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“When are your parents and brothers getting here?” Sophia asks, and I look at my watch on the dresser.
“We have a few hours before they do,” I reply. “Enough time to unwrap some presents.” I grin at her.
Ellie bounces eagerly in my arms, and Jordan leaps off the bed and runs toward the living room where our tree and presents are.
Sophia smiles up at me. “You’ll get to unwrap your present later tonight.”
I grin, getting off the bed as I hoist Ellie high in my arms so she’s resting over my shoulder, where she immediately begins playing with my hair.
“You bet I will.” I lean in and give her a kiss before she follows me to our living room, where Jordan is pulling his stack of presents from under the tree.
“Look at these!” he yells with delight. “I’ll bet I’ve got Hot Wheels and Ooshies!”
The next hour is spent furiously attacking the pile of presents. I pull Sophia into my lap and she shifts Ellie on to hers so I have both my girls in my arms. Both my girls and Ellie’s new, big fluffy rainbow elephant, which she refuses to let go of.
“Honey.” Sophia laughs into my neck. “That elephant’s bigger than she is.”
I smile joyfully, watching Jordan unwrap his gifts, listening to my family laugh. Ellie’s sweet giggles, Jordon’s excited grins and my wife’s secret smile fill me with deep satisfaction.
“It’s not heavy, sugar,” I promise, breathing the sweet roses in her hair, feeling the soft curls tickle my jaw. Sophia and I made it our own little tradition of exchanging presents at night, after our family’s all fast asleep. I can’t wait. She catches the glint in my eyes and smiles softly.
“I can’t wait for tonight.” She voices my own thoughts.
After presents, we clean up all the discarded wrappers in the living room. Sophia heads into the kitchen for a quiet moment while she pulls together a light breakfast for us while I get the kids ready for when our entire family visits. Every year, all of my family from Boston flies to Oakwood Falls for Christmas, and with all of them and Sophie’s family adding to the mix, it’s total chaos. But we wouldn’t have it any other way.
We’re barely ready when the doorbell rings, and loud, raucous greetings are followed by noisy laughter and excited yells from all the kids invading the house, while the parents carry armfuls of food into our dining room.
“Merry Christmas!” we all sing out as I grin and bounce Ellie, her baby gurgle joining in with the noise and her short curls dancing excitedly.
“Jackson!” I hear my mom’s happy cry as she hurries toward me. She absently places a peck on my cheek before she pulls Ellie into her arms and blows raspberries against my daughter’s neck, making her squeal and giggle. I grin as I look at the chaos-filled room. Dad trying to pry Jordan off his leg where he’s attached himself. My sister and sisters-in-law darting around organizing dishes as my brothers organize drinks and steal snacks meant for kids, my wife orchestrating it all.
I take a deep breath and release it in a happy exhale, wading into the madhouse that is my family.
I really do love Christmas.
EPILOGUE 2
Sophia
Much, much later that day, I stand on the porch steps, waving off the last of our guests as Jackson finishes putting the kids to bed. I step back inside, close the door, and lean my forehead against it, smiling to myself as I think about howexhaustingChristmas is, but how I love it just the same.
And the best part is yet to come…
Still smiling a happy, secretive smile, I turn and let out a little squeal as Jackson grabs my waist, pushes me up against the door and kisses me hard.
When he finally pulls away, my cheeks are hot, and the rest of my body tingles pleasantly.
“Jackson,” I whisper, my back still against the door. His head bends to my neck, his beard tickling me as he kisses his way down to the swell of my breasts. I arch back and press my hips into his, digging my hands into his hair, my heart pounding in excitement.
“The kids—”
“Are fast asleep in bed. Out before their heads hit their pillows,” he mumbles, now licking his way down the valley between my breasts, tugging at the neck of my dress.
“Damn, Sophia, your tits look magnificent in this dress,” he growls, and I laugh breathily, pulling his head up again as I place a kiss on his lips before sliding out from under him.
“Stop. Or you’ll ruin my surprise,” I scold playfully.
“Surprise?”
