Chapter 34
Eggs, bacon, pancakes, and sausage scented the air the next morning, the savory aroma weaving through the dining room chatter. Wade’s parents had made breakfast, another family tradition. Whenever the Stone parents had their kids together, they cooked them breakfast at least once.
Conversations bounced along the tables. Bella, sticky from syrup, attempted to grab a pancake from Wade’s plate.
“Aunt Iris and Uncle Sabastian need to take this little princess Christmas shopping.” Iris crouched beside Bella’s high chair.
Claire retrieved wipes from her diaper bag under the table. Wade took them and, after wiping Bella’s sticky hands and mouth, handed her over to his sister. “Just take the SUV, so we don’t move the car seat. And drive carefully.”
“I’ll be behind the wheel, no worries.” Sabastian winked as he followed Iris out.
“Oh, we’re going to spoil you today.” Iris’s words trailed her and Bella.
“Okay, everyone!” Wade’s chair scraped the floor. He stood at the head of the room, cupping his mouth so his voice cut through the chatter. “Lunch is at twelve thirty sharp. Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. Soup’s already made, by the caterers.”
Julia rolled her eyes. “I take it this is your attempt at the organizer’s meal?”
His siblings joked about the simplicity and teased his cooking skills. Claire sipped the tea she’d started to favor over coffee, maybe because it was affiliated with her memories of Wade.
Her dad had decided not to come, already embracing his new routine. He’d promised to join her and Wade for a quieter Christmas celebration at their home on the twenty-sixth. It stung a little, but at least he’d found a community of his own.
In the kitchen, she joined Wade as he slid on an apron. The event calendar on the wall caught her eye. Tomorrow’s sledding event was circled in bright red. How much fun she’d had the last time she went sledding with Albert. Had she been in fifth grade then?
“Ready to show off your sandwich-making skills, my sweet wife?” Wade’s kiss on her cheek bubbled her stomach.
“I was born ready.” She’d ponytailed her hair that morning, and she looked down at her T-shirt to make sure no loose hairs might sneak into the food. Then after washing her hands, she started an assembly line of bread slices on the counter. “I’ll start with the cheese. You set out the griddles.”
A shiver ran down her spine as Wade stepped behind her, his hands circling her waist. “The only rule is that we work side by side. No opposite sides of the kitchen.” His lips pressed on her neck, and goose bumps broke out across her arms. His minty breath mixed with the faint sweetness of syrup, a combination she savored.
“If you’re already distracting me, we’ll be here all day.” She leaned back, catching her breath.
“Distracting my wife is a perfectly valid use of my time.” He spun her around and captured her lips in a consuming kiss.
Her hands found his chest, skimming over the rippled muscles beneath his shirt as their lips mingled. She forgot where they were, her thoughts drifting to last night.
A throat cleared behind them.
She jumped, her cheeks flaming.
Wade drew back, his hand lingering on hers as if he wasn’t ready to let go. “Good grief, Rohan.” He smirked at his brother. “Can’t a married man enjoy his wife without someone barging in?”
Rohan braced a hip against the marble counter, his athletic frame a reminder of how the Stone family took care of themselves physically. Amusement flickered across his features as natural light highlighted his brown skin. “I was going to offer help, but you’ve got other priorities.”
Her heart still racing, she slipped out of Wade’s arms. She slid out a griddle, using the motion to mask her lingering embarrassment. “We could use a hand, Rohan.” Great. She still sounded breathless.
“Glad to be of service.” He stepped in to join them. “Theo and Whitney are on their way too. But only if you promise to join in the 5v5 game after lunch.”
Claire shook her head. “I’m terrible at basketball.”
“You’re good enough.” Wade’s broad grin found hers. “You’ve played with Albert and me at the park before.”
“Still not a pro.” She bit her lip under his teasing gaze.
By the time Theo and Whitney arrived, Claire and the two brothers had found a rhythm to the task.
With the extra help, the sandwiches came together, and they even had time to reheat the soup the caterers delivered an hour earlier.
The basketball game followed lunch with laughter and competitiveness.
Although Claire wasn’t the star player, Wade made her feel included.
Bella giggled from the sidelines where her new uncles and aunts and cousins passed her around.
Then late afternoon, sledding brought more laughter.
Bella’s squeals mingled with the rest as Claire kept her tight on her lap and Wade guided their sled down the snowy hill.
The next day, Claire joined his sisters for a pedicure session in town.
Iris chatted about Christmas and hinted at starting to have kids with Sabastian, though her career was at its peak and she felt conflicted.
Serafina’s excitement about her baby due in April made Claire smile, while Vanessa gushed about her new teaching job in North Carolina where she resided with Nate.
Then Whitney shared plans for her upcoming spring wedding to Theo.
Though Julia and Hailey, the other sisters, weren’t as easy to warm up to, Claire appreciated the camaraderie forming. She hadn’t realized she loved a big family until now. And she was already part of this big Stone family.
Warmth swept through Claire as Irina arrived that evening when the family was transitioning to the concert hall. She looked stunning in the elegant green dress they’d picked out before the premiere. Claire introduced her to the family members around them.
“This is how the rich celebrate Christmas?” Irina’s awed whisper heated Claire’s ear.
“It’s more of a family reunion, but yeah—Christmas, too.”
Subtle music played in the background as guests found their seats, leaving the center for the dance floor. Wade stood by the treats table, Bella perched on his hip in her puffy red dress, surrounded by nieces and nephews ogling the candy selection.
Irina surveyed the room, her gaze lingering on the suited men. Mischief danced in her eyes. “Who among your brothers-in-law is still single?”
Claire tipped her chin toward the three siblings deep in conversation, particularly to Owen. “Brown hair, kind of shaggy. But you’d be repeating the chain. He never stays in one place.”
“Hmm.” Irina still craned around. “What about him?” She tilted her head toward the elevator as Rohan stepped out, aiding their grandmother. His tailored suit a perfect fit for his tall, lean frame.
“He’s steady, as long as you’re okay eating greens all day and maintaining a long-distance relationship.”
Irina raised an eyebrow, a wry smile tugging at her lips. “Story of my dating life.”
“He lives in Dubai and runs businesses between there, India, and the surrounding countries.” He seemed levelheaded and possibly perfect for her friend, but his earlier mention of his biological dad hinted at unresolved issues. “He might be emotionally unavailable.”
“So, he’s just like the tourists I date—except richer.” Her gaze lingered on Rohan as he helped his grandma into a chair. “At least he has a heart for the elderly.”
As the live band began to play, the music beckoned people to the dance floor.
Wade found Claire’s hand and eased her close.
They swayed, Bella temporarily distracted by her cousins.
Across the room, Irina danced with Owen.
Claire doubted it would lead to anything serious, but her friend’s radiant smile pleased her.
And Irina confirmed it as Claire walked her to the limousine later.
“It was the best night of my life,” Irina gushed. The Christmas and security lights illuminated snowflakes floating in the air, landing like soft, wet kisses on their faces.
“I wish you could stay.” Claire embraced her friend as Steve held the door open for her.
“I have to work tomorrow so I can have Christmas Day and the twenty-sixth off.”
With a wave and promise to see each other on the day after Christmas, Irina slid into the car. Then Steve closed the door. The limousine drove away, and Claire remained until the taillights disappeared down the drive.
The next two days passed in a blur of family games and renewed connection.
She felt more at home with Wade’s family, even with the sisters she thought hadn’t warmed up to her yet.
They might never be as close, but she liked them well enough and looked forward to next year’s reunion when Rohan’s name was drawn to be the organizer.
Still, she was secretly wishing they could go home already for their first Christmas together as a family on the twenty-sixth. She couldn’t wait to see his reaction when he opened his gift. But for now, waking up in his arms on Christmas morning was its own kind of gift.
He stirred beside her and kissed her temple. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas,” she whispered back, snuggling closer.
Bella’s rhythmic breathing drifted from the half-open closet.
She wore red-and-white pajamas matching Claire and Wade and the rest of his family—part of the Stone family tradition.
It was silly, but even such a small thing made Claire feel connected to the family.
Most of the extended family had left the night before, leaving just the close relatives for a quieter Christmas morning.
He tilted his head. “You’re glowing.”
“It’s Christmas.” She laughed, feeling ten degrees hotter. “And I get to spend it with you.”
“And Bella.” His gaze drifted toward the crib. “She’s going to love the gifts we got her.”
Claire smiled, idly tracing patterns on his chest through the soft T-shirt. “And I can’t wait to see your face when you open yours.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”