Fuck me. She’s exactly right; there is more, though, I’m not sure what she’d think of the more I’d have in store for her. But before I can respond, Gunner comes barreling back into the kitchen.
“Benny! Look at my turkey wobble!” he squeals as he does a weird strut across the floor that has the three of us cracking up before we’re all joining him in our own versions of a “gobble wobble” as Gemma put it.
“This was not on my bingo card this year, but I’m not mad about it,” I hear Jax say from over my shoulder before he barks out a laugh. “I knocked, but let myself in when you didn’t answer.” He holds up a pack of butter in one hand and a bag of marshmallows in the other. “I come bearing gifts.”
“You mean the groceries I asked you to grab on your way over,” I correct him.
“Sure, that,” Jax says as he tosses the items onto the kitchen island before turning to Gunner. “What dance are we doing, little man?”
“Gemma calls it the gobble wobble, Uncle J.”
Scarlett suddenly freezes, eyes wide from what Gunner just called Jax, and I imagine her shocked expression is mirrored on my face.
Jackson doesn’t bat an eye at his new title, in fact, he’s beaming with joy as he joins Gunner in the dance he’s made up.
“I’m going to go get ready,” Scar calls over her shoulder as she strides down the hall.
“Take your time, I’m on turkey basting duty,” I assure her.
“Try not to burn the house down again,” Gemma teases as she passes by us to go upstairs.
“Thought it smelled a little funny in here,” Jax starts, but I jab him in the ribs before he can say anything else.
“Is Alexa with you?” I ask him.
“She had to finish some interview prep so she’s driving over later,” he explains.
I give him a nod before grabbing the oven mitts and pulling the turkey from one of the double ovens to baste it again. I’m pleased to say we haven’t burnt it and it looks like it just might turn out perfectly. Not too shabby for two turkey first-timers.
“I’m so tempted to post a thirst trap video of you basting that turkey with your shirt off right now. Or maybe I should wait and post a video of it when you inevitably lose the fantasy league again.”
“You’re freaking hilarious, J,” I deadpan.
“I know. So, what can I help with?” he asks and I’m thankful he does because I’m not ashamed to admit he’s a far better cook than I am.
After I put Jax to work on prepping the sweet potatoes, I lift Gunner in the air. “Let’s get you changed out of your PJs, Champ.”
“Look at me, Uncle J! I’m an airplane!” he squeals in delight, and goddamnit, the combination of his laughter and hearing him call my brother his uncle has me feeling all the feels.
Never change, Champ.
Making exaggerated airplane noises with my mouth, I swerve side to side as we fly up the stairs and Gunner lands a spot in my heart as one of my favorite people to ever exist.
It’s not long before our house is filled with our friends and too many kids to count.
The doorbell rings and I open the front door to find Connelly with his younger siblings Colton and Eva. I knew he was bringing Eva along because she’s friends with Gemma and offered to help her watch the younger kids for a bit so the adults could have a game night after we eat, but I wasn’t anticipating him bringing Colt. Scar thinks Gemma has a crush on him, and I can’t help the overprotective side of me from coming out as I narrow my eyes at the boy.
“Welcome,” I tell them as I gesture to the coat rack for them to hang their jackets on.
“Hey, Cap. Thanks for having us,” Nathan says.
“Of course, thanks for coming. Are you helping the girls babysit, Colt?” I ask him in a gruff tone.
“Uh, yeah, I love kids and good food so it sounded like a no brainer. I appreciate the invite, sir,” he says and I have to hold back a chuckle.
Sir? This little shit thinks he’s so good.
Scarlett walks up beside me and I wrap my arm around her shoulders. “Hey, guys. Thanks for coming. Gemma is with the kids in the basement.”
