It gets noisier when we walk through the kitchen. In the family room I find Alex crawling across the floor with Dakota clinging to his back like a little spider monkey, and of course, Tiny is right by his dad and his new best friend.
Brock is the first one to greet me, giving me a kiss on the cheek. “Hi, sweetheart. Did you get your shopping done?”
“I did. Thank you so much for keeping an eye on her.” He leads me further into the room. “Come meet Jonah and Jess. They’re our best friends, but more like family.”
I greet them and then catch my daughter as she launches herself at me. “Hi, baby. Were you a good girl?”
Dakota nods. “I was. I pway wif Daddy, Papa, Unka Ty, and Unka Am,” she says as she points to them. “Mommy, Tiny wuvs me bery, bery, big.”
She’s so happy right now and it makes me thrilled that we miraculously found her dad, and he was the same good guy that I remembered. Now my daughter has a huge family and God forbid, if anything ever happened to me, she’d have people who would take her in.
“I’m glad, baby.” She grabs my face and gives me a wet, smacking kiss on the lips. I smile and tell her. “Tell everyone goodbye.” I set her down.
“No, you guys have to stay. We just ordered pizza.” That’s said by Ripley.
I shake my head. “I don’t want to intrude.”
“We wanted you to join us. We ordered plenty. Now give me your coat.” She gives me that faux mom look that tells me not to argue with her, and I won’t, so I hand her my coat.
Alex grabs my hand, pulling me into his side. “Did you have a good day at work?” He leans down asking.
“It was good, and I got Dakota’s stuff all wrapped. What about you?” I look up at him and zero in on his beautiful, kissable lips. I blush thinking about the other night.
He wraps his arm around my waist after letting go of my hand. “Come on, I’ll give you the five-cent tour.” Before we leave the room, I turn back and spot my daughter in the arms of her papa, and they’re smiling at each other.
Once we’re in the quieter part of the house Alex turns to look at me. “To answer your question earlier, I had a good day. Sorry about my family they can be a little much.”
“No, they’re great. I just don’t want them to think they have to have me around for them to spend time with Dakota.” I hate the insecurity in my voice.
Alex places both hands on my shoulders. “Hey, that’s not the case at all. They want you here, I want you here.” He cups my cheek. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”
He leans down and I tip my head back. The moment our lips touch, I sigh. He’s the best kisser ever—if he’d kiss me forever, I’d die happy. I sink into it, opening my mouth when his tongue brushes my lips.
Our tongues dual and I moan. “Oops, sorry.” I freeze and turn my head to find Ripley and Mara looking at us with goofy smiles on their faces.
They back out of the room and I turn to look at Alex. He’s biting his lip and his dimples are on display as he tries not to laugh. I smack his chest. “Don’t laugh,” I hiss, which makes him laugh harder. “Your mom just busted us.”
“Um . . . we’re adults and we share a child. She was smiling so it’s safe to say she wasn’t mad about it.” He wraps his arm around my shoulders, and we finish the tour by making out on his old bed—that is until we hear Dakota and Tyler calling for us.
Chapter Thirteen
Alex
I carry Dakota into the studio with Aspen walking beside us, with her hand wrapped around Tiny’s leash.
“It is hilarious that your mom is making you guys do an ugly sweater family picture.” She smiles up at me and I just want to kiss the shit out of her. She’s so beautiful she takes my breath away.
Dakota wraps her arms around my neck, kissing me on the cheek. I love this kid so much already. I can’t imagine my life without her in it. I turn back to her mom. “I do it because I love the crazy woman.”
Aspen places her hand on my back, laughing softly. The rest of my family is already here and in a waiting room. Mara hops up with a bag and runs toward us. She drops the bag at her feet and hugs Aspen and then takes Dakota in her arms.
“Umm . . . excuse me. Big brother here. Father of the child you’re holding.” My sister dances over to me and pushes up on her toes, kissing me on the cheek.
“Sorry, big brother. Your sweaters are in the bag.” Mara sets Dakota down and pulls a little red sweater out of the bag. She slips it over her head and it’s got Rudolph on it with a nose that blinks red.
“Oh my gosh that’s so cute.” Aspen pulls out her phone and quickly takes a picture.
I pull two sweaters out of the bag and Mom pipes up, “There’s one for you and one for Aspen.”
I slip mine on over my head and then hand Aspen hers. She shakes her head at me. “I can’t be in this,” she whispers.
“We’ll be right back.” I tell my family and then drag her out of the studio. “Why can’t you be in the picture?”
Aspen shakes her head. “I’m not family.”
A snowflake lands on the tip of her nose, making me smile. I reach out and wipe it away. “You may not be family, but it doesn’t mean that you don’t mean something to me. I know this is all very new, but I felt a connection to you that night—I feel it now and I want to explore it with you.”
She turns away from me and then tips her head back to look at me. “What if it doesn’t work out between us? Where does that leave Dakota?”
I pull her into my arms. “No matter what, everything we do will be to give her the best life possible. Whether we’re together or not.”
Aspen cups the back of my neck with both hands—her eyes are soft, and it makes my heart beat faster. “How did I get so lucky to have you be Dakota’s dad? I mean I’ve heard stories about baby daddy or baby momma drama, but with you, it’s been easy. I keep waiting for you to turn into an asshole.”
It makes me laugh and I wrap my arms around her, hugging her tight. “You’ll just have to keep waiting because it’s never going to happen. Now my mom doesn’t do anything she doesn’t want to, and she pretty much gets what she wants so let’s go wear those ugly ass sweaters and pose for some pictures.”
Nelson hands me the front wheel of the tricycle I bought for Dakota. I’m putting it together and then will take it over to Aspen’s. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and after talking to her after the ugly sweater picture we decided that I’m going to spend the night at their place.
I want to experience Christmas morning with my daughter. Then, in our pajamas we’re heading to my parents’ house for breakfast and presents. I haven’t warned Aspen that my mom went crazy shopping for both of them, especially Dakota.
Dad said he finally had to put his foot down or else he was going to have to take and hide Mom’s credit cards.
I focus back on the bolt I’m tightening. Once that’s done, I roll it back and forth on the floor and am happy that it seems to be going in a straight line. “She’ll like this, right?”
“How the fuck should I know. Do I look like a three-year-old girl to you?”
“Well, I didn’t want to say anything,” I say with a laugh and he hits me in the head with a roll of wrapping paper. “Ow, fuckface.”
I get up from the floor and look at my handy work. The pink tricycle has silver and purple tassels hanging from the handles, and a little white basket in the front. I grab the big white bow off of the coffee table and tie it around the handlebars.
“Did you get something for Aspen?” Nelson gets up and disappears into the kitchen and then returns a moment later with two beers, handing me one.
I nod, “Yeah, I got her two things.” I grab the bag and pull out the shirt. “Since we met during a Pearl Jam concert, I got her this t-shirt. I also got her this.” I set the shirt down and open the velvet box, sitting next to me to show him the platinum chain with a little pendant with Dakota’s birthstone in it.
“Wow, that’s nice.” He takes a pull from
his bottle. “I’m not trying to be a dick, but aren’t you rushing into this a little fast. I mean you don’t really know her.”
“What I know, I really like. All I know is she gave birth to our daughter alone and since we’ve found each other she’s welcomed me into their lives, no questions asked. My family loves her and no matter what she’ll always be in my life.”
Nelson nods, “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry I appreciate that you’ve got my back, brother. You know I’ll always have yours.”
I wrap their gifts terribly, but I use bows to hide the messed-up parts. Nelson doesn’t do any better than me and when he leaves, I finally lay down to sleep—anxious to see my girls.
Chapter Fourteen
Aspen
I get my last patient settled into his room and give my report to the nurse taking care of him. Normally Christmas Eve isn’t this busy, but Mr. Timmons had gotten into an accident and needed screws and plates to fix the fracture. Poor guy will stay overnight just to ensure there is no infection.
I pull my phone out of my scrubs and see a text from Alex.
Alex: Hey, I’ve got Dakota and Tiny and we’re heading to your place.
Normally we’re not supposed to have our phones, but this was Alex’s first time picking up Dakota from daycare. I’m sure she was excited to see him, but if he had issues, I wanted him to be able to reach me.
Aspen: Great, I just have to finish my charting and clean up a bit. The on-call nurse takes over soon and then I can go.
The dots begin to bounce.
Alex: Okay, see you in a bit.
Now that I know they’re waiting for me I want to be done so I can get home. Tonight, we’re having roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and broccoli.
It takes me thirty minutes to finish my charting and then to clean up the recovery room, restocking the shelves, and locking everything up. In the locker room I change out of my scrubs and back into the clothes I wore here this morning; black leggings, a gray sweater, and my black Sorels with gray fake fur around the top.
I take my hair tie out and brush out my hair. After throwing on my knit cap, I grab my coat and toss it on before heading out. On my way home I stop and get the cookies for Santa and my favorite, hot chocolate with a jar of marshmallow fluff, yummy.
I pull down my street and smile when I spot Alex’s truck in our driveway. I like seeing it there and I’m excited that he’s spending the night with us—for Dakota, of course, at least that’s what I’ll say if anyone asks because I’m just not ready to admit how much I care about him already.
I climb out of my car and am walking up onto the porch when the front door opens. “Mommy, yous home.” Alex stands behind Dakota smiling.
“Hi, baby. Were you a good girl for Daddy?” I squat and hold out my arms to her. She practically knocks me on my butt when she tackles me, but Alex is there to catch us. We go down, but we land on him, the two of us laughing, and then Dakota joins in.
I roll off Alex, standing up, and then holding out a hand to him. He takes it and stands up. We step inside where an impatient Tiny, waits to greet me. I squat and accept his kisses while scratching him behind the ears. “Are you a good boy? Did you come to sleep over too?” I look at Alex. “Let me wash up and I’ll throw the chicken in.”
After taking off my hat, coat, and boots. I head into the kitchen, Alex preheated the oven for me and I just pull the chicken out of the fridge, pull the foil off the top, and stick it in the oven.
In the living room Alex is sitting on the couch while Dakota is sitting on the floor with Tiny, and they’re watching the new How the Grinch Stole Christmas cartoon. I sit down on the other side of the couch, but he grabs my hand and pulls me until I’m snug against him.
He wraps his arm around my shoulders. “How was your day?” Alex’s fingers tickle at my shoulder.
“It was good, busy, but the time went by fast.” I lay my head on his shoulder. “Was she excited to see you?”
I lift my head and see Alex’s smile is beaming. “Yeah, she saw me the minute I stepped into the room and practically took out the other kids to get to me.”
“I’m glad.” I bite my lip and ask, “Does it scare you how easy this has all been?”
“Not at all,” he answers quickly. “I’m embracing the easy.”
I lay my head back on his shoulder and together we watch the movie while our baby girl sits on the floor with her best friend, Tiny.
I am putting the last of the dishes away when Alex comes walking into the kitchen. “She conned two stories out of me and Tiny is in bed with her under her fairy blanket.”
“I’m not surprised by both. I’m going to make some hot chocolate. Do you want some?” I feel nervous suddenly, like I don’t know what to do with myself.
Alex nods, “That sounds good.”
Once it’s done, I scoop a big wad of marshmallow fluff into both mugs and then carry them into the living room. I hand him his mug and then sit next to him. “Okay, this is a very important question.” I give him a faux serious look. “A Christmas Story or Christmas Vacation?”
He taps his chin like he’s really thinking about it and then says, “Vacation then Story.”
I grab the remote and turn the channel. “Good answer.”
Alex turns the light off, bathing the living room in darkness—well, except for the glow of the Christmas lights and the glow of the TV. It’s nice to have someone else to watch this with and he even quotes it.
I fall asleep with my head in his lap during A Christmas Story. I’m not sure what time it is when Alex wakes me up. We quickly put the presents from Santa under the tree and eat part of the cookies.
“Do you have blankets for me?” he asks before picking up his bag.
“You can sleep with me . . . I mean in my bed.” I feel my cheeks heat up, in embarrassment. “Umm . . . well, yeah, you can share my bed.”
“Okay, sure.” We lock up and he follows me toward my bedroom. He sets his bag down and then changes into a t-shirt and flannel pants with Santa all over them. We take turns in the bathroom and while I wait for him, I climb into bed.
When Alex comes walking in, I try to ignore the flutters in my belly, but how can I when they’re so strong. He shuts the door and then climbs into bed with me. His woodsy scent wraps around me and I suddenly feel lightheaded.
He turns out the light and then pulls me into his arms. We lie chest to chest, our legs tangled together.
“Make love to me,” I whisper before I chicken out. His body goes stiff as a board.
Chapter Fifteen
Alex
My dick reacts immediately to her question, and I want that more than anything. I lean in, kissing her slowly and then teasing the seam of her lips with my tongue. Her mouth opens to my seeking tongue. She tastes like mint, and it makes me moan into her mouth.
I roll her to her back, getting between her legs. She spreads wide for me, wrapping her legs around my hips. I grind against her, swallowing her sexy little mews.
I shove my hands under her nightgown, shoving it up and over her head. “Fuck me, you’re beautiful,” I whisper as I scan her gorgeous tits, down to the apex of her thighs.
I lean down kissing the base of her throat and then work my way down between her breasts. I grab them and push them together before sucking one nipple into my mouth, laving it with my tongue and then nipping at the turgid tip. She gasps and then moans as I suck hard on the tip.
I switch to the other and while I give it the same treatment, I pinch the other between my fingers. She writhes underneath me as I kiss down her stomach and then moans as I grab her panties, pulling until they rip.
She’s bare, except for a little landing strip at the top of her pussy. The closer I get, the more I can smell her arousal and the harder it makes my cock. I spread her thighs, lean in, licking her from top to bottom.
Her sweet, spicy flavor explodes on my tongue. I fuck her channel with my tongue, listening to her muffled
cries. I suck her clit into my mouth as I ease one finger inside her, and she’s fucking tight and so hot.
Aspen’s fingers spear my hair as she thrusts her hips up as I tap the little ridge inside of her. Her clit swells against my tongue. Her cries turn urgent and I can tell she’s close to coming.
When I pull my finger out and push another inside, she arches her back and grips my hair in her fists as she comes. I bring her down and then pull my fingers from her, making sure she can see me as I lick them clean.
Even in the darkness of her room I can see the heated look in her eye. I jump off the bed, stripping until I’m completely naked. I stroke my cock as I walk to my bag and grab the box of condoms I brought, just in case.
Aspen pushes up onto her elbows and watches as I roll the condom down on my cock. “Your body is better than I remembered,” she whispers.
I crawl onto the bed and up her body, kissing her stomach, between her breasts, and then her neck. She sighs and then moans when I nip at her flesh. I grab my rigid cock, rubbing it through her slick heat. “Are you ready?”
She nods and I hold her gaze as I ease into her. Fuck, she’s so tight and it’s been a while since I’ve had sex. Once I’m buried to the hilt I freeze, trying to get control of myself.
“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” I whisper and then lean down, kissing her lips.
Aspen cups my cheek. “No, but if you don’t move, I may scream.” She gives me a cheeky grin and then I begin to move.
I grab her thigh, pulling it up high on my hip as I begin fucking her. I move in and out of her pussy, hitting her clit with every thrust. I grab her hand, lacing our fingers together as I pin it next to her head.
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