Page 58 of Schooling Little Sage

“Hmm, I’ve got my eyes on you two.” I shut the door for good measure, than began the unboxing process. I swear, these shippers could learn a thing or two about paper waste. Several had tiny, unbreakable things inside huge boxes. As I wrapped, it hit me that I had the same number of gifts for each boy. “Huh, what do you make of that?” The smaller items went into the stockings I’d had made for them with their names on them, but the wrapping was a challenge as it was not my forte. They would never call me out on it though, they were too polite.

My sweet boys…

WTH was wrong with me? Thinking that way wasn’t healthy for anyone but there was no denying that Devon had grown on me just as much as he had on Sage. But did it run deeper than that?

Fuck. No. No, there was no way I’d ever hurt Sage by even thinking that. Just wipe those thoughts from your mind and keep treating Sage’s bestie the way you have. You’re just sleep deprived, Warner, and nothing more.

Yeah. Nothing more…

Chapter Seventeen

“Daddy, wake up, Santa came!” I shook him as hard as I could, but he didn’t move so I ran to get Devon to help.

“Merry Christmas, Sage!” He wrapped me in a big hug. I loved hugging Devon.

“Merry Christmas. Come help me wake up Daddy.”

We ran back across the hall and jumped on the bed, but it squeaked really loud. “Oops, don’t think the bed liked that.”

“Dadddyyyyyy!” We shook and shook, but he just laid there. “Daddy, Santa came. Prezzies are everywhere. He even hung stockings. How did he know we were here?”

Daddy’s arms wrapped around and tackled us before the tickle monster went crazy.

“Merry Christmas, boys!” He kept tickling and smiling. “Alright, let’s go see what Santa got up to.”

We ran out to the tree and plopped down in front of it, leaving Daddy in our dust.

“Alright, stockings first.” Daddy handed them out, and we emptied them on the floor.

“Stockings are so much fun. Look, I got a Santa coloring book.”

“I needed new Crayons,” Devon said.

“Playdough!” we both cheered.

I got silly socks with reindeer on them and Devon’s had snowmen. We both got new beanies and matching friendship bracelets, candy, plus a couple of race cars.

“Thank you, Daddy, kisses.” I puckered up and hugged him.

“Thank you, Daddy.” Devon joined our hug.

“They’re from Santa, silly gooses. Alright, since the big guy isn’t here, I’ll pass out your presents.”

Daddy pushed a big box in front of me. “Not sure how we’re getting that one home.”

As much as I wanted to open it and see what it was, I waited like a good boy until Daddy handed them all out.

“Ready, set, go!” When Daddy said go, we dug in.

“I got a Ninja Turtle suitcase on wheels. Now I know how all my new toys are getting home!”

“Smart boy.” Daddy winked.

“Thank you for my treasure chest, Sage.”

“You’re welcome. That’s from Sapphire Mines by our apartment. Next time you come to visit we can go there. Right, Daddy?”

“Absolutely.”