“What’s this?” Marshall pretends to scowl at Jaxson. “Another little goat you’re ready to sling my way?”
Nathan gives Marshall’s nose a pinch.
“Jaxy ismygoat,” Nathan shouts in his face. “Not your goat.”
Barron pushes Nathan, and a shoving match ensues, which leads Marshall to pretend to drop the boys, catching them just before they touch the ground. The boys love every roller coaster-inspired moment and run away laughing.
“You’re a goodunky.” I give him a little wink.
“And you’re a wily spirit wife.” He glowers at me as if he were trying to make a point, but I’m not connecting the dots.
“What did I do now?” I’m almost afraid to ask.
“It’s what you didn’t do.” He tips his chin up and looks vexingly handsome. It’s clear where Logan gets his good looks.
Marshall arches an amused brow my way. “You didn’t tell me that the boys have the ability to read my mind.”
“What?” I squawk in horror.
Logan winces. “Now there’s a gift that will keep on giving.”
“Oh no,” I moan.
“Oh yes.” Marshall sharpens his eyes over mine. “And I have a suspicion that won’t be the only surprise you’ll be getting this evening.”
Before I can ask him to extrapolate, Lexy comes up with her paparazzi-sized camera in hand.
“Come on, Messenger, or Messenger’s sister, or whoever the hell you are. We’re doing family shots by the tree in the family room. The lighting is better in there. I’ve already got your boys standing there, picking their noses.” She cranes her neck past me. “Gage?” she barks. “Quit making out with Kresley. It’s time for pictures.”
My mouth falls open as I turn that way, and sure enough, from this angle it looks as if they’re doing just that, but in reality they’re just standing a little too close for comfort—my comfort.
Oh Lord, Marshall’s cryptic words are proving to be true already. Now that’s one surprise I don’t want.
Logan and I head over to the family room, and I take Jaxson from him in hopes that having my hands full will stave off the urge I have to sucker punch Gage.
Mom claps with glee once she sees Logan and me migrating toward the Christmas tree. She’s wearing a sweater with a picture of a reindeer on it that blinks and lights up like a seizure and a pair of skintight velvet green pants.
I spot Demetri standing with Emma, Barron, and Tad—and the devil of a Fem looks to be inspecting my mother’s velvety bum with an approving smile.
Nitwit.
“Ooh, look at this adorable family,” Mom coos.
Emma steps up next to her with her arms folded across her chest as if she didn’t approve, while Logan, the boys, and I situate ourselves in front of the faux Christmas tree that my mother let the younger set decorate with handmade ornaments.
Lexy snaps away a million pictures at once as we do our best to freeze the smiles onto our faces until our cheeks hurt.
“Not a complete family if you ask me,” Emma snarks.
“Nobody asked you,” I say through the side of my mouth like a bad ventriloquist.
“Here he is,” she sings as Gage steps into the room. “Here comes the king.”
Gage shoots her a look, and she waves him off.
“Oh, it’s true,” Emma harrumphs. “Now get in there and take some pictures with the boys.” She nods my way. “Skyla, if you don’t mind.” She motions for me to vacate the area.
“No,” Gage says sternly. “I want their mother in the picture.”
