Chapter Thirty-Two
Ashort time later, they moved the party up to the third-floor conservatory, where Nick gathered the kids around him to read “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.
” The photographer took numerous pictures of the president with Alden and Aubrey on his lap, his brothers, nieces, nephews and friends’ kids on the floor, in front of a ten-foot Christmas tree.
As Sam watched and listened, her heart was so full of love for him and the kids they’d made their own. They’d never dared to dream of the family they now had.
Elijah came to stand next to her. “I’m so fucking relieved,” he whispered.
“Right there with you, pal.” She slipped an arm around him and rested her head on his shoulder as he put his arm around her. They hadn’t known him or the twins a year ago, and now they were firmly woven into the fabric of their lives, as if they’d always been there.
After the story, Terry appeared with a printout that he handed to Nick.
“You know what this is?” Nick asked the wide-eyed kids.
They shook their heads.
“It’s a map from NORAD that shows Santa is on his way.”
The kids scooted closer so they could see.
“He’s coming across the ocean right now,” Nick said, pointing to the picture of the sleigh on the map, “which means all good boys and girls need to be tucked into bed before he gets here.”
“Are you sure he knows where to find us?” Angela’s son, Jack, asked.
“I’m positive. I sent a letter from the president to the North Pole with a full list of all the good boys and girls who’d be sleeping at the White House tonight. Now it’s time for everyone to go to bed and get to sleep so Santa can come.”
Reginald appeared with cookies and milk that the children put on plates for Santa and special White House reindeer food Sam and the kids had made that was left for Santa’s team.
Parents claimed their children and took them off to the rooms they’d been assigned earlier as Gideon and several of the butlers stood by to offer help and directions to bedrooms.
“This was the most fantastic night ever,” Freddie declared as he and Elin said good night to Sam with hugs.
“It was absolutely magical,” Elin declared.
“I’m so glad you enjoyed it,” Sam said.
“Thanks so much for including my parents,” Freddie said. “They’re going to dine out on this for years.”
“Of course we included them. Family is family.”
Freddie hugged Sam. “Love ya.”
“Love you, too,” she said as she hugged him tighter than she usually did. “Merry Christmas.” Then she hugged Elin. “No sex in the White House, you two.”
“Whatever,” Freddie said, laughing as he took his wife’s hand to head to one of the third-floor bedrooms.
Sam went downstairs to check on Elijah and the twins, who were tucked into the bed they shared.
Sam leaned over to kiss them both good night. “Sweet dreams, my loves.”
Aubrey looked up at her with tears shimmering in her expressive eyes. “I wish Mommy and Daddy were here.”
“I know, sweetheart. But I think they’re somewhere nearby keeping a close eye on you and Alden and Elijah. They know you’re so loved by all of us.”
Seemingly satisfied to hear that, the little girl popped her thumb in her mouth and snuggled up to her twin, who put an arm around her.
Alden was wise beyond his years and took care of his sister with a tenderness that never failed to move Sam to tears.
“We’ll see you in the morning,” Nick said when he came in to kiss them good night.
“What time do you think they’ll be up?” Sam asked Elijah when the three of them were in the hallway.
“They were up at five last year.”
“Oh my Lord,” Sam said. “We’d better get some sleep while we can.”
Elijah hugged them both. “I know I keep saying thank you, but… I just… You guys are the best, and I’m so, so grateful to have you in our lives.”
“Right back at you, buddy,” Nick said. “We can’t remember what life was like without the three of you.”
“Merry Christmas,” Eli said.
“Sleep well,” Sam said.
“I’ll sleep very well knowing that damned custody case is over.”
After Eli walked away, Nick said, “So will I.”
“No kidding.”
“Gideon and the staff have all the Santa stuff set out in the conservatory,” Nick said. “They made the cutest signs so each child will know which gifts belong to them.”
“They’re the best. Tomorrow is going to be crazy.”
“I can’t wait to see all the excitement,” Nick said. “Let’s check on Scotty and then hit the sack. I hear we’re in for an early wakeup.”
Scotty was in bed with Skippy, who was curled up next to him. Parts and pieces of his tuxedo were scattered about the room. “I know she’s not supposed to be in my bed, but you try telling her that. The woman has a mind of her own.”
“She’s good training for your future wife,” Nick said, earning him an elbow to the gut from his wife.
“Oof,” Nick said, grinning at Sam.
“I’m so happy the judge saw things our way,” Scotty said. “I kept worrying about how we’d ever give them up.”
“Now we don’t have to,” Nick said.
“Are you guys as relieved as I am?”
“We sure are,” Sam said. “Even though we knew we had the advantage because of their parents appointing Elijah, you just never know what a judge is going to decide.” She leaned over to kiss Scotty’s forehead as she scratched Skippy’s silky head.
“Get some sleep, pal. Elijah told us to expect a five a.m. wakeup.”
“Oh jeez. That’s too early.”
“Welcome to big brotherhood,” Sam said.
“Best job I ever had. Merry Christmas.”
“Same to you, buddy,” Nick said as they headed for the door.
Gideon was still in the hallway, checking a clipboard and speaking into a walkie-talkie.
“How’s it going?” Sam asked him.
“All good. Everyone is settled, and we’re just making sure there’re no last-minute requests before I send everyone home.”
“We can’t thank you enough for such a wonderful evening,” Sam said.
“We all enjoyed it. Everyone appreciated you inviting the staff families in for the reception last weekend. They loved meeting you both and the kids. And, of course, Skippy, the internet superstar.”
“She’s the most famous one in the family,” Nick said, offering his hand to Gideon. “Thank you for all you do. We’re blown away every day by the incredible staff.”
Gideon shook his hand. “We aim to please, sir. We’ll see you in the morning.”
With their guests settled in for the night, Sam followed Nick into their bedroom and closed the door, leaning against it with a deep sigh. “That was one hell of a Christmas Eve,” she said.
“I’d say it was the best ever, but I sure did miss having your dad with us.”
“Me, too, but it’s okay to say it was the best ever. He’d certainly agree with that.”
“It’s nice to be able to have everyone here with us, even if I feel a little guilty about putting so much on the staff at Christmas.”
“Gideon said they were happy to do it. They know about the twins and what they’ve been through. Everyone wants to see them have a magical Christmas.”
Nick came to her and ran his hands down her bare arms, careful to avoid the bandage on her left arm, before linking their fingers. “Most beautiful wife I’ve ever had,” he said, kissing her neck.
Sam laughed. “I’d better be the only wife you ever have, mister.”
“Only one I’ve ever wanted, and you know it. How do I get you out of this getup?”
“There’s a button right here,” she said, pointing to the back of her neck.
When he released the button, the top half of the dress collapsed, leaving her nearly bare from the waist up.
“What’ve we got going on here?” Nick asked, eyeing the tape Marcus had convinced her to wear in lieu of a bra.
“Blame Marcus. He said, ‘Tape up the girls so you won’t have to wear a bra.’”
“How do I untape the girls?” Nick asked, his brows furrowing adorably.
“Carefully,” Sam said.
Working together, they tugged gently on the tape that had held her breasts in place inside the slinky red gown.
“Ah, there they are,” Nick said when the last of the tape had been removed. “My best girls.” He cupped them and ran his thumbs over her nipples. “You looked so beautiful tonight, but then again, you always do.”
“Same to you. I love how you look in that tux. Hotter than the sun.”
“Whatever,” he said, as he always did when she commented on his hotness.
Sam laughed as she worked on removing the studs that held his shirt together. “Can you just take this over your head?” she asked, impatient as always.
“Yep.” He lifted the shirt and the T-shirt under it up and over his head, revealing her favorite man chest of all time.
She slipped her arms around him and pressed her breasts against him.
“Mmm, now that is what I needed,” Nick said, sighing with pleasure. “Best part of the day, hands down.”
“Watching you read to the kids was pretty great, too.”
“I’ve never been more relieved in my life than when we got that news from Andy,” Nick said.
“I know.”
“Having you and the kids… This life, this family, it’s everything to me.”
“It makes me so happy that you finally have that. The thought of anything messing with it was almost more than I could bear.”
“It was brutal. Now, we can relax and fully enjoy the holiday.”
“How should we start?” she asked, flashing a coy grin.
“You can start by showing me how to get this gown the rest of the way off you.”
She tugged on a snap at her waist that dropped the dress to the floor.
“That was seriously hot, babe.” With his sexy hazel eyes full of desire, he took her hand and helped her step out of the gown. Knowing how she was about designer gowns, he bent to pick it up and draped it over a chair before leading her into the bedroom.
“I hate to be a mood killer, but I need to brush my teeth,” Sam said.
“Me, too.”
Sam used the facilities, brushed her teeth and took preventative Advil to contend with the always-hideous hangover that followed too much champagne.
Before joining him in the bedroom, she got him Advil and two melatonin pills to ensure he’d get some sleep.
She refilled the water glass and brought it with her to dole out the meds to Nick, who sat on the edge of the bed waiting for her.
“This makes me feel eighty,” he said, grinning as he chased the pills with a swig of water.
“You’ll feel eighty in the morning after all that champagne if you don’t take them.”
“Very true.” He put the glass on the table, placed his hands on her hips and brought her in close enough to kiss her abdomen. “Remember two years ago today?”
“Ah, yes, the day you convinced me to go all in with a future senator. How could I forget? And in case I forget to tell you, you’re a big fat lying liar face. ‘One year and out,’ my ass.”
His low chuckle made her smile. “I love your ass.” He gave it a squeeze to make his point. “And in case I forget to tell you, talking you into taking this ride with me was the best thing I ever did, even if it hasn’t unfolded quite the way we expected.” As he spoke, he brought her onto his lap.
“That’s the understatement of the century. Maybe even the millennium.” Sam surprised him when she moved just so and sank down on his hard cock.
“Whoa. Smooth move, babe.”
“You liked that, huh?”
“I love all your moves.”
“Then you’ll really love this one,” she said as she pivoted her hips and drew a deep groan from him.
“Oh yeah, that’s a winner.”
Sam laughed at his dazzled expression. “I’ve got quite a few others where that came from.”
“Let’s see what you’ve got.”
Just as Sam was about to bring out her big guns, the bat phone on the bedside table rang.
Nick groaned. “No, I’m busy!”
Because he couldn’t ignore a call on that line, Sam reached for the receiver and handed it to him.
“Yes?”
Sam rolled her hips and stifled a laugh when his eyes rolled back in his head.
Though she wasn’t supposed to listen when he got calls on that phone, she couldn’t help but hear what the person on the other end was saying.
“Mr. President, a bomb has been found outside the gates to the White House.”
Thank you for reading State of Grace! I hope you enjoyed it. Turn the page to read Every Little Thing, Book 1 in the Butler, VT Series…
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