Chapter Twenty-Eight
A fter we cleaned up at my house, we grabbed the extra presents and lugged them over to enjoy watching Calvin and all the adults opening their presents. And then food was served.
It was delicious and I had to say, I was rather darn proud how my apple pie turned out, all golden brown and perfectly cooked through. Dad was impressed. And I got a reluctant compliment from Seth about my skills in the kitchen improving a lot.
We were just finishing dinner with everyone when Janice practically jumped to her feet. “They’re here!” Her eyes were wide and shimmering with tears, her cheeks red as she excitedly ran out of the house.
“Please tell me she put her coat on,” Liberty said.
“I don’t think so,” Aunt Laura said.
“I got it.” I was already getting up. “She’s just excited to see her fiancé and little boy. I don’t blame her.”
“I’ll come.” Seth prepared to stand.
I waved him off. “No. Not right away. Let her enjoy her reunion with them. Can you bring over some food though?”
“Of course.” He got up and quickly went into the kitchen.
I grabbed Janice’s coat and nearly ran out the door. She was almost across the street by the time I spotted her. The cold wasn’t going to stop her from seeing her family.
A car sat in my driveway, behind my dad’s. I carefully weaved through all the vehicles filling Seth’s driveway and on the curb. His house wasn’t the only one flooded with vehicles. A good chunk of the street was filled with cars.
By the time I reached Janice, she was completely engulfed in a man’s hug. He was pretty big, wide, a little intimidating looking.
I stayed back far enough not to hear what were clearly loving endearments as he whispered to her and she gripped him, nodding. She was holding on to him like he was her lifeline.
She finally pulled away and the man frowned at her. “Where is your coat?” His voice was deep and warm, with an undertone of disapproval. I didn’t blame him. It was freezing outside and it was already affecting her.
“I have it here,” I finally spoke, holding out her coat.
The man—Ezi—finally looked at me. He glanced briefly at Janice and then back at me. He cleared his throat. “Thank you.” He took the coat and carefully tucked Janice inside of it. He even grabbed his own hat and pulled it over her head. “It’s too cold for you to be outside like this.”
“I was t-too excited,” she said, already shivering. “Where’s Rowan?”
He chuckled. “Napping in the backseat. It’s been a long day for him.”
“Come inside,” I said. “Seth is going to bring over some food for you guys.”
Ezi gave me an appreciative smile. “Thank you.”
“It’s the least I can do,” I mumbled, feeling a little off as I led the way into the house. Janice refused Ezi’s help as she grabbed the baby car seat and carried Rowan inside.
“Living room is there,” I motioned to him as we took off our coats and shoes.
Janice kicked her boots off quickly and went right inside. Ezi trailed after her, giving me a brief nod as he chased after his fiancé. I watched as she cried, taking her son out of his car seat and holding him close to her chest. He made a little baby sound but quickly settled down against her.
I left them alone, going into the kitchen and warming up the apple cider Seth had made. I remembered Janice mentioning he liked that drink.
Seth showed up a moment later with a huge tray of food.
“Whose stomach is all that going to fit into?” I asked.
“I briefly saw him, and I’m sure this isn’t enough.”
I laughed.
“He’s huge. I’m jealous.”
“Well,” I said, wrapping my arms around him. “You don’t need to. You’re plenty big enough. Anymore and it’ll be awkward trying to hug you.”
He wrapped his arms around me with a chuckle. “You know how to make me feel better.”
We quietly hung out in the kitchen, giving the space they needed. I knew it’d been hard on Janice to be away from Ezi and Rowan, especially around this time of year.
Seth leaned against the counter, watching me as I poured the apple cider into large mugs for everyone. I added a cinnamon stick for that extra warmth, hoping it would help break the ice when I finally met the man.
“You good?” Seth asked, noticing how I was beginning to fidget.
“Yeah,” I replied, exhaling. “He just...he looked a little intimidating.”
Seth’s grin was crooked and playful. “Sure, but when I saw him with Janice, he looked like a big teddy bear. Don’t worry, nothing will happen. Trust Janice to pick the right man.”
I almost wanted to say she’s picked the wrong man before, but I knew things were different now. The way she always talked about him, the warmth and love in her voice. The stories she shared.
It really was different this time and I knew that.
“I think they quieted down, want to go now?”
“Uh huh.”
Seth gave me a supportive smile as he helped me with the drinks. “C’mon. I’ll be there with you.”
As we walked into the living room, I was struck by the sight of Janice on the couch, cradling Rowan, who was still tucked in his baby blanket. Ezi was beside her, one large hand resting protectively on her knee as they talked in hushed tones. His other arm was draped over the back of the couch, making him appear even larger if that were possible. Despite his size, there was an undeniable softness in the way he gazed at Janice and Rowan.
“Drinks here,” Seth announced, setting the tray down on the coffee table.
Janice’s eyes lit up as Ezi grabbed a cup for her, placing it in easy reach for her.
“Cadence,” Janice said in a tone I never heard from her. It was so impossibly warm and soft, all the stress from being away from them and also being attacked had completely disappeared. It was similar to how Amy Rivera, my lawyer, had looked at me every now and again. When I had asked her about it, she told me to figure it out. It took me a long time to realize it was a look a mother gave to their precious kids. “Come here, I want you to meet him.”
Ezi’s dark eyes lifted to meet mine and he stood, towering over me as he extended a hand. “Ezi,” he said simply, his deep voice filled with quiet authority. He was used to being heard and listened to. I still wasn’t sure what he did as a job, but whatever it was held power. For someone as young as he was, that alone was impressive.
“Cadence,” I replied, shaking his hand. Now that I was up close to him, that intimidating aura that had set me on edge was fading. Kindness filled his eyes, matching the warmth in the deep timbre of his voice.
“Janice told me a lot about you,” Ezi said, his lips quirking into a faint smile. “Thank you for looking out for her.”
“I always will,” I said quickly, feeling a slight flush through my cheeks. “She’s a good friend, always has been.”
He nodded, his gaze steady but not uncomfortable. “And I can’t begin to thank you for everything you’ve done for her. Then and now. Without your help, I would have never been so lucky as to get to meet her.”
Janice beamed as she stared between the two of us. “See? I told you she’s amazing.”
I laughed nervously, waving my hand dismissively. “I’m doing what anyone would have done.”
Ezi snorted. “No, you’ve gone way beyond what anyone would have done for Janice.”
Seth joined us, draping an arm around my shoulders. “Good luck getting her to see how amazing she is. I’ve made it my duty to get her to realize it, but it’s been tough going. How about we sit down?”
“Noted.” Ezi’s smile widened and he returned to his seat.
“Great, now stop hovering,” Janice said. “And come meet my baby boy.” She patted the spot next to her for me.
Seth nudged me forward before going over and sitting on the sofa chair. I carefully sat down next to her, leaning over to get a better look at the tiny human in her arms.
Rowan was fully awake, making gurgling noises that melted away any remaining tension. He had Janice’s blue eyes and curly brown hair, but Ezi’s wider facial features. I had a feeling he was going to be as big as his dad.
Once we all began talking to each other, I was able to relax completely, growing more comfortable with Ezi. Seth was right, Ezi really was more of a teddy bear. He was attentive to Janice and Rowan and showed only kindness.
Janice glowed under his attention, making it so much easier to like him. As long as Janice was happy and being treated right, then I was happy for her too. And I was glad I got to meet her family, the ones who were able to make her grow into the wonderful person she was now, especially after what she had gone through.
I never thought I’d have a Christmas like this, seeing so many people important to me close by, happy, healthy, and safe. I couldn’t wait to see what my future Christmases were going to bring me.