“That’s amazing!” I say, looking it over. “You have so much you can build!”
“Daddy Gunner!” Link races over to him.
Gunner immediately rips the box open so they can start building. I shake my head, but can’t stop the huge smile spreading over my face. Every Christmas since we got married has been the Christmas of my dreams. Just when I think it can’t get better, the next year rolls around and it does.
“You four didn’t go crazy with my presents did you?” I say to Holden seriously. “You already got me things from Tiffany’s and-”
He kisses me passionately, destroying every argument I had prepared. He’s just too good to me. Our tongues tangle and tease. When he starts to climb on top of me, his brother speaks. “Isn’t this a kid-friendly environment?”
I draw back and Holden shakes his head, muttering “cockblock” under his breath. Nick chuckles. “Later, Hold.”
“Mm, I’m going to make sure of that,” He promises.
I giggle and nibble my bottom lip while gazing at my husband. We have a full dinner and I recruit Aaron to help me wrap some presents for the guys. He looks at the three books I got for Holden and the game system I got for all my guys and the kids.
“You do so much for them, Sophie. You know they’re lucky to have you, right?” Aaron whispers.
“That seems to be the theme lately. Everyone thinking I’m just good for them, but they’re good for me too,” I say seriously.
Aaron chuckles. “No one would think you’d marry all of them if you didn’t love them if they didn’t do something for you.”
I smile. “How are you? What about your girlfriend?”
He shrugs. “We broke up. We didn’t want the same thing and being around you guys reminds me that wanting a similar future can make or break a relationship.”
“I’m glad!”
“And, considering how old Holden was when you married him, I have plenty of time.”
We both laugh and continue wrapping presents. The babies kick more and I feel something close to cramps as we try to watch a movie. I excuse myself to avoid a scene since if my men pick up on it, they’ll want to take me to the hospital.
It has to be Braxton-Hicks contractions though. It happened with Cora. I grab my belly as another one tightens my body and I gasp as I hold onto the counter with my other hand. I breathe through it.
“Just as intense as real ones,” I say through my teeth.
I look at my belly. “Just a few more days, babies. Then we’ll be all ready for you.”
We’ve already turned my old room into the nursery – considering I rarely use the room except for my clothes. I think we are ready for the babies, but I just want them to wait until after Christmas to give us a little more time to settle in for them. They deserve our full attention.
A light knock on the door gets my attention before Roman walks in. His eyes drop to where I’m holding my belly and he reaches for me. “Bambina?”
“Just those fake contractions again, amore. It’ll be okay,” I assure him as I force a grin to calm his nerves.
He pulls me into his arms as the next one nearly takes my knees out. I can feel his worry. Rubbing his chest and kissing his neck should help. “It happened before, Roman. We’re okay.”
“If something feels wrong, we should call the doctor, Sophia. I don’t want to take chances with you.”
“The babies are okay,” I repeat, even though the word ‘okay’ is starting to sound less and less like a word.
“I’m sure they are.” Roman moves his hands to my face. “I’m worried about you.”
“Hey, I’m taking Aaron to the airport,” Holden announces. “Be back in a bit!”
“Hurry!” Roman says simply.
No questions are asked.
Once the Braxton hicks come to a close I nod to Roman and kiss him. “We’re all perfectly ...”