The Davenport Christmas Chronicles - Piper Davenport Page 0,50
relaxing.”
“I’m going.”
I headed into the great room where Daisy was helping Dani wrap presents, and I sat on the sofa, pulling Daisy onto my lap for a cuddle. “Hello, Daisy girl.”
“Hi, Auntie Maisie,” she said, wrapping her arms around my neck. I loved that she was still a snuggly girl, even though she was seven.
Dani saved my glass of wine before it spilled everywhere, and I hugged Daisy back.
“Are you helping Mummy wrap?”
“She’s helping me,” she corrected, then whispered in my ear, “I wish she’d just let me do it, though.”
I chuckled and Dani rolled her eyes.
“Auntie Kim says she’s a control freak.”
“I’m a positive outcome enthusiast,” Dani corrected.
“Oh, right,” Daisy said. “I forgot that’s what we were going with.”
“Punk,” Dani joked, and Daisy giggled.
Booker and Dani’s oldest, Cash, walked into the room, looking every bit the biker badass he was growing up to be. “A bunch of us are gonna watch a movie, Daisy. You wanna come?”
She shrugged. “Sure.”
“Thanks for all your help, honey,” Dani said, and Daisy grinned.
“What can I do?” I asked.
“I’ve got about twenty-five more gifts to wrap. The list is here,” she said, pushing it toward me. “Names and what they should get...just match the present to the kid, wrap, and label. Easy, peasy.”
I grinned, and we worked in tandem while we waited for the rest of the club to arrive. By the time the neighborhood kids filed in, the great room was chock full of bikers, lawmen, and civilians, all eagerly awaiting “Santa.”
“Ho, ho, ho. Merry Christmas,” Warthog bellowed as he strolled into the room. He looked great as Santa and I leaned against Hatch who had his arm firmly around me.
The kids let out an excited yell and started clapping while Warthog sat in the big red chair by the tree.
I had to bury my face in Hatch’s shoulder when Devon and Doozer walked in dressed as elves, complete with bells on their elf shoes, the whole shebang. Holy cow, they looked adorable in their tights, but they were so obviously not happy about it, although, they did try to smile.
“How did that happen?” I asked my husband.
“They lost a bet.”
“Why do I feel like the bet was rigged?”
“Shh, Sunshine, you’re missing the fun.”
I chuckled, focusing back on the festivities.
“Have you met my elves?” Warthog asked. “Jingles and Tingles are here to help me hand out presents, does that sound good?”
The kids yelled their excitement and Poppy snapped photos, earning her a few glares from her husband.
“Lookin’ good, Tingles,” Hatch called, and our nephew shot him a look that spoke volumes.
“Sleep with one eye open, old man,” he retorted.
I bit back another laugh and grinned at Poppy. Knowing my daughter like I did, I could see she was trying really hard not to laugh hysterically.
“Right, who’s first?” Warthog asked. “Tingles, you gonna pick a present?”
Devon forced a smile and grabbed the box closest to him. “Tamaya.”
“That’s me!” a girl about ten-years-old exclaimed and rushed for Warthog.
The next four hours were spent laughing, gifting, and watching this hardened group of bikers show generosity to their community. Our community. I couldn’t have been more proud of the wonderful clan of people I’d been invited into. It had been almost fifteen years and I still felt blessed beyond measure.
“Let’s get home so I can unwrap you,” Hatch whispered, kissing me gently.
I grinned. “Make it slow.”
“I can do that,” he said, and took me home.
I couldn’t wait to see what promises the new year held for all of us.
Hatch
New Year’s Eve...
“Here,” I said casually, tossing a wrapped package to my son, who was lying on his bed listening to music.
“What’s this?” he asked, pulling out his earbuds.
“What does it look like, numb nuts? It’s a present.”
“But Christmas is over.”
“Yeah, well I know Santa personally.”
“You know Warthog,” Flash replied dryly.
“From what I understand, that guy can make anyone, including reindeer, fly,” I said. “That reminds me. Never eat any brownies, cookies, or gummy anything from him. You understand?”
“Got it, Dad.”
“Good, now open your present.”
Flash tore through the wrapping paper and opened the plain white shirt box that contained his gift.
“Dad, I think you may have wrapped up the wrong package,” Flash said, looking at the contents of the box. “There’s no present in here. Just a stack of legal papers or something.”
“Why don’t you read the papers? Jesus, no wonder you’re flunking out of school.”
Flash shot me his best shitty teenager look and then focused on the papers in front of him. I watched as his eyes darted