Page 86 of Christmas Chaos
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TABI
“Merry Christmas to you, my sneaky bastard husband. I might need a word with the Senator in a little bit.” I purse my lips and look at my gorgeous husband. “Or maybe I’ll just dream of him for months, because I’m pretty sure that’s how long I’m going to sleep.”
“Anything you say, Bee.” He kisses me and it’s more suggestive than I have bandwidth for but it’s nice. Flirting I can manage, sex, maybe in like three years.
“Anything?” I raise an eyebrow.
“Within reason, weareparents now, tying you up might bring on a couple of questions.”
“Bring them on!” Or maybe the challenge of trying to have it all will be my next great adventure. Perhaps a parental Fuck-it list is in order? I can fill it with things we can do to each other when children go to bed. Noise cancelling headphones for the lot of them!
Bax dips his head to mine and attacks my lips. This kiss is heated and driving. It’s also soulful and uniting. His tongue brushes against mine and I lick back into his mouth. He crushes me closer, and I hear a cry. My body instantly lets the desire for him ebb away. I turn and my mom hands me my new son.
“His bottom clean, his belly full, but yet he cries. So now it’s time for a mama’s love to make him stop.” Goldie turns away from me and begins to walk away from a crying baby.
“You’re just leaving me with him.”
My mom turns back and kisses me on the cheek. “You will be terrible at this, and then, like everything else in your Tabitha life, you will soar like the eagles on the wind.”
She pinches my cheek, and I start bouncing with the baby the way I’ve seen Josh or David calm their kids. I walk away and start making those shushing sounds. He stops. I made him stop. I’m a fucking genius at this. Then he starts again. I bounce and he stops. Shit. Does that mean I have to keep bouncing until my calves burn? He’s snuggled into one arm. I experiment with left-handed, one-armed texting.
BAX (TABI): Here’s something.
TRISTAN: Please identify yourself, this is a foreign number.
BAX (TABI): It’s me, assholes. My phone’s roadkill. I just wanted to send you all a quick Schroeder/Aganos Christmas card of the fam. {Picture of baby, Bax and the boys.}
SABRINA: Are those THE boys?
RORY: That’s a right good Xmas if I ever saw one.
BAX (TABI): Yes. They’re ours again, permanently.
JONATHAN: That’s just about the greatest freaking thing I’ve ever seen. You’re a mama of three now? And yesterday you were just someone who wrecked their house with sex?
BEN: Well, done. Top drawer for all of you. Smashing. Seriously well done the lot of you. Happy Christmas and good tidings for all.
SABRINA: Bax is really hot. I mean like otherworldly hot.
BAX (TABI): I know.
JONATHAN: Had no idea he was blond or that I was your type.
TABI: Hmm. He’s a blond who essentially grew up on a farm. It’s a shame he’s my soul mate and I met him when we were five years old. You could have had a shot at all this, farm boy.
TRISTAN: Sherilynn is sobbing. She’s thrilled for you and the bizarre birth of baby Shona. Love and kindness to all. Tabi what’s his name.
TABI: Nick. After my grandfather. And Jay and Joaquin. I think Joaquin should take my last name. I think Schroder is too much. Aganos sounds better. Nick can take his last name.
RORY: Please stop talking to us and be with your family.
TABI: Look who’s talking.
RORY: It’s the middle of the night here. Zoe and family are asleep. Well, all but one. {Picture of tiny redhead girl wide awake in a giant bicep.}
TABI: Your arms are truly scary. Are we sure that kid’s not terrified of those tree trunks?
