Kailyn laughs, her head resting on my chest before I join in, because of course all three of her siblings would catch us in a compromising position like this.
This will definitely make it into the Blaze Squad group chat in no time.
I push the strands of hair that have fallen from her fishtail braid behind her ear, cupping her cheek and giving her a small peck on her lips, making sure she’s presentable before opening my door and helping her out. We both straighten our clothes, and I look over to see her brothers have their backs to us as they face the street.
“You can turn around now. Nothing to see here.” I tell them as my arm winds around Kailyn’s waist.
They all turn to face us, Brandon’s cheeks flushed a pink color while Brayden wears a look of pure horror. Lainey is the only one to fully smile at us, happiness shining in her gaze.
“Seriously?! I thought you’d keep it tame for five minutes.” Brayden yells dramatically, his hands outstretched to his sides.
“Oh come on, Bray. You didn’t actually see anything, so quit whining. And as far as I’m concerned, it’s payback for all the things I walked in on you doing over the years with girls or the stories that I had to hear about.” Kailyn throws back.
Brandon snickers beside him, and Brayden gasps in mock horror.
“You’re really turning on me, twin?”
“No,” Brandon says, turning to Bray. “But Kailyn doeshave a point. I mean, I’m pretty sure I’ve gotten the worse end of the stick with being next to you all day every day, so I’m just gonna sit this one out and enjoy from afar.”
“Oh hush, you. Let our sister be happy for once. This is her moment, not yours.” Lainey walks up to Kailyn, lacing their arms together before dragging her up the driveway.
We all laugh, even Brayden, before the three of us follow the girls towards the front door of their house.
“Alright, everyone dig in!” Sam exclaims, as we all start passing around dishes, the sound of utensils hitting plates echoing in the room. Everyone piles their plates high before we all start to dig in. As I take the first bite of mashed potatoes, I taste a perfect balance of creamy goodness mixed with buttery richness.
Ugh, I’m in heaven.
There’s not much said for the first few minutes, until Nathan decides to break the silence. “I’m glad the schedule worked out for you boys this year. It’s really nice to have all of my kids home for the holidays, especially you, sweetheart.” He looks right at Kailyn when he says the last part, no harm or ill intent in his words.
While she was home for Thanksgiving, this is her first Christmas home since she left for school, and I think they all recognize the significance of this moment.
“I’m happy to finally be home and be with my family again.” She smiles at him, her hand reaching under the table and lacing with mine.
“Yeah, it’s nice not to feel so outnumbered by the menin this house anymore,” Lainey teases, and we all laugh, because even with Kailyn back home, they’re still outnumbered since I’m here.
“Where did you learn how to count, Lain? You realize there’s three of you and four of us.” Brayden gestures to the table as he speaks, and it feels really nice to be included like this.
“Fuck off,” Lainey sasses, throwing a roll at her brother across from her.
“Seriously, what the fuck?!” Bray ducks, and the roll flies over his head towards the wall.
“Language!” Their dad yells out.
Then, their mom gets in on the fun. “Stop throwing food in my house.”
There’s laughter filling the room from every angle, and my heart warms at the love this family has for each other.
“As annoying as Bray is, he has a point, Lain. Technically speaking, there are four men in this family and only three women.” Brandon chimes in after everyone has settled.
“Yeah, but us girls still rule this household, right Kay?” Lainey asks.
Kailyn looks at each of us, before her gaze stops on me. “Yeah, I think that sounds fair.” She’s smiling so bright, and I have to hold myself back from leaning over to kiss her right in front of everyone.
She winks at me, and I decide now is the time to tell her parents about us.
“So, I hate to ruin the mood, but I was hoping to talk to you both about something important.” I turn my chair slightly so that I’m facing her parents head on.
“You can always talk to us, Jake. My children might joke about things, but they are one hundred percent right insaying that you are part of this family. You always have been.” Sam reaches her hand out, placing it on my forearm, and I smile gratefully at her.
