Haunted(51)

Since Berg and I were “almost fatally wounded”—his words not mine—Roman ran around and took care of us. Roman knew by now how I was with holidays. Décor needed to be put up, and since I had a bad leg and arm, I was not useful at all. I had started decorating the house, but because of the attack, I was a week behind on finishing up. So Roman hired a professional to come into the house and decorate it for Christmas; after everything was done, it was absolutely beautiful.

I didn’t like to waste money—it wasn’t in my nature—but I thought we were going to have to do this every year. What these people did in two days, it would have taken me a week and a half. It made me enjoy Christmas that much more. Also as a Get Well present, Roman hired a maid to come in and clean for a couple of hours a day. No complaints from me.

We had a Christmas tree in nearly every room. Joey had one in his room. We had one in our private den. Then we had the largest, most beautiful tree in the living room in front of the window wall, which was what I called it since the back wall was mostly windows. Everything was trimmed to the nines.

During the month of December, Roman was a man of his word. He converted the two-story guesthouse into a music studio. I couldn’t believe the equipment it took to complete it, but he got it finished. He even hired a contractor and decorator to make the upstairs into an apartment. I thought he mainly had that done for Berg. He didn’t like Berg living so far into the city. That way if the session lasted late into the night, Berg could crash in the apartment.

While Roman was busy with the renovations, Berg helped me with part of my Christmas present to Roman. I wanted to be able to play a song for Roman on the piano. I knew it wasn’t much, but music was such a big presence in both of us. I had always been able to find a song that fit almost any occasion in my life. Berg reminded me that I couldn’t sing worth shit, but he remembered that Roman mentioned to him how he liked hearing me singing Stevie Nicks for some reason. I remembered several times in the basement when I sang Stevie Nicks for him.

Berg sat down at the baby grand and we went to work. I told him which song I wanted to sing, and he coached me with the singing and he taught me how to play. Overall, he said it wasn’t that bad.

Yay me!

Christmas morning came and Santa had come for Joey. Joey went through the presents within ten minutes, but I assumed that was what it was like having an only child. Only children didn’t have to wait for the other kids to finish. Roman and I decided that we would exchange our presents Christmas night. He knew Eric would be picking up Joey at four in the afternoon.

I stayed strong until Joey got into Eric’s car and we waved goodbye. When the car headed down the driveway, I broke down and cried. I knew I was being sentimental, and honestly, I was lucky Eric let me have Joey on Christmas Eve. In turn, Eric would have him New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. I hated sharing Joey, and I wasn’t used to it but thank God it was Eric. We got along so well. I cried harder. Roman hugged me tight. I was a mess for nearly an hour. Roman fixed me an amaretto sour, and we sat in front of the fireplace and watched a light snow falling on the ground while listening to Christmas carols.

“Are you ready to exchange presents now?” I asked.

“If you want to. Do you feel better?” he asked while twirling my hair.

I had fixed up my hair and makeup today since I knew there would be pictures taken. I could tell Roman was very enamored by me today. Note to self: Wear my hair down more and put on makeup more often.

“I do. I have two gifts for you,” I told him.

“Well, I only have one for you.” He frowned, but it was a cute frown. He’d only had one whiskey and Coke, but I thought it had given him a little buzz.

“Who goes first?” I asked.

Immediately, we did rock, paper, scissors to decide our fate. It was kind of old school, but we were old school. Roman weirdly made me feel better about turning forty-two. There were teenagers still throwing panties at my husband, so we can’t be too old. Right?

I lost so he ran up the stairs and returned with a box. It was exquisitely wrapped, and I wondered why he hadn’t placed it under the tree. He sat it down in front of me and then I found out why. The box moved. What the hell?

Oh please don’t be a puppy.

I’m not a dog person. Dogs were great for outside. The box moved again, so I glanced at Roman and he looked like a kid. He was so sure I would love this present. Crap! I guessed I would have to start loving a dog, dagnabbit. Who could crush that look on his face? Not me.

I opened the top. To my wonder and amazement it wasn’t a puppy. It was a kitten and not only a kitten but “The Kitten” I had always wanted. Oh my God! How did he know? I picked up the silver tabby kitten whose ears where folded down just like they should be. Roman found me a Scottish Fold kitten!

“How did you know?” I asked him without my eyes ever leaving the kitten.

“Joey told me.”

I should have guessed. I looked at my new best friend. I looked at its bottom. It was a boy! He had the owl-like features that made the Scottish Fold famous. I had always wanted one of these cats, but they were only found in New York, and I personally didn’t have a thousand dollars to send to someone not knowing for sure if I would receive a kitten or not.

“Thank you. It’s the best Christmas present ever.” I smiled at him.

“What are you going to name him?”