Page 101 of Snowed In With The Second Chance Daddy

We are engulfed in hugs and kisses, celebratory shouts, and adoring comments directed at our baby.

“Oh, let me see him.” Rye moves in close. I lower the blanket just enough for them to peek at his tiny face, and it feels like the entire room leans in to get a closer look.

“Getting so big!” Ash wraps an arm around Trevor’s shoulders like he’s his own son and pulls him close.

Everyone is so proud of us. Of what we’ve accomplished by bringing life into the world. But that’s not the only thing they’re proud of.

“Aunt Iris, Daddy told me you’re going to be onTVtomorrow.” Piper saunters up to me. She’s getting tall like her father, almost past my shoulder.

I hand Blaze off to Keifer who is eager to give my baby a squeeze and walk with Piper into the family room. “Your dad is right.”

“That’s so cool! I’m going to tell all my friends to watch.”

I laugh. “It’s just a morning program. I bet they’ll all be bored.”

Piper puts her hands on her hips. “Are you kidding? You’re a boss b! Everyone I know got your game for Christmas.”

“A boss b?” I chuckle.

“You know what I mean. I can’t say that word.” Piper huffs. “Will you tell me all the tricks? I want to be the best at it when we play together.”

My cheeks warm. “You want to play the game?”

She rolls her blue eyes. “Duh!”

I hook my arm around her neck. “Am I your cool aunt, Piper?”

“Not when you point it out.” she gives me a playful push and snickers.

The rest of the room is still gaga over Blaze who is back in Trevor’s arms. He’s sitting in a big armchair, surrounded by the rest of the kids who aren’t so little anymore. They’re all looking with curiosity at Blaze. And for three months of age, he’s already the most important person in the world.

He made us a family in a way I never thought possible.

Tears brim in my eyes.

I’m quick to cry these days. Have been ever since I became pregnant. It’s not just hormones, though. It’s that life looks so much more beautiful to me all the time.

Watching the man I love become a dad is the best gift I’ve ever gotten from the universe.

Rowan’s hand rests on my shoulder. “Chin up, Vie.”

I smile at my best friend and lean into her. “Thanks for breaking up with him, by the way.”

She snorts. “Oh, my god, you’re ridiculous.”

It might have been years ago now, a fact that we hardly ever think of amidst the craziness of life, but it’s funny to realize that the domino effect of Rowan breaking Trevor’s heart led us to this place.

Now, we’re a family in a way we never could have foreseen.

We are scuttled into the dining room for Christmas brunch soon after, a swirl of warmth and chaos.

The table is set with a red and green checkered cloth, the plates mismatched but beautiful in their imperfection. As usual, Rye has outdone herself with the flower arrangements, poinsettias, holly, and ivy to the max.

Ash has also smashed it out of the park with his cooking, aided by Dara who made all the sweets from handmade cinnamon rolls to the fresh brioche French toast.

I keep Blaze in my lap most of brunch which gets in the way, sure, but I don’t want to let go of him. Today is so special.

Trevor attends to me the way he always has, making sure my plate is full of food and even feeding me when my hands are too full. It’s mushy and ridiculous and I love him for it, I really do.

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