Jase looks from the bears to me and back. “Why is the one bear walking back and forth? Is he mad?”
“I think that’s the dad bear. He’s probably not mad, just unsure of all the people. He’s protecting the mom and baby.”
Jase continues to stare at the bears. Finally, he turns toward me. His voice is so low I almost can’t hear him over the music and other people. “My dad died protecting us. That’s what Mom says.”
With a lump growing in my throat, I nod. “Your mom told me the same thing. That makes your dad a hero.”
It’s Jase’s turn to nod. “Yep. But don’t say anything to Mom. It makes her sad to talk about him.”
“You can always talk about him. It’s a good thing.”
“Do you think I might ever get a new dad?”
“I think that’s up to your mom. How would you feel about that?”
Jase’s lips come together as if he’s giving the topic some genuine thought. “I think it would be cool. And you know what?”
“What?”
“She’s not sad when you’re here, Mr. P.” He shakes his head. “Malcolm.”
“That’s good,” I say as I ruffle his hair. “I like seeing your mom happy.”
“Me too.”
Neither Mandy nor I were sure how Jase would feel about his teacher dating his mom, but since the first time she invited me to their apartment and the three of us went out for pizza, he’s been our biggest supporter. Granted, with him along, our first night as a threesome was considerably different than Mandy’s and my one night over four months ago. With the three of us, there was no starving or rehydration. My eating was limited to pizza and breadsticks.
Though Jase may be our biggest advocate, he isn’t alone. Mandy’s parents have been fantastic. They truly are a great support system for her. Her mother just laughed when she found out that the Malcolm Mandy has been seeing and Mr. P. are one and the same. It made our introduction easier since I’d already met her mother the first day Jase entered my classroom.
My parents too are happy. They weren’t as thrilled when I told them I wouldn’t make it to Florida for Christmas, but I promised I’d make it down before school begins again in January. If things go as I hope, when I do I won’t be alone.
“What were you two talking about?” Mandy asks as we make our way back to her. She’s all bundled in her winter coat, hat, and gloves, and even with Jase’s hand in mine, I’m awestruck by her presence. The crisp air is giving her cheeks the rosy glow that’s usually reserved for her cute blush.
“Polar bears,” I answer as if I haven’t just received the permission I’ve been seeking.
I know I should ask Mandy’s father, and I will, but it was Jase’s blessing that I sought the most. I hadn’t been sure how to approach the subject. It just so happened he did it for me.
“We need to get home...it’s getting late,” Mandy says, reaching for Jase’s other hand.
“Will you come too?” Jase asks, looking my way.
My grin grows. “I’d love to come to your place...and at it,” I add softly. “But that’s up to your mom.”
Mandy shakes her head. “To, yes.”
We both laugh, confident by Jase’s expression that our joke is strictly between us and that he missed our meaning.
Three days later on Christmas Eve, I’m again at Mandy’s apartment. Jase is finally asleep, after coming out to the living room nearly a half-dozen times for a variety of reasons—everything from needing a drink to having to go to the bathroom and the important news he forgot to share with us that was so important he couldn’t remember it.
Now that he’s asleep, I’m helping Mandy unload the gifts from the trunk of her car. They’ve all been wrapped, so it’s more of a job of placing them under the tree than anything else.
“I can’t wait to see his face when he wakes up,” Mandy says as the last gift is placed, and she rehangs his filled stocking.
“There’s a reason they have the saying ‘like a kid on Christmas morning.’”
“Would you like a beer?” she asks once all the gifts are in place.
“I can help.”
She waves me away and walks to the kitchen. As she does, I slip my surprise from my pocket into the stocking that says Mom. With the room’s normal illumination off, the colorful tree lights create vibrant globes that reflect around the walls and on the shiny wood floor. After I sit back down, she returns.
“Here,” she says, handing me a bottle as she holds tightly to the stem of a wine glass.
Before she sits, I ask, “What about your stocking?”
Mandy shrugs. “I guess I wasn’t good.”
“Oh, beautiful, I think you’ve been very good.”
“Well, apparently, Santa doesn’t.”
“Are you sure?”
She laughs. “Since it’s empty, I’d say I’m sure.”
As she starts to sit, I stop her. “Why don’t you make sure?”
Her blue eyes grow wide as she places the wine on the table and slowly makes her way to her stocking. “Malcolm, what did you do?”
Time stands still as she reaches into it, her fingers grasping for anything. It’s as she feels what’s inside that she turns my direction. The smile from earlier is gone, and her eyes are glassy with unshed tears.
“Malcolm?”
I’m not sure if this is a good reaction or not, but I’ve made the move so I can’t turn back now. Placing my beer next to Mandy’s wine, I slip from the couch to one knee, at her feet.
“Mandy, I had this all planned. I knew exactly what I was going to say, and now…” I reach for her hand, now holding the diamond ring. “…I’m reminded of the time we were on the gulf and you said words couldn’t describe what you were thinking. I’m going to give it a try, but I know it won’t be enough.”
Her lips disappear behind her teeth as she stares down at me. The tears have now escaped, trailing down her cheeks.
I reach up and wipe one away with my thumb.
“One night with you wasn’t enough. You’re the fiercest, strongest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. I’ve been mesmerized by our attraction since our first date. When we’re together, it’s as if I need to touch you to be sure you’re real. When we’re apart, you’re in my thoughts. I’ve known for a long time that it was love, but I respected your wishes and never talked about what I was feeling.
“I can’t do that any longer. Mandy Wells, I love you. I love all of you…that means Jase too. I’ve tried to show it, but I want more. I want to say it. From the first day Jase walked into my classroom I knew he was special. I had no idea how incredibly special he was until the day of our meeting. If you’ll allow me, I want…” I reach for the ring in her grasp and hold it out, ready for her finger. “…you to please agree to marry me, to let me tell you and the entire world that I love you, that you are the one woman who holds my heart in the palms of her hands, and I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with you and Jase.”
Mandy takes a ragged breath. “The rest of your life…” she says softly.