Soldiers of Pearl 2: Healing Souls (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Forever)
Page 23
Cason pulled Cora onto his lap and hugged her. Liam was sitting on a battery-operated truck he could drive outside and even over the rough terrain. Avery stopped him from driving into the tree and told him to put it in park and open their last present.
Asher was laughing and Beau stood near Julia, and Blade was waiting for Liam to help uncover the big box.
“What is it?” Liam asked.
“Maybe a dollhouse,” Julia said.
“It’s for both of us and you got one for your birthday,” Liam told his sister.
They heard the small whimper, and Julia screamed as she and Liam ripped the top of the paper. They cried out with joy as Blade and Beau pulled out two black puppies.
“Oh, they’re so cute,” Julia said, and she and Liam lay on the floor and played with the two black Rottweiler puppies.
“Meet our two newest members of the family. Rocky and Rex,” Beau said.
Cason joined them on the rug as Cora sat there watching them.
She absorbed the scene, wishing she could take an actual picture to remember this first Christmas together as a family. The tree was fresh cut, filling the house with the smell of pine. All the decorations were new. She smiled to herself as she thought about how Asher and Avery went out early one morning and came back by the afternoon with this glorious, huge tree. Blade asked them how they planned on getting it into the house, while Beau set out to make a stand that could fit such a tree. Cason took the measurements then pulled out his iPad and began to order decorations and trimmings that would arrive Express Mail.
But when the tree was complete, it was like something out of a magazine. In fact, it was almost identical to the one that Julia pointed out as she sat in the hospital next to Cora on the bed and they looked at magazines to pass the time.
She looked at Avery and Asher, and their smiles and laughter filled the room along with the kids’. Her mom sat in the chair and watched, joining in the giggling over the puppies that were playful and nipping at Beau, who immediately reprimanded them. The one black puppy sat down and looked so sad but fell over, losing his balance and sending Liam into a deep belly laugh that had Cora smiling with joy.
She felt the tears in her eyes as she stood up and took in the full sight.
This was her family. These men, though she feared them when she first arrived and met them, became so important to her. Once her heart was broken. Her belief in happiness for herself had seemed like a lost cause, where she only focused on her children and finding them peace, love, and happiness.
But these five men, with their own fears, their own scars, and their own reservations, took a chance. The barriers found in those same hardened hearts, like hers and her children’s, learned to open up again, to let her and her children in and ultimately invade their hearts.
The emotion, the connection, respect, and love she had for Blade, Beau, Cason, Avery, and Asher were beyond measure They were a blessing to her children, a gift from some higher power for herself, and ultimately the power source necessary to invade her broken heart and make her experience true love for the very first time in her life.
The tear rolled down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away as she ran her hand along the fireplace and all the decorations. She inhaled the scent of fresh pine, touched the sparkling pinecones Liam and Julia decorated themselves in school, and held the moment in her heart.
She loved how the men made certain to get Julia her tree, Liam his mistletoe, and her this perfect feeling of contentedness and love. The fireplace was trimmed with fresh garland, berries, and mistletoe. In fact, there seemed to be a lot of mistletoe around this house, and above almost every doorway.
She felt the presence behind her and something above her head and smiled as she glanced up at Blade holding a sprig of mistletoe above her head.
“Merry Christmas, baby. I love you.”
He leaned down and kissed her deeply as he held the sprig above their heads. When he released her, Beau was there to take his place, taking the mistletoes from Blade and kissing Cora.
“I love you, Cora. You’re always right here,” he said as he laid his hand over his heart. He passed the mistletoe to Cason, who pulled her into his arms, lifted her up and against his chest, and kissed her deeply. He ran his hand along her ass, squeezing it, and then released her lips, setting her down.
“I love you, baby. You and me are sneaking back to bed in about fifteen minutes.” He tapped his watch, winked at her with those baby blues, making her heart shudder and her body hum with instant desire.
Avery pulled her by her hand to him and caressed her hair, looking so serious as he held her gaze. “We’re never going to let you go. You complete us. I love you.” He kissed her sweetly until Asher stood there with a bunch of mistletoe in his hands.
“Asher, what the heck are you doing?” Avery asked.
“Traditionally speaking, a couple usually only share one kiss under the mistletoe. I’m planning a whole lot more than just one Christmas kiss with the woman I love.” The men chuckled as Asher pulled Cora close, told her he loved her, and began to kiss her until they were both breathless.
They gathered around her when Asher released her lips and smiled.
Julia and Liam joined them, the puppies at the two children’s heels.
“This is the bestest Christmas ever,” Liam yelled out and hugged Blade’s leg.
Asher bent down and lifted up Julia into his arms. “And you, princess? Is this just like the picture in the magazine?”
She shook her head.
“No. It’s even better.” Avery smiled. The dogs gave short low barks, and then Beau asked the children what their favorite gift was.
“The dollhouse?” Blade asked. Julia shook her head.
“The motorized truck?” Beau asked Liam. He shook his head.
“The puppies?” Avery asked, and Asher picked up one as Cason picked up the other.
“Then what is the best gift you got?” Cason asked.
“Daddies!” Liam yelled out.
“And Mommy looks like a princess,” Julia added, and Cora felt the tears reach her eyes as she lifted her hand and laid it against her chest, smiling at the gorgeous three-carat diamond surrounded by blue sapphires her men had given to her as they asked her to be their wife.
She had the perfect family, and the happily ever after she longed for and thought could never be.
THE END
WWW.DIXIELYNNDWYER.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
People seem to be more interested in my name than where I get my ideas for my stories from. So I might as well share the story behind my name with all my readers.
My momma was born and raised in New Orleans. At the age of twenty, she met and fell in love with an Irishman named Patrick Riley Dwyer. Needless to say, the family was a bit taken aback by this as they hoped she would marry a family friend. It was a modern day arranged marriage kind of thing and my momma downright refused.
Being that my momma’s families were descendants of the original English speaking Southerners, they wanted the family blood line to stay pure. They were wealthy and my father’s family was poor.
Despite attempts by my grandpapa to make Patrick leave and destroy the love between them, my parents married. They recently celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary.
I am one of six children born to Patrick and Lynn Dwyer. I am a combination of both Irish and a true Southern belle. With a name like Dixie Lynn Dwyer it’s no wonder why people are curious about my name.
Just as my parents had a love story of their own, I grew up intrigued by the lifestyles of others. My imagination as well as my need to stray from the straight and narrow made me into the woman I am today.
For all titles by Dixie Lynn Dwyer, please visit
www.bookstrand.com/dixie-lynn-dwyer
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
en Publishing LoveXtreme Forever)