by C. A. Harms
Jude guided me toward the living room, and I found a comfy spot on the chair next to the fireplace. Zoey and Matthew had run off to play with the kids on the other side of the living room. Diesel, Harper’s huge mastiff, lay in the center of them, unaffected by the squeals and the toys flying around. Living with Faith and Hope, Harper and Easton’s twin girls, had obviously trained him for chaos.
Willow came running into the room with her diaper-clad butt on display. Kade trailed behind her, holding her tights in the air. “Momma, we need you.” I looked over at Avery, who was holding their six-week-old son, Drake. “I’ll take my boy, and you can tackle the diva.”
Kade exchanged Drake for the pair of tights and took a seat on the couch. Avery laughed as she tracked down Willow, and with no resistance from their almost-three-year-old, slid her tights on with ease.
“Figures,” Kade grumbled, and everyone laughed. Willow was always testing her daddy.
“How are you feeling, Callie?” Jett asked as he stood near the end of the couch with a beer in hand.
“Swollen and cranky,” I replied as I stretched out my legs.
“But you’re always cranky. The swollen part is a bitch, though,” Jett teased, and Kade and Easton chuckled.
Once all the kids were settled in the center of the room, Jett began handing out one gift at a time, and my heart immediately shifted into pure, overwhelming joy. Zoey and Matthew had become such an important part of everyone’s lives. They were surrounded by aunts and uncles that adored them and by cousins who looked up to them. They fit right in.
The adults watched as each child yelled in excitement as they opened gift after gift. Jett had turned into our own version of Santa Claus after he and Quinn had Tucker. He went overboard every year, and even if we all told him not to, he ignored our concerns.
Jude took a seat next to me on the couch and placed his outstretched hand over my abdomen. “I can’t wait to have our little guy here to share moments like this with us.”
I snuggled into his side. “Me too.”
***
Jude
When I thought about my life years ago, I never imagined it would turn out the way it had. I had a wife I adored and would do anything just to see her beautiful smile. I had the amazing kids I was blessed with. They were so loving, caring, and happy, and I had Callie to thank for part of their joy. She treated Zoey and Matthew as if they were her own and spent every day making sure they knew just how much they were loved.
And now, in less than a month, I would meet our son. A part of Callie and a part of me, created in love.
“Look, Uncle Jude,” Matthew yelled in excitement. “I got an Xbox.”
My head whipped around, and I found Matthew beaming brightly. He held out a box that had a picture of some warrior on the front. When I looked back over my shoulder, Jett was avoiding my stare. The asshole still had a problem with going way overboard. As if spoiling his only child wasn’t enough, he made it a point to spoil all the other kids as well.
“Let it go. You know giving him hell will only make him want to do it even more.” Callie nudged my side, and I knew she was right. Between Easton and Jett, it was hard to determine which of the two was a bigger pain in my ass. I needed their help anyway over the next month, so getting them fired up wouldn’t benefit me.
Tonight I had planned to give Callie one of the presents I had gotten her. With our family growing, we had outgrown the apartment, and it was time to move on.
Easton had one hell of an eye for places that just needed a little renovation, and he’d helped me find the perfect home for my family. So for the last three months, his team had been gutting and refinishing every inch of a four-bedroom oceanfront home. It had the most amazing view, and the space we would have went on and on. With the guys’ help, it was now ready to move into. Keeping this entire plan hidden was a lot harder than I had accounted for, but in a few minutes, I would share the news of our new home with the woman who has made my life complete.
Everyone was so interested in what the kids were doing that it was easy for me to retrieve the small box from my back pocket without even Callie noticing my movements.
I looked up as a smile spread over Easton’s face, and I could tell he knew what was coming.
Callie shifted at my side and brought her attention back to me. “What is that?” she asked, looking down at the small box in my hand.
“It’s for you,” I said as I handed it to her.
“We were waiting until tomorrow to exchange gifts.” Her gaze shifted to mine as a look of panic covered her face. “I didn’t bring your gifts.”
“This is more for the entire family, but I wanted to share it with you tonight. I thought Easton, Kade, and Jett should see the look on your face when you open it. They helped make it possible.”
She looked around the room and noticed that every adult was looking at us. “What did you do?”
I chuckled and pushed the package closer toward her hands. “Just open it, sweetheart.”
Callie watched me as she took the box. She took a deep breath, and her gaze shifted to her hands and she began picking at the edges of the paper.
My stomach was in knots and rolling with excitement. Time felt like it slowed down, and I fought against the urge to reach out and rip the lid off myself.
“A key?” Callie whispered as she lifted the lid and looked up at me.
“Yeah,” I replied. “To our new home.”
Tears began to roll along her cheeks as she lifted the key from the box. “Just when I think you couldn’t possibly give me more than you already have, you prove me wrong.” She leaned in and kissed me softly. “I love you so much,” she said against my lips before kissing me once more.
“I love you too, baby.” Using my thumb, I brushed away her tears. And the smile that spread across her lips was one of the things I lived for. Callie made everything brighter. She gave my world the soft, happy feel that Katelynn had always said Callie brought with her whenever she was near. My sister found that brightness within a few minutes of being in Callie’s presence, and I would get to spend the rest of my life with that sweet feeling.
Acknowledgments
My husband and children, the three that make life more amazing every day. I love you with all my heart and thank you for making it possible for me to accomplish my goals.
Mrs. Maria Trojanowski, what would I do without you? You give me a push when I need it most. If I hit a dull point, I know that in some way you will get me moving again. You are one of the good ones, and I am so thankful that we became friends. Thank you for being there when I need you.
Thank you to Lydia from HEA Book Tours PR & More. I don’t think I tell you enough just how AMAZING you are. Once again, lady love, you are adored. You are my go-to girl for tours and promo. You are so trustworthy and fun. I place my books in your hands, and I don’t think twice about it. You always hold up your end of the deal and shoot well above the expected. I love what you do. You ROCK MY WORLD!
Ena and Amanda from Enticing Journey Book Promotions, thank you both for all your hard work and for helping me spread the word about my upcoming releases. I am so glad I stumbled upon your services.
All my fans and followers…thank you all for your dedication and kind words. You all make me want to lock myself up in a room and pump out another book just for you.
About the Author
C.A. Harms is like any other addicted reader. She enjoys happy endings and HEA love stories. She hasn’t always been a lover of romance and was once addicted to a good mystery. Just recently, she has taken on a new liking and now is a full-blown romance novel addict.
She lives in Illinois and enjoys spending time with her husband of sixteen years and two children, and with her furbabies too. You will always find her with her Kindle or paperback in hand, as it is her favorite pastime.
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