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“Trav!” Ainsley cut in, then turned to me. “And I just want to note that I shopped for the kids whereas Trav shopped for the adults and he’s refusing to tell me what he got. I apologise in advance.”
Trav’s laughter filled the lounge. “And you’ll all bethankingme after dark, if you know what I mean.”
Brooklyn smirked. “So, not kid friendly?”
Travis’s grin split wider and he popped the P on,“Nope.They are not.”
* * *
The guys were on their second beer—aside from Trav—by the time Mace and Jess arrived.
“Party’s here!” Mace called.
Jess appeared first, looking exhausted, followed by Mace’s shit-eating grin. After he’d dropped a kiss on my cheek and I’d fought my way out of his bear hug, I gave Jess a massive squeeze. I missed working with her in ED and we hadn’t had a decent catch up in a long time.
“Merry Christmas, how are you doing, hun?”
She gave me a tired smile. “It’s been a random, amazing, exhausting day. Dad had breakfast with us this morning.”
My jaw hit the floor, and I darted a glance at Mace. “What! Like, youractualDad?”
Jess nodded with tears shimmering in her eyes. “I came out of the bedroom to find him standing in the dining area.”
“Wait—” I shook my head. “He just randomly let himself into the house after years of zero contact?”
She looked to Mace, who cradled Cree in his arms while saying hi to everyone. “No. Mace invited him in to meet Cree. I’ve never felt my heart shatter and heal at the same time, and I still can’t believe it happened.”
“Are you okay that Mace let him inside?” I asked cautiously.
“I’m incredibly grateful,” she admitted.
I gave her another hug and didn’t let go until Mace muscled his way between us. “Bring it in, Lil Bean.”
“Merry Christmas, Tinsel Tits. Jess was just telling me about this morning.”
Mace rubbed one tinselled nipple area, then the grin slid from place. “Crazy, right? Mo was the last person I expected on my doorstep at 6 a.m.”
I lifted Cree from his arms and snuggled him close. “So crazy. Was it just a one-off or does this mean he’s back in your lives?”
Jess looked to her husband. Mace’s features were clouded. “At this stage it’s a one off; he’s still rolling with the Lucifer’s Guild, and I’m reluctant to let him get too close. Especially since Ash and Hana arrived in the thick of it.”
“Oh no!” I hissed.
“Yeah.” Jess nodded solemnly but perked up, trying to shake the oppressive feelings before they drained our Christmas spirit. “And on that note, where are the mocktails, Lil?”
Rolling with her change of topic, I went to hand Cree back to his daddy, then diverted him to Ainsley’s arms when she swooped in and all but snatched him from me.
Laughing, I led Jess to the kitchen. “I nearly lost a limb!” I joked. “And I need make another slushy batch; Brooklyn spiked the first one with vodka. Oh, go ask her about her news!”
Jess’s eyes sparkled with curiosity. “What news?”
“I can’t say. You need to find out for yourself.”
“I’ll be back,” she declared, then hurried over to Brooklyn.
“Yo, Lil, when’s Mickey and lil’ Kim getting here?” Mace called as I loaded frozen berries into the blender.
“Do I look like their pocket diary?” I sassed.
