Page 49 of Stolen Holidays
I lay my head back on his shoulder. “I’m so good.” I chuckle. “That was exactly what I needed.”
“I’m glad I have a happy wife.” He peppers my neck and shoulder with kisses. “Time to get cleaned up.”
“I don’t think I can move.” My body feels like it’s on fire and made of Jello at the same time.
Mason chuckles, and his hot breath fans across my shoulder, making me shiver. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you.” He lifts me from my position on his lap and carries me to the bathroom with ease, where he takes his time and tends to every inch of my skin.
And as I curl into his side for the night in our bed, I’m reminded of just how lucky I am to have fallen for one of the best men on the planet. A man who will be the best father to our son. A man who would do anything for his family.
My bossy man.
twenty
Callie
“Istillcan’tbelieveyou’re here.”
“Me too. But I’m glad I made it.”
I rest my head on my mom’s shoulder. Her flowery scent fills my nose and brings tears to my eyes. “What made you come up here?” I’ve been curious since I laid eyes on her.
Last night, when she arrived with Eli’s parents, I was beyond surprised. In the months since Silla’s arrest, she’s been talking, looking, and acting more like herself than she has in years. But she never hinted at feeling well enough to travel, and I didn’t want to push the topic. Her small steps feel like leaps and bounds, and asking for more seemed selfish.
“Eli,” she says.
My head snaps up. “What?”
She pats my knee and chuckles. “He’s a good man, sweet girl.”
“I know. He’s the best.” I can’t help worrying that Eli might have pushed her too soon. The last thing I want is for my mom to return to that dark place she was stuck in for so long.
“I’m fine, Callie,” Mom says, cutting off that train of thought. “I promise. When you were in the bathroom, Eli said somethingabout how we’ve spent enough Christmases apart, and he was right. It was time for me to be here for you.”
My heart does that little flip thing every time Eli does or says something that makes me fall a little more in love with him. Like a heat-seeking missile, my eyes zero in on the man who owns me, heart and soul.
Eli is mid-conversation with his brothers and their parents as they sit around the firepit. It’s become the spot we all love to hang out at after a long day of activities. Today, Eli drove us up the mountain to a farm that offered sleigh rides around the property.
The view was spectacular, but I think I loved the holiday decorations the most. The horses dragged us through the snow to Santa’s village, which was lit up with thousands of colored lights. From glowing reindeer to musical flashing lights and hot chocolate filled cups, it was the most holiday fun I’ve ever experienced.
Like he can sense me watching him, Eli glances my way and hits me with a smoldering grin.
I take Mom’s hand and turn to face her. “I…I’m really glad you’re here.” I stumble over my words, almost letting “I’m pregnant” slip. I want Eli to be the next person to know about our little nugget. “Something tells me this Christmas is going to be the best one yet.”
“I couldn’t agree more, sweet girl.” Mom pulls me in for a hug and kisses the top of my head, reminding me of my childhood bedtimes. “Thank you for believing in me.”
“Always. I knew you would come back to me.”
“Your father would be so proud of you,” Mom’s voice cracks with emotion, and tears cloud my vision.
I hug her tighter. Times like this really make me miss my dad. “I hope so.”
She pushes me back and drills her matching dark-brown eyes into mine. “He would be. Never doubt that. Through everything, you stayed true to yourself. You persevered and survived unbearable heartbreak and abuse. For years, you stood by my side andprotected me. And now, you’ve found love with a wonderful man who would do anything for you. Callie, you are your father’s daughter, and that alone would make him proud of anything you do in this life. He loved and adored you like I do, if not more.”
Tears stream down my cheeks, and Mom wipes them away. “Thank you. I didn’t know how much I needed to hear that.”
“Happy to help. Now, how about we join your family over there?”
My family. I love the Millers. They are good people. They’ve accepted me into their hearts and homes without a second thought.
