Page 3 of A Raging Merry Christmas
Everyone shut their mouths. Fuckin’ assholes, the lot of them.
“Right, Texas, grab a pen,” I ordered.
My brothers swapped worried looks.
“Nah, I gave you all a chance. Too late, fuckers. Wild, Cowboy, and Savage, you need to get the three big trees that Phoe puts up. One each in the entrance hall, drawing room, and ballroom. You gotta make sure they’re perfect and then decorate them. Find out from Phoe what colour scheme she wants this year.”
Those three looked pretty pleased with themselves. I think they thought they had the easy part. They were in for a shock.
“Rock, Gunner, and Apache, you are in charge of buying and cooking the turkeys. Liaise with Mrs Ames on how many to buy. Jett, Hunter, Slate, and Blaze, you’re sorting the Santa Christmas toy list. You’re about the only fuckers not banned from the toy shop,” I said.
“Oh, come on, Prez, those lists are a mile long,” Jett exclaimed.
“You had a chance to volunteer, the lot of ya’s; now shut the hell up and suck it up, buttercup,” I ordered. “Rock, Texas, Manny, and Slick, you are in charge of the kid’s nativity play.”
Rock made a choking noise. Texas dropped his pen and gazed at me, horrified.
“Prez, we don’t do a kid’s nativity play,” Slick protested.
“This year, we are,” I stated.
“How the fuck do we plan that?” Texas demanded, looking betrayed.
“Figure it out,” I commanded.
I eyed Ghost, who blanched. “Ghost, you’re in charge of decorating the Hall and getting the extra Christmas Trees for the bedrooms and cabins. Take Ezra, Mac, Fish, and Lowrider to help. We’re going to use the plans Phoe’s drawn up for previous holidays as to who gets what rooms. Why rework it? Everyone, check what room you are in and then you’re responsible for decorating the trees in your bedrooms.
“Ghost, you can also be in charge of the kids’ ornament making with Axel.”
“Christmas Eve afternoon will be the nativity followed by tea at five. Fish, Ezra, and Lowrider, you gotta buy the food and organise it.” I ignored the beleaguered looks sent at me. “Mac, in the evening, we want a singsong; get those who play instruments together. And Mac, you’re also in charge of ensuring the walkways are lit up for the sleighs and toboggans, etcetera. Ace, make sure there are snacks for the singing and sleigh-ride evenings.”
Ace smirked and laughed.
“Ah, not done yet, fucker. You’re getting the Christmas breakfast food, and you can aid Axel and Ghost in supervising the kid’s ornament making.” Ace blanched, and I grinned.
“Wild, Cowboy, and Savage help with Christmas Night’s games. Calamity, Gauntlet, Klutz, with the prospects, you’re decorating the Hall and wrapping gifts,” I said, and they looked appalled, apart from my kids.
“I ain’t got a clue how to wrap presents,” Calamity snapped.
“Learn. Obviously, the old ladies will wrap the presents for their children, but we gotta do the Santa ones. Apache, you’ve got the cookie decorating, and Ace, you’re sorting the kids’ carrots and milk. If I think of other shit, I’ll let you know. Start planning now. And those in charge of the food, you ain’t expected to cook it apart from the turkeys. Get with Phoe and ensure the caterers are booked,” I said and leaned back. “You can all leave, bar the prospects.”
Chairs scuffed and boots stomped as the room emptied. The former prospects remained behind. I guessed they’d forgot they held brother’s patches now.
I grinned at the current prospects, and Carmine winced.
“Shit, I recognise that look of Dad’s,” he whispered to Harley.
“Think I don’t?” Harley muttered.
Grey turned to them and frowned before turning back to face me.
“Prez?” he asked.
“We are doing Christmas. Which means you’re taking part. Phoe always goes big, so we’re going to show her we can be just as good as her,” I stated.
Beside me, Ace nodded. The prospects appeared worried at how gleeful Ace looked.
“Dad, no offence, Mom has years of doing this, you’ve got none,” Christian replied.