Free Out of The Box Awakening by Jennifer Theriot Page B

Christmas. I think that’s awesome. We haven’t had a real family holiday season in forever. After mom passed, Dad usually just took us to the Country Club for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s not what you’d call a real family environment.”
    I tell Tommy that I’m planning a real family holiday for Thanksgiving and Christmas. He sounds excited and tells me that he’ll definitely be there. He thinks Hayden and Wesley will probably come as well, but isn’t sure, since their line of work may require holiday hours.
    “Listen Tommy,” I say, “I don’t know what your band members do for the holidays, but I’m sure your dad wouldn’t mind if you wanted to invite them too…even Todd. Sorry, but I just can’t call him Bert…it really creeps me out. But, anyway, Todd is welcome, too!”
    “You’re too funny, Olivia. Okay, I’ll tell him. I’m sure he will be down. Thanks so much for taking charge of the holidays. We haven’t had this in so long. I can’t wait to get home.”
    After I get off the phone with Tommy, I call Lainey, Bradley and Dalton. I tell them that I have made reservations at a hotel in town for them. They are all excited and can’t wait to come. They will all be coming for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. I am elated and can’t wait. They ask about Alan and when he will be home. I tell them that I don’t know exactly when, but he promised he would be home for the holidays.
    Lainey is so glad that I’ve found work with Sarah. “Mom, I can’t believe you are actually working and doing something you love. It’s about time! What prompted that?” When I tell her that Ash was the driving force, she is so happy for me.
    Halloween night is here and I am ready for the trick-or-treaters. I’ve gotten candy, turned on the lights and put pumpkins out on the front porch. I have decorated the house for fall and feel totally at home here. Ash calls and says that he wishes he could be here, but is on a case. He asks if I have talked to Alan; I tell him that Alan called me two days ago.
    “Two days? What is going on, Liv?”
    “I wish I knew. Lately, he just seems so vague.”
    I ask him if he knows something I don’t. He swears he knows nothing. I tell him that I’ve had several calls to my cell phone from a number I don’t recognize. They don’t leave a message, but keep calling and hanging up once I say hello. He tells me he can check out the number if I want him to, but I refuse.
    “It’s probably just random calls. No need to worry.”
    “Well, if the calls continue, text me the number and I’ll be on it.”
    “Thanks, Ash, I know you have my back.”
    We have lots of little trick-or-treaters and I remember when my own kids were little. Halloween was one of my favorite nights. The kids had so much fun getting candy and dressing up. I miss those days so much. Transforming the boys into ninjas and Lainey into a princess was so much fun! Since I don’t sew, I had to get creative with a glue gun, but we always had so much fun creating the perfect costumes.
    Halloween in our neighborhood was the best. The moms put the little ones in wagons and we all walked around the neighborhood with our solo cups full of wine. The dads didn’t trick-or-treat back in those days—they stayed back to hand out candy. Times have sure changed. I see moms and dads out trick-or-treating with the little ones. Tonight, the little ones are so cute. I am so happy that I turned on the lights and participated.
    After the trick-or-treat traffic has ended, I turn off the porch lights, lock up, and head up to soak in the tub. I decide that, since Ash is gone, he probably won’t mind if I soak in his tub. I turn on the lights, and the music starts. Gosh, I love this house.
    As I am soaking in that incredible, fragrant bath, my phone rings. Maybe it is Alan! I really miss him, and would love to hear his voice! I look at the caller ID. It’s Ash. Of course, it would be Ash. My heart skips a beat as I answer.
    “Hey