Fulfillment Golland, M. (best classic literature TXT) 📖

I laughed athim as the buzzer to the door rang. “Yes, it is, Mr. Clark, and youdo it so well.”

Nate andCharli jumped up and made their way over to the door to open it.When they did, it was like a never-ending freight train of Blaxlos,Summers, and Clarks; Lucy, Nic, and Alexander; Rick, Claire, andRJ; Mum, Dad, Jen, Steven and the kids; and lastly, Jake and hisnew girlfriend, a tall attractive red head—not his normal type.

I scrambledoff Bryce’s lap as they all filtered into the apartment.

“Are you twoever not all over each other?” Jen asked as she approached to giveus a hug.

“No,” Brycesaid as a matter of fact. I can’t really disagree with himeither.

Jen passedJack to me. “Here, Merry Christmas, he’s my gift to you. He spews,shits, cries and doesn’t sleep. Enjoy.” She kissed me on the cheekthen moved over and hugged Bryce. “Merry Christmas.”

I jiggled Jackon my hip as I greeted everyone else, leaving my brother till last.As I approached him and his scarlet companion, I lifted Jack andgently pushed him into Jake’s arms. “Here, Merry Christmas, he’s mygift to you. He spews, shits, cries and doesn’t sleep. Enjoy,” Isaid, repeating what Jen said to me.

Jake had nochoice but to accept. “Geez, just what I’ve always wanted...asmaller version of myself.”

Scarlet letout a snorting laugh. “You’re so funny,” she complementedadoringly. Oh God! She’s a Jake groupie.

“Alexis, thisis Johanna. Johanna, Alexis, my little sister.”

“Clearly, I’mnot little,” I said as I rolled my eyes at my brother. “It’s niceto meet you, Johanna.”

“Nice to meetyou too, Alexis.” Johanna said politely, putting her arms out toJake, wanting to hold baby Jack. My brother more than happilyobliged, passing him over.

“Hello, youbig handsome boy,” she cooed at him, as she walked toward the restof our family, Jack now bouncing on her hip.

I linked myarm around Jake’s. “So, how long is this one gonna last?” Imurmured with a low voice.

“I dunno,hopefully a while. I like her.”

“Didn’t youlike the others?”

“Notreally.”

“You’re such aman-whore.”

“Correction:was a man-whore. I like this one.”

“Well, if youwant to keep said ‘one’ stop referring to her as a number.”

Jen walked upto us while giving Johanna unsure glances.

“Who gave myson to a stranger with a funny laugh?”

Jake pointedto me and I pointed to him.

“I re-gifted,”I explained.

“So did I,”retorted Jake.

“Jake, shebetter be clean and sterile.”

“Listen youtwo, be nice. She is clean and sterile, although we did shag beforewe came here...”

I punched hisarm. “Ewww.”

“That’s it!Get my son, someone get my son. She’s kissing his cheek and I havea fairly good idea where her lips have been.” Jen turned around andheaded for Johanna.

I smiledsweetly at Jake. “So she gave you head before our Christmas lunch?She’s so nice,” I said stretching out the ‘nice’ part of mystatement.

“Alexis, giveher a chance.”

I screwed upmy face, insulted. “I will, I was being genuine, she does seemnice.”

He glared atme.

“I’ll do you adeal. Be nice to Rick, and I’ll do the same to Johanna.”

He raised hishead and spotted my estranged husband. “No can do. The man cheatedon you with that little bitch hanging off his arm,” Jake saidangrily.

“Hey, I know.We both made mistakes, and anyhow, I’m better off now. I’m happyand I’ve forgiven him, so you can do the same.”

He huffed.Yes, my brother huffs.

“Deal?” Ioffered again.

“Hmmm.”

I hugged him.“I love you, Jakey Snakey.”

We walked downinto the lounge area to mingle with the rest of our families. Inoticed Dad and Bryce come out of Bryce’s office, Dad giving Brycea manly slap on the back, both of them looking quite pleased.God, I hope Dad just didn’t agree to let Bryce buy him ahelicopter or something.

I let go ofJake’s arm so that I could embrace Bryce. “What are you getting upto with my father?” I inquired as I slid my arms around his waist.“He didn’t just agree to sign his life over to you, did he?”

Brycechuckled, “Kind of.”

I scowled athim with curiosity. “I know you want to share your wealth with meand my family, but you need to keep me informed about it. I hateshit being said and done behind my back.”

He leanedforward and kissed my nose. “Okay. I’ll let you know.” Then heunwrapped my arms and headed to the kitchen.

I stood thereand shook my head at him then turned to find Rick staring at me. Hemet my gaze, smiled mildly then returned his attention to Charliwho was showing off her new karaoke machine. It dawned on me inthat moment that he had not yet seen Bryce and I physicallyaffectionate toward each other. It also dawned on me that it mustbe hard on him to observe. So I made a mental note to tone it down,not wanting to ruin anybody’s Christmas, although, he would have tostart to get used it sooner rather than later.

***

Bryce hadoffered to cook the Christmas turkey and ham, but I had insistedthat he didn’t, wanting him to have a break and enjoy the daywithout any work involved. He’d worked enough as it was lately.Besides, he had a perfectly good chef downstairs in the hotel’skitchen who was more than happy to cook our Christmas lunch forus.

Chaossurrounded the dining table as both our families dished up theirlunches. I smiled warmly at the four highchairs lined up next toeach other, hoping one day soon that another one would be added tothe adorable sight before me.

Bryceapproached from behind, having noticed me staring at the babies.Resting his chin on my shoulder momentarily, he whispered into myear. “You wanna sneak off and try to make one of those now?”

I scoffed inresponse and tilted my head to touch his. “You’re a sex fiend, youknow that?”

***

We all enjoyedour Christmas lunch along the extended dining room table, which wascovered in a white damask table cloth and topped with a white bonechina dinner set and silver cutlery. I’d placed Christmas crackersat every place setting and sprinkled gold and silver glitteredstars all over the table top—stars now being one of my favouritethings.

Charli hadmade name place settings out of gold and silver cardstock, havingmatched my theme and cut them into star shapes.

I’d sat Ricknext to me, in the hope I’d keep him away from my grudge