She pushed her hair out of her face and yawned. “What’s going on?”
“Isn’t it nice to have all the kids back under the same roof?” Ian climbed back up the stairs and drew Lucy in for a hug. “You’re the one who wanted them all here at the same time.”
Lucy chuckled. “I definitely spoke too soon.”
Ian drew back to look at her and grinned. “It’s okay. I thought it would be a good idea too.”
Something ripped, and Lucy immediately winced. “We can’t get involved. They’re adults now.”
Ian placed a hand on the small of her back and steered her in the direction of the bedroom. “Why don’t we both get dressed, and I’ll take you out for breakfast? We can do some last-minute Christmas shopping.”
Lucy nodded a little too eagerly. “That sounds amazing. Let me take a quick shower, and we can get out of here.”
Ian smacked her butt on the way past.
Lucy gave him a sultry look through her lashes. While she showered, Ian stripped the sheets off and tossed them into the hamper. Then he took out a clean set of sheets and pillowcases. Once he was done, he smoothed out the edges of the covers and nodded to himself. He smiled when Lucy wrapped herself against him and pressed a kiss to the back of his neck.
“Let me take a shower, and we’ll go,” Ian said gruffly.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead and hurried into the shower.
Ian scrubbed every inch of himself twice, and a thin mist followed him into the room. Lucy stood near their balcony, a thoughtful expression on her face, while Ian changed into a pairof jeans and a button-down shirt. Then he shoved his feet into a pair of shoes, and the two of them crept downstairs and out the back door.
In the car, they burst into laughter as Lucy slipped her hand into his, and he kept his other hand on the wheel.
Lucy was still laughing. “Maybe we should’ve told them we were going.”
“They can handle themselves.” Ian waved her comment away and leaned back against the seat. He brought her hand up to his lips for a kiss. “Besides, I get you all to myself for a few hours.”
Lucy blushed and looked out the window.
At the mall, he circled the parking lot for a while, looking for a spot to park. He backed up between two larger sedans and hurried to the side, holding the door open for Lucy. She was smiling from ear to ear, a vision in her knee-length skirt, stockings, and boots. When she tossed her auburn hair over her shoulders and smiled at him, Ian’s stomach gave an odd little flip.
Hot air hit Ian directly in the face when the automatic doors slid open to let them in. Lucy tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow, and the two of them took the escalator up, festive music already playing in the background. Once they got off the escalator, Ian glanced around, taking in the five stories, the high, arched glass ceilings, and the tile floors that gleamed.
During breakfast, Lucy sat across from him and chattered aimlessly the whole time.
Ian listened as if his life depended on it.
When he pulled her chair back and led her away, he heard his name being called. Ian spun around and saw his grandparents in matching red sweaters and beige pants, with Uncle Frankie leading the charge in a knitted green sweater. The three of them pulled him in for a hug before turning to Lucy.
“I love Christmas shopping,” Grandma Jen said with a smile. “Next year, maybe we’ll have some more grandkids.”
Uncle Frankie choked back a laugh. “Mom, you already have too many. How many more do you need?”
Grandma Jen shrugged and patted his hand. “The more the merrier.”
“I’m going to be more active by next year,” Grandpa Frank announced before patting his stomach. “That’s my New Year’s goal.”
Laughter rose through the air.
Ian peeked at Lucy, who had gone unusually quiet and pale. She remained tucked into his side, but some of her earlier energy had evaporated. Try as he might to draw her into a conversation, she wouldn’t budge. A few hours later, after dropping his family off at their car, he led Lucy back to theirs.
She folded her hands in her lap and spent the ride with her lips pressed together. As soon as they arrived at the house, Lucy unbuckled her seat belt and hurried out of the car. He followed in her wake, leaving a few feet of space between them. Once she reached their room, she slammed the door shut behind her, leaving Ian on the other side.
He waited with one hand shoved into his pocket and the other curling and uncurling at his side.
Lucy was asleep on the bed in her clothes when he knocked and pushed the door open. Ian took off her shoes and set them down at the foot of the bed. Then he pulled her up and tucked the covers around her. With a sigh, he made his way back downstairs and spotted the kids in the backyard, enjoying a rare bit of sun.
