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

can’t buy those special moments with your family. That is the biggest regret Mom and I have. Don’t make it yours. We weren’t there for you and Max. Yes, we were starting a new business, but if I think back on those days, I could have done something about it.”
    “Dad…you don’t know that. Max and I understand.” I tried to ease his guilt, but I knew it wasn’t working. And at that moment, what Dad was saying wasn’t just pertaining to the children. We needed to be there for our parents too. He was right. We just never knew when our time to leave the world would come, and we couldn’t ever get those special times with our parents back.
    “I know.” Dad patted my back. “Your mom and I are lucky that we raised two amazing men without doing much.”
    “Well…I don’t know about Max,” I joked, causing Dad to smile. “But don’t worry. Max and I have hired more help.” I would never tell Dad that we had learned from his mistakes, but it was true. His regret was our lesson not to make the same mistakes.
    Dad patted my back again. “Good. I’m glad to hear that. We’d like to spend more time with the grandchildren if that’s possible.”
    “Of course,” I said. Just when I wondered how long that phone conversation was going to take, Max showed up with a nurse.
    “Matt, Dad, this is Nurse Abby,” Max introduced her with a smug grin and an “I told you so” expression directed to me. “She’s going to let us in.”
    Well, I’ll be damned. My brother knew how to work his connections.

Chapter 11

    Max
     
    The next day, Jenna, Becky, Matt, and I visited Mom at the hospital. Thankfully, she had been moved out of the ICU and would be home just in time for Christmas Eve. We wanted to bring our children to see her, but she had asked us not to. She didn’t want her grandchildren to see her in that condition in the hospital. Mom was so upset about missing their Christmas play that the only request she had was to see the video of Addy and Connor performing. Knowing my mom, she was going to make it up to them by spoiling them during Christmas, as if they weren’t already.
    Matt and I had trained the new managers enough to get them started. It was going to take time for them to get adjusted and learn about our company, but in the meantime, it was going to take some of the load off our plates. It had been a difficult decision to make, especially when we had to entrust the new managers with our plans for the upcoming year for both the magazine and the clothing line. We had them sign confidentiality contracts stating they wouldn’t share what they learned about our company. Regardless, Matt and I knew we’d done the right thing. And having that scare with Mom was a reminder of what was most important.
    It was Christmas Eve. Everyone would be over close to dinnertime. The food was catered, the house looked clean, and Christmas music filled our home. All the presents were under the tree except for Jenna’s. Sitting on the floor with my children, we were building a Star Wars battlefront with Legos.
    Jenna walked into the family room from the kitchen, looking a bit flustered. She was wearing comfortable sweats, but her hair and makeup were done. She wanted to look nice for Christmas dinner, since afterwards we were going to take family pictures.
    “Hun, Matt asked me to sign some documents. He wants me to go over, now.”
    I peered up and tilted my head sideways. I had to play along. Matt had promised me he’d get Jenna out of the house so I could get her Christmas present ready. “Why can’t he bring the papers here?”
    Jenna threw up her hands. “That’s what I said. But he said I had to do it now.”
    “Fine, but tell him to get his ass over here. Why is he bothering my wife?” I sounded slightly annoyed, trying to put on a good act. It was what I would have said anyway.
    “Well, it’s fine. It’s only a ten-minute drive. I’ll be right back.”
    “Mommy, look what we’re building,” Connor