Ethan hands out plates, and I serve them each a few slices, pushing the rest aside to start on pancakes and eggs. Reeceblows on a piece to cool it down for his nephew, and Danny gobbles it up before reaching for another.
The floor vibrates with the rumble of the elevator—no security system necessary to signal visitors. Plus, there’s a keypad inside to operate the lift.
“That’ll be the twins.” I pile more bacon onto the growing stack and take a deep breath, bracing myself for Lucas. I refuse to allow my past trauma to ruin our family’s first Christmas Eve. It’s ruined enough of my life.
Desi and Dante stroll in with two pink boxes, followed by Rocco, who’s struggling to carry the largest Lego set I’ve ever seen, along with another dinosaur plushie. I may need to build a house sooner than I thought. Our baby will be here in a few months, and I’m sure we’ll all be spoiling him, too.
Danny’s eyes go round as saucers, the wooden spoon forgotten in the batter. “Legos!” he shrieks and nearly topples off his stool.
Reece catches him with one arm before he face-plants on the floor. “Easy, little man.”
Danny races to Rocco, jumping up and down with excitement. “For me?”
“For you. Would you like to put it together?”
“Uh-huh.” He nods vigorously. “Now?”
“Of course.” Rocco lays the Lego box down on the coffee table and takes a seat on the couch. “Is that okay with your mom?” He glances around for Harper.
“Jesus Christ.” Dante slides in next to the Viking and plucks a piece of bacon off the stack. “He’s so fucking whipped. Had us up at six a.m. to find that damn T-Rex set.”
“Hey, killer.” Reece elbows him in the ribs. “Where’s my partner? Still in bed?”
“You know it,” he mumbles with a mouthful of food. “He’ll be up after his third shot of espresso. He was awake all nightresearching,” he says with air quotes.
“Morning, sunshine. Did you miss me?” Desi sets the donut boxes on the counter and gives me a one-armed hug around the neck. “We came with sustenance, but I see you got started without us.”
“Watch it,” Ethan snarls from his spot at the breakfast table, where he sips his coffee. “Blood only goes so far. Don’t be touching what’s mine.”
I flash him a cheesy grin while pouring the pancake batter.
Desi raises his hands in a placating gesture. “Jackson is not my type; I’m not into hot jocks.”
Dante snorts. “You fooled around with half our high school football team.”
“I did not! It was only…” His twin stares at the ceiling as he counts on his fingers. “Only three people. The quarterback doesn’t count; he was barely an athlete. Anyway, I have a fiancé now, so?—”
“He isnotyour fiancé.” Reece cocks his head in exasperation. “You’re as bad as Jax, who claims to be married.”
Before Desi or I can argue, footsteps pad down the hall, and Aurora enters the kitchen, wearing adorable pink and green plaid pajamas. Her dark hair is tousled from sleep, her eyes still heavy-lidded.
Harper follows her, also dressed in pajamas. She takes one glance at Rocco and our company and turns back to the bedrooms.
Aurora makes a beeline for me and wraps her arms around my waist. “Mmm, pancakes.” She buries her face in my chest. “My hero.”
“And here, I was going to make you hot chocolate,” Reece grumbles, but jumps up to fill the kettle anyhow.
I kiss the top of her head, inhaling her jasmine and vanilla scent. “Good morning, my beautiful wife,” I add for the Viking’s benefit.
The sweet domesticity of this moment is something I’ve only dreamed of, something I never believed would happen. Yet, here I am, making breakfast in our new home for nine other people, surrounded by Christmas lights and love.
Before I finish the eggs, the elevator clanks, and Lucas appears in the doorway. He raises his hand in an awkward wave. “Morning, everyone.” His gaze meets mine briefly before skittering away.
My throat tightens with emotion, and I swallow it down. “Hey. Breakfast is almost ready.” I crack an egg on the griddle, grateful for something to focus on. “Coffee’s fresh.”
“Thanks.” He scans the room. “Oh shit! Is that Legos?” He races toward the living room despite his injuries.
With a grin, I turn my attention to the eggs, carefully flipping them while trying to keep the yolks intact. Aurora is still pressed against me, her baby bump nudging my side when she reaches for a strip of bacon.
