Page 27 of Zin and Celeste: A Fortis Family Christmas

Chapter 13

The next morningcame way earlier than she was used to, her son waking every two hours to feed. At six am Celeste got up and saw her new husband was as exhausted as she was as he let the dogs out and then fed them, looking bleary-eyed and gorgeous.

Zin had woken with every feed, jumping out of bed to lift their son out of his crib and hand him to her so she didn’t have to get up. She was glad for it, her stitches from the tear she’d sustained delivering Maddox were stinging like crazy. Zin wasn’t aware of those yet or the fact that she had torn. She figured she’d tell him after it was healed so he wouldn’t freak out and go into overprotective overdrive.

Gazing at her son in her arms, it was hard to express how much love she felt for him.

Zin moved back into the room and sat on the edge of the bed, wrapping his arms around them both. “I can’t believe we made him.”

His arm tightened just a fraction, and she knew he was smiling. Zin hated his smile, saying it was more of a grimace, but she loved it. Tilting her head back, she smiled at him, loving the way he was looking at Maddox with so much genuine emotion expressed on his face.

He glanced down, and she saw the same look aimed at her and her heart was full to bursting with love for her family. “Merry Christmas, Pixie.”

“Merry Christmas, Zin.”

They stayed that way, enjoying the peaceful time together until the sounds of excitement from the main living space reached their ears. “I think Santa has been.”

Zin raised a brow. “I think he came early for us and gave us the best gift of all.”

His words made tears well in her eyes to know how much he loved their son. “You are so sweet.”

His chuckle moved through her, and she felt secure and safe in a way she hadn’t before. “Let me take Maddox, and you can shower and change.” He leaned in and took the precious bundle from her arms. “Do you need any help?”

“I can manage.”

Celeste didn’t take long showering, not wanting to spend the time away from her son, which was silly but nevertheless how she felt. When she went back into the bedroom to change, Zin had Maddox in a tiny Reindeer suit.

“Where did that come from?” He looked adorable, and she knew her camera app would be in use a lot today.

“Roz brought it in while you were in the shower. The girls had her buy it yesterday when you were out apparently.”

“But how did they know?”

“Noah told them to get it for their cousin who would be here on Christmas day.”

Celeste felt her eyes widen. “He knew?”

Zin lifted Maddox into his big strong arms, and her heart melted. “Apparently so.”

Celeste began to dress, putting on comfy black leggings and a cream button-down shirt and a sparkly cardigan. It wasn’t the most festive, but it would work and would be easy for feeding. “Maybe he could tell us next time.”

Zin groaned. “Can we not talk about next time just yet? I’m still scared from this guy.”

Celeste chuckled as they walked out of the room. “You’re scared?”

“You know what I mean. Seeing you in pain is my worst nightmare.”

Celeste kissed him as he leaned down. “Fine, we can talk when he’s one or so.”

As they reached the main living space, they were greeted with hugs and kisses from the kids and the adults. Zin settled Celeste by the fire next to Lucy and Harlow, who was asleep in her baby bouncy chair.

“Want a cup of tea and some eggs and toast?”

“Please, and a glass of water. I’m so thirsty.”

Zin joined Nate and Daniel in the kitchen with Jace, and she saw the back slaps and handshakes he got and smiled.

“How are you fairing so far?”