There’s a knocking on the window that has us both smiling as we break apart. We look over to find Lucky’s head bobbing side to side. He rumbles something unintelligible then runs off.
“I swear, that fucking bird is a menace,” Eli grumbles.
“Oh, he’s not that bad.”
“He’s a cockblocker, that’s what he is.”
A loud laugh bubbles out of me as Eli continues to glower at the window.
“He’s a hero, that’s what he is.” I take Eli’s hand and drag him towards the door.
I finally get a good look at him in his dark jeans and red Christmas sweater, the front of which has two reindeer holding beer steins and the wordsSpreading Christmas Beeron it. As usual, thisman makes something as simple as wearing an ugly sweater look hot.
“How do you figure?” he asks.
“He saved me from being late to my first Miller Christmas Eve party.”
Eli grins at me, and I can feel his love pouring off him in waves. “You’re lucky this is your first party, or I’d lock you in this room and ravish you all night long. Just you, that sweater, and nothing else.”
My thighs clench at all the possibilities of staying in bed with Eli.No,I chastise myself.Later.“Tell you what: you can ravish me after the party.”
“Oh, Princess. I don’t think you know what’s in store for you tonight. You’d better be prepared for Santa to come down your chimney.” I throw my head back and laugh as Eli swiftly hinges forward and throws me over his shoulder. “Come on, let’s see what kind of craziness is in store for us tonight.”
twenty-three
Mark
Christmas Eve
“Ready,set,go!”
I watch my grandson blindly scoop gift bows into a snowman-shaped bowl as everyone cheers him on. Our family has been playing reindeer games since our boys were children. The games have changed over the years, but the core memories remain the same—laughter and love.
“Go, Rhys! You got this, son,” Jace shouts as he bounces his youngest, Remy, in his arms.
My nose stings.Damn it all to hell. Every time I think or say my grandson’s name, the tears attack. I still can’t get over how my oldest and his lovely wife, Rylann, gave their son my middle name, Jeremy.
Our little Remy.
Like his big brother Rhys and little sister Sariah, Remy is the cutest little guy with big golden-brown eyes, thick brown hair, and his momma’s sweet dimples. I could look at their cherub faces all day, and to think I have more grandbabies on the way.
I clear my throat and sip the boozy eggnog in my hand as I watch my family laugh and cheer. Within the last two and a half years, our family has grown exponentially. It’s been a beautiful whirlwind.
Sure, there were some hiccups along the way, but my boys have all come out on the other side stronger than ever. I’ve always told them that anything worth loving takes hard work to capture and keep. I know from experience. Life isn’t always an easy road, but whomever you choose to take the ride with makes all the difference. Like I have, Jace, Eli, Mason, and Cameron have also chosen their perfect match.
My eyes find my gorgeous wife, Karen, as she videos Rhys and his toothy grin. He looks so much like Jace and his brothers at that age. Now my boys are all grown men, with wives and soon-to-be-wives of their own. They are successful in both their personal and professional lives. I’m so fucking proud of them and the men they’ve become. I think I might burst out of my Santa sweater with happiness.
Fuck.My head and emotions are all over the place tonight.
“How are you doing, Pop?” Eli drapes his arm over my shoulder.
“Never better.” My family is here.
“Are you sure? You’re looking a little weepy over here, old man,” Eli teases.
It feels so damn good to see this lighter, less intense side of him. For a long time, he lost himself in work. Fighting what his heart was telling him. I owe Callie for giving me my son back. For making him whole.
“I might be old, but I can still kick your ass.”
