Hot for the Holidays (21 Holiday Short Stories): A Collection of Naughty and Nice Holiday Romances

by Anthology

  His eyes twinkled with love. "Looks like we got two special deliveries today after all."

  My pulse raced as I thought back to my wish that morning.

  Pray for the special delivery of your family. That they arrive safe and sound.

  My smile widened and my throat constricted. "I think I need an X."

  "I think I need an O," he murmured, handing me our daughter before he placed a chaste kiss on my lips. "Merry Christmas, Sweet Tea."

  "Merry Christmas, Aidan."

  He eyed both his girls with affection, as if he was the proudest dad and husband on the planet.

  "How's Jase doing? Your family? They're all okay?" I rubbed the pad of my finger along Maggie's squishy cheek. She had her dad's nose and forehead. She was beautiful. And I also wondered what the family thought of our name choice, especially our beloved Grandma Maggie. "What about the family, you told them we had a girl, right?"

  His mouth curved to the side. "Grandma Maggie and Mom cried, and they wanted us to know how much it meant to Grandma." My throat constricted at the thought. I loved this family, my family. Aidan pulled out his phone and clicked a few things before he turned the screen around to face me. "Jase is having a great time. You can only imagine how spoiled he’s been tonight." My chuckle blended with Aidan’s. "They also sent us this." He hit play and then Jase was on the phone, chocolate staining his mouth and his pajamas. I smiled and then my heart exploded at his message . . .

  "Merry Tismas, lil sissy. I'm a big brudder! You can share my toys, sissy." Jase waved and blew a kiss at the phone. "Lub you, Mommy and Daddy."

  I wiped my eyes and sniffled. "I wish he were here."

  "Me too, baby. Me too. But from the looks of him, he's having more fun with them tonight."

  Snuggling Maggie closer, I asked, "Can you get in my overnight bag and bring me the baby book?" I glanced down and grinned. "I don't want to forget this moment, and I want Maggie to know what a special delivery she was."

  "Of course, Sweet Tea." He ran a hand through his hair and headed toward the closet, disappearing when he opened the doors. "Uh . . ." Question swam through his low voice.

  "What?" I squinted to see him. "What's going on?"

  He didn't say another word as he slipped past the doors and closed them, a navy giftwrapped box in his hands and a cheeky smile on his face.

  My heart leapt into my throat as I stared at the present. "There's no way."

  He popped his brows and stopped beside my bed. "Looks like there are three special deliveries today."

  "A perfect way to end Christmas," I gushed, and reached for his arm. "Open it!"

  Aidan set the baby book on the side table and, as if he thought the gift was imaginary as well, took his time peeling back the paper until a white box appeared underneath.

  My cheeks were sore from the large smile spread across my face as he slid the top off the box. This gift was one of a kind and near and dear to my heart, but even more, it would be something Aidan would have forever. While I wanted him to open it this morning, the timing of this moment couldn't have been better. It felt we'd have our whole family together.

  He pushed the tissue paper to the side and I gazed up at Aidan's blinking eyes. I couldn't help but notice how his jaw stiffened and his lips pressed firm. He covered his mouth with his free hand, still unable to meet my gaze as he stared at the gift I knew he'd love, just as he knew I would love mine.

  "Say something," I begged, peering up at him trying to be strong.

  "It's . . . it's . . ." he paused, dropped his hand and finally met my gaze. "Sweet Tea, how'd you know?" He pulled the silver picture frame from the box and held it closer to his face.

  Warmness spread through my veins; my world felt complete. "I had just finished up lunch and I was going to get you and Jase outside. You were playing football." I stifled a giggle at the memory of their attempt to throw and catch. "You had scooped him into your arms with the ball and ran to the end of the yard. He cheered for the touchdown and I knew I had to capture that moment. Father and son, something for you to keep forever."

  Silent tears fell down his cheeks and rolled down his jaw. It was all I could do to stop the happiness from leaving my eyes, but there was no use. I wiped them away with the back of my hand and smiled as Aidan set the picture on the table beside us. "It's like he's here with us now," I whispered.

  Aidan leaned down, his tears catching on my head as he pressed his lips hard against my forehead. "I'll never be able to repay you for that memory."

  My pulse quickened as I gazed at our sweetly sleeping daughter and then up at him. "You already have."

  THE END

  If you've enjoyed this short story featuring Cassie and Aidan, you can read more of them and others in B.A. Wolfe's Keaton Series.

  About B.A. Wolfe

  B.A. Wolfe is a girl with a passion for reading and writing, and lives in the gorgeous state of Colorado with her husband (her biggest cheerleader), and her two fur babies. B.A. spends all her free time either furiously typing stories on her laptop or happily reading through her endless TBR. She is a sucker for #hashtags, wine, gummy bears, and a good love story that makes her cry.

  You can follow B.A. here:

  Twitter: @BAWolfe3

  Instagram: author.bawolfe

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorbawolfe

  Website: www.authorbawolfe.com

  Email: author.bawolfe@gmail.com

  Other Books by B.A. Wolfe

  Away (Keaton, #1)

  Letting Go (Keaton, #1.5)

  Stay (Keaton, #2)

  Baby, It’s You

  By Ryleigh Andrews

  A Never Over You novella

  Join Mia and the rest of the gang from the Never Over You series as they celebrate a snow-filled Christmas holiday.

  Chapter One

  Mia

  Indianapolis, December 12, 2015

  "Take it from the beginning …"

  Mia’s head fell back in disbelief as Allie’s voice hit her ears in the headphones. One would have thought that her manager would be sympathetic to Mia’s ever-full bladder that her daughter had been using as a goddamn trampoline, but no … Allie just seemed to be pushing her harder. Mia couldn’t get that holiday cheer that Allie wanted because all Mia could think about was going to the goddamn bathroom and eating the fried chicken she had ordered for everyone, not the lyrics to some overly-joyous, feel-good, holiday song.

  No—she felt as grouchy as the Grinch, and therefore she had no Christmas cheer to sing loud for all to hear. All she had was the need to pee.

  Without a word, Mia dropped the headphones to the floor and raced out of the sound booth, through the control room, into the bathroom, not caring if God’s own choir was calling her to come back, let alone the crowd in there expecting her to sing. She was not wetting herself in the name of Christmas.

  Experiencing that full body relief that only a freshly emptied bladder at thirty-seven weeks can bring, Mia hoped that she’d now be able to get her shit together to record Last Star’s version of "Merry Xmas Everybody" by Slade. It was one of her favorite Christmas songs growing up, a song from happier times with her father that the two of them would sing together in their kitchen when she helped him prepare their meals. They’d start out singing into wooden spoons, but about halfway through the song, he’d whip her up into his arms and dance her around the room.

  Not only did the recording of this song let her bask in the warmth of those happy memories, but it was also the perfect excuse to get her band and other friends … her family … together. And once the idea planted itself in her mind, it took on a nearly life or death priority.

  Her family, she thought with a smile.

  Her family …

  She abruptly stopped, inspiration coming to her like a freakin’ Christmas miracle, as she looked in the window of the control room. Everyone was crammed in there. Marty, Clark, and Todd in the live room, and everyone else in the control room. She could totally take advantage of
them all being there.

  Bursting into the room, Mia addressed them all. "Change of plans. Y’all are going to be singing this with me," she said, ushering everyone into the live space, ignoring their blank looks and stunned expressions. "Come on! After hearing me trying this song five million times, you all gotta know the lyrics by now!"

  She wheeled on Ethan, who had stayed on the leather sofa, blatant skepticism all over his handsome face. "Suga, you know my singing voice isn’t very good …" he said, pulling her onto his lap.

  Oh, was he ever right. He was awful. She would swear that even Rory and Pierce had cringed as infants whenever Ethan tried to sing to them. Her husband may have an amazing speaking voice, usually making her want to shed her clothes and assume the ready position, but his singing voice … eeek, not so much. More like run in the complete opposite direction. Regardless, Mia wanted everyone in there singing this song with her. Christmas demanded it.

  "Get in there," she said, laying a loud kiss on his mouth and standing up. Then she addressed Allie’s assistant on the soundboard. "Lang, do your thing."

  He’d been doing great work with the new bands they’d signed recently while Allie stayed in Indianapolis, managing the band from the comfort of home while pregnancy was kicking her ass. As Mia dragged her friend into the room, Allie shot daggers at her. "I was comfortable back there!"

  "We’ll get you a chair," Mia replied.

  "Where the hell do you get all this damn energy?" Allie complained.

  "It takes a lot of stamina to keep up with him," Mia said, her eyes on Ethan, who grinned wickedly at her, a promise for later … and she couldn’t wait until then.

  After the equipment was set up, Mia put her headphones on, awaiting Langston’s cue.

  "Ready, boss lady?"

  She looked around the room, sensing they’d jumped on board when they all nodded at her. "Yep," she said.

  Closing her eyes, she waited for Todd to begin. She silently counted for her beat and when it hit, she let loose and did her thing. With her friends and family surrounding her, Mia fed off their energy and when it was time for the chorus, Mia got a wonderful case of goose bumps listening to them sing along with her. Her smile didn’t leave her face the entire song. She knew it was a perfect take. So did Allie. Christmas cheer achieved!

  "That’s what I was looking for! Finally!" her friend said, a huge smile on her face.

  "Finally is right," Todd said under his breath, though he had a teasing smile on his face. Still, Mia showed him her middle finger even feeling the same as him. Maybe having them in there with her was all she needed. Maybe she could do one more song …

  "Since we’re all set up and cozy, I was thinking about throwing in a b-side for this single. This one maybe more challenging for me, but …" she trailed off. What she had in mind was tough and she wasn’t entirely sure she could hit some of those notes.

  "Oh, really?" Marty asked. "Which one?"

  "‘All I Want For Christmas Is You.’" A proud smile came to Marty’s face as he slowly nodded his head. Regarding the others, she saw they bore similar expressions.

  Mia returned her headphones to her ears and stood in front of the microphone, waiting on the word from Langston. Ethan took that time to wrap her in his arms and kiss her cheek.

  "Happy, suga?"

  She smiled up at him. "Very."

  Their reconciliation had taken some effort on both their parts, but things between her and Ethan were so much better, starting with the night he showed up in Chicago after his first exhibition football game of this season. The very next day, he helped her pack their things, including her stash of Cocoa Puffs, and Mia headed home with him to Indianapolis.

  That he’d been the one to come to her surprised her, yet it didn’t. This man loved her and wanted to spend his life with her and their family despite all the shit they’d been through. They’d learned a lot the past couple months—about each other, about their relationship. And since then, they’d been consciously working at their communication—something that had been somewhat difficult for them in the past. The biggest step being that she’d stopped hiding, and he’d stopped letting her.

  So, yeah, she was happy. Ecstatic. Her husband was still in her life. Her family was together and soon they’d have one more member and she couldn’t wait.

  "I’ll be a lot happier when we’re done recording. Our daughter really wants some fried chicken."

  He laughed. "I’ll make sure you’re first in line."

  "Take care of Luke. He’s my biggest competition. I can beat everyone else, but he knows me too well."

  "I heard my name," her best friend said.

  "You're hearing things, old man," Mia joked. She'd been calling him that the past month. His dark hair had taken a turn towards the white side. It seemed like overnight his all-pepper hair was heavily mixed with salt. The result was damn hot, yet he was still sensitive about his aging.

  "I know I heard my name," Luke insisted.

  "Fine. You're right. I was just asking Ethan if he got the Just For Men hair color for your Christmas present, grandpa. And there goes the surprise," Mia replied in all seriousness. Not laughing took every ounce of her willpower, but her husband and everyone else had none, and were cackling like fools.

  "When your husband isn't protecting your ass, you're going down," he replied, his glare making it hard not to laugh.

  "Whatever, even pregnant you can't catch me, old man."

  "Stop bickering, you two!" Allie said, playing her part as referee yet again. "Respect your elders, Mia," she added, and it was then Mia let out the laughter she tried so hard to contain.

  "I’m gonna pee my pants," she said in between bursts.

  "Watch it, woman," Luke warned his wife before leaning in to quickly kiss her lips.

  "You guys done with the comedy hour in there? I’m ready …" Langston’s smooth voice filled her ear. Mia took a few deep breaths and stepped up to the mic.

  "Yes, we’re done," Mia answered, then turned to address everyone. "Ready? You’re all singing the chorus, just so you know what’s expected of you," she said, then smiled and winked.

  Once Lang gave them the go ahead, Todd started them out with his beat, followed by Marty and Clark with their guitars, then Mia came in with her voice, hoping it went well and they could do this in one perfect take like the last song.

  * * *

  One million takes later …

  "Goddamn it!" Mia cursed, starting to feel a little bit of desperation, with a dangerous side of hangry, and with hallucinations of fried chicken so real she could smell it. Hot and steamy fried chicken. Crisp skin, moist inside. Her mouth was watering just thinking about it.

  Ahh …

  "So, Mia, do you think this can be our last take? I’m fucking starving and you know that’s a big ol’ danger zone," Allie asked which made Mia feel bad. Damn high notes.

  "I’m with Allie," Luke piped in. Shit! Her competition to the food was starving too. No good!

  "I hope you brought your own food," Mia said, winking at Luke who just rolled his eyes at her, but Allie took it further and flipped her off. Mia laughed, loving the relationship she had with her manager—the sister she never had, the sister she always wanted.

  Mia looked up at the control room and saw Langston nomming on an apple. "What the hell, Lang?"

  "I can smell the food out here. You’re lucky I haven’t walked away to steal it all. Now let’s get this song done. Last take okay?"

  Everyone grumbled their agreement, accusing eyes on Mia. Yes, she was the reason they were still in this confined space instead of upstairs eating, which seemed a hell of a lot harder now with the hungry chorus nipping at her heels.

  Ever the sage voice of reason, Marty came to her side and said to her. "Forget all these people in here and focus on Ethan. Sing to him. Okay?"

  Letting his words sink in, she felt the calm confidence fall over her. She could do this! Spinning the mic to face Ethan, Mia took a deep breath and locked her eye
s on her husband, focusing on his beautiful honey eyes, his sexy grin, feeling all that love and longing for him course through her body. He was all she ever wanted.

  Mia didn’t wait for a cue from Lang; she just started singing and hoped he was recording. As she sang, a smile flirted with Ethan’s mouth, and love filled his eyes. She knew with the utmost certainty that she was home—right where she needed to be—and when she hit that damn note that’d been plaguing her, that smile of his exploded.

  "Fuck yes!" Langston shouted into her headphones. "You better make a break for that chicken. Hurry!"

  Laughing, Mia dropped the headphones and bolted out of the live room and up the stairs.

  "Suga! Slow down," Ethan called out.

  "You know better than to get between me and my food. That’s a sure fire way to lose an arm, and suga, your arm pays the bills, so think smart," she yelled back. The smell overwhelmed her as she entered the kitchen. Finally! Mia didn't even bother with a plate. She opened the lid on the warming tray, grabbed a chicken leg, and took a bite. Sweet relief.

  "Hi, mama," her boys called out from the family room. She was so high on chicken-induced endorphins that she barely managed to glance over at them and saw that they were watching television with the other kids, grateful that the nannies had fed them.

  When Mia heard everyone coming up the stairs, she quickly grabbed a plate and filled it with food like it was her last meal. This baby in her stomach was turning her into a crazy person when it came to food. Three weeks to go … thank God.

  "Save us any food, sweets?" Luke asked as he entered the room. She didn't get a chance to answer before he plucked a piece of chicken from her plate and smiled. "Thanks."

  "Damn! Look at all that!" Todd exclaimed, forcing Mia’s attention from Luke’s thievery and her retaliation to what they were all checking out from the windows in the keeping room.