“It’s them,” Amelia adds. “I’m not super religious, but….” She shrugs.
“Daddy, I’m so hungry my belly’s mad at me,” Knox says, breaking the tension and making us all laugh.
“Dig in,” Tyler tells him. He picks up a piece of ham and shoves it into his mouth. Ben, Beck, and Everly, wanting to be like their big cousin and brother, mock him.
The adults follow suit as we enjoy the food, but more so the company. Me, I enjoy my wife and my daughter. I soak up every moment of each day, locking those memories up tight.
“What’s the plan for New Year’s?” Ridge asks. “Kendall’s parents offered to keep the kids.”
“Mom and Dad offered to keep the boys,” Reagan tells him, and he nods.
“Your mom offered to keep Daisy the other day too.”
“I think the grandparents are up to something.” I laugh.
“Yeah, stealing our kids,” Tyler retorts.
“I think it’s sweet,” Amelia says. “They just want to give you all time to be married couples without the kiddos.” She raises her hands in defense. “And before you say it, I know you don’t mind your kids being around. Trust me, I know this, I don’t mind it either, but you have to admit being able to cut loose a little sounds enticing,” she says.
“You did this,” Reagan says.
Amelia shrugs. “Maybe. I just thought we could all hang and wanted everyone to have a carefree night.”
“Where is this going down?” Kent asks.
“We can do it at our place,” I offer before thinking twice about it. “We have three extra bedrooms, and the basement,” I say as reasoning. When in reality, it’s because I want my wife in our bed. I’m a greedy bastard when it comes to her.
“Sure,” Dawn says. “We have plenty of space. If you drink you have to stay,” she says.
“We’re all drinking,” Amelia informs us. “Wait, unless one of you is knocked up again, then the entire plan is shot to hell.” She grins, not meaning it in the least.
“Not me,” Dawn says, much to my disappointment.
“Not me. The boys need to be out of diapers first. I can’t imagine three in diapers at once,” Reagan says.
“Watch it, sister,” Ridge warns. “You might get triplets next time.”
“Bite your tongue.” She points at him, giving him the evil-eye.
“I don’t know, Reags. My swimmers seem to get the job done. I wouldn’t rule it out,” Tyler boasts.
“I want to go swimming,” Knox says.
“It’s too cold, buddy,” Kendall tells him. “Uncle Tyler was talking about the summer.”
“Oh.” His little shoulders deflate. “That’s okay. Grandma lets me swim in the bathtub,” he says, and goes back to playing with the others.
“Mark and Dawn’s place. The ladies can take care of the food, because let’s face it, we’d starve otherwise,” Kent says.
“Hey,” Ridge argues. “I can cook.”
“Yeah, but not like they can.” He points to Kendall. “Ladies, you take care of the food. Gentlemen, we’ll take care of the booze.”
“We have the sectional downstairs, and then a queen in two of the spare bedrooms.”
“I say the couples take the beds. I’ll take an air mattress in the basement bedroom, or even in Daisy’s room. I’m not picky,” Amelia says. “Seth and Kent can duke it out for the chaise on the sectional and the recliner.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Dawn says.
“Who wants dessert?” Reagan asks. The women groan. The kids raise their hands and so do the big kids, meaning us guys.
“Don’t hog all the pie. You have some at home,” Dawn scolds playfully.
“Yes, ma’am.”
I grab me a piece of pumpkin and share it with Daisy. She loves every bite. “That’s my girl,” I say when she opens her little mouth for more.
“Spoiled,” Dawn says, taking the seat next to mine with two cookies on a napkin.
“So are you,” I say, pointing to her cookies.
“You going to feed them to me?” she asks sweetly.
“You ready to go?” I ask her, and she throws her head back and laughs.
“No, she’s not,” Kendall says, her hands on her hips. “You’re just going to have to wait.”
I pretend to be put out, but I’m not and we all know it. I wouldn’t trade this time with our family for anything.
Epilogue
Dawn
“How much time do we have?” Mark asks. His parents just left with Daisy for the night.
“Like thirty minutes if that.”
“Let’s go.” He grabs my hand and starts leading me toward our bedroom.
“What are you doing?” I laugh.
“You said I had thirty minutes. I only need fifteen.” He puts his hands on the button of his jeans.
“Slow down there, crazy man. If that. I said if that. We’re not getting caught with our pants down, literally,” I say, trying to hide my laughter.
“Pixie, we have no baby. It’s go time,” he says, and this time I lose the battle as I sputter with laughter just as the doorbell rings.
“I told you. That’s probably Kendall. You know she’s always early.”
“Damn,” he grumbles, kissing me quickly before leaving the room. I follow along behind him as he opens the door for Kendall and Ridge. “Hey, let me help.” He takes a crockpot from Kendall’s hands.
“Sorry if it took a minute to answer the door. My wife can’t keep her hands off me,” he says.
“You’ve been spending too much time with Seth,” Kendall jokes, knowing damn well he would be the one causing us to delay in opening the door. Not that I don’t ravish him, because I do when I know that we’re alone. I would be mortified if they caught us, married or not. My best friend knows me all too well.
“I’m going to take our bags back to the room. Does it matter which one?” Ridge asks.
“Nope. Make yourself at home,” I tell him.
Kendall and I are in the kitchen setting up the food when Reagan and Amelia join us. The four of us work together to get everything set up. “Ladies, we have way too much food,” I say, looking at the spread.
“Nah, the guys will graze all night. They’ll put a dent in it,” Reagan says.
“Speaking of the guys, it’s way too quiet. We better go see what’s up,” Kendall says.
“I thought this was a kid-free night,” Reagan quips, and they both laugh.
I hang back with Amelia. “Hey, you okay?”
“Yeah.” She plasters on a fake smile. “You know New Year, lots to think about. I’m good.”
“All right, well, you know I’m here if you need anything.”
“I know.” She wraps her arms around me in a hug. “I’m glad he has you.
Mark has always been the one who stays to himself more than the others. He needed a strong woman to bring him out of his shell.”
“I don’t know about strong, but I like to think we complement each other. And don’t for a second think I didn’t notice you changing the subject.”
“I’m fine. Now, let’s go. Kendall and Reagan might need backup.”
I drop it for now, but even more so I feel as though something is up with her. I wish she would share the burden and let me be there for her. She helped me so much when Daisy was in the hospital. I make a mental note to reach out to her next week and invite her to lunch or even dinner. Something in me tells me she needs a friend. What’s worse is she’s surrounded by them and not willing to let us in.
She’s being stubborn, but that’s okay. I’ve learned to not give up that easy. I’ll be here when she’s ready.
Epilogue
Mark
My wife is drunk. She’s drunk and cute as hell. I can’t keep the smile off my face as I watch her dance around our basement as if she hasn’t a care in the world. We’ve been through hell and back, so seeing her like this makes me happy.
“You know when we talked about this at Friendsgiving, I was thinking a night without the boys, some uninterrupted sexy times with my wife,” Tyler says from his seat beside me. “Looks like that won’t be happening unless I cut her off, and I can’t seem to find it in me to do that.”
“They’re having a good time,” I agree.
“I’ve had maybe four beers,” he says. He tips his bottle up and drains it. “Want another?” he asks me.
“Nah, I’m good. Thanks.” He nods and heads to the refrigerator to grab another.
“I want that,” Seth says, slurring his words.
“Want what?” I ask, confused as hell.
“That.” He points to the women who are putting on their own little dance party. “I want a woman in my bed at night. I want to stand off to the side with a love-sick expression on my face.” He points to me.