“Your man arranged everything,” Elena says, touching Rayne’s face. “It’s just for the holidays. I need to go back to the hospital after Christmas.”
Rayne turns to me, her eyes shining with tears. “Ronan…”
I shrug, uncomfortable with the naked gratitude in her expression. “It’s Christmas. No one should be in a hospital if they don’t have to be.”
Ryan tugs at Elena’s coat. “Come see our tree! It’s the biggest one EVER. And Dad let me put the star on top, and Rayne made cookies shaped like snowmen, and?—”
“Slow down, buddy,” I laugh, guiding them all inside. “Grandma’s had a long day already.”
“Grandma,” Elena repeats softly, smiling down at Ryan. “I really like the sound of that.”
In the foyer, Rayne turns to me while Ryan excitedly shows Elena the decorations. Her eyes are still bright with tears, but her smile is radiant.
“Thank you,” she whispers, rising on her toes to kiss me. “This is the best Christmas gift I could ever imagine.”
I cup her face in my hands. “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet, sweetheart.”
By six o’clock,the house is filled with the aromas of a holiday feast. Mom and Dad arrive bearing additional dishes—Mom’s famous apple pie and Dad’s secret-recipe eggnog. He never really shared the recipe to me, says it was his specialty.
Mom bustles into the kitchen to help Rayne, while Dad settles on the couch beside Elena, asking about her health with genuine concern. Ryan bounces between them all, vibrating with excitement.
I stand in the doorway, watching. The Christmas tree glitters in the corner, presents piled beneath it. The fire crackles in the hearth. Laughter spills from the kitchen.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Dad appears at my side, offering another glass of eggnog.
I accept it, taking a sip. It burns pleasantly going down. “Just thinking this place has never been so loud.”
He chuckles. “That’s what happens when you let people in, son. They bring noise. And life.” He nods toward Rayne, who’s emerged from the kitchen, her cheeks flushed from the heat of the oven. “You found yourself a good one there.”
“I know.” My eyes follow her as she crosses to her mother, leaning down to whisper something that makes Elena laugh.
“Your mother and I like her,” he says quietly. “We like what you’ve done for yourself. We’re proud of you.” He gestures to the decorated room, the family gathering.
“Thanks, Dad.”
Dad slaps me on the shoulder. “We’re proud of the man you’ve become, Ronan. Not because of what you’ve built" —he nods toward the window, where the lights of the city twinkle in the distance— but because of who you’ve let yourself become."
Before I can respond, Mom calls from the dining room. "Dinner’s ready! Everyone wash up and find your seats!”
Ryan races to the bathroom, Elena following at a more sedate pace. Dad winks at me before going to help Mom with the final arrangements.
Rayne approaches, sliding her arms around my waist. “What were you and Thomas talking about? You looked serious.”
I press a kiss to her forehead. “The past. The present.” I look down into her eyes. “The future.”
She smiles, a hint of shyness in her expression. “I like the sound of that.”
“So do I.” More than she could possibly know.
This is what I’ve been missing. This is what I’ve been working for without even knowing it.
The bedroom isdark save for the faint glow of dawn beginning to creep around the curtains. I drift between sleep andwakefulness, warm beneath the down comforter. The house is quiet, peaceful after the joyful chaos of Christmas Eve.
A gentle touch on my thigh pulls me toward consciousness. Soft lips press against my abdomen, trailing lower. My eyes open to find Rayne beneath the covers, her blonde hair spilling across my skin as she takes me into her mouth.
“Rayne,” I groan, my voice rough with sleep and sudden desire. “Fuck, sweetheart.”
She hums in response, the vibration sending a jolt of pleasure through me. Her tongue swirls around the head of my cock, her hand working in tandem with her mouth. Her wet, slippery, sensual rhythm drawing me fully awake and rock-hard in seconds.
