Page 29 of Stolen Holidays
A promise I know I can count on for the rest of our lives.
twelve
Callie
Myeyelidsdroop,heavywith sleep, as Eli massages my neck and tangles his fingers in my long hair. I’m in my favorite spot, sitting sideways on Eli’s lap, with my head on his shoulder and his free arm wrapped around my waist.
The soft yellow glow of the Edison lights overhead illuminates the space perfectly, still allowing for the moonlight to shine down on us and the rest of the Miller family. We are all sitting around the crackling fire on the back patio of the inn with a s’mores and hot chocolate station set up for everyone to enjoy.
Like me and Eli, Emery and Mason are curled up together while Cam whispers into Talia’s ear, making her blush. Having already put baby Remy to bed with her parents, Rylann watches her family at the fire from her spot in the chair under the comfort of the warm fleece blanket.
I lean back against Eli and soak up the moment. I dreamed of having a family like this, and that dream has finally come true. In fact, it’s even better than I imagined.
A smile pulls at my lips as I watch Rhys help his baby sister, Riah, roast a marshmallow. She bounces up and down on her toes, and Rhys adorably tries to hold her still. Their sugary confectioncatches on fire, and Jace gets up to help them blow out the flame. It is the most adorable scene I’ve ever witnessed, and I can’t help but imagine my and Eli’s children in their place.
I have been fighting the intense urge to lay my hand on my stomach, to see if I can feel something beneath my skin. Ridiculous, I know. Even if I were pregnant, it would be way too soon to feel the baby. Honestly, not knowing is driving me crazy. There hasn’t been time for me to speak with Rylann about the test I took in her bathroom a few days ago. I should have texted her, but Eli has glued himself to my hip. Not that I’m complaining.
The last couple of days we spent here alone have been amazing. Snuggles, talks about the future, romantic dates, and sex. So much sex. I’m sorer from riding Eli than I am from our horseback ride.
My hussy of a vagina tingles and my thighs clench with need, thinking about the romantic picnic Eli set up for us. We spent the rest of the day naked and wrapped around each other in that little tent. Best date I’ve ever had. They always are with him. Even when it’s just us, sweatpants, a bowl of popcorn, and a movie.
As long as I’m with Eli, I know it’s exactly where I’m meant to be.
Cam says something to Rhys, who giggles like a wild man, throwing his head back in laughter. The sweet sound makes my stomach somersault.
There could be a baby growing inside me. Why didn’t I sneak back into the bathroom to check? I’m such an idiot.
Maybe Rylann looked when the coast was clear.
Would she do that? A part of me hopes she looked. I am desperate to know the answer. She hasn’t hinted at knowing the result.
As if she could read my mind, Rylann’s big brown eyes find mine. I pray she can read my mind, like she does with Scarlett, and ask,Did you look? Am I pregnant?
She scans the group, then slowly smiles at me. It’s just a little jerk of her chin up, but it’s all the answer I need.Yes.
I’m pregnant.
Fighting back tears, I mouth,Thank you, and she winks at me.
Rylann turns her attention back to her kids and her husband as Jace helps Riah smash the marshmallow between two graham crackers. Chocolate covers Rhys’s mouth, his cheeks stuffed with his dessert.
There is going to be a little Eli in the world. I don’t know why, but I can just feel it. This little nugget is going to be a boy.
Tears tingle my nose, and my heart feels like it might burst from the overwhelming love growing in my chest. Excitement hums beneath my skin, bouncing around like a pinball. I want to jump out of Eli’s lap and celebrate.
Not now,I remind myself. This news needs to be a surprise.
Tamping down my excitement, I think about all the ways I can tell Eli. Take a new test and wrap it? I shake my head internally. No, that’s gross. Maybe I can wrap a little onesie that says something cute. A T-shirt with “daddy” on it, or is that too cheesy? I could always go with the typical onesie, seeing as I haven’t gone to the doctor yet.
Eli’s hand settles on my lower belly, and I jump at the unexpected touch. He tilts my chin up and searches my face. Concern makes the honey-brown slice in his eye glow in the firelight. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, of course.” My hands match my shaky voice, giving me away. My overprotective boyfriend notices. To distract him from digging deeper, I plant a kiss on his scruffy chin. “I promise.”
A familiar deep, rumbling squawk has mine and Eli’s heads turning towards Lucky the emu’s arrival. Riah startles and starts crying.
Rylann rushes to scoop her up and pats her back, trying to soothe the little angel. “Shh. It’s okay, baby girl.”
“What in fresh hell is this?” Cam asks, gripping Talia like a shield.
