Page 118 of When the Smoke Clears

Once the turkey is in the oven, Andi sneaks back to her bedroom to finish getting ready and I rush through the crisp fall air back to the bed with Sutton. The covers are at his waist, his torso and arms on full display, and my mouth waters.

This amazing man is all mine.

Izzy:

Did you know the gate is open?

We’re pulling in.

Oh, by the way, we have Banana and Roman.

Me:

Yes. And that’s fine.

“They here?” Sutton readjusts his hat and stands from the couch in his room. We snuck away for a make-out session a few minutes ago, only to be interrupted by my ass vibrating.

“Yes.” I take his outstretched hand. “They brought Leah’s niece and nephew.”

He dips his chin. “Ok. They’re little like Vivi, right?”

I grin at his nickname for his niece. “Banana is a little bit older, not quite two. Roman is four.”

He scans the couch absently, searching for something.

“They’re pulling in now.”

Distractedly, he leans down and kisses me once more. “Ok. But did you say banana?”

“Oh. Yes, I did. Banana is Leah’s nickname for her niece. Savannah.” I lead the way out of the hall.

We make it to the front of the house as Leah pulls her car in. Izzy and Leah wave our direction, each opening a rear door. Roman pops out of the passenger side, almost shoving Izzy out of the way.

“Maci!” He barrels toward me, and I squat to grab him, realizing too late that while I’m healing well, I haven’t taken a forty-pound, full-speed preschooler to the gut in a while. Roman hits me like a rocket, and I attempt to stand to counterbalance.

I’m definitely going over.

Sutton’s arm wraps around my waist and I manage to plant my feet as Roman throws his tiny arms around my neck, trying to squeeze the life out of me.

“Hey bud, how are you?” I give him a gentle squeeze and he lets go.

“Happy Tanksgiving.” He beams at me.

“Happy Thanksgiving. Did you eat a lot of turkey at your Mimi’s?”

He grimaces. “Yuck. No. But I did eat mashed ’totaes. And cramberry sauce.”

I return the disgusted face. “Better you than me. That stuff is nasty.”

He giggles adorably, while Izzy and Leah approach from behind. Savannah is tucked into Leah’s shoulder. Taking the opportunity to set him down, I nod to Sutton beside me. “This is my boyfriend, Sutton. This is his house.”

“Hi.” Roman’s little voice is strong.

Sutton squats and offers Roman a hand. “Hey man, nice to meet you.”

Roman’s face lights up and he shakes Sutton’s hand. “Are doze your horses by the gate?” He looks over his shoulder toward the road.

“Yep. You like horses?”

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