Chapter
15
A
week later, Christmas Eve, AJ, Tara, and Madison sat together in the living
room. Tara glanced at the clock on the
wall and said, “Madison, it’s time for bed.”
Madison stuck out her lower lip.
“But
Mommy,” she started to whine, but Tara shushed her.
“Now,
Maddie, what did I tell you? Santa won’t
come and bring you presents if you don’t go to sleep,” Tara said seriously.
Madison’s
eyes widened at this. “Can you read me a
story first?” she asked. AJ took one
look at Tara and knew she wanted to go to bed.
She still hadn’t been to the doctor for her cold, and while she hadn’t
seemed to get worse, she wasn’t much better either.
“I’ll
read you one, baby,” AJ said. “Let’s go
get you ready for bed first though, okay?”
“Okay!”
Madison said brightly, jumping up and racing upstairs. AJ trailed behind her. Tara followed them up and watched as AJ
helped Madison into her pajamas and made sure she brushed her teeth. Then he made sure she took her
medicine. Finally, he carried her back
into the bedroom and tossed her gently into bed. Madison giggled wildly. Tara smiled and came over to her bed.
“Mommy’s
going to bed now sweetie,” she said, kissing Madison’s forehead. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Ok,
Mommy,” Madison said. “Night.”
“Goodnight,
sweetheart. Sweet dreams.” She blew a kiss to her daughter and headed to
the master bedroom.
Meanwhile,
AJ studied the bookshelves in Madison’s room and finally pulled a book
out. Madison lay back against her
pillows, waiting for AJ to begin reading.
AJ opened the book and started to read.
“Twas
the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was
stirring, not even a mouse…”
By
the time AJ had finished, Madison was fast asleep, a tiny smile on her
face. AJ grinned and kissed her gently
on her cheek. “Goodnight, baby,” he
whispered and headed to bed himself.
***
The
next evening, AJ looked at the beautifully decorated Christmas tree in front of
the large picture window, it’s bright, multi-colored light illuminating the
room. That Christmas had been a
wonderful one. He, Tara, and Madison
had gone to his mother’s house for most of the day, after Madison had finished
playing with all the new toys Santa had left for her.
Now,
Madison sat cross-legged on the floor in front of the tree, staring intently at
the TV. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”
was on for a final time that year. As AJ
watched the Hoos on TV holding hands and singing, his heart swelled with
happiness, for he had everything a man could ever want, a perfect house,
perfect daughter, and a perfect wife.
Little did he know that this would be the last Christmas the entire
family would ever spend together.
***
