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He offers me the first truly Christopher-sized grin for the day. "That will do."
I make a silent promise to myself to give him a reason to grin like that every single day. This wonderful man deserves this and so much more. I shift closer to him until our chests touch, soaking in his warmth. The weather today is on the chilly side, but I don't mind as long as I have him to warm me up.
"Are you about to climb me again?" he asks longingly.
"I think I'll wait until we're in a more private space."
"You know, I thought about including your climbing activities and how much they mean to me in the statement."
"What made
you decide against it?"
"Instinct."
Another gust of wind blows, about a thousand degrees colder than the last. I swear it turns me into an icicle. Christopher isn't faring much better.
"How about going to your house and celebrating with the kids that this awful week is almost over?" he asks. His teeth are chattering.
"You've read my mind. One thing though. Never mention your intentions to ‘fend off any sub-par suitors asking Sienna out.’ It's for your own good."
"I love it when you're looking out for me." Kissing my forehead, he places an arm around my shoulders, leading us back into the main street.
***
I barely push open the door to the house when Chloe and Lucas sprint toward us. Lucas wraps his arms around my waist, squeezing me in a tight hug.
"Sienna said the judge allowed us to stay with you," he whispers, as if afraid to say it out loud.
"She did. We're all staying together."
Lucas is so happy I think he might even let me smother his cheeks with kisses in public today. Chloe jumps straight into Christopher's arms.
"I grew a full inch since Monday," she tells him with conviction. "But Lucas says it's not true. He says I’ll always be a midget."
Christopher touches the tip of her nose with his finger. "We'll measure you today."
Sienna descends the stairs, her hands on her hips, a wide smile on her face. "Let Victoria breathe, Lucas."
Lucas merely hugs me tighter. Damn, my boy is stronger than I gave him credit for.
"We're going to celebrate," I announce.
"Where?" Lucas and Chloe ask in unison.
"I'm craving cheesecake," Sienna says, and there’s a general murmur of agreement. "Oh, and we really should go buy a Christmas tree, or all the good ones will be gone."
"We'll go after the cheesecake," Christopher says.
Sienna glances from Chloe to Lucas. "Okay, let's get you two dressed up."
Lucas disentangles himself from me while Chloe asks Christopher to put her down. They have a pep in their step as they follow Sienna up the staircase.
"They’re going to do the kissing, aren't they?" Chloe asks just before they disappear from view.
Both Christopher and I laugh heartily.
"I'll change quickly too." I'm about to go as well, wanting to rid myself of the blue suit and dress in something that looks more like me, when Christopher clasps my wrist. Turning to him, I cock an eyebrow. In response, he hauls me against the nearest wall.
