A Clandestine Corporate Affair(43)

She was the one who would save him, the one he could depend on to keep him in line. She would teach him to be a good father. To Max, and maybe to another baby. Right now, the possibilities seemed endless. And all he knew for sure was that he needed to move forward.

He rolled out of bed wondering if Max was up yet. He couldn’t wait to see his face as he opened all of his gifts.

He tugged on his pajama bottoms and a sweatshirt, then went looking for Ana. The Christmas tree lights were on, and holiday music was playing softly in the living room. She was in the kitchen, wearing pink flannel pajamas, an apron tied around her waist, washing dishes by hand. The turkey was already stuffed and resting in a pan on the stove.

When she saw him she smiled. “Merry Christmas.”

“Good morning. I smell coffee.”

She gestured to the coffeemaker with her elbow. “I just made a fresh pot.”

He walked behind her, looping his arms around her waist, and kissed her cheek. “How long have you been up?”

“Since six. I wanted to get the turkey ready to go in the oven before Max woke up.”

He watched over her shoulder. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“You could pour us some coffee while I finish these dishes. I heard Max stirring, so he should be up any minute now.”

As if on cue, they heard a screech from the baby monitor.

“On second thought,” Ana said, “why don’t you get him and I’ll pour the coffee?”

When he got to Max’s room, he was standing in his crib, clutching the railing. He squealed happily when he saw Nathan.

“Merry Christmas, Max. Are you ready to open presents?” He lifted him out of his crib, quickly changed his diaper—which even he had to admit he was getting pretty good at—and carried him out to the living room. Ana was waiting with their coffee and milk for Max. Nathan sat on the couch, and Max curled up in his lap to drink his bottle.

Just as they got settled Ana’s cell phone started to ring. She rolled her eyes and said, “Ugh. It’s my dad.”

“You don’t have to answer it,” Nathan said.

“No. I refuse to play that game with him.” She snatched it up off the table and flipped it open. “Hello, Dad.”

She listened for several seconds, then said, “I’ve been calling all week. When I didn’t hear back I assumed you weren’t having dinner this year and I made other plans.” Another pause, then she said, “No, I will not change my plans. I have a stuffed turkey waiting to go in the oven.”

Nathan could hear her father in full rant clear through the phone.

“I regret that the food will go to waste. If you had called me back and let me know—” More yelling from his end. “No I am not trying to be difficult. I just can’t—” She lifted the phone away from her ear, snapped it shut and shook her head. “He hung up on me. Apparently dinner was at three.”

“Are you okay?” he asked.

She shrugged and tossed her phone onto the table. “It’s his loss. He needs us more than we need him.”

She was right. They were a family now. Her father had become the odd man out. And Nathan couldn’t help feeling a twisted sense of satisfaction over that. Professionally, Ana’s father was at the top of his game, respected and feared. Personally, he was a miserable excuse for a human being.

“So,” Ana said, smiling at Nathan and Max, “Who wants to open presents?”





Twelve





Ana sat curled up on the couch in front of the fire, sipping coffee and watching Max play with his presents, although he seemed to be having as much fun with the boxes as the actual toys. Nathan sat on the floor by the tree, assembling all of the “some assembly required” items. He had loved the “World’s Greatest Dad” beer mug from Max, and the San Antonio Spurs season tickets from her. And she still couldn’t believe he had booked them a week on a Disney cruise! Honestly, she had expected something less original, like fine jewelry, for which she’d never really formed an affinity. She inherited all of her mother’s jewelry and wore that when the event necessitated it. But a trip, just the three of them, where no one would know or care who they were, sounded like heaven on earth.

Overall, she would have to say this had been a pretty awesome Christmas so far. Despite her father’s call. She couldn’t even work up the will to be angry about it. She just felt sorry for him. He didn’t know her at all anymore. Maybe he never had. And the really sad part was that he didn’t even want to try.