Page 40 of Daddy’s Little Secret

“Hand him more lights,” Trey replied. Sasha was on the verge of tears.

“Why aren’t you listening to Uncle Samian?” I asked.

“Sorry,” came in stereo from all three.

“We wanted to dance,” Sasha admitted. “I’m sorry, it’s my fault.”

“No,” Chuck corrected, “it’s not. Tae and Trey know the rules, and as your friend, they should’ve told you them. You listen to the Daddy that is in charge when the other Daddies are busy. Now you have two options. One, you continue to decorate and listen to Uncle Samian, or you take a nap. What will it be?”

“Tree, please,” Tae replied. “I’m sorry, Daddy.”

“Sorry, Uncle Samian,” Trey said, and Sasha nodded, trying to hide behind him.

“Sweetheart, come here,” Samian said, and Sasha ran over. “You’re not in big trouble, but you need to listen. Please, don’t cry.” Samian would have his hands full teaching his boy what it’s like to be loved. I’m guessing he spent a lot of time in trouble for things he shouldn’t have been in trouble for. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Daddy, and I promise to listen.”

Momma and Grandma were sitting back, sipping wine and watching us like the next greatest reality show.

“Trey and Tae, you listen to Samian, got it?”

“Yes, Daddy,” Trey said, while Tae nodded.

By the end of the night, the trees were done, the lights were up outside, and we had three sleepy boys we practically carried to bed.

“Hurry, Daddy, I want to see Sasha’s face when he opens the new doll house you made for him.”

“Made, but Tae painted,” I corrected. We opened our presents to each other last night, but he knew he had more waiting at Chuck’s with the family. “Don’t you want to get dressed first?”

“Nope. Tae, Sasha, and me said we are staying in our jammy-jams today. Look, mine have feet on them and tiny Santas saying ho-ho-ho.”

“You are too adorable for words, Angel. Alright, slide into your snow boots and grab your coat.” Thankfully, all the presents and food were there, so we didn’t have to carry anything over.

“Merry Christmas!” the family hollered as we stepped inside.

“Merry Christmas!” Trey and I replied. He ran right over to his friends and hugged them.

“I love your jammies, you both look so cute,” Trey said to Tae and Sasha. They were both wearing footy pjs like Trey’s, but Tae’s had candy canes and reindeer on them and Sasha’s had princess crowns on them. He was sitting on Samian’s lap sucking on a binky, so I wasn’t sure how much longer he’d be awake.

I nodded toward Sasha when I spoke to Samian. “We’re not that late, are we?”

“No, but this one was so excited he decided to stay awake and keep his Daddy up all night.” Sasha snuggled in tighter to Samian but didn’t say anything. “Do you want to take a nap while we open all the prezzies?” Samian knew that would get him; he’d always been a quick learner. Sasha hopped off his lap and ran over to the tree, plopping down in front of it. Tae and Trey immediately joined him.

“Guess that’s our cue,” Chuck said. “Who wants to play Santa this year?”

“You have the beard for it, so you can,” I teased, but he did look good with a beard, and I knew Tae loved it.

Chuck gave them their stockings to sort through while he handed out all of the presents. They were so busy playing with the silly toys they didn’t notice he was done. When Sasha finally looked up, his mouth opened and his binky fell out. Tae and Trey chuckled beside him.

“Who are all of these for?” Sasha asked.

“They’re for you, silly,” Tae teased him. “Open them up and see what Santa brought you.”

“Open the biggest one first,” Trey said, “Please.”

“Okay.” No one moved. The boys were clearly excited to give Sasha this gift.

“You’re supposed to tear through the paper and send it flying through the air.” Wasn’t sure if Tae was trying to be helpful or goading his Daddy into giving him a spanking later. But I caught the gleam in my brothers-in-law’s eyes.