A note from the author: This is a work of fiction and fantasy. It's not meant to be realistic. I do run my work through Grammarly and it catches most of the mistakes. I have always had difficulty with spelling. Just hang in there I'll do the best I can. BDSM and taboo content is not for everyone just like mint or cherry ice cream isn't for everyone.
Ch. 3: Home for the Holidays
The smell of a fresh pine tree greeted me when I arrived home. A beautiful 12-foot Christmas tree decorated in classic white lights and red bobbles stood prominently in the center of the grand foyer. The stair rails and banisters at the top were covered in garland. A typical Hallmark Christmas. A few wrapped gifts sat under the tree. I had given the task of gift buying for the staff to mom. It seems that she has done well so far.
"It's beautiful Teddy," Izzy exclaimed, wrapping her arms around my waist.
"Your mother and Ms. T outdid themselves on decorating. Ms. T offered to help your mother wrap gifts but she was adamant about doing that herself." Jon replied.
"Izzy, will you go help momma finish wrapping the gifts for the staff. I have my own gifts I need to wrap before tomorrow. Tim and Morgan, would you mind helping me with those in the office?" I say kissing Izzy before we part.
Once in my office, I lock the door. I don't want Izzy or anyone else for that matter peaking on their gifts. Jon had been given instructions to store the gifts in the secret room that my grandfather made into a dungeon. My assistants and I get to work wrapping presents for my family. I message Bill to pick up a few gifts for his son and daughter and to wrap them for me. I hadn't had time to shop for Tim and Morgan. They were only added to my family Tuesday when they became my assistants in California.
Christmas Eve is tomorrow and it's hard to believe how quickly my life was changed and how normal it feels now. Bill would be flying in tomorrow evening as a surprise for his children. I have my first appearance on the local Fox News channel taking over my grandfather's spot on the Saturday morning hours. Luckily my best friend and fashion consultant, Anthony, will be here later tonight to help me look my best.
We finish with my gifts just before lunch. With the gifts added to the tree, it's really looking like Christmas. One thing is for sure, I missed Ms. T's cooking. I can do alright for myself but after a week of my cooking, let's just say Ms. T is much superior in the kitchen. At lunch, Ms. T asked me about the menu for Christmas day. We decided on Lasagna with salad and garlic bread. I wanted something simple for her so she could enjoy the time with the family.
Mom and Izzy have finished wrapping the staffs' gifts. Some of the presents line the walls so we don't block the walkway. On the walls of the stairways, stockings have been hung. I tried to help with the stocking stuffers but Jon said that the stockings were his tradition since he started working for my grandpa.
Tim has been in contact with the news studio making sure we have everything set for the morning. Morgan has been handling simple business emails for me making sure the companies are doing alright. Izzy has banned the discussion of business till after the first of the new year. I'm okay with that, this is the holidays and my time should be focused on family and loved ones.
Seeing that we finished our preparations early, I broke out 8 decks of cards for a card game called Hand and Foot. It's a game grandpa had taught me a few Christmases back. The game has properties of canasta, rummy, and phase 10. Surprisingly Tim and Morgan didn't need to be taught how to play. I guess they spent more time with gramps than I thought. We played 2 games of teams, Jon and Ms. T won the first and Izzy and I won the second. Anthony finds us at the table and greets us all with a hug.
Now that Anthony is here it's time to head to the closest to figure out what to wear on the air. Anthony has been doing his homework by watching former clips of grandpa's appearances.
"We want it to be similar to how your grandpa did the show, but still make it your own. Ken always wore a button-up shirt, vest, and slacks. I'm thinking we roll up the sleeves on the button-up, keep the vest, and trade the slacks for crisp blue jeans. It'll be comfortable but still dressy enough." Anthony rattles off as he puts together an outfit.
I'm handed the outfit to try on while Anthony and Izzy catch up. It's a simple white button-up paired with a charcoal gray vest. I roll up my sleeves, put on a brown belt and a pair of brown loafers. If there is anything I've learned from Anthony over the years it's don't forget the accessories. I grab a pocket watch that has a photo of my grandparents, taken a few weeks before grandma passed, inside. The subtle chain droops from the buttons of the vest to the pocket. Outfit approved.
I carefully undress so wrinkles don't set in overnight. We head downstairs for dinner before turning in early for the night. Between the stress of traveling and the 3 am call time at the studio, a good night's rest is much needed. 2 am comes too quickly for my liking. I drag myself out of bed and into the shower.
It's odd to be showering alone for the first time in weeks. The typical waltz in the spray is an awkward solo sway. I'm now wide awake thanks to the shower and begin to dress. Once ready I slip out of my room seeing Tim doing the same. We head down for a quick bite for breakfast before Dave, my driver takes us to the studio.
Tim checks us in and I'm led to hair and makeup. We talk with the crew making light conversation. It's a pleasure to see the anchors, Chad and Amy, again. Soon it's just before 4 and places are called. On Saturday mornings the anchors sit at a breakfast table in a kitchen set up. I'm sitting in between Chad and Amy with an earpiece and a mic.
"Good morning Nashville." Amy and Chad say together before trading the morning's headlines. Chad introduces me as I'm drinking a sip of coffee.
"Good morning, glad to be here," I responded, flashing a smile. Chad gives the first story of the day. We banter back and forth before Amy sends us to the weather. We take a commercial break and I ask if anyone's hungry. A few of the crew nod and I send Tim to grab some eggs, bacon, grits, and biscuits to cook. The producer is in my ear trying to figure out what I'm doing. I pull out my earpiece in response. We come back from commercials and swap headline stories, one of which is my hand in the orphanage football game and wildfire support.
When we go off air again Tim is back with several bags of breakfast items I grab an apron and the pans I'll need and get the biscuits going in the oven. I see Tim was able to grab fixings for tomato gravy and breakfast potatoes. While I'm chopping potatoes we are counted back to live feed.
