We ate dinner, and all the kids ran around and enjoyed their night. Trent and Finley invited all the kids to spend the night as one giant sleepover, giving the parents who wanted a night off some time to themselves.
Casey watched Mikayla laugh with Amber and rested a hand on her slowly expanding belly.
I wrapped my arms around her from behind and kissed her neck. “What do you think about our life so far, Mrs. Boyd?”
She chuckled and threaded her fingers through mine. “I think it’s pretty spectacular. We’re surrounded by family and friends, and we already have something special to look forward to next year.”
I rubbed my thumbs over her belly. “We do. I just hope we find a house before this one arrives.”
“We will,” Casey said. “I have no doubt there will be more houses for sale once spring rolls around. It always happens.”
“I hope so. I want you to have everything you’ve ever dreamed of.”
She turned to face me and wrapped her arms around my neck. Her fingers teased the short hairs on the back of my neck. She looked up at me with a smile in her eyes. “I already have more than I ever dreamed of. I have you.”
“I love you so much, Casey.”
“Enough to sneak me out of here?”
“You’re ready to go?”
She nodded. “I am. Let’s?—”
“Thirty seconds to midnight! Everyone grab their sparklers and we can go outside!” Finley called out.
Finley and Blake walked around handing out sparklers to everyone. A crowd gathered in their backyard, with the kids running through the snow and the adults sticking to the patio.
“Do you want sparklers?” Blake asked us.
Casey looked at me, desire sparkling in her eyes.
“I think we’re going to call it a night,” I told her, taking my wife’s hand.
Blake grinned like a woman who understood very well. “Happy New Year!”
“Happy New Year,” we said as we hurried toward the door. I grabbed our jackets as the countdown started.
“Ten!”
I helped Casey into her coat.
“Nine!”
I threw my coat over my shoulder.
“Eight!”
I opened the front door.
“Seven!”
We walked out into the cold.
“Six!”
I grabbed her hand.
“Five!”
