“We?”
“It’s you and me, Lowe,” he whispers, cupping my cheek with his right hand and rubbing his thumb along my skin. “I thought you knew that by now?”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He closes the space between us, kissing me three times before leaning back. “I’m going to go grab Claire.”
He stands and leaves without another word, and Winston worms his way into my lap. I scratch his curly golden fur as he nuzzles his head under my chin. The sound of running footsteps draws his attention away from me and he leaps off the couch to go greet Claire.
“Mom!” She comes tearing around the corner with her shadow hot on her heels. I stand and bend down just as she launches herself into my arms. “I missed you.”
“I missed you, too, baby,” I reply, giving her a tight squeeze before setting her down and kneeling before her. “How was your time with Auntie Blue?”
She grins. “Good. We went apple picking and made some pies. She let me practice my guitar and we learned a new song together. Oh, and Winston ate her favorite pair of fuzzy socks, so she says you owe her new ones.”
“Go figure.” She laughs, causing me to smile. I glance up to see Levi leaning against the wall, Winston sitting at his side as he looks down at us with adoration. “I have an idea. Why don’t we order in pizza, and you can pick the movie tonight?”
“Are you staying?” She asks, turning around to look up at Levi.
He doesn’t bother to look at me for approval, clapping a hand down on my daughter’s shoulder. “Of course, I am. Where else would I rather be?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
A THURSDAY IN NOVEMBER
“Claire, I asked you to set the table.” I set the tongs down as she comes running through the kitchen with Winston hot on her heels.
She skids to a stop, her shadow running into her as she spins to look at me. “But mom, we’re playing. Five more minutes?”
“It’ll take you five minutes to set the table, and then you can play with him until people start showing up.” I turn around and grab the stack of plates, extending them out to my daughter. “This is the last time I’m going to ask, honey.”
She groans but takes the plates from me, heading toward the kitchen table. As I go back to mixing the salad, a pair of arms wrap around my waist from behind and a chin rests on my shoulder.
“She’s giving you a hard time, huh?” His voice is a whisper in my ear, making sure Claire can’t hear him. “I’m sorry, it’s partially my fault.”
“Why is it your fault?”
Levi chuckles softly as he pulls away, spinning to lean against the counter so he can look at me. “I told her to hide a treat and see if he could find it. Apparently, that became, like, the best game in the world to her.”
I roll my eyes, but a smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. Satisfied with the salad mixture, I set the tongs back down and pick up the bowl, walking over to set it down at the table. My eyebrow arches as I see the plates still in a stack on the edge of the table and my daughter nowhere in sight.
“I got it,” Levi says, resting a hand on my hip and pressing a quick kiss to my temple before he sets out the plates.
“She only has two jobs when it comes to holiday dinners,” I tell him, folding my arms over my chest. “Setting the table and vacuuming the rugs. You can’t do both for her, Levi.”
He hums to himself, setting down the last plate before lifting his gaze to mine. “It’s my first holiday with you both. I guess I got a little carried away.”
“She’s got you wrapped around her finger.” I close the space between us, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I’ll let it slide this once, but you will need to start being a little stricter, or at least back me up. This is the fun part of raising a kid.”
“Even if I say I call being the fun parent?” I lift a brow, causing him to chuckle. “Okay, okay. I’ll try to be less of a pushover.”
I press a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you. Now, you’re in charge of the turkey. I’ll finish the sides.”
We work in a comfortable silence, Levi keeping an eye on the turkey as I finish moving all the sides to the table. When the doorbell rings, he goes to get the door for me so I can peel out of my apron and wash my hands.
“There she is,” JJ says as she comes walking into the kitchen. I turn and smile, giving her a hug. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you, too.” Pulling back, I glance around. “Where’s Cole?”
