The Twin's Christmas Gift: Reuniting Mom & Dad

The deal That Changed Everything

Ryan

"What do you say we make a deal?." He frowned at my words, looking around nervously, almost like he was scared I was going to do something bad to him considering we were the only people in the snow-covered street.

“What kind of deal?” he asked hesitantly, shifting on his feet as he watched me cautiously. My lips quirked up in a half smile as I took a step closer to him. He seemed to notice my movement and tried to back up but decided against it at the last second.

“Let me act as Santa Claus in your stead, and I'll pay you triple the amount my wife is paying,” I said, and his eyes grew like giant saucers. I could see the surprise as plain as day on his face turn into joy and then settle in a skeptical frown.

“How do I know you're not just some criminal claiming to be my client's husband for a sinister reason?” he countered, his brow arched as he stared back at me accusingly, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

“If I were some lowly criminal, I wouldn't be offering to pay you triple the amount that you both bargained,” I responded, a knowing smirk pulling at the corner of my lips as understanding dawned on him.

“W—well, maybe not a criminal then, but possibly an imposter,” he stuttered, pointing an accusatory finger at me, and I gave him the 'are you for real?' look in response. “Will you take it or not?” I asked, c*****g my head as I watched him.

“I'm pretty sure it's better to be home where it's nice and warm than being out in this damn weather working your ass off,” I murmured, watching in satisfaction as his Adam's apple bobbed when he swallowed hard.

He was tempted by the picture I was painting in his head, and he would be a goddamn fool to pass up the opportunity to make some good money without having to lift a finger.

“I mean, this is against the company policy; I could literally lose my job,” he sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as a war waged in his head.

“You make some money, I make my wife and kids happy, and everyone is happy, so tell me, who's going to report this back to your company?” I asked, watching him with a narrowed gaze, and he paused, furrowing his brows as he seemed to ponder deeply on my proposition.

“Gosh, this is so tempting,” he groaned, and I smirked, knowing I was slowly getting him to agree.

“But it's a good deal, no?” I tilted my head to the side, watching him with an encouraging smile.

“It is a good deal, yeah, but…” he trailed off, seeming to think better of his response. “Alright, I'll do it,” he conceded, meeting my eyes with a raw determination. “Excellent,” I responded, grinning as I stretched my hand out for a handshake.He took it, placing his gloved palm in mine in a firm handshake.

“Now I'm going to need your costume,” I said, gesturing to his entire attire, from his red hat down to his red pants. He faltered at my request, his gaze mirroring surprise.

“I have nothing in my car to change into, though...” he trails off, and I chuckle, waving him off. “You can have my clothes; it doesn't matter,” he nodded at that. It took a couple of minutes for us to switch clothes. Grabbing the red Santa hat from him, I pulled it on, concealing my dark tresses underneath the material of the hat until it was no longer visible.

“Here, you'll need this,” he said, handing me the fake white beard that'll cover the lower half of my face. “Perfect!” I responded, grinning before patting his shoulder.

I wired the agreed amount to him, and that seemed to brighten up his visage as he repeatedly shook my hand before hopping back into his car. Lowering his window, he stuck his head out for a second,

“It was nice doing business with you!” he grinned, waving at me as he reversed his car and drove down the street until his car was no longer visible. I exhaled deeply, my breath forming a cloud of white mist in front of me. I quickly jogged to my car, sliding into the driver's side. I started the car, heading home.

“Home,” I muttered underneath my breath, testing the word on my tongue. Just yesterday it seemed so far out of reach, but at that moment I realized I was finally driving home even though it wasn't in the best circumstances. I was on my way home to my family that I'd been away from for far too long.

When I pulled up to the curb of the familiar lawn that sat in front of the one-story house, painted in white with a full floor-to-ceiling glass window on the side emitting a warm glow that I had missed.

It felt like I'd just walked into a time capsule. I was catapulted back to the first day Julia and I had walked into the property; it had been love at first sight for her. She'd always dreamed of starting a family in a quaint home, and the sight of the property had brought that dream to life.

It was a dream we both shared, and when I learned that she was pregnant with the twins, it was everything I'd hoped and dreamed of coming to fruition. I blinked and realized I'd been sitting in my car for too long.

I cursed under my breath and quickly grabbed the fake white beard and pulled it on. I adjusted it on my face, glancing at the rearview mirror until I was satisfied with my look before grabbing my briefcase on the passenger side of the car and stepping out.

I walked up the porch steps, stopping short in front of the huge oak door, and raised my hand to ring the doorbell, but I hesitated as doubt began to creep into my mind.

What if she recognized me instantly and slammed the door in my face before we ever got the chance to talk? I shook my head, squashing the doubt that had clouded my thoughts. I'd waited for that moment for five long years, so I had no intention of leaving without seeing my family.

Pushing those dark thoughts to the back of my mind, I rang the doorbell, taking a step back to wait with bated breath. The door swung open in less than a minute, and I came face to face with the woman I'd fallen head over heels in love with when we were in college.

She still looked as radiant as she did the last time I'd seen her, back when she was still swollen with our children, but her eyes were different; they spoke of pain and itched to take it all away.

When she smiled, I felt a rush of warmth in the pit of my stomach, and I realized that I'd spend every dime in my name and do everything it took just to come home to that smile for the rest of my life.