Summary: A little boy makes a Christmas wish.
Type of fic: Story
***
Part One
26 November 2010
�Hello?�
�It�s me. I can�t pick Bryce up today. I have an emergency meeting in New York that I can�t miss.�
�When is it never unmissable?�
�Don�t start.�
�I�m not starting anything. I�m just making a statement.�
�I�m sorry I�m such a lousy father and I don�t measure up to your damn high expectations!�
�Whatever. I�ll pick him up, and I�ll make another excuse for you.�
�I never ask-�
*Click*
*
Stephanie smiled brightly at Bryce as he came running out of the school. However, when he noticed her, his smile dimmed, and he slowed down. She felt her heart break at the sight of disappointment on his little face.
But she kept her smile. �Hi, honey!�
�I thought Daddy was picking me up?� he asked, uncertain.
�Well, your Dad is a little busy, but he said he�ll make it up to you.�
Bryce sighed. �I guess.�
Stephanie wanted to keep the mood light and happy. Heaven knows she�d had enough time to perfect the little act, but it was still hard. �Hey, I�m here. How about a hug for your old Mom?�
Her son shuffled forward and have her a half-hearted hug. But she wrapped her arms tightly around him and lifted him off the ground, planting kisses all over his face.
Bryce started to giggle. �Mo-om! That tickles!�
�At least it�s not embarrassing yet,� she grinned. �Come on, how about we stop and get some ice cream on the way home?�
His eyes finally lit up. �Yeah! Choc mint and choc peanut butter!�
Pleased at the sight of a genuine smile on his face, Stephanie carried him all the way to her dark blue Mercedes, keeping up a string of silly stories and jokes to keep his mind off his absent father.
end part one.
