Page 37 of Christmas Embrace

“Yes, I can’t wait,” Samantha answered, her eyes wide in anticipation. “I’m finally getting to see the Florida Keys. Margaritaville. I’m a bit of a Parrothead.”

“It will be perfect,” Sydney replied with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

Kade glanced at her, detecting the sadness she tried so very hard to hide, knowing they were leaving. Luca would understand for certain, but he couldn’t risk saying a word until they left New Orleans. Logan eyed him from across the room, while he and Wynter packed up Ava’s belongings. Both the toddlers lay sleeping on the sofa.

“Guess a night wedding was a little much for the girls,” he commented.

“They’re adorable.” Sydney gave Kade a squeeze.

“Aren’t they, just.” Samantha yawned. “Guess we’d better get to sleep. Big day tomorrow.”

“Santa’s coming,” Kade winked.

“Yes he is!” Samantha hugged Sydney, brushing a kiss to her cheek, and then quickly squeezed Kade. “Thank you so much.”

“Sam…I’m really going to mi…” Sydney began but caught herself. “I’m…I’m going to enjoy our first holiday with Zach.”

“Yes, that little pup is going to make your day.”

Luca gently picked up his drowsy toddler, her head lolling onto his shoulder as he cradled her. “Merry Christmas, guys. Thank you again. Time to get my wife and daughter home.”

Wynter glanced at her cell phone. “The driver’s here. I’ll follow you all out.” She scooped up Ava and turned to Logan. “I’m going to go get her settled in the car. I’ll meet you out there. Bye you guys. Thank you.” She blew Sydney a kiss, and quickly left the room.

“Hey,” Logan said, retrieving a stuffed polar bear lodged between the sofa cushions. “Good thing I saw this. Ava can’t go an hour without Rocky. Santa or no Santa, we’d be having a full-on Christmas crisis if he was missing in the morning.” He laughed.

“No worries. Good thing you found him.” Kade attempted to conceal his intentions from the Alpha, knowing they planned to leave New Orleans.

“The girls were so cute today,” Sydney offered.

“Yeah, they were. But I have a feelin’ we’re going to be in big trouble when they get older.” Logan gave a small laugh, his expression turning serious as he admired the tree. “Before I go…well, with it being Christmas tomorrow, which I guess is today, since it’s after midnight. I know it’s a human thing, but we’re giving it a go with the Santa routine, you know, for Ava. It’s a beautiful holiday, though isn’t it? The decorations. The spirit of the season and all. A celebration of family.”

“Is everything all right, Alpha?” Sydney asked, her voice soft.

“Yes. Everything is great.” Logan refocused on Kade and Sydney. “So after you came to see me, I had a talk with Wynter. We’ve known you both a long time and you know we trust you to be good parents. But there’s no getting around pack rules and this thing with Trinity…now the murders. Anyway, I called Jax and Hunter and we discussed things and we all agree. You see…I didn’t want to wait, so I personally did an investigation into her aunt, and the thing is… I discovered she isn’t really Trinity’s aunt. Not by blood anyway.”

Kade heard Sydney’s pulse race at the Alpha’s words. “What are you getting at?”

“The short of it is that we’ve agreed among Alphas to permanently place the child with you. Zachery has been bounced around too much. It’s not good for him. He’s already bonded with you, and so this is in his best interest. I was going to tell you earlier, but I didn’t want the news to distract from the wedding.”

Sydney went limp against Kade as a small sob escaped her. “Don’t joke about this, Logan. Please.”

“Is this a final decision?” Kade asked, struggling to contain his surging emotions.

“Yeah, it is.” Logan smiled.

“You’re serious?” Sydney said, her voice raised.

“Yeah, yeah I’m serious.”

“Promise me we have your word,” Kade told him, his heart beating fast. “No take backs or any other Alphas dissenting?”

“I’ll have the final adoption papers over to you in a few days. There’s a few things I’ll need you to do with regards to raising him with my pack, especially when he’s older and shifts. They’re stipulations with regards to his upbringing once he shifts. He’s going to need to be around wolves. Zach will be Acadian Wolves and as such I’ll be his Alpha. But yes. I promise. You both have my word. Zachery is yours.”

Sydney rushed to Logan and wrapped her arms around the Alpha, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Thank you, Logan. Oh Goddess. I can’t believe it.”

“You’re going to be a great mom. Zach is lucky to have you. I’m really sorry that we had to put you guys through this,” Logan apologized.

Sydney broke her embrace, bringing her hand to her mouth, both smiling and crying at the same time.