week, asserting some misplaced dominance, like an overgrown dog pissing on things. The sound of the lock in the door is a relief. Warren is here. He walks in, and a second later, James follows. My jaw drops.

  “What is he doing here?” Preston jumps up.

  “Boy, sit your ass down,” my father booms.

  Preston flinches.

  “Now,” Warren growls.

  “We have something we want to show you,” James says with a smile.

  I drink in the sight of him. My heart speeds up, and Flora goes crazy. I’m not the only one who missed him.

  “What is this? Why is he here, Jason?” he asks my father.

  “That’ll be Mr. Ferguson from now on.” Dad turns on the television and presses play.

  “Oh, God.” I immediately recognize the drug store.

  Preston pales and sinks down onto the couch heavily.

  “I wonder what the courts would think of this tape. Or the interviews of the customers who were literally afraid for Faye.”

  “This is one instance.”

  “Did I mention I have cameras taping outside the front of my office?”

  I turn to Preston, furious. “You went to his job?”

  “I wanted to let him know,” Preston mumbles.

  “Let him know what?” I scream.

  “That you’re his,” James says.

  I shove Preston. “I belong to myself.”

  “I don’t think any lawyer in their right mind would grant a misogynistic, raving lunatic full custody, do you?” Warren asks from where he’s leaning against the wall.

  “Probably not even partial.” James shakes his head. “That’d be too bad.”

  “What do you want? Money?”

  “No. I want you to leave my sister alone. You will see Flora on her terms, and if you ever try to blackmail her into anything again, this will go viral.”

  “N-No. We don’t have to let things come to that.” He shakes his head. “You’re not worth it.”

  My hand is moving before I can think. His head snaps back. “Fuck you, Preston.”

  Suddenly, James is between us. “Time for you to leave.”

/>   Warren tugs him onto his feet and ushers him out. My mind spins as I take in the turn of events.

  “Breathe, baby. It’s okay. He’s gone.”

  “James,” I whisper.

  “I’m right here, love.”

  I bury my face into his neck, inhaling his scent, and enjoying his warmth.

  “We’re so sorry, pumpkin. We had no clue what he was like.”

  “But you knew what he did to me.” I turn as James supports me. “And that should’ve been enough. I know you guys worked hard to support us, but we were happy. We had a good childhood, and if that’s what Flora has, she’ll be blessed.” I grab my mother’s hands in mine. “Stop thinking you let us down when we were kids. Because you didn’t.”

  “No, but we did now, and as much as I’d like to take that back, I can’t. Neither of us can,” Dad says softly. “I think it’s time we accept the fact that our baby girl is all grown up and fully capable of making her own choices. We support you and your choices, baby. We want to watch Flora for you while you work. We’re retired and ready to put our time toward something worthwhile.”

  “Dad, I couldn’t do that. You just retired last year.”

  “And he’s already going crazy in this house.”

  “What she’s not saying is I’m driving her crazy, too,” Dad says sheepishly.

  I laugh, relieved to have them back in my corner. I won’t pretend their snubbing didn’t hurt, but they’re here now, and they’ve apologized. I need everyone in my corner.

  “You did this for me?” I whisper shakily to James.

  “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my girls.”

  “I think we should let these two talk a bit,” Mom says as the room clears out.

  “James, I am so sorry.”

  He rests a finger over my lips. “You were doing what you felt you had to for Flora. But what I need you to know is that I love you, Faye. I can’t say what the future will hold dealing with Preston, but we’ll face it together.”

  “I love you, too, James. I really do, even if it terrifies me.”

  “If you trust me with your heat, I will never make sure you regret it. Things can’t always be perfect, but I know we can make this work.”

  “I do, too.”

  He places a chaste kiss on my lips. I pout.