“Actually.” Zach held up his hand, but before he could speak, Molly butted in. No way was he stealing her thunder again.
“I’m having twins.” She cocked her head, and hands on hips, glared at her brother as if to say, top that!
“Shit. Really?” Zach’s grin widened.
“Yes. Really.”
“Twins are in every generation of our family,” Millie Malone said, studying her children. “On both sides.”
“Doc says Jess has two heartbeats.”
They stared at each other for a long time, so long, in fact, that Nana Malone was able to sneak another glass of wine without anyone reprimanding her. She took a sip and then leaned close to Link. “Things are going to be real interesting around here.”
“That they are.”
“You should stick around.”
“I just might.”
“Nana, will you please stop flirting with Link and pass the squares?”
“I sure can,” Nana replied to her daughter-in-law. “As soon as my grandkids sit down.”
Molly and Zach took their respective seats, and it didn’t take long for the Malone/Jacobs clan to excitedly discuss and congratulate and pontificate over four new babies in the spring.
It was, after all the fuss and snow and secrets spilled, an atypical family dinner. The bar had been set, and later, as Molly snuggled into Nathan, she couldn’t help but think of all the dinners to come.
Her cup was full, his feet had crossed the bed to her side, and she’d never been happier. Christmas had come early it seemed.
“Nate,” she whispered softly, resting her cheek against his chest.
“Hmm?” He was half asleep, she could tell.
“I love you.”
“I know.”
“This is where you’re supposed to say, I love you too.”
“I love you too,” he murmured, his arms tightening around her.
Petal jumped up on the bed, something she’d just learned to do, and tried her best to get between Molly and Nate. She eventually gave up and burrowed into Molly’s b
ack.
It was the perfect end to a perfect day, and God willing, there would be many more. Molly’s eyes slowly closed while outside the snow began to fall. There was no place on earth more beautiful than Crystal Lake in the winter, and there was no place Molly would rather be. It was another piece of her puzzle, but with the babies coming, there was always room for more.
And she would keep adding them, as long as they kept coming.
The End