“He looks good with a baby,” Capri said of her daughter in Bronson’s arms.
Yes he did.
I couldn’t stop from staring and my man must have sensed my eyes on him. He looked over and gave me a tender smile. When he mouthed that he loved me, my heart tumbled over my chest.
“You two are so sweet,” Capri said softly.
Still not able to divert my gaze, Bronson then gave me a sexy smirk and winked.
“Holy cheeseballs, he is hot,” I said.
All the ladies laughed and I finally pulled my stare from my husband.
“Holy cheeseballs?” Alley questioned, cracking up hysterically. “That is my new favorite saying.”
I couldn’t help but join in with the laughter that rang out from everyone. “Hey, a mom has to come up with stuff she can actually say around her kid. And if you’re around Embry then it keeps me in the clear from losing all my money.”
“Did you say money?” Embry asked, sneaking up behind us, all the kids still awake now rushing up as well.
“What did I tell you about sneaking up on people?” Jurnee asked her daughter.
“I wasn’t sneaking, I was just looking for opportunities to make money. The guys seem to be on their best behavior tonight so I thought maybe you might slip over here.” She gave her mom a smug smile. “Besides we’re all thirsty,” said, motioning to all the children.
Jurnee was shaking her head. “Fine, everyone come grab something and then we will settle in the living room all together. It’s almost midnight.”
As the kids trailed Jurnee, I looked at the clock. Time had flown by and there was only fifteen minutes until the New Year. The kids all came back with juice boxes in hand and clappers they could make noise with at countdown.
“Ten, nine, eight, seven…”
All the kids were screaming, banging their clappers, and laughing wildly. I couldn’t get close enough to Bronson, excitement racing through me at sharing the moment with him after all we’d been through.
Everyone had gotten even louder, if possible, as the final few seconds dwindled on. “Six, five, four, three, two, one, happy New Year!”
My husband’s mouth crashed down on mine in an earth-shattering kiss. “Happy New Year, Cupcake,” he said, when his lips finally released mine.
“Happy New Year,” I replied, a huge smile on my face.
I looked around the room and my grin only got bigger as I took in the happy faces of all my friends who I knew had been kissed senseless like me. And then everyone was staring in the same direction and my gaze followed.
Jett was just pulling his mouth from Patience. She looked at him with a dazed expression. When they realized they were the center of attention, her cheeks pinkened and she ducked her head.
“Eww!” I heard one of the boys shout.
Dexter was wiping his cheek.
“It’s not nice to wipe someone’s kisses off,” Embry said, her hands planted on her hips as she glared at him.
Braxton groaned. “I think that’s my cue to get my daughter home.”
And with that monumental ending to the night, It wasn’t too much later before things were cleaned up and everyone was packing up to head home.
“Daddy can you carry me?” Stormi asked as we said our goodbyes and headed toward the door.
Her eyes were drooping and I knew she would be out like a light as soon as she got into the car.
“You bet, Muffin.” Bronson picked her up and she settled against him.
Many of the kids had been carried out the same way. Some of the guys like Bodie, made multiple trips between his twins and baby Dalton.
