“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.
“You are a miracle worker. I’m sure they were cold.” My sister walks straight up to Ava and throws her arms around her. “It’s so good to see you again. What a year it’s been?”
“Yes. Something like that. It’s great to see you, although I’d prefer it was for another reason,” Ava adds. I’m so grateful they’ve already met so my sister doesn’t have to grill her when it comes to me.
“Yeah, I could totally kick that cu—woman in her shins.” She catches herself, covering her mouth so the boys don’t hear her curse.
“Well, the boys ate on the plane, so they’re going to go play in their room. Is it still set up?” Landon asks me.
“Yes, it is.”
“It smells good in here,” Landon adds, turning back to the food.
“Thank you. My woman is an amazing cook,” I slide my arm around her waist possessively.
“That’s why you’re marrying me,” she teases, nudging me away.
“Hell, yes,” I say, winking. She pouts as I pull her into my arms. “God, I love you, Ava.” I kiss her before she can respond and then let go because I’m getting painfully hard.
“Can we play with the Legos, Uncle Bear?” Jr. asks with a chocolate mustache.
“Sure. You know where they’re at.” The boys jump down off the stools and scurry into the living room to pull them out of the storage chest. Usually we all play together, but it’s time to eat and for the adults to talk about the past few weeks.
Without preamble my woman and my sister go around the kitchen and start serving, although Lara steals a couple of raw carrots in the process.
Landon and I pour drinks for everyone, and we sit down at the kitchen table. I have a giant table in the dining room that we haven’t used since my mother was alive, but I like this small intimate setting for us.
“So how are you handling everything, Ava?” Lara asks, refusing to beat around the bush.
“I suppose today came as a shocker. Thankfully, Louisa prepared me for the crazy a while back.”
“I’m glad she did. Louisa’s amazing, isn’t she?”
“She is.”
“It’s just so nuts. It makes no sense why she would accuse you. It’s not like there isn’t a thing called DNA.”