Everyone having sex is at least 18. This story is a work of fiction. I made it all up. Check reality at the door and enjoy it for what it is. Special thanks to goducks111 for his help and making this a better story.
******
Chapter 17 - Christmas Eve
Three hours later and there is a standing ovation for the entire cast and crew of Hamilton. It was an awesome show. I am at a loss for words. The style is much different than a typical show. The cast and crew then all descend into the audience to see their families. It was heartwarming to see all the happiness around us.
Beth leans over to me, "You made all of this possible. Look at those families. At these prices, no way that family of thirteen can come." She kisses me.
I rush our group out. I had already given the cast and crew a large tip to be shared evenly. Outside are three London double-decker buses. Everyone is going to the restaurant by bus, and the busses will return the families back to the theatre when we finish.
The bus ride to the restaurant is boisterous. Everyone is excited to talk about the show and how awesome it was. I had seen it before. It's still great fun to watch a second time. I saw a lot that I had missed. We are on our way to "Uncle Bob's Greek Restaurant." Not the most original name. They have two prime qualities, a room big enough, and it wasn't booked. It's not easy finding catering rooms at the last minute on Christmas Eve. This place is much larger than we need but better too big than too small.
Everyone wants my attention, I meet every family. They were glad I saved their daughters. All was going well until Phoebe brought her parents to see me. I was in shock, seeing my dad. He looked old and frail. I just stared at him, unable to speak. Why is he here? Why did he come if he still hates me?
My father didn't say a thing. He looked at me, he was tired, it showed on him. He slowly walked to me, cane in hand. I stood still, unsure of what to do. I looked down on the frail mean spirited man I used to know. I didn't feel the hate or the contempt I once had. No, it is now sadness I think. Dad lunged forward with two unsteady steps and fell into me, holding on to my chest. I still can't move, Phoebe helps him. Dad starts crying into my shirt.
Slowly people around us turn to see the commotion and go quiet. They're waiting for my reaction. I can't speak still. I do pull my dad up with my hands, so he is standing tall again. I then do something I never thought I would ever do. I hug my father. There is a collective "Awwwww." Everyone knows the story.
As I am standing there holding my dad, The Twenty starts singing, I mean whispering Christmas songs. Wow, I love it when they sing like that. I get goose-pimples. The whole place is silent. Even the little kids that were running around have stopped. The kitchen staff came out to listen. Other rooms are overflowing at our doors, so they can hear. Twenty angels are singing.
Now to my surprise.
Beth makes an announcement, "We have done those same songs three times now. The sound is beautiful. But frankly, we're bored with them. Sorry, Steve. Here is something different. Jenny and Beth lead the twenty with Beth doing the solo for Santa Baby. They did it correctly in their little girl voices and using too much breath when they sang. All the men are crossing their legs because they're turned on by the singing of that one song. Never has a song been so erotic. The mothers are annoyed but still smile, it is cute.
They sing two songs with Opera Man as lead and the girls doing a perfect choir backup. It blew me away. I am in tears, as are many others. Opera Man has such a commanding voice, yet the twenty sound like angels. They admitted to practicing early morning in the garage. Opera man finishes with, "I'll be home for Christmas." My best present ever.
The place has a buzz going now, everyone was moved by the singing. Dinner is being served. Dad is too frail to get up again, I take a walk with mom, arm in arm. Once out of sight of dad, she stops me, hugs me, and cries. She didn't say a word. Everyone left us alone in the room as mom cried on my shoulder. I find out dad has cancer, six months top. He was thrilled to take one last trip, to see New York, and get a chance to see me again. Mom was appreciative that I made it happen and didn't kill him outright.
I had invited them for Phoebe, I never dreamed that they would come. Now that the initial greeting was over, Phoebe appears at my side and kisses me.
I inquire, "What's that for?"
Phoebe seems light on her feet, giddy almost when she responds, "Just for being you."
I help mom fill up a second plate for dad and she heads back with Phoebe. I look for Beth, she is at a table with just her mom and dad. I stop by to say hi. Her mom jumps up and squeezes the breath out of me, she is excited and can barely talk. Her father isn't nearly as happy to see me. Her mom and dad look suitable for their age, they may have been models at my age. They probably don't think I'm good enough for their daughter.
Her father stands up and tries a death grip on me. Being in shape, especially after mountain climbing, I was more than his equal, which surprised him.
Frank says, "Say, you're not one of them sissy boys, are you? How did them boys beat you so bad?"
Defending myself, "Well, they were big football players, and there were eight of them. The first two I was ok with. The last four were huge. Normally I plan better so I can avoid those things. Unfortunately for me, my backup was a minute too late. That wasn't anything compared to hunting those giant killer sharks. Now that was scary."
Beth has had enough, "Ok, dad, he's man enough. He hunts killer sharks for fun and took on eight football players. Not even you've done that. He is a tough guy. Mom, he's great in bed. Great toolset and smart as well. He thinks, he plans, he is organized. What not to love? Steve, move along, I need to talk more about you." She smiles happily at me as I walk away.
I find Jenny with her family. Her mom and dad are busy trying to corral four children about ten years old. They adopted four related children, two sets of cousins who lost their parents. They also have three older children; Jenny is the oldest.
As I approach, the table goes silent.
The youngest asks me, "Did you really hunt killer sharks?"
I sit down and lean over to tell my story of how a shark had killed three surfers. We tracked it down, I got it in the cage, and used a spear gun to shoot it. It got hit, bleed, then other sharks killed it. What I didn't say was that I peed in my pants when the cage broke, my spear never did shoot, it was broken, and the damage was done by people on the boat with spears and hooks. Still, my version kept them entertained for a few minutes while the parents got food.
I then took them over by the big windows and pointed out the sights and told stories of my adventures. I took just long enough for Jenny, her parents, and the older children to eat. That's when I ran out of stories. I took them to get a plate of food and then back to their table. They are quiet when they eat as well. Jenny gives me another kiss.
Phoebe interrupts us and takes my hand. She hands me a plate, I hold it, she fills it up. She retakes my hand and leads me back to the parents. I am instructed to sit, talk, and eat. I do all three.
Tomorrow morning, mom will meet us for breakfast. Then she gets her time to ask me questions. Dad doesn't have the energy to come by, he wants to save it for Christmas dinner. Groups start to leave. The girls all know they can go home with their families, but none of them do.
The buses shuttle parents and families back to their cars, and soon it's just The Twenty and Beth's parents. Don is taking them back to their vehicle.
Before they leave, Frank hugs me and whispers in my ear, "She's in love with you. Now that I have met you, I understand why. You're OK in my book."
