Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 37508 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 37508 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 188(@200wpm)___ 150(@250wpm)___ 125(@300wpm)
“I love you.”
“Love you, too. Now get to getting.”
She nodded, then darted into the kitchen. I heard her slip the casserole into the oven, and then she was off to the bedroom. I eased down on the floor next to Baylor and asked, “You like your stuff?”
“Bunny is my fav-wit.”
“Yeah, he’s pretty cool. I know you want to play with him, but we’ve gotta head over to the clubhouse to see the guys and Luna.”
“Bunny go too?”
“Nah, Bunny’s gotta stay here.” Her bottom lip poked out with a pout. I didn’t want her upset, so I added, “He’s a new bunny. He’s still trying to adjust to his new place, and we don’t wanna scare him by taking him around too many people. But you can play with him as soon as we get home.”
“Can we give him a car-ut?”
“Yeah, baby. You give him all the treats you want.”
That’s all it took. We put him in his cage with a carrot and some rabbit pellets, and then she rushed to the back to get dressed with her momma. An hour later, we were pulling through the front gates of the clubhouse, and it was something to behold.
Lights were hanging from every beam, and they were blinking and twinkling like Times Square. There was a massive tree in the corner, and it was completely overloaded with ornaments, and it was completely surrounded by gifts. The back table was lined with every dessert and casserole you could imagine. Kids were already in line with their plates and plastic silverware.
Laken was right at my side, carrying her broccoli casserole and rolls, and Bay was right next to her, biting at the bit to rush over to Luna. Laken leaned over to me as she whispered, “This place is a madhouse.”
“Yeah, it’s pretty great, huh?’
She shook her head, then made her way over to the food table while Bay and I made our way across the room. Dad and Luna were already settled on one of the big leather coaches, and Luna was holding a new doll that Baylor immediately locked eyes on. I sat down next to her and asked, “Who you got there?”
“This is Missy.” She held her up proudly. “Santa brought her.”
“Wow, you must’ve been a really good girl this year.”
“Hm-hmm.” She nodded.
Dad looked over to Baylor and smiled. “What about you? Did Santa bring you lots of toys?”
“I got a bunny.”
“You did?” Dad glanced up at me with a skeptical expression. “Sounds like Santa might’ve had one too many cookies last night.”
Baylor didn’t respond. She was too enthralled with Luna and her new doll. Luna inched down from the sofa, and once they were on the floor together, they forgot all about me and Pop. “How was your morning?”
“Kid made out like a bandit.” I chuckled. “House looks like a bomb went off.”
“Our place, too.” He let out a soft sigh. “But Luna seemed happy, and her momma, too. That’s all that matters.”
I nodded, then leaned back and took it all in. The noise, the laughter, the warmth, and the total, utter chaos. It was loud and wild, but it felt good. It felt even better when Laken slipped down on the sofa beside me and rested her head on my shoulder. Everything else faded out. It was just her and me, and damn, if it wasn’t absolutely perfect.
Her fingers curled into my shirt as she whispered, “You okay?”
“More than okay.” I took a deep breath, then kissed her on the forehead. “I finally get it.”
“Get what?”
“I finally know what I was missing.”
She tilted her head up, and the second her eyes met mine, I knew I would never let her go. I leaned down, gently kissing her, slow and sure. When I finally pulled back, I whispered, “It was you… It was always you.”
She smiled, then settled her head back on my chest.
And as I sat there next to my girl in a room full of my brothers and Christmas chaos, I wasn’t missing a thing. I truly had it all. It was a Christmas to remember for us all.
The End