Page 99 of Ho Ho Oh No

And Leo and Sue are her accomplices. Fan-fucking-tastic.

I contemplate retreating into the safety of the room where Sammy gave birth. But she and Sawyer are preparing to move from the labor section into a regular room. And I came out for a reason. Yet, as I take in the chaos, I can’t seem to recall what it was.

As if reminding me of why I’m exposing myself to such pandemonium, little Logan Sawyer makes a gurgling sound. I smile down at him, where he’s nestled in the cradle of my arms. With all the commotion around us, no one has even noticed Maddie or me with the babies. Wearing an equally gobsmackedexpression as me, she stands beside me, holding Laci. We came out here to introduce the babies to the troops while Sawyer helped Sammy get changed.

“Alan?” she asks, her voice timid.

I exhale a haggard sigh. “Yes, Maddie?”

“Is it too late to escape to Costa Rica for the holidays?”

“As soon as my hands are free, I’ll search for flights.”

Her soft chuckle, melodic and flowy, draws my attention away from the madness. Just as it did the first time I heard it.

And every time since.

She senses my stare and sways her gaze in my direction. Her lips, still upturned from her laughter, slowly part. She inhales delicately, somehow making the act of breathing seem graceful and elegant.

A lump of emotion clogs my throat.

“Thank you, Maddie.”

She knows what I’m thanking her for.

Thank you for letting me be part of this even though you’re furious at me.

I won’t compromise on her safety. And I won’t discard her to focus on other priorities like she keeps insisting I should do.

Because I can’t fucking quit her.

The dainty wrinkles by her mouth ripple along with the wobble of her chin. Unable to speak—or perhaps unwilling—all she gives me is a nod. Tears fill her eyes for the umpteenth time tonight. I hope they’re not tears of sadness because of me and the stress I’ve caused her.

I adjust the baby in my arms, freeing up one hand so I can trace the outline of her jaw and wipe the stray tear dampening her rosy cheek.

She eases every last one of my worries with a single gesture.Inching forward, she extends her neck and tilts her chin up.

I claim her lips for a chaste kiss, taking a brief moment in the midst of madness to recenter myself.

As I pull away, it’s as if I can feel the way her kiss has smoothed thejagged fissures of my heart.

Her face brightens as she readjusts her hold on precious Laci. After glancing down at the little bundle, she meets my eyes. I’m still unable to take mine off her.

In truth, I’m also terrified to resume surveying the room. I still haven’t found Mia or Klein, and I’m guessing there are a few missing Amos-holes as well.

Much safer to look at Maddie.

“Alan?” she asks.

I slope my head, raising my brows in silent response.

“Why is there a man tied to a chair with tinsel?”

“I don’t know, and I’m too terrified to ask. I’m guessing Tomer had a good reason for doing it.”

“Let’s hope so. I don’t want to add a trip to the county jail to our holiday adventures.”

“Given what I’ve seen so far, perhaps we start on the other side of the room to make introductions.”

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