Page 58 of All of Me

I glance up at him, taking in his steady presence, the warmth in his eyes. “Yeah,” I say, my voice thick with emotion. “I really am.”

Wayne comes into the room, his booming voice cutting through the chatter. “Well, look who it is! You didn’t tell me you two were coming, Scott!”

Scott grins. “Had to keep it a surprise, Dad. You’re not the only one who gets to play Santa.”

Laughter echoes again as Wayne pulls Scott into a bear hug and the room fills with chatter and cheer. Taylor appears with Ava in tow, and Meredith offers everyone fresh mugs of cider.

I glance at Scott and Miranda again, my heart both full and aching at once. They’re here, after so long, and I’m devastated they didn’t get to meet my daughters tonight.There’s still time for them to meet Ruby and Sara, to hold them, to be part of their lives. I focus on the joy of the moment—the surprise, the laughter, the family that’s here with me.

Owen presses a kiss to the top of my head, murmuring softly, “Merry Christmas, Dollface.”

“Merry Christmas,” I whisper back, leaning into him as the room buzzes with warmth and light, the kind of Christmas magic that only happens when you least expect it.

And this? This is exactly what I needed.

twenty-two

MARRY YOU - BRUNO MARS

OWEN - DECEMBER 24, 2013

The house is quiet when we return home from picking up the girls. The December chill melts away as we step inside. Sara is snuggled into my chest, fast asleep with her bunny clutched tightly in her tiny hands. Callie has Ruby’s car seat in one hand, the baby still snoozing peacefully, while Barrett trudges sleepily beside us, dragging his blanket like a little ghost.

“I’m so full,” Barrett mumbles, his voice thick with exhaustion. “Can I skip brushing my teeth tonight?”

“Nice try, buddy,” I say with a chuckle, nudging him toward the bathroom. “Teeth, pajamas, then bed. No shortcuts.”

He groans but doesn’t argue, his little feet shuffling down the hall toward the bathroom. Callie gives me a tired smile as she sets Ruby’s car seat down near the crib in the girls’ shared room.

We work together quietly, getting the kids settled. Sara barely stirs as I lay her in her crib, her bunny still clutched tight. Ruby lets out a tiny sigh before nestling deeper into her swaddle. Barrett is the last to go down, his eyes already drooping as I tuck him into his race car bed, his favorite dragon blanket pulled up to his chin.

“Goodnight, buddy,” I whisper, smoothing his hair.

“Night, Dad,” he murmurs, already half-asleep.

When I step into the hallway, Callie is standing in the doorway to the girls’ room, her arms crossed loosely as she watches the girls sleep. Her hair falls in soft waves around her face, and there’s a glow about her in the warm night light that makes my chest tighten.

“You good?” I ask quietly, stepping closer.

She nods, her lips curving into a gentle smile. “I love this part of the day. When they’re all safe and asleep, and the house is quiet.”

I press a kiss to her temple, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Me too.”

Down the hall, the soft hum of the dishwasher fills the background as we set to work. Callie and I move like a team, pulling bags of presents from the closet in the laundry room and arranging them beneath the tree. Stockings are filled with chocolates, little toys, and a few surprises we managed to keep secret from curious little eyes.

Callie crouches near the tree, carefully arranging Barrett’s new airplane set and a dollhouse Sara’s going to lose her mind over when she sees it in the morning. She hums softly under her breath, a tune I can’t quite place, but the sound is soothing.

“Santa really outdid himself this year,” I tease, holding up a wrapped package. “Think he’ll leave us something too?”

Callie glances back at me, smirking. “Santa’s broke, so probably not.”

I laugh, setting the gift down before stepping closer to her. “Well, if I were Santa, I’d leave something for you. Maybe a spa day. Or one of those fancy coffee machines you’ve been eyeing.”

She shakes her head with a laugh, leaning back against the arm of the couch. “You’re sweet, but you being here is enough. Really.”

I tilt her chin up so she’s looking at me. “You sure? Because I’m pretty sure I saw you giving the Keurig at Target some serious bedroom eyes last week.”

She laughs again, her cheeks flushing. “Okay, maybe. But only if you promise not to use it for hot chocolate. That’s sacrilege.”

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