Chapter Twenty Two Mistletoe

Mom woke me up around six o'clock to help her make breakfast. I really didn't want to leave the comfort of my bed but Mom needed all the help she could get. I threw the cover off of me and the cold air hits me. I opened my top drawer and pulled out a pair of thick socks. I placed them over my cold feet and headed for the kitchen.

Mom was already getting all the ingredients out. I made sure she did the simple stuff like eggs and toast. I made the pancakes, bacon and sausage.

"Do you need help?" She asked.

I shook my head. "No. You can start the coffee."

She went over the coffee maker and poured water into the top. She set the table and washed the dishes that weren't being used. I was flipping the last pancake when the door bell was rung.

"Oh that's Vonna."

Mom walked to the front door to opened it. I placed the last pancake onto of the rest and put the eggs into a bowl. I glanced at the clock on the wall and it was nearing seven. Dad and Levi would be up soon.

I grabbed the plate of pancakes and brought it the dinning table.

"Good morning." I greeted Vonna, Micheal and their kids.

"Good morning, sweetie." Vonna replied. "Do you need help with anything?"

I set the plate down. "No. I think we finished everything."

I heard scratching at the back door and I walked over to it.

"Colby, don't let them in." Mom ordered me.

"But Mom." I whined. "They're my babies and they're cold."

I twisted the knob and Bear and Koda ran in and they went straight into the kitchen. They smelt the bacon and I made a mental note to sneak some to them.

As I said earlier, Dad and Levi came downstairs. Levi took a seat at the table while Dad greeted Mom with a kiss on the cheek.

Now that everyone was here, we could eat. Mom brought the coffee to the table, along with the side dishes and orange juice. Everyone began to fill their plates and I filled my glass with orange juice.

"Cole who's gonna watch Bear and Koda while we're gone?" Skylar asked.

"Mrs. Robinson." I answered with a scowled, rolling my eyes over to Mom."I don't see why they can't go with us."

"You know why Colby." Mom told me.

"I don't actually." I said. "Beside Mrs. Robinson is a bitter lady. She's going to treat them badly."

"No she's not. She has a dog of her own."

"Exactly. You see how Darcy tries to escape every chance he gets. I don't wanna put my babies through that. Especially not for a week."

"Stop being dramatic, Colby." Mom said.

"I'm not. Can they please can with us?"

"Mom just let them came. I really don't wanna hear her complaining the whole trip." Levi said, eating his pancake.

Mom sighed. "Fine but you're watching them the whole time."

I smiled. "I'm fine with that."

"Well you won't watch them entirely by yourself." Vonna said. "Jayce has to help out with Bear."

Oh yeah. Jayce was on child support. He had Bear last weekend and we've been doing pretty well with the whole ordeal.

"How is co-parenting going?" Michael asked.

Jayce and I exchanged a glanced.

"Good." He answered. "I haven't had any baby mama trouble."

I frowned. "You're not funny."

"I wasn't trying to be."

I ripped a piece of my bacon and slowly stuck my hand underneath the table when Mom wasn't looking. I did twice before she caught me.

"Stop feeding them bacon. You're spoiling them."

I listened to her and continued to eat my breakfast. Once everyone was done eating, Mom and Vonna started collecting all the plates. I grabbed the glasses and brought it to the sink.

"We've got this." Mom said. "You can get ready."

I walked to the bathroom to brush my teeth and wash my face. I headed to my room and shut the door. I took my clothes off and replaced them with a long-sleeved pink shirt and dark skinny jeans. I stuck my feet into a pair of black uggs boots before brushing my hair out.

I put in into a high ponytail and I was ready. I grabbed my suitcase and rolled it down the stairs and sat it by the door.

"We can put all the suitcases in our car." Michael suggested. "And the kids can ride in the other car."

"That's fine." Mom said. "We have to fill up with gas."

Vonna nodded. "So do we. Let's put everything in the car and we can meet at the gas station."

I grabbed my suitcase and rolled it the Michael's SUV. He placed it in the back along with the others. He shut the door and the parents hopped into the car.

Mom gave Levi the keys and I picked up Koda and Bear. I placed them in the back of Mom's car. Jayce hopped in the passenger's seat and I rode in the middle of Landon and Skylar.

Levi followed Michael to the gas station and we filled up. Mom brought us some snacks and drinks. Jayce hooked his phone to the aux chord and we were ready for the four hour drive to Ruidoso.

Skylar watched a princess movie on her tablet and Landon played his game. Levi and Jayce talked about random things and I just listened to the music while scolling through my phone. Chance sent me a text wishing me a safe travel and Cassidy told me why she got in trouble last night.

Bear and Koda played for a few minutes before they took a nap. I felt like sleeping but I was stuck in the middle and I didn't have a place to rest my head without hurting my neck. I thought about laying on Landon but he didn't have much meat on him. So I didn't have a choice but to stay up.

The drive wasn't as long as I thought it would be. We made it around noon time and Mom called Levi to warn him to be careful because of the ice.

Our cabin rested on top of the mountains and it was above the ground. There were two flights of stairs to take before you reached the doors. Levi parked the car beside Michael's and we got out.

I grabbed Bear and Koda while the rest went to grab the suitcases. I put my babies on the snow covered ground and they started sniffing the ice. Once they did their business, I made my way up the stairs.

Bear struggled to get up the stairs, his little legs didn't allow him to stretch very far. Koda waited for him everytime she took another step.

There were two floors. On the bottom was the kitchen, living room, dining room and a bathroom. On the top, was all five bedrooms and another bathroom. I went upstairs to found my room and it was the far one on the right side. The adults were on the left side with the two master bedrooms.

"We're going to make lunch, then we could go skiing." Mom announced as I was walking down the stairs.

"But I wanna go ice skating." Skylar said.

"I'll take you, honey." Vonna told her six year old daughter and Skylar smiled.

"What time is Hunter getting here?" Levi asked.

Dad looked at his watch. "He should be arriving anytime now."

True to his words, Hunter walked in five minutes later, bags in his hands. I sprang off the couch and hugged him tightly. The last time I saw him was three months ago.

"Squirt." He said. "Missed me much."

I let go off him. "Of course. Levi isn't much company."

"I heard that." Levi said.

"It wasn't a secret."

"Hello, baby." Mom kissed him on the cheek. "How long are you staying?"

"A week. I'm leaving on New Year's Eve."

"I wish you could stay longer." Mom told him.

"Me too, Mom."

"Well let the boy settle in, before you start your crying." Dad said, moving Mom out the way.

"Hey, Dad."

Dad hugged Hunter. "How's it going, son?"

Hunter went upstairs to unpack and Vonna informed us lunch was ready. We gathered around the island table and started to eat. Skylar was ready to go ice skating so Vonna took her to the ice ring before we finished eating.

I looked through the cabinets to find dog bowls and put dog food and water inside of them. I headed upstairs to changed into something warmer. Once I was done, I grabbed my thick gloves, beanie and snow googles.

"Everyone ready?" Mom asked and we nodded our heads. "Okay, let's go."

The good thing about staying at the top of the mountains, you didn't have to travel far to get the the skiiing building. The guys and I grabbed the boards while Mom went for the skis.

"Who wanna bet I'll be the first one down the moutain?" Levi asked.

"Bet. I'll be the first one." Jayce said.

"No. I am." Hunter joined.

"I think y'all forgot about me." Landon jumped in.

They all made their bets and we walked out the back door. They were a handful of people already here. We made our way to the hill.

I placed my board on the ground and put my feet into the boot holder. I locked it and put my gloves on. I pulled my googles down and I was ready to go.

The guys were already going down the hills by the time, Mom and I started. I swerve in and out repeatedly, dodging the million trees.

"Pay up." Hunter was saying as I started slowing down.

"You won, because you got a head start." Levi said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"No I didn't."

Levi glanced at Mom. "Mom-"

"Nope. I'm not in it. I didn't see anything." Mom interrupted him, walking off to the lifter.

"Just pay him." I said. "You lost fair and square."

Levi rolled his eyes. "Fine but I wanna rematch."

Hunter smiled. "Whatever you say you lil bro."

Landon and I rode in the lift together and Jayce rode with a girl around our ages.

"Andre mentioned you the other day." Landon informed me.

I rose an eyebrow. "Really? What did he say?"

"Something about him being connected to you." Landon shrugged. "I don't know."

Andre and I being connected. How? Did this connection involved with what Mom was hiding from me? She never liked to talk about my real dad. She said just he was dead to her and I shouldn't worry about him because I had Richard, who I was very much thankful for.

We jumped off the lift. I headed for the building while Landon went down the hill again. I gave my board back and ordered hot chocolate while I waited for the rest.

As I took a seat on the stool, I saw Jayce with the same girl he rode the lift with. They're off on the side, smiling. Jayce was leaning against the wall on his shoulder with his ankles crossed. I glanced at the girl. She was pretty with her shoulder length blond hair and small frame.

I rolled my eyes when she gave Jayce her number. It hasn't even been week since he broke up with Arianna.

"Here you go, ma'am." The worker sat my steaming cup in front of me.

I smiled. "Thank you."

I took a sip of the chocolate goodness. I looked to my left when I saw movement out the corner of my eye.

"It hasn't been a week and you're already moving on." I said, putting down my cup. "But I guess that's a record for you."

"Oh I'm sorry are you talking to me?" He said, sarcastically.

Rolling my eyes, I looked away from him and focused on the cup in front of me.

"I wasn't moving on, we were having a friendly conversation and she gave me address to one of her favorite restaurant here." He told me after a couple of minutes of silence.

"Colby? Jayce?" Mom called out. "Come on we're leaving."

I picked up my cup and hopped off the stool. We walked to the car and got inside. Hunter and Levi bantered back and forth about the bet the whole way back to the cabin.

"Boys!" Mom said. "I don't want to hear another word about this bet."

We arrived at the cabin and Skylar was outside playing with Bear and Koda. I stepped out and walked over to her.

"Did you have fun ice skating?"

She nodded, happily. "It was so much fun! Mommy fell!"

I laughed, imaging Vonna falling on her butt. "I can't believe I missed it."

"Let's make a snow angel." She suggested.

As we were walking over to the untouched snow, something hit my back and I spun around. Hunter was smiling. I glared at him.

"Snowball fight!" Levi yelled, picking up snow.

"No!" Skylar yelled, trying to get out of range.

"Where do you think you're going, Sky?" Landon asked, blocking her way.

Mom and Vonna stood on the side watching us play in the snow.

"Michael if you hit me with that snowball, I'm killing you." Vonna threatened.

"Oh come on Von, have a little fun." Her husband said.

"Jayce come here, really quick."

Jayce went over to his mom. Vonna put her hands on either side of Jayce's shoulders and moved towards the stairs.

"Are you seriously using me as a shield?" Jayce asked.

"I am." She confirmed.

Snowballs began to fly towards them but it was only hitting Jayce. He tried to escape but Vonna had a dead grip on him. As soon as she got to the staircase, she pushed her son forward and ran up the stairs as fast as she could.

"Thanks, Mom." Jayce said, sarcastically.

"I love you!" She told him, grinning.

Jayce rolled his eyes. "Sure."

"Oh hell." Mom said. "I should've left when you left, Vonna."

Vonna laughed. "So should've."

We attacked Mom as she attempted to hide behind her purse.

"As of right now, I hate every one of y'all." She said.

After we built a snowman, we headed inside. Mom and Vonna made hot chocolate for us.

"Do you still hate us?" Hunter asked, wrapping his arms around Mom's shoulders.

"No." She said. "But if y'all do something like that again, I won't forgive y'all so easily."

"So we're all forgiven then?" Dad asked.

"You're still on thin ice."

Dad frowned. "What? Why?"

"Because you stood then and watched them attack me."

"What did you expect me to do?"

"Oh I don't know? Block me! Maybe." Mom told him.

A few hours later, dinner was being served and after the dishes were washed, everyone took turns taking a shower. I was walking to my room when I heard whispering.

It came from Hunter and Levi's room. I knew it wasn't Levi because he was downstair showering. It was wrong of me to eavesdrop but I was curious.

"Are you sure?" He asked. "Positive? No I'm not upset. I promise, I'm not, Alex. I'll see you soon. I love you too."

I only heard one side of the conversation but I heard enough. Hunter was seeing someone, secretly. Why was he seeing someone secretly? Did he not want us to know about this someone? If that was the case, why didn't he want us to know?

I hurriedly walked to my room when I heard his footsteps heading towards the door.

"Cole, Mom said I could opened one of my presents." Skylar told me.

"Oh really?"

"Yep but only if I promised to go to sleep early tonight."

"Yeah cause Santa's coming tonight." I told her.

"Do you think I would hear the reindeer?"

"If you're quiet, then maybe."

We went downstairs and watched Skylar opened a gift. It was from Michael and he gave her an Olaf.

Skylar smiled big. "Olaf! Thank you, Daddy!"

I glanced at Levi and he looked at me. "Don't do it, Cole." He warned me.

"Hey. I'm Olaf and I love warm hugs." I said, grinning.

He groaned.

"Here Mom opened mine, you can use it in the morning." I said, giving her her gift.

She took it from me and unwrapped the present. "Oh thank you, Colby." She said, looking at the kitchen utensils. "I needed some new ones."

"You should've gave her cooking lessons." Levi muttered.

I hit his chest. "Shut up."

An hour later, Vonna was tucking Skylar in bed. She kissed her forehead.

"Go to bed or Santa isn't coming."

"I will. Good night, Mommy."

"Good night."

She left, closing the door behind her. I wasn't tired so I looked through my phone to tire myself out. Koda was having a hard time getting on the bed so I helped her up. She laid at the bottom of the bed. Bear was with Jayce.

I plugged my charger in my phone and placed my phone on the nightstand beside me. I figured I should go to sleep because I loved Christmas just like the next kid.

It was a little after midnight when Koda started whining. I groaned but I flipped tbe covers off of me. I stubbed my toe on the side of the bed and held back a string of curse words. I put my shoes on and grabbed a coat.

"Come on, Koda." I said, quietly.

I opened the door as silently as I could and made my way downstairs and to the front door. The night air was freezing cold and I hugged myself, tightly.

"Please hurry up, Koda." I begged as I bounced up and down on my toes.

Koda finished and I raced up the stairs. I opened the door and as soon as I closed the door behind Koda, I bumped into something, again.

"What are you doing?"

I glanced up and looked into sleepy blue eyes.

"Koda had to go."

"So does Bear."

I looked at Bear in Jayce's arm. He was nibbing on his thumb. I rubbed his head.

"He's so cute."

"Yeah. I should go before he pees on me again."

I laughed. "Yeah, go."

He walked outside and I was on my upstairs when Koda knocked something down.

"Koda." I said, walking into the kitchen. "Bad girl." I scowled her, picking up the broken plate of cookies.

I threw the glass and cookies away and made sure there was no little shards left on the ground.

"What happened?" Jayce asked, walking in.

"Koda pulled the cookies off the table." I told him.

I stood up and walked through the doorway but stopped when Jayce grabbed my arm. I looked at him and he glanced up. I did too and saw the mistletoe.

I glanced down and Jayce was already looking at me. He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. Our lips didn't move, not once. It was just a peck and then it was over.

He left and a waited a few minutes. I touched my lips and I could still for my lips tingling even after I went back to my room and climbed into my bed. I could still feel it lingering.