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“Fuck,” he growled as he rested his forehead on Izzy’s damp thigh. He covered the tip of his dick, catching his release as it claimed him.
“Shit, did I need that,” Izzy said. “It’s like the best muscle relaxer in the world. My back doesn’t hurt, and my feet don’t feel swollen. Ahhh.”
Jig stood and smiled at the picture a blissed-out Izzy made. With her hair a mess around her shoulders, she wore only a sports bra to contain her much larger than normal tits. Her eyes were closed, head tipped back, and a satisfied smile on her lips.
Jig placed a kiss on her distended stomach before heading to the bathroom to wash up. When he returned, Izzy lay sprawled in the exact same position. “Come on, mamma. Let’s get you back to bed.”
Without opening her eyes, she shook her head. “Don’t wanna move.”
Jig pushed an ottoman toward her, then lifted her legs onto it one at a time. Still naked, he dropped down next to her. Her head automatically went to his shoulder and his hand to her stomach. She wrapped her arms around his. “Think you can finally sleep?” she asked, voice husky with exhaustion.
“Yeah, baby.”
“Good.”
He kissed her head. “Thank you.” Two simple words, probably not enough to let her know how much he valued her in his life. Tonight, she’d eased his mind and soul. For the first time in weeks, the fear had abated, and he no longer had the crushing heft of guilt on his chest.
“You don’t have to, Jig. I love you.”
“Love you too, Iz.” He rubbed a hand over the mountain of her stomach. “Love you, spawn.”
Her soft chuckle was the last thing he heard before falling into a deep, restorative sleep.
CHAPTER TWELVE
SHELL
The doorbell rang, causing Shell to do a quick scan of her kitchen. Or rather the explosion of sugar, flour, and sprinkles that used to be her kitchen. If she’d been smart, she’d have taken Holly up on her offer to make the cookies for her and Beth to decorate. But no, she’d had to get all it’s-our-tradition and insist on baking the cookies with Beth.
In the three hundred and sixty some-odd days between cookie baking sessions, she always managed to forget just how much of a mess they made. Otherwise, she’d never do this again. Kinda, like the way the pain of labor faded, allowing women to agree to have a second child.
Ugh, why did her mind always go there?
“I’ll get it!” Beth screamed as she dashed from the kitchen. “Maybe it’s Santa.”
With a chuckle, Shell wiped her sticky hands on a dishtowel. “Santa doesn’t knock on the door, silly,” she called after her daughter. “He comes down that big old chimney. And you know not to open that door until I get there.” She chased after the energetic five-year-old.
Thunder had been sitting outside their house since Copper left, but she still didn’t want her child ripping the door open.
Beth dropped her hand from the doorknob and shot an innocent grin over her shoulder.
“Busted,” Shell said as she approached the door.
“You’re here. Can I open it now?”
“One second.” She swiped her phone open, checking the security app. Cassie stood on the Santa welcome mat while Thunder remained in his car on the street. “Go for it.”
After struggling with the deadbolt, Beth yanked the door open. “Mama V!” she squealed. “Even better than Santa.”
Cassie gave Beth an indulgent smile. “Well, don’t I feel special now,” she said as she crouched down. As was her custom, she pulled a lollipop out of her pocket and held it out for Beth.
Her daughter’s face lit as she reached for the treat, but then she thought better of it and looked up and over her shoulder at Shell. “Can I have it, Mommy? Pleeease?”
“Yeah, Mommy, can she have it? Pleeease?” Cassie said in an almost perfect copy of a whining kid.
“All right,” Shell said as she rolled her eyes. “Lay off it, you two. You can have the lollipop.”
“Yes!” Beth raised her arms in victory then snatched the lollipop from Cassie. As she turned and started to dash back into the house, she caught Shell’s gaze then spun back around. “Thank you, Mama V,” she said, throwing her arms around Cassie’s waist. Then she shot off, charging into the house. “I’m gonna make you and Viper a Christmas picture!” she shouted as she disappeared up the stairs.
“Oh, to have even half her energy. Come on in, Mama V. Didn’t mean to make you stand out in the cold.” Was it her imagination, or had Cassie lost weight recently? She stood in a fluffy coat, shivering on the porch.
“Thanks, sweetie.” Cassie pressed a kiss to Shell’s cheek as she entered the home.
“Let me take your coat.”
Cassie handed it over, rubbing her slender arms once the garment was gone.
