Ocean
OCEAN
Christmas Day
This was exactly what I’d pictured when I rented this cabin on Crescent Lake.
Well, there were a few more people than I’d originally intended.
A few more children than I’d ever imagined.
And a few who were missed. My siblings and I’d had a video chat with our parents who were somewhere in the Caribbean. They vowed to never miss a Christmas again.
Instead of trying to fit everyone around the table in the more formal area at the back of the cabin, a few of my very strong brothers had brought the big table into the living room.
We spread out the couches—all with brand-new giant blankets serving as covers. Q really couldn’t get over the fact that I just might have had sex on one or two of them.
I didn’t mind.
At least he’d picked festive red and green covers.
My favorite was the red one with all the snowflakes on it.
I fingered the aquamarine snowflake at my neck. A little remembrance of how I got so lucky to have an even bigger family in my life.
“Christmas Valentine” by Ingrid Michaelson & Jason Mraz played through the speakers all around as the fireplace crackled.
Two little girls—Faith and Cara—were playing in front of the fireplace with their new Polly Pocket toys.
All the toys of my youth were coming around again. Though I was pretty sure the accessories were a little fancier than the stickers I’d played with long ago.
Faith had curly cinnamon-colored hair that was tied back in a festive ribbon. I wondered idly if Hudson and I would have a little girl who looked like that. Or if she would be a sweet blond like Cara.
Hudson’s mom was currently cuddled up with the newest MacGregor, Evan. He was a cranky little man and had finally tired himself out enough to take a nap with Grandma.
Knowing my luck, I’d get an Evan.
He was super cute when he was sleeping, at least.
Ellie and Callum had escaped into the kitchen for a little privacy under the guise of checking on the Italian feast we were having for dinner.
Lasagna, Hudson’s favorite, along with pans of ziti and chicken parmigiana would hopefully fill the bellies of all the males in the room. I caught my brother Q adding a few bags of dinosaur chicken nuggets to a baking sheet to make the kids happy, though I was pretty sure half were for him.
Lennox and River were arguing some case that had just gone to the Supreme Court. My sister was ecstatic to have another law nerd to talk to.
Kent and Hudson’s father, Theo, were talking about the haunted Victorian on the lake. Hudson’s dad was like a kid when he found out Kent’s friend had worked on the property.
Kent hadn’t been so animated while talking to someone in years.
It was really nice to see.
Q, Finn, Rio, and Levi were playing a rowdy game of Uno with the launcher. The card shooter was currently spitting out a half dozen cards at Finn.
I would always have a soft spot for Uno.
“Want to get in on the game?” Hudson’s voice came from behind me just before his arms slid around my middle.
I turned in his arms. “I was thinking of something a little different.”
His dark eyes went hot. There had been a whole lot of family time going on, and very little alone time. “I’m listening.”
I laughed, then I checked over my shoulder. Everyone still looked busy.
Faith looked up from her toys and giggled as I pushed Hudson past the stairs and toward the hallway where the bathroom was.
I threw a little shh sign against my lips and she nodded.
Along the arch of the hallway was a sprig of mistletoe. I looked up, then I linked my fingers behind his neck. “It’s very bad luck not to kiss someone under mistletoe, you know.”
“We don’t need any of that, now do we?”
I went onto my toes. “We sure don’t.”
He lowered his mouth to mine. The kiss was sweet and soft.
He gripped my hips, his fingers twisting in the fuzzy soft sweater dress I was wearing.
I smiled against his lips, loving that he could make me feel happy and sexy at the same time. That he wanted to start all the way over with me, even if we weren’t exactly sure what we were doing.
I eased back, licking my lips for the last taste of him. “I made us an appointment for after the first of the year.”
“Oh?”
“Sage and Oliver Hamilton were pretty amazing when I worked with them to rent this cabin. I thought they might help us find a place here in Crescent Cove.”
His eyebrows rose. “We don’t even know what we’re going to do to make a living.”
“I think you know what you’re going to do, Hudson.” I could hear the excuses filling his head, and I hurried on before he could say no. “And our combined strengths will make it happen.”
He pressed his forehead to mine. “You’re going to bulldoze me our whole life, aren’t you?”
“I sure am.”
He laughed. “I can’t wait.”
“Neither can I.”
“C’mon, you two, it’s time for dinner. You can make out later.” Finn’s voice came from the living room.
Hudson rolled his eyes and linked his fingers with mine before we went out to be with our huge, crazy family.
“Just a sec,” I whispered.
“What?”
“I just wanted to thank you for making all my Christmas dreams come true.”
“We’re just getting started, Angel.”