It took FOREVER to get home. UCLA wasn’t that far from Malibu, but this was LA. Once we finally got to the place I was renting, Manaia bailed on us. He had to get home himself. Not for the first time, I thought that Lexi probably made the right call by moving in with me.
“You did good today,” I told her as we walked in.
She gave me a sidelong glance.
“What do you want?” she asked suspiciously.
“I could use some coffee,” I teased.
“That was the last thing you needed.”
I just shook my head and walked in to find everyone at the kitchen table eating ice cream … and, wait for it … Cookie Butter! OMG! They say money can’t buy happiness, but it CAN buy Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter. It was a spread made out of gingerbread cookies. I’d made a discovery: you put in a bowl and microwaved it to make it into gooey, creamy goodness. Then you added vanilla ice cream and swirled it all together. The result was Nirvana.
I’d been on a mission to enlighten everyone I knew about this yummy deliciousness. My niece and nephews were solidly in my corner. I was happy to see my mom was spreading the word about this excellent product.
I rushed over to the kitchen to make myself a bowl.
“We’re out,” Dad announced.
“NOOOO!” I whined.
“You guys are so mean. It’s in the pantry,” Brook told me.
I gave my mom and dad the evil eye. There would be paybacks for that little deception.
“You should have let us go a little longer. He would have gone into full meltdown and probably demanded you give him yours,” Mom said to Brook.
Parents are put on this earth to torment us. I made bowls for Lexi and me. When I handed one to her, she crinkled her nose. I admit it doesn’t look so great when served. But all it took was one taste, and she was entirely on board. She stepped into the kitchen to look at the jar.
“I finally know what to get my dad for Christmas. He might gain five hundred pounds, but he’ll be happy doing it,” she announced.
That wasn’t a bad idea for a stocking stuffer. I could play secret Santa here in LA and give that to all the employees at my companies. I’d already arranged to give all my employees back home a certificate for a massage from my brother. This was probably a better gift. I made a mental note to put Lexi on that in the morning. After all, she had to go to Trader Joe’s anyway to buy her dad a case of the stuff.
“So, did anything exciting happen today?” I asked.
“Ian and your dad wasted the day playing golf. Ava, Brook, and I went Christmas shopping. I took care of almost everyone on your list. I had it all wrapped and shipped home for you,” Mom shared.
“That reminds me. I promised Greg I would get Mac pony-riding lessons,” I said.
“Taken care of. I signed Kyle up too. Angie said you had to buy them stuff they needed this year. I figured along with the boring clothes, you would want to be the cool uncle,” Mom said, coming through once again.
“Do you think Nate will feel left out?” I asked.
“That’s why he’s getting time with Grandma when the other two go ride ponies. When he’s older, he can go with. I’m sure Nate will enjoy his special time with me,” Mom said.
“She’ll give him a piece of paper and crayons,” I told Brook.
“It kept you busy for hours,” Dad said to defend his wife.
I did like crafts when I was younger. As a matter of fact, I still liked to draw. I guess I hadn’t grown out of it. I might have to join him.
“Who all do I still have to buy for?” I asked.
“Just your dad and me,” Mom said.
“What did I get Brook?” I asked, confused.
She showed me her new watch.
“Shouldn’t you have to wait until Christmas for that?” I asked.
“Puh-lease. She wore it out of the store,” Ava said.
“You did good,” Brook assured me.
I already knew what I was getting my dad. Greg and I were going in on buying him new golf clubs. I was pretty sure Greg was just putting his name on the gift since he would cry poor college kid. I’d made Greg talk to my dad’s golf pro and order the clubs. We made the call that he would know what my dad wanted. I was also going to buy Dad a bottle of the expensive scotch he liked when we met the representative from Springbok. From his grandsons and granddaughter, Dad would get the covers, bag, and the other accessories to go with his new clubs.
For Mom, I had no idea. I did know she wasn’t getting the Cadillac she said she wanted. Maybe I would get her a toy one. I was sure she’d told Brook what I should get her. I couldn’t believe that Christmas was four days away and I was all but done with shopping. Between my mom and Caryn, I was set. It was a holiday miracle.
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I was mentally reviewing everything I had to do for the next two days while getting undressed to go to bed. Tomorrow I would spend time with Jett and the other singers I was working with to get ready for the Christmas Special.
