Jingle all the Mitchell Way: a holiday novella(23)
“Speaking of family,” I said, sort of changing the subject. “I think we should play a prank on Jax and Amber.”
She leaned closer to me, kissing me gently on the tip of my nose. “What do you have in mind?”
“He’s made it clear he doesn’t want Amber knowing about the old man who died in this RV. I say we make him think it’s really haunted. Jax is gullible. He’ll fall for it. Before we know it he’ll be telling famous people how we’re traveling in a haunted motorhome. They’ll think he’s crazy.”
“Amber will seriously kill you if she finds out the truth.”
“So, don’t tell her.”
“She’s my best friend, Jake. She’s like a sister to me.”
“We’re talking about Jax, baby. Come on. Let’s give him a show.”
Reese didn’t take long to convince. She laughed against my chest, her face coming up, her lips smacking against mine. Within seconds, we were caught up in each other, the idea of torturing my brother put on the backburner while we stole a few minutes for ourselves.
Jax and Amber showed up before the girls were awake the next morning. While Amber showered, Jax got the twins up, changed and fed. He didn’t talk about what kept them overnight, and I was okay with it, since I knew his details would only make me cringe. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure they did exact what Reese and I had, I just didn’t want the gory details.
It took Reese a while to get moving. After we were both dressed for the day, we left my brother and his family to go sightsee. Amber had to be on set by noon, but insisted Jax would be fine until we returned.
Reese and I really enjoyed the French Quarter. We had beignets while listening to the smooth jazz sounds coming from a corner lounge. We took a horse and buggy ride through the streets, and even a short tour of one of the above ground cemeteries. While enjoying our day together, we planned how we were going to scare the shit out of my brother, and then we discussed our wedding.
By the time we returned I was too tired to think about playing a prank on Jax, so you can imagine how surprised I was to find him sound asleep next to both of the very awake twins. I picked up Olivia and handed her to Reese, motioning for her to go back outside. Then I lifted Lex into my arms, rushing out without waking my brother.
We moved away from the motorhome, far enough where he wouldn’t hear my voice resonating from outside. Then I rang his phone. He answered almost immediately, his voice gruff. “Yeah?”
“It’s me. I just wanted you to know Reese and I won’t be home for a while. How are you doing with the girls? Do you need us to bring anything back with us?”
I could hear shuffling, and then him moving around. “Hold on.” The sound of the phone being sat down was clear. Then he began calling out for them, finally opening the door frantically searching. Jax ran back into the motorhome and picked up the phone. “You need to come back now. Holy shit. It’s the girls. They’re gone. I can’t find them.”
“Didn’t you lock the door?” I knew he had because I’d used my key to enter.
“I think so. Oh God. I need to call the police.”
When he said it I knew it had gone far enough. I had to let him know his precious babies were fine and not kidnapped. “Look outside Jax.”
“I just did,” he said in a frustrated tone.
“Look again, man. Maybe you missed something.”
As soon as he opened the door his eyes locked on us. The girls both pointed to Jax. Olivia called out for him. “Daddy.”
I’d never seen my brother look as relieved as he did when he saw both of his children. He walked over and grabbed Lex out of my arms. “You’re a dickhead. I thought someone took them.”
“If you were tired you should have called us.”
“They fell asleep first. I thought it would be okay if I rested too. Amber does it all the time. I made sure the door was locked and the keys weren’t anywhere near the ignition.”
“Calm down, bro. We got your ass good. Just admit it.”
“As long as you don’t tell my wife this happened, I’ll admit it. I can’t have her worrying about the girls. I’d lay down my life before I let something happen to them. You did get me, but I would have figured out it was you once I calmed down enough to think. Damn.” He hugged his daughter tighter. “I should kick your ass.”
“You can try, but let’s be fair, I’m in better shape.”
With that, Jax headed back into the motorhome. He spent the rest of the afternoon with his girls, never letting either of them get more than three feet from him at all times.
Amber returned after dark. We could all tell the day hadn’t been easy. She looked beat, and headed to the back bedroom without telling us anything. Jax finally left the kids with Reese and I to tend to his wife.
When Jax returned he said nerves got the best of Amber. She cried herself to sleep, and even with his best efforts, was unable to cheer her up.
The next morning she left bright and early. I barely heard the door shut when she exited the RV. With Jax down in the dumps because of Amber’s struggles, we decided to get out of the cramped motorhome and do something fun with the girls. What better place to visit than the Audubon Zoo, which is home to nearly two thousand animals from all around the world. As much as I know Amber would have liked to join us, we knew the twins needed a day out for them. After all, what good was a family trip without something to experience for everyone?