Reaching down, I lift him in my arms for a hug while Kennedy rounds my side to kiss his cheek.
“How’s my big boy? Were you good for Uncle Soren and Aunt Diana?” she asks, tickling his belly and eliciting a squeal of happiness.
“Uh-huh. Rachel and I played horses, and Sara Beth was a princess.” Hisr’s sound more likew’s, but I’ve missed the ramblings of my son.
Exploring Vienna with Kennedy filled my soul with more joy than I ever fathomed as she lit up at each new discovery, but there was a noticeable Tristan-shaped absence.
“I know! Your aunt sent us pictures.”
Soren motions us inside the warm cabin where Rachel is coloring at the dining table, Sara Beth is on her phone, and Diana flits around the kitchen. It smells like Christmas heaven, and my stomach grumbles, eager for our family’s Christmas Eve feast back at home.
While the entire Caldwell clan will gather tomorrow at Ezra and Lauren’s new home for a huge holiday dinner, tonight is all about the individual sibling families. A little time alone to strengthen those core bonds before converging into one giant group.
Kennedy bends over the back of Sara Beth’s chair to hug her from behind. “You looked gorgeous. How was the dance?”
“Good. The snowflake decorations turned out great with all the twinkling lights.” She’d been part of the decorating committee for the winter formal, so I’m not surprised that’s her first comment.
“And Joseph?” Kennedy’s brows wiggle comically while her brother groans.
“He got her back before curfew, so there’s that,” he says.
Sara Beth rolls her eyes. “Joseph was fun. He made sure I never got thirsty and let me borrow his jacket on the drive home.”
“Aww… That’s sweet.”
“Right? That’s what I said.” Diana sets a bowl of rolls on the table before pulling my wife in for a hug. “How do you feel being back in Suitor’s Crossing? Missing your European tour yet?”
Kennedy laughs. “An abbreviated tour. We didn’t even venture into one of the surrounding countries because there was so much to see where we were.”
She launches into an update of the last few days of our trip while I settle on the living room couch. Tristan wiggles out of my arms to join Rachel coloring.
“Abandoning me already? I’ve been gone for weeks.”
“You can’t compete withMy Little Pony. He’s aBro-nynow,” Soren jokes, watching the kids with fondness.
Catching Kennedy’s eye, she raises two fingers, and I nod, understanding the quiet communication. We don’t want to spend all evening hijacking Soren and his family’s Christmas.
“Want to know whatdoescompete?” I question, determined to capture my son’s attention again, rather than a herd of fictional horses that need coloring. “Christmas presents.”
“Presents?” Both toddlers look up with an avaricious gleam in their eyes.
Soren groans and rubs the back of his neck. “Now you’ve done it.”
“Yep,” I say, standing and heading toward the front door, knowing Kennedy won’t be too far behind with her two-minute warning earlier. “We’ve got to get home for dinner, and if you’re good, you’ll get to choose which present you want to open for Christmas Eve. Unless you want to stay here and color…”
“No!” Tristan jumps to his feet and races around the cabin giving everyone hurried hugs while Kennedy and I chuckle at his enthusiasm. “Bye-bye! Love you! Let’s go, Daddy!”
“Demanding little tyke, isn’t he?” Diana sweeps a hand over his head while Rachel hops around her feet begging to open a present, too.
“Like mother, like son.” I wink and Kennedy blushes.
“Ugh… I did not need to hear that.” Soren gently pushes us out the door. “And thanks for getting Rach riled up about presents.” His voice lowers. “Payback’s gonna be a bitch.”
I grin then get my family tucked safely into my truck. We carefully descend the mountain Soren’s cabin sits on, but before I can make the turn towards our own house, Kennedy taps my arm and points in the opposite direction.
“How about a detour? King Bishop’s Holiday Lane display isn’t too far away, and I’ve got some cookies we can enjoy while checking out the lights.”
“Yay, cookies!” Tristan shouts, his fists rising in the air from his car seat.
