We have fun wrapping, turning it into a contest on who can wrap the best – even though Gunner wanted to go for speed instead. Sophie makes two batches of cookies since I can tell after the first bite, she’s going to hoard at least ten – like she should.
Eventually she comes and sits in my lap, looking at the presents under the tree and sighing. “Just three days until Christmas.”
“So much to do.” Gunner groans. “I just want to watch movies and sing the songs. And take the kids to look at Christmas lights.”
“They’ll be here soon, Gun.” Sophie assures him.
I rub her arms. “How are you feeling?”
“Ready to pop.” She laughs and rubs over her belly, pulling my hands with hers. “I think they’ll wait just a bit longer though. We’ll have a wonderful Christmas, see so much family, have a Christmas that puts Gunner’s movies to shame.”
“You already do that, sweetheart, every damn day,” I promise.
She makes a pleased sound in her throat and kisses my jaw. “You say that as if you don’t wow me regularly, Nick.”
Before I can answer her, our son races into the room and makes a b-line for Sophie. She hugs him hard. “I missed you, baby.”
“I’m not a baby, Mommy.” He says, despite not letting her go.
Valerie and Lief stand there smiling. Lief holds Cora, a little bow on her head. She hugs him before he sets her down. She walks over to Sophie and hugs her too. “Missed you, Mommy.”
“We were good,” Link promises.
“I think Santa knows that.” Gunner beams, then motions to the tree.
Our kids bound over and Sophie lights up just as brightly as the bulbs around the house. I can’t imagine a better life.
22
SOPHIA
Ican’t believe how quickly time passes. We look at Christmas lights, my wonderful husbands show our kids how to ice skate while I stand on the side and take videos. I can understand why my mom insisted on photos for every big event. I don’t want to miss a moment that we can enjoy later too.
That trend continues when Holden’s brother joins us on Christmas Eve. Aaron has been accepting, a good uncle, and everything we could ask for.
Aaron bounces Cora on his lap while watching Link open the present Aaron brought all the way from Arizona.
I rub my belly slowly, looking down at our babies. They are going to have more than anyone, just like Link and Cora do. Gunner’s parents spoil our kids endlessly, just like Nick’s parents. Roman’s entire family – including his cousin Massimo, his wife Danny, Roman’s grandma and mom – they can’t do enough for us. Uncles, aunts, grandparents, cousins, my children have it all.
Sniffing, I wipe at my eyes and Holden pats my thigh while Roman says something that makes Aaron laugh. Holden kisses my cheek. “What’s wrong, baby?”
“Nothing.” I laugh and worm closer into his embrace. “I’m so happy for our kids, Holden.”
He smiles and kisses me softly. I know he’ll wait until I tell him everything on my mind. He’s reliable like that. I take a deep breath. “I grew up as an only child and was always jealous of my friends with big families. I had my grandparents – on Mom’s side after the divorce, but no cousins, no aunts or uncles. It was kind of lonely.”
“Was it?”
“In books and movies, if something happened to the main character’s parents, they’d have a huge net to fall into, people who would love them. I was worried about that. Our children never have to be. They have a whole village dedicated to them.”
Holden beams and cups my face between his hands. “They have an amazing family and we are lucky to have them. Us guys are lucky to haveyou.”
“Hold.” I stroke over his chest.
“You constantly say how wonderful we are, but do you realize all you do for us just by being here? You’ve given us wonderful children, a life we want more than work, priceless memories, and a comfort and stability I’ve never known, Sophie.”
I shake my head. “I don’t want to cry again.”
He laughs and squeezes me before Link runs over with a huge Lego space set. “Look, Mommy!”