“I love spending time with you.” I take the laundry and set it by the steps before taking her hand and walking into the kitchen. I set up the plates while she takes the meatloaf out of the oven. “It smells fantastic in here.”
My phone rings while I cut the meatloaf. “Sorry, I thought I turned off the ringer.”
She reaches around and pulls it out of my back pocket, giving my ass a squeeze before checking the number. “It’s my sister,” I say, since I have her ringtone set to the Beatles Come Together.
“Here. Take this, and I’ll serve us.” She hands me my phone as I set down the knife. Bossy little thing. It’s sexy as hell.
“We’re on our way there to your house. We just arrived at the airport,” my sister says.
“You don’t have to come. We’re okay.” I know they’re worried about us after everything that’s happened.
“Well, it’s a little too late. We’re already at your airport.”
“Thanks for the heads up. We’ll put our clothes back on.”
“Gross.”
“Whatever. We’re about to sit down to dinner. We’ll wait for you.” I end the call before she makes another smart ass remark. Plus, I have to warn Ava.
“So your sister’s coming.” I shrug.
“Yep. Luckily, the boys’ bedroom was cleaned up after Connor and Greyson played in there.”
“Do the boys get along?” she asks.
“Yes and no. Brandon’s too little, so he becomes the annoying kid that hangs on them or starts crying a lot. Soon that’ll change, but Connor’s almost eight, so he’s starting to like things they don’t or outgrowing them. Greyson and Jr. are buddies. They are the same age so they’re both trouble. I see some serious snowball fights coming.”
“Sounds like fun. It’s been forever since I played in the snow. I didn’t have siblings and young ladies don’t comport themselves that way. I swear my step-mother hates me more than my father does.”
“Well, it’s their loss.”
“I’m going to put this back in the oven to keep warm and make a salad so that we have plenty of food to go around. Ooh, you know what? I can make some brown sugar carrots. That won’t take long.” She finishes up the carrots and a hearty salad with everything in it just as the gate buzzer rings.
“They’re here. I’ll be right back, babe.” I kiss her cheek and walk out to go help them inside. Slipping on my coat and boots, I open up the door and see Landon’s security come out first. Then he opens the door for them in the back. Landon leads my sister out as I make it down the stairs.
“Hey, Danny,” I say to their head of security. They have more, but they don’t like to bring that many with them to come here.
“Hello, Mr. Reynolds,” he says with a slight nod.
“Uncle Bear,” Brandon calls out, running from his mommy.
“Whoa, whoa, be careful buddy.” He nearly falls face first, but I catch him. “Are you trying to face-plant already?”
“Lara, Landon, so glad you could surprise me.”
“Where is Ava? Please tell me she didn’t leave you?”
I roll my eyes and shake my head. “No. She’s inside, adding a salad and brown sugar carrots to dinner so that we can spread it out.”
“Woohoo. I’ve been craving carrots lately.” She rubs her belly. Landon pulls a bag of baby carrots out of his expensive coat pocket as proof.
“Holy shit. You’re not kidding.” They make me laugh at how insanely in love they are. It does my heart so much good. My parents at least got to see some of that intensity they share.
“Let’s get my family inside, please.” He’s looking around as if it’s not safe. Honestly, I don’t blame him with everything going on. Landon doesn’t take his family’s safety lightly.
The boys run into the kitchen as soon as they kick off their boots onto the mat. Their coats follow behind making it onto the floor outside the kitchen door.
“Whoa, boys. Hold up,” I call out.
“They’re excited to meet Ava. We saw on the news that you’re engaged—something you forgot to tell your favorite sister.”
“You’re my only sister.”
“Whatever.” She rolls her eyes, while Landon helps her take off her coat.
“I’m sorry. We were going to tell you and then shit hit the fan.”
“I’m so glad she’s sticking by your side,” my brother-in-law adds.
“So am I.” Landon shakes my hand and nods. We understand each other very well. He already offered to have Ava protected with his best. I want men outside, but no one in my house.
We all enter the kitchen and both boys are sitting on the stool with a cup of hot chocolate in front of them.
“Auntie Ava made us hot chocolate, Uncle Bear,” Jr. says, turning around on the stool with a giant grin taking over his entire face. I rub my hand in his hair and give both of the boys a massive bear hug.