“I was thinking about the group chat. We barely use it anymore. We’re all so busy. But we should. Even if it’s just a weekly check-in.”
Amelia laughs before giving my arm a squeeze. “Start slowly. You’re going to get mixed reviews on that one.”
“Maybe. We’ll see.” I glance away in contemplation until I realize what I’m doing. Now is not the time to be thinking about the guys. “Let’s shelve that idea for tomorrow. We’re alone. The kids are asleep. Skye has started sleeping through the night, which is actually a miracle I’ve yet to completely process. What should we do?”
Amelia hums softly before she checks the monitor, smiling at our youngest asleep in her crib. “I’d love to get a few extra hours of sleep. I only have two more days off before I have to go back into the editing suite.”
My shoulders drop as Amelia rubs her eyes, but the second she glances up at me again, I put on a smile. “You’re right. Let’s get you to bed. I’ll warm up your heating pad and be there in a minute.”
I turn to leave and Amelia grabs my bicep, pulling me to a stop as she laughs. “After all this time, you’re still so easy to tease. Let’s go to bed. I want a massage before you eat dessert.”
Hell fucking yes.
“I love dessert.”
“I know.” Amelia lifts to her toes, wrapping her arms around my neck before pressing a chaste kiss to my lips. “Happy New Year, Babe. I have a feeling this year is going to be a good one.”
“Happy New Year, Ace. You might be right, but every year is a good one with you.” Amelia smiles warmly, but I don’t let her soak in that comment before moving us along. “Now it’s time to get you naked and ready for me. It’s going to be a long night.”
EASTON
Paige opens the door ahead of me and pulls back Isaac’s bedding as I follow behind her, my not so little boy in my arms. He tried so hard to stay awake. “I’m almost eight now,” he’d told me. “I can stay up until midnight.”
Paige and I had agreed that he could try, both knowing he’d never make it, and we were right. His eyes were heavy by ten, and by ten thirty-five he was asleep on Luke and Amelia’s couch.
Now, if all goes to plan, in four more steps we’re going to successfully complete the transfer from one place to another.
“Dad?”
Dammit. Why would I think about that?
“Shhh, buddy. It’s late.” Paige smiles as I place him down gently on his bed and pull the covers up, tucking them tightly around him. “We can talk in the morning.”
“Did I miss the fireworks?”
“We all did.”
“You did?”
“Yep. We were all so tired we decided to stay at the Bennetts’.”
“Okay. Love you, Dad.”
“Love you too.” I turn to creep away but he calls out again, trying to sit up.
“Mom?”
Like it always does, my heart jolts when Isaac calls Paige Mom. It’s been years, and I’m still thankful she walked into our life and refused to leave.
“I’m here, sweetie.” Paige nudges me out of the way to get to Isaac’s bed, sitting on the edge to brush her hand across his cheek. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Ahh. Was Dad lying?”
Paige’s infectious laughter fills the room as she turns my way, shaking her head. He caught me on a little white lie once, and now he’s always questioning me. In fact, they both do it. It’s an inside joke between the two of them. And despite the joke being on me, I secretly love it.
“I-saac,” I grumble, exactly like he expects me to, and he giggles, pulling the comforter up to cover his face.
"Actually, Isaac, this time he didn’t lie. For once.” Isaac peeks and Paige exaggeratedly rolls her eyes, making him laugh once more.
