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15
Happy
Amber
The next morning, the air was filled with static electricity as everyone bounced with this barely-contained excitement. The adults shared looks of relief, and the kids, who were too young to fully grasp the severity of what could have been, were feeding off their parents' energy, creating a whirlwind of their own.
They ran about the house, chasing each other, wearing party hats, and doing what kids do best. Have fun.
Celine and I made pancakes for the always rowdy crowd, and together, we all sat at the big, dining room table. I kept glancing at the faces around me. Seeing the lightness in my husband’s eyes soothed my soul and set my mind at ease once and for all. He wouldn’t ever need to leave us to reenlist in the army again.
I would never have to worry about being a single mother because he wasn’t going anywhere. My kids –I could stare at them all day. Those plump, rosy cheeks that were covered in kisses from the sun always beamed at me, their eyes alive with excitement.
I wanted more than anything to pause this moment so that I could relive it over and over.
The last few months had been so incredibly hard on all of us – hard on our marriage, our relationship with Ryan’s parents – and of course, putting up a fake front for the kids hadn’t been easy either.
I spent weeks worrying for nothing because the kids – despite having fewer gifts and no extravagant vacation like their friends from school – were practically glowing with happiness.
Christmas miracles really do come true.
I was stuck in a trance, just observing everyone around me. I brought my steaming, hot mug of coffee to my lips and took a small sip, letting the hot liquid burn down my throat in the most delicious way possible.
Celine really did make the best cappuccinos. The woman was talented when it came to coffee and all the different flavorings that could be put into it. She had a steady hand and surprisingly had learned how to be patient when creating beautiful designs with the milk.
“What are you grinning about, sexy girl?” Ryan’s lips were at the shell of my ear. A shiver raced down my spine at the feeling of his warm lips brushing my ear in a delicate kiss.
“Look how happy everyone is.” I leaned back to look at him and saw the mischief in his eyes.
“You did it, Spitfire.” He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his chest for the remainder of breakfast.
* * *
Ryan
Amber and Celine had saved us all with an idea they had come up with in college. They had single-handedly come up with a business plan strong enough to support both families so we could let my dad sell the company and not be left with nothing.
I was so proud of them, but most importantly, I was proud of my beautiful wife – so proud that it consumed me. Right now, I was watching her from the heated pool. She was sitting beside Celine. They both had their feet dipped in at the edge, talking away about the menu for their café when Amber suddenly looked up at me and smiled.
Her green eyes softened, and those lips – so sinfully gorgeous – begged me to kiss them. I had Jeremey on my shoulders, and he was tugging at my hair as he yelled, “charge, Daddy! Charge!” Ace was opposite me with Jessie on his shoulders. The two boys wanted to dual, and of course, Ace and I were a sucker for this game.
“Go! Go! Go!” Jessie yelled, erupting into giggles as Ace ran from the other side of the pool in my direction. I dodged him, and Jeremy practically roared in excitement.
“My daddy is better than yours!” he shouted, and then Kennedy climbed onto my back, her little arms wrapping tightly around my neck. I struggled to suck in a breath of air, but I raced forward, and Jeremy flew at Ace who caught him just in time.
“Hey, don’t throw my baby, Ryan!” Amber called, watching worriedly from the sidelines.
“Our baby, Ames,” I reminded her and pulled Kennedy to my front so I could watch her better.
She clung to me, her red hair sticking to her face. Her green eyes – almost identical to her mother’s – shined up at me. “I love so you much, Daddy.”
“Watch out, Dad!” Maddi and Mason called out just before they ran and jumped into the pool, rolling into balls and shouting.
They created a huge wave as they landed in the pool, and the wave immediately crashes into Amber and Celine who yelped about their hair immediately.
I shared a look with Ace, and we both grinned with a shake of our heads. Women.
My eyes darted around the pool, looking for Nicky who was busy swimming up to Amber, a worried look furrowing between his brows. “Are you okay, Momma?” He wrapped around her legs that were in the pool and inspected her.
