“Pretty much.” A big grin overtook his face. “Vic’s pregnant.”
I stood up, remembering to put my coffee cup down on the side table and stepped over to him, taking him into a big hug. I knew how much he wanted this, how very desperate he was to have a baby with Victoria.
“That’s the best news ever. I take it you found out last night?”
He nodded. “It was her test in the bathroom, so I don’t need to murder anyone today. Although I still think we should drop Seph off at that family of wolves.”
“There’s a reason he’s in the cabin.” I sat back down and sighed. “He does worry me. Never as much as Callum did, but more than any of the rest of you.”
“He’s doing okay. He topped the charts for billable hours in November, so he’s working hard. And he likes having Shay around.” Max helped himself to coffee. “We’re going to tell people today about Vic, otherwise they’ll guess anyway when she’s not drinking.”
“What about your guests tomorrow?”
He shook his head. “Too early for announcements. We’ll head home next week to see the doctor and get it properly confirmed.”
“Don’t smother her. She’s intelligent and she’ll know how to look after herself.” I narrowed my eyes at him because I knew full well he’d be helicoptering round her for the few months and more.
“I won’t. I can hear footsteps.”
We both looked outside where snow had started to fall again. This was the first white Christmas we’d properly had in years, other than when we’d been in Canada, and it did make everything seem that little bit more special.
The door opened, a cold draught whizzing through. Claire’s tiny girl ran at me, covered in snow.
“He’s been, Gangan! He’s been!”
I just about saved my coffee. “Who’s been?”
“’Anta!”
I picked Eliza up and put her on my knee, undoing the layers she was packing. “I take it you told Uncle Seph that Santa had been?”
She nodded, looking serious. “I did.”
“Happy Christmas, Mum.”
My youngest son bent down to kiss my cheek, then picked Eliza up off my knee. He had on a house coat that had to be at least twenty years old.
“Happy Christmas. Where on earth did you find that?” I pulled at the material.
Seph shrugged. “It was in the cabin.”
I shook my head. “Probably on its way out to the tip. Make sure you have a hot shower when you’ve taken it off. You don’t know what’s living in it.”
“You don’t know what’s living in Seph.” Maxwell muttered the words loud enough for Seph to hear and he responded by flicking a finger up at Max.
More people started to fill the room; the kettle boiled, probably for someone to have tea, and the smell of coffee was strong.
It was early, not yet eight o’clock, but the hugs and jokes were being given freely. A cheer went up as Payton came in, looking a little pale but very happy. Cries from down the corridor told us that Teddy was on his way in.
Nick and Katie had taken residence in the cottage that sat a few hundred metres away from our big house. We’d asked if they wanted to join us for the morning, but as their twins were likely to be up extremely early, they thought they’d save everyone else the pain and just come over later for food.
“Enjoy the peace of it this year,” I whispered the words as I walked past Grant who did look a little shellshocked at the number of people around. “Next year there will be far more babies.”
“Is it time to plan that Christmas Caribbean cruise?”
I saw him eyeing the whisky already and shook my head. “No to both. Have a coffee. Watch Eliza opening her presents.”
“And Teddy eating the wrapping paper.” He nodded to where Jackson’s son was sitting, pretty much under the tree, the paper torn off something already.
