Page 17 of The Surrogate Omega, Part Two

Lake’s eyes open and he turns his bleary gaze toward me. He blinks twice, trying to get his bearings, clearly confused on how he ended up here. Chuckling, I meet Logan’s amused gaze over Lake’s head as I climb to my feet. I hold my hand out for Lake and help him to his feet. With a groan, Logan stands as well and kisses both of us lightly.

“Ready to head out?” he asks. We both nod our agreement and then quickly straighten ourselves out so we look presentable in case we run into anyone. The party has started to die down and there are only a few stragglers hanging around in the atrium by the time we make our way outside. It isn’t until we are nearly back at my apartment that I realize that Logan never came.

TEN

Lake

Wet, open-mouthed kisses along my neck and jawline wake me up from a deep slumber. I don’t need to open my eyes to know that it’s Evander kissing me awake. The cold metal from his snakebite piercings sliding along my skin and the scratchy feel of his facial hair are a giveaway every time. Everything about Logan is smooth and soft, comfort and security, while Evander is all sensations and excitement, awakening something in me I didn’t know existed.

I stretch a little under his embrace as I open one eye. “Mhmmm, good morning,” I murmur sleepily, turning my head and offering my lips to Evander.

Chuckling, Evander indulges me and kisses me lightly, despite my morning breath. “Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”

I open my other eye. Evander is stretched out alongside me on the bed. He’s wearing his green- and-red plaid Christmas pajama bottoms and fuzzy green socks with Santas on them.He insisted we all got Christmas pajamas to sleep in last night, though Logan and I drew the line at matching ones. I guess it was something he always wanted to do growing up, and neither Logan nor I could resist the puppy-dog look he gave us when he brought it up.

“Merry Christmas.”I sit up and run a hand through my hair, wondering how messy it looks right now. I can feel little pieces sticking up every which way. Maybe River has the right idea, keeping his hair so short. “Where’s Logan?”

“Right here,” Logan replies for himself as he walks into the bedroom carrying a tray loaded down with mugs and . . . Is that French toast? He’s also wearing his pajamas and somehow manages to make the green-and-white striped set with a muscular elf holding barbells and flexing look manly. Of course, the fact that the pants are essentially leggings and show just about everything doesn’t hurt in the slightest. Especially because I’m pretty sure Logan isn’t wearing underwear.

Logan puts the tray down on the nightstand and sits down at the foot of the bed. He leans over and kisses Evander and then me. “Good morning. Merry Christmas.”

I look over at the tray. “Breakfast in bed?”

Logan grins. “What better day to indulge than Christmas? We know you’ve been exhausted, so you deserve a morning relaxing in bed before we head over to River’s for the craziness.”

Since it’s Miri’s first Christmas, River wants to do it at his house, even if she’s too young to remember. The three of us, Essie, Dad, and Evander’s dad will all be heading there late morning for brunch and presents. Then, much later, Avery, Zoe, and Evander’s friend Lucy will be coming by for dinner. Cam is still out West, visiting his family.

The scent of the coffee and something else, something sweeter, fills my nostrils, and suddenly I’m desperate for it. I must be obvious because Evander chuckles and hands me my favorite mug. “Mmmm, thank you.”

I glance down and see little marshmallows floating on the top of my drink. One of those mini candy canes is hanging over the edge as garnish. Hot chocolate. I can’t decide if I’m excited or disappointed. I really miss caffeine, and despite me telling them that small amounts are still ok, Evander and Logan are being overprotective and won’t hear it. Still, I know it’s sweet how much they care, so I indulge them.

I breathe in the rich chocolate smell before taking a sip. It’s perfect, made exactly how I like it. I close my eyes, letting myself savor the moment. “Here, Lake, eat some of the French toast too,” Evander tells me gently as he places a plate with the sweet breakfast food and sliced strawberries on my lap.

I look down at the plate and then suspiciously at my men. “Evander made it, right?” I’m praying he did. I’m not very good at faking my emotions, and I don’t think I can pretend to enjoy it, but I also don’t want to hurt Logan’s feelings if he is the one who cooked it.

Evander bursts out laughing while Logan pouts. “Really, Little Bird. I’m hurt. You don’t think I’m capable of making a delicious Christmas breakfast?”

My eyes jump from Logan to Evander. I can’t tell if he’s joking with me or not. Finally, Evander takes pity on me as he caresses my cheek with his thumb. “He’s just messing with you, sweetheart. I cooked the French toast. He did cut the strawberries though.”

“And I made the coffee,” Logan says proudly. “Don’t worry, I’m not actually offended. I wouldn’t want to eat French toast I made either.”

I relax a little, and all three of us begin to eat. It is delicious. I can’t eat much. “Are we exchanging presents here or at River’s?”

Logan and Evander exchange a glance. “I’d rather do it here. We’ll save the family presents for their house.”

I nod in agreement. We take our time eating breakfast and relaxing with each other. I’m determined to spend as much time as possible with them and my family during this upcoming week. I just got the call from my boss yesterday that he’s sending me back out on location after New Year’s. I don’t know where yet, but one of the undercover teams is getting close to taking down a trafficking ring and they need some tech support. I wanted so badly to refuse but Assistant Director Wells knows I won’t turn down the opportunity to take down traffickers and used that against me.

I still haven’t told Logan and Evander. I know that I should, but I don’t want to ruin our time together with my impending departure. I’ll tell them tomorrow.

Eventually, the urge to go to the bathroom gets too strong and I climb out of bed to take care of business. We spend the rest of the morning exchanging presents and enjoying each other’s company until it’s time to go over to River’s.

* * *

“No, no sweetie, we don’t eat wrapping paper. That’s yucky,” Evander says gently as he dislodges the colorful paper from between Miri’s surprisingly strong gums. Without even looking over, River holds out one of Miri’s brand-new teething toys that he just washed to Evander.

Evander smiles his thanks and carefully replaces the paper with the toy. Miri gives him a look that says, “What’s this?” She’s skeptical at first, but after a few tentative bites, she gives my mate one of those gummy smiles and happily chews away.

Evander smiles down at her, so much love in his eyes, and kisses the top of her head. I can’t stop watching him as he plays with my niece. I’m amazed at how quickly he and Logan fell for this little girl and watching them with her is enlightening. I rub my own belly, idly wondering what they would be like with children of our own.

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