Page 88 of The Christmas Romance Wish

Gripping his upper arm, I move us away from the dock. “She’s been known to splash.”

Isla continues, “Royal and Ryan are twins if you couldn’t tell. And we’re having twins. Royal and me. Not Ryan. He’s married to Harley and they’re also due to have a baby soon.”

To his wife, Royal says, “So far, you’re doing better than the last time you introduced us. I was Mr. McGrumpy.”

“And I was the flirty athlete and not necessarily seen as reliable.” Ryan holds an adorable one-year-old in his arms. Something I never thought I’d see. I’d dubbed him as least likely to be a dad, so things do change.

“The first two parts are still true.” Harley pecks her husband on the cheek.

“Don’t forget about Magnus and Lally,” I say.

“Yes, the vet and the vet,” Isla says.

My oldest brother and Alex shake hands.

“What about me?” CJ opens his arms wide for a bro hug with Alex.

“Ah, yes. The youngest of the brothers and the wild card,” Isla says.

CJ introduces a beautiful woman named Jolie who kisses Alex and me on each cheek in the European style of greeting.

“That’s just about everyone. Magnus, Lally, and their dogs.” I point to the pack of canines. “Royal and Isla, Ryan, Harley, and Luke. And of course, CJ and Jolie,” I say, offering a recap in case names and faces got lost in the chaos.

“It’s nice to meet you all and thank you for the warm welcome into the family.” The depth of meaning in Alex’s tone tells me that finally having a big wild family is his Christmas wish bonus.

“But you haven’t met everyone,” CJ says.

My heart does something funny. No, I suppose Alex never will meet everyone—not our parents or Chip. Something strange happens to a family when the elders are no longer with us. Roles change, but no one can ever replace them.

As if sensing the combination of overwhelm and incredulity, Alex takes my hand. His grip is firmer than usual, but I’m not going to run off to my room or Hidden Hammock Beach—my escape when I was younger.

The crowd surrounding us parts until I have a clear view of Beans & Books. “I could go for a pick me up right about now. I wonder if they have peppermint mochas.”

My brothers and their wives fall into lines on either side of us forming an aisle. To Alex, I say, “I do wish they’d been at our wedding and I’d been at all of theirs. But there’s still time to celebrate.”

He answers, “After all, it’s New Year’s Eve.”

But instead of everyone offering more congratulations, two figures emerge from the books and coffee shop. They’re older and also holding hands. It’s strange because it’s like my family almost funnels us toward them.

I blink a few times because they look somewhat familiar. Tilting my head, I wrack my brain, thinking about all of Chip’sfriends, but they’re a bit too young. Could be newcomers to Coco Key.

“Emmie,” the woman says.

Her voice is strangely familiar.

The man repeats my name. His low tone is also one I’ve heard before, but I can’t place where.

Then my gaze floats across my brothers’ faces, their statures. The slope of Royal’s nose. The cut of Magnus’s jaw, Ryan’s eyes. CJ’s mouth.

My heart goes still.

“Mom? Dad?” I ask.

Everyone nods.

No sooner do my parents race toward me, do I hiccup.

My mother wraps her arms around me tightly like she may never let go. My father wraps his around the both of us. Soon, I sense another group hug happening, but my busy brain races and tries to take flight, desperate to make sense of what’s happening.

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