Free Twas The Knight Before Christmas (Something Great Series) by M. Clarke

myself to see why she was securitizing our attire. She must be wondering why we were dressed so formally. Also, since women looked at my brother and I all the time as if they wanted to take us to bed, I didn’t really think twice about it. I knew Max was feeling it too when he spoke.
    “We were at a Christmas work party when we got a phone call that our mother was in the hospital. Ellen Knight,” Max explained.
    The receptionist gazed at the computer screen. “Oh, Mrs. Knight. She’s in ICU. Take the elevator to the fourth floor. Turn right when you get out, but visiting hours are over.”
    “Thank you. I know. We’re just here to make sure our father is fine and to speak to the nurse,” Max said with a smile and proceeded toward the elevator. He turned to me and whispered, “Visiting hours are not over.”
    I had no idea what he had planned, but knowing my brother, he had something up his sleeve. The only thing I could think of was that my parents had donated lots of money to the hospital and I bet Max planned to use that connection.
    “What are you going to do, sweet talk your way in?” I asked, pushing the elevator button. The door opened and we entered.
    “You know me so well, little brother,” Max quipped, pushing the button for the fourth floor.
    I chuckled lightly. “I can’t wait to see this.”
    When we exited the elevator, we turned right as instructed. Dad was waiting for us by the nurses’ station. I had texted him when we were in the car that we were on our way. He looked so tired and worn.
    “Max, Matthew.” Dad greeted us with a hug.
    “How’s Mom?” I asked.
    “Any changes?” Max asked.
    Dad took us to Mom’s room, but we couldn’t go in so we stared through the window. Mom was hooked up to monitors. She looked so weak and fragile. It broke my heart to see her this way. Looking at Max with his tense shoulders, I knew how he was feeling—guilty for not calling and visiting more often and taking our parents for granted.
    “She’ll be fine,” Dad assured us. “The doctor said she seems better than this morning.”
    “This morning?” Max and I questioned a bit louder than intended, staring at our dad.
    “I thought she was admitted an hour ago,” I said, feeling confused.
    Dad sighed. “I knew you were going to the party. I didn’t want to bother you, but I knew if I didn’t let you know, I wouldn’t hear the end of it.”
    Max released a puff of air and wrung his hair with his fist in frustration. “Dad, Mom is more important than a stupid party we throw every year. Next time please let us know what’s going on right away. We appreciate that you put our needs first, but we want to be there, okay?”
    Dad nodded, shifting his attention to Mom. “Okay.”
    “Why are you out here?” Max asked. “I know visiting hours are over, but who cares? It’s not like you’re going to make her sick even more. It’s not too late in the evening. I’m going to make some phone calls.”
    When Max walked away to make the call, Dad and I continued to gaze through the window at Mom. We stood side by side.
    “You called us because you thought she was getting worse, didn’t you?” I asked wearily.
    Dad covered his face with his hand for a second, and then placed it inside his jacket pocket. “Yeah,” he said, without making eye contact. He sounded so calm, but I knew he hadn’t been when he tried to call us. “Time is so precious, and yet we sometimes we take it for granted,” he continued. “Don’t miss out on the things I missed out on when you were growing up. I missed your kindergarten performances. It’s one of the things I wish I could redo. Your mom and I were hoping to see Addy and Connor’s performance, but then your mom got sick. You just never know.” Dad turned to me. “Matt, you can’t ever get those special times with your children back. You’ve got one shot at each stage in their lives. Make the most of it. Money is great to have, but it isn’t everything. You