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Olivia
Her parents showed up late that morning bearing gifts. Not wedding presents, but more toys, books, and clothes for Sawyer. Like he didn’t have more than enough between her baby shower and Maverick’s brothers’ shopping spree.
They did, however, bring a little tuxedo onesie with black pants and socks.
“That is so adorable,” she exclaimed when she pulled it from the bag as they relaxed on the comfy chairs in the sitting area of the kitchen.
Maverick walked in from the garage, his phone wedged between his shoulder and ear when he looked over at them. Olivia held up the outfit, and he broke out into a wide grin.
Covering the mouthpiece, he whisper-shouted, “My little mini-me,” then continued toward his office.
That assessment wasn’t far off. She was beginning to see a lot of the Mitchell genes in her son.
“You remember he’s not coming tonight, though, right? Maverick’s housekeeper, Juanita, is taking care of him.”
“I know, but it was so cute I couldn’t resist. Maybe you can take a family photo after the ceremony.”
That sounded like a sweet idea. Probably the only one they’d take as a family. It’d be good for Sawyer to have when he got older.
Jack and Judy bickered over who got to hold him as more and more people started to arrive. The caterers and the florist were the first to get there, followed by the valet company, photographer, and string quartet. Other than offering her opinion when he asked, Olivia had been out of the wedding planning loop. Maverick had taken care of everything.
How he thought he was going to plan a wedding in two and a half weeks—and on Christmas Eve, no less—had left her shaking her head.
“There are a lot of people who owe me favors,” had been his cryptic reply. “I’ve got everything under control; the only thing you need to worry about is your dress.”
She’d shrugged and done just that. The beauty of it not being a real marriage had allowed her not to stress. If everything worked out, great. If not, she wouldn’t be upset.
Judging by the steady buzz of people circulating through the house, he’d pulled it off without a hitch.
Of course he had.
Was there anything he couldn’t do?
Apart from stay married to her, that is.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Maverick
The wedding planner who’d charged him a ridiculously exorbitant rate had turned out to be worth her weight in gold. Things were running like clockwork, so when his parents arrived with Nash, he was able to break away.
Greeting his now-middle child with a warm hug, he beamed. “I’m so glad you could be here.”
“So, where’s my soon-to-be stepmom and baby bro?”
He led them to the kitchen, where he’d last seen her.
Olivia was nowhere to be found, but her parents were still seated in the butter-leather chairs by the window.
“Jack, Judy, I’d like to introduce you to my mom and dad, Henry and Sandra.”
The grandparents exchanged pleasantries and seemed to hit it off. There was a noticeable chill in the air when he mentioned that his parents were staying with them for a week.
He tried easing the tension. “Jack and Judy, you’re still coming tomorrow for Christmas, right? You’ll both have plenty of grandbaby time then.”
“We call dibs on watching him when you go on your honeymoon,” his mom said with a saccharine-sweet smile.
“Watching a baby isn’t like calling shotgun, Mother,” he said as he leaned down to kiss her cheek.
