22. Sloane #2
I hide my smile. If she knows the boys were preparing to peek, she may tell Cal, and it’s too early for that kind of drama. “Is Sully with him?”
Lo nods. “Did he sleep in the bunk bed last night?”
Thanking my lucky stars that I’d already schooled my expression, I turn to the kettle and make an uh-huh sound. It’s not really a lie. It was more of a noncommittal response. If she wants to interpret it as a yes, then that’s on her.
Lo shuffles closer, humming right back at me, her attention raking over me like she’s trying to read my damn mind.
Fortunately, I’m saved from an interrogation when the door to Murphy’s room swings open and Sully backs out, camera in hand, recording the boys as they rush to the living room to discover what Santa left them .
“Make sure you’re using the wide angle so you get everything,” Cal instructs over Sully’s shoulder.
My husband twists away, keeping his focus on the screen. “I’ve got this. Just go enjoy the bloody moment.”
Without argument, Cal skirts him, his face lit up with glee.
“Look, Dad,” Murphy yells. “I got a bike!”
T.J.’s already ripping into a present. I don’t bother telling him to stop. He’ll only be a kid for so long. He might as well enjoy it.
We take our drinks to the couch while Cal pulls out his phone and puts on a Christmas music playlist.
Brian turns on the television and finds a loop of a crackling yule log on one of the streaming services. “Not exactly like home, but it’s not so bad,” he says when he settles on the couch.
After the boys have torn into a few presents, we slow them down and convince them to let us all take turns.
When Cal hands me a card, I eye him with suspicion.
It’s hard to know what the ridiculous man might pick out.
But when I open it, I squeal. “You mean I can buy whatever I want at Banana Republic?” It’s not a gift card.
Oh no, it’s so much better. It’s a single sheet of paper, and Cal has written One-hour shopping spree with Cal at Banana Republic .
He’s done similar things in the past, and we always turn the shopping sprees into entire days out.
Cal may be the biggest man-child I know, but he’s incredibly fun to be around and has the biggest heart. It warms me that he thought to do it again. Sully isn’t the only person I’ve missed.
“Yes. Now tell me you’ve forgiven me for calling you an incubator.” Cal pouts dramatically.
Sully’s eyes go wide with panic, and his whole body goes rigid. Like he’s worried this comment will cause me to shift back into the angry wife I’ve been for so long.
He was right when he said we can’t fix our relationship overnight, but I know without a doubt that my husband wants me for more than my baby-incubating abilities now, so he doesn’t have to worry .
“Yes, Cal, I’ll forgive you for that, but only if you throw in a stop for blue slushies.”
He grins, his blue eyes sparkling. “Consider it done, Sloaney.”
It takes over an hour to get through all the gifts, and while Lo and I make breakfast, the guys spread out on the floor and help the boys put toys together.
Near the couch, Sully and T.J. sit side by side, looking adorable in their matching pajamas, chatting in a way that’s still surprising to me, even though I’ve seen them do it often over the last few months.
When Sully was still living in the penthouse with us, it seemed as though he barely had time to do more than ruffle his son’s hair in passing.
Now, he tilts in close and asks, “How was your sleepover in Murphy’s room? ”
T.J. shrugs. “It’d be better if we had beds.”
“I didn’t mind,” Murphy says.
“That’s because your bed is too small,” Lo calls over. “Cal, we really need to get him a bigger one.”
“You know,” Sully starts in a tone a lot like the one he used when he pitched the whole dating idea to me.
What’s my husband up to now?
“There are three mattresses in our room.”
“Yeah, but there are three of you,” Brian points out.
“Right, but if Murphy needs a mattress,” Sully says, “it’s only right that we make sure he’s taken care of. Since he’s my nephew and all.”
I snort. Lo does too. Clearly, I’m not the only one who sees right through his little plan.
“We could move the bunk beds. Then the boys could each have their own bed, but they could share a room. That’d be fun, wouldn’t it?” He arches a brow and peers down at our son.
“We could share a bedroom!” T.J. high-fives Murphy, though an instant later, his face falls. “But where would you sleep, Dad?”
Sully glances at me and smiles. “I’m sure your mother and I could figure something out.”
Lo nudges me with an elbow. “Didn’t sleep together last night, my ass,” she hisses.
I ignore her.
“What do you say, sweetheart?” Sully calls. “Do you think we can make it work?”
Sully’s good, I’ll give him that. And if T.J. and I weren’t sleeping in the same room, I could wear one set of pajamas to bed rather than sweltering in layers.
“Yeah, I think that could work,” I agree.
“Yes!” Murphy and T.J. yell in unison.
“This is going to be awesome,” T.J. adds.
Pouting, Cal asks, “But what will we do with the race car bed?”
“I’m sure I can find a family in need,” Lo comforts him.
Under his breath, Brian says, “Yup, one with a toddler.”
Once breakfast is ready, we sit at the table, and each of us talks about which present we loved most.
When we’ve finished, T.J. drops his fork and frowns at me, his little mind working. Finally, he eyes Sully. “Did you get Mom anything?”
I cough out a laugh. This boy may be bouncing off the walls most of the time, but he can be so sweet and thoughtful. “Yes, your father gave me a beautiful gift this morning.”
Brian scowls and Cal’s eyes light up.
“Not like that, you fools,” I mutter. “It’s in the bathroom.”
T.J.’s head tilts. “Dad got you a toilet?”
I giggle. “No. He decorated my stall.”
My little guy’s face morphs into a look of absolute revulsion. “I don’t ever want to grow up. Parent gifts are weird.”
Laughter fills the air, the sound making me feel lighter than I have in a long time.
The rest of the day continues like that. Little imperfect moments that will become lasting memories. I cherish every second of it, constantly aware of how close I came to missing out on all of this, to giving it all up .
As I settle on the couch with my family that night to watch Elf , I vow to do everything I can to keep it from happening again.