Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 132951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 665(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
A picture of their adorable baby boy follows, lying on the floor with his toes in his mouth.
Hammer
My view this morning.
Hollis’s back in a pair of plaid pajama pants and a Santa hat follows.
Lexi
My view isn’t quite as nice. A Christmas baby would be welcome about now.
Lexi’s swollen belly and the phrase LOADING pops up.
Hemi
Wishing you the most amazing Christmas!
A selfie of Hemi and Dallas with their families in the background comes next. They’re up in Muskoka where both their parents live.
Essie
Happy holidays, my loves!
A photo of Essie and Nate appears. Nate’s attention is on Essie, not the camera.
I cross over to Dewey and carefully lift him out of his cage, giving him a little love before I put his Santa hat on and take my own selfie. I send it, along with a Merry Christmas.
A moment later, a message pops up in my private messages.
Lexi
Everything okay?
Dred
I don’t know. I woke up alone.
Lexi
Dred
He left a note saying he had to take care of something. I leave for the soup kitchen in half an hour.
Lexi
Maybe he had to pick something up?
Dred
I’m sure that’s it. I’m excited to see you and the girls later today.
Lexi
I can’t wait, and neither can they. You’re welcome to come earlier.
Dred
Thanks. I’ll message when I’m finished at the soup kitchen.
I eat half the strawberries and yogurt and sip my coffee, but my stomach is twisty. Where would he have to go on Christmas morning when everything is closed? I set the spinning thoughts aside, put Dewey back in his cage and feed him, then grab my purse and head downstairs.
The front door swings open as I’m putting on my running shoes.
“This looks like something out of a movie!” a familiar voice makes my heart skip a beat.
A moment later Everly appears, followed by Victor and my husband.
“Dred!” Everly drapes herself over my back and hangs off me like a human cape. “Merry Christmas!”
“Hey, hi.” I cover her arms with mine.
Connor stands behind Victor, hand tucked into his pocket, a small smile on his lips.
I open my arms for Victor, and he steps into them. “Merry Christmas, Dred.”
“Merry Christmas, Victor.”
“We’re coming with you to the soup kitchen!” Everly exclaims.
“And then back here for Christmas stockings and brunch,” Connor explains.
“And then we can explore this place, right?” Everly asks.
“You can explore this place,” Connor agrees.
“That sounds amazing.” I’m lucky my voice doesn’t crack with the emotions clogging my throat. There are probably zero chances I will make it through today without shedding a couple of very happy tears, but I’m holding those for later.
I grab my purse, and we leave the mansion. Victor and Everly climb into the back seat, and Connor follows me to the passenger side.
“I’m sorry you woke alone. I tried to get back before that happened, but I hope the surprise makes up for it,” he says.
“More than you know.” I hug him. “This is a chart-topper Christmas surprise.”
His lips touch mine. “I’m also sorry about my lack of control last night.”
“I’m not. It’s nice to be needed,” I admit.
“I could have needed you in a more civilized manner.”
“I didn’t mind.”
He appears to get lost in my eyes for a moment.
Everly presses her face against the window.
I laugh and pat his chest. “We should set a good example when the children are watching.”
He kisses me on the lips. “Hm, good point.”
Connor helps me into the car, and we drive across town to the soup kitchen. The four of us spend the next few hours preparing Christmas dinner for people who can’t afford to make it themselves. It’s sweaty, intense work, but everyone there does it with a smile, because afterward we’ll return to a house full of love with a warm meal of our own.
Soup kitchen prep tackled, we pile into the car with Everly and Victor and drive back to the mansion.
Meems is in the living room in her favorite chair when we traipse in. She’s wearing a green dress, her hair done, looking like she’s ready for a night on the town.
“Isn’t this a picture!” Her smile is wide as she takes in the four of us. “Merry Christmas! How was your morning?” She pushes out of her chair, and I hug her gently.
“So amazing. We made two hundred pounds of mashed potatoes.” My forearms will probably be sore for the next couple of days, but it’s so, so worth it.
“I helped make cranberry sauce,” Everly adds. “This place is amazing! That tree is huge! I’m Everly. We met at the wedding, but it was huge and there were hundreds of people, and this is my brother, Victor. Thank you for letting us crash your Christmas.”
“I remember. It’s so wonderful to see you again.” Meems hugs them. “Connor said he had a surprise, and I can’t think of a better one than this.” She’d already fallen in love with them at the wedding.