Page 36 of Holiday Hitch

“How are you not exhausted?” Jamie smirked as she kissed along Dani’s neck.

“I’ll never have enough of you,” Dani confessed as she settled into the cuddle.

Jamie smiled and whispered, “Well, lucky for both of us, I’m all yours.”

17

Robin

Truck tireson gravel had become a familiar sound for Robin and Zoey. And as they pulled up to Dorothy and William’s house on Christmas morning, Robin realized just how comforting it was to hear the sound of the Greenwood’s driveway.

Robin parked the car and pulled the key from the ignition, taking a deep breath as she thought about the day ahead of them.

“Are you ready?” Robin asked.

Zoey nodded, a nervous smile taking over her face, “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

It was hard for Robin to imagine just how much their lives were about to change. Telling Zoey’s family meant that it was all real; they would be parents in just short nine months.

“Okay then,” Robin said as she opened the driver’s side door and walked to the bed of the truck where a massive, red sack full of boxes awaited her.

Zoey hopped down from the truck and shook her head at Robin, “You’re ridiculous.” She laughed as she watched Robin try to get a good grip on the comically large bag.

Robin threw the sack over her shoulder, “You’re just jealous because I’m their favorite.”

Sarah’s kids did love Robin; up until the last few years, they knew her better than their actual aunt.

Robin put her arm around Zoey as they walked toward the old farmhouse. But before they could knock on the door, Dorothy opened it with a loud exclamation “Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas, Mama!” Zoey and Robin replied in unison.

Dorothy shuffled them inside as Derek, Ava, and Leila careened through the house, screaming as they ran into the living room.

From inside, Zoey could hear her sister's tired voice call out, “You guys, please calm down. We haven’t even started presents yet.“

Robin and Zoey took off their coats and made their way to the living room, where Robin set down the massive sack of gifts next to the eight foot tall tree. William had been insistent on a real tree, saying that it was a crucial element of his grandkids’ childhood memories. He’d needed Robin’s help putting it up, but he made sure it happened.

Used to Robin’s antics, the kids gathered around and jumped on top of her as they screamed, “Santa’s here!”

Robin giggled as the kids climbed all over her, and she couldn’t stop herself from throwing Zoey an excited look. She couldn’t believe they would have a family of their own next Christmas and that all the kids would finally have a cousin.

As Zoey and Robin sat down, William waddled in from the kitchen with two cups of steaming hot coffee and set them down next to them.

“You’re going to need at least one of these. And mom put some cinnamon in, so it’s extra Christmas-y,” William said as he leaned down to give them hugs.

Robin had no idea how to intercept Zoey’s cup without ruining the reveal, but Zoey simply smiled up at her dad and said, “Thank you,” before setting it on the end table next to her.

Robin tried to think of a way to drink both cups without anyone noticing. It would probably mean a day full of jitters when she was already anxious, but if that’s what needed to happen to cover their tracks, she’d have to take one for the team.

With Dorothy and William in their seats, the kids began to open their gifts one at a time per their mothers instructions. Despite their obvious desperation to rip open all of the gifts at once, it was the one time of the year that they actually practiced self-restraint successfully.

The adults took their turns opening gifts from one another, too, along with the sweet, homemade gifts from the kids.

Robin had gotten a few of the kids’ craft projects since she and Zoey had been dating, and she treasured each one, keeping them in a specially labeled box in the attic of Oak Lane.

When everyone was on their final round of gifts, Zoey raised her hand and said, “We actually have a present for each of you to open at the same time.”

Zoey opened the tote bag she had brought in and left at her side, pulling out six small, identical boxes. Robin stood up and passed a box to each person, including the kids.

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