Chapter 22
Comfort And Joy
On Christmas morning, Nash woke with Olivia safe in his arms. Their kids were having a Christmas Eve sleepover in Charlie’s room with Oggie.
Which meant he and Olivia had enjoyed a very nice Christmas Eve of their own. He wished he had time to seduce her again this morning, but he didn’t know how early Charlie was going to want to start Christmas morning. Their door was locked, but he wasn’t taking any chances with Olivia’s privacy.
Maybe they could save water and shower together.
As if his thoughts had woken her, she squirmed slightly in his arms, then her eyes fluttered open. “Hey.”
“Good morning, Beautiful. Merry Christmas.”
Her smile brightened. “Merry Christmas. I’m glad we’re spending it together. It’s going to be the best Christmas ever.”
He leaned down to kiss her and then heard their kids laughing across the hall. “Kid alert.”
She laughed even as she kissed him back. “They’re going to have such a good day.”
Excitement rippled through him. “Us, too. Let’s get going.”
Ella jumped out of bed and grabbed a few bags out of her closet. She tossed one to him. “I’ll be right back.”
Her smile was huge, so he followed her out their door and to Charlie’s. His son sat on the bed with a book, with Ella tucked in beside him The sight hit him right in the heart. “Merry Christmas, Charlie.”
He rose and hugged them. “Merry Christmas, Dad. Merry Christmas, Olivia.”
Ella grinned and passed a bag to Charlie. “These are for you and Ella. I’ll be back to help with her. We just need fifteen minutes to shower first.”
She kissed Ella’s then Charlie’s hair, then rushed past Nash. “Hurry. It’s Christmas morning. Fifteen minutes.”
Charlie laughed. “She’s excited.”
Nash nodded. “She sure is. I don’t think she had many good Christmases when she was a kid.”
Charlie frowned. “That stinks. But she’s going to have lots of good ones now. Ella, too.”
Nash hugged his boy. “You’re right. We’ll make sure of it.”
He joined Olivia in the shower, but the timeline meant nothing other than a few kisses. Okay, more than a few kisses. And a few touches that sent her body spinning. But not enough to satisfy either one of them. “Later. You’re all mine, later.”
She laughed at his growl and kissed him with an over-the-top smack. “Can’t wait. Now, let’s give the kids a Christmas to remember.”
When he started to dress, Olivia shook her head with a big grin and pointed at the bag she’d tossed to him earlier.
Curious, he pulled out a pair of dark green flannel pants covered in dragons and brucans wearing Christmas hats.
The gray t-shirt sported Lelja, Kayaia, and Arminson with their own hats.
“You got Charlie this, too? He’s going to go nuts. ”
Olivia laughed as she pulled on her own pajamas. Her outfit was similar, but red instead of green. He’d bet Ella’s was the same.
“Dragons and brucans have never looked sexier. Can’t wait to peel you out of them later.”
She laughed and her gaze raked over him, making him want to flex his muscles. “Same.”
He took her hand and when they knocked on Charlie’s door, he opened it with a flourish. His eyes widened as he took in the outfits that matched his own. “You got them, too. That’s amazing. Dad, even Oggie got a bow tie with Lelja and Kayaia on it. I love it. We look like a real family.”
Nash’s heart swelled. “We do, and we’ll get some pictures to prove it.”
Charlie laughed. “The others are going to lose their minds at how awesome we look.”
Once Ella was dressed in her matching pajamas, they headed down the stairs and to the kitchen. As usual, Charlie was starving.
He loved that his kid was so excited about the pjs and showing them off, he didn’t ask about anything else, didn’t pester for presents.
He’d never been a greedy kid. Christmas had always just been the two of them.
They usually enjoyed a lot of food, some sports, and a couple of fun Christmas movies.
Maribel had usually been with her grandparents, but they’d sometimes managed time together as well.
The kitchen smelled delicious, and they opened the door to find Knox, the pancake master, at the griddle.
Thea was setting the table and spotted them first. Her smile widened when she looked up.
“Those are the most amazing pajamas ever. I’m so jealous right now.
You guys look amazing. We’ll have to get a picture of you in front of the tree. ”
It would be their first Christmas together, and Nash figured the framed photo would have a place of pride in their room.
As the others trickled in, they echoed Thea’s words.
As they ate breakfast filled with pancakes, bacon, fruit, and surrounded by family, Nash couldn’t stop smiling as he warmed up the apple cinnamon cider they’d made for the day.
This was what he’d hoped to have with Charlotte.
They’d never had the chance, but he knew she’d be happy for him and their son.
It was going to be a gorgeous winter day, and Nash couldn’t wait to give his kid the skates he desperately wanted. He hoped the others would have fun with them as well.
After clearing up the food as a team, they trooped to the family room where the tree was decorated with all the things they’d made. He and Olivia had dragged in their gifts the night before. Her boxes were larger than his, and he wondered what she’d bought.
Charlie’s eyes widened. “Whoa. “
Ford ruffled Charlie’s hair. “Whoa, indeed. Are you going to be the Christmas elf?”
Charlie laughed. “What’s a Christmas elf?”
Ford grinned. “The elf is in charge of handing out the presents to everyone.”
Charlie nodded. “I’m in. Maybe Ella can help me.”
Soon, they were scattered around the room. Ford and Jolie sat on the hearth. Knox and Thea shared one couch. Gray and Amber at the end of another while Olivia sat on the floor in front of Nash with Ella in her lap, Oggie at her side.
Having heard his Free Time command, Boomer was stretched out on the floor beside Hemsworth.
Family.
Charlie brought over the first package to Ella. Matching ones to Nash and Olivia, another unwrapped box for himself. “These are from me. Amber and Gray helped me order them. I’ll help Ella, you two open them at the same time.”
Olivia smiled at him with tears in her eyes. “You didn’t have to do that Charlie.”
He shrugged. “I know, but I think you’ll like them. Open them. Hurry.”
At the command, he and Olivia ripped open the paper. Inside were slippers in the shape of dragons. Blue for Nash, Red for Olivia, and pink for Ella. Green for Charlie himself.
The four of them posed for pictures. Their first official family pictures. Nash had to swallow his own emotion.
When Ella toddled along with Charlie, passing out gifts, Nash lifted Olivia to snuggle with him on the couch. Her smile was full of joy. “You’ve got an incredible kid, Nash. He’s going to be an amazing man, just like his dad.”
He kissed her and even managed to keep it light. “Our kids are spectacular.”
The gifts were incredible. Thea and Knox had made wooden apple ornaments with all their names on them for the Christmas tree.
Even the dogs were included. Along with Fox and Jay.
That had brought tears from Jolie and Amber.
The two men had played pivotal roles in their lives.
Fox had raised the Malssums and Jay had left them the farm, bringing them all here. Something Nash would always appreciate.
Ford and Jolie had built bird feeders for everyone to place throughout the gardens and around the farmhouse. The one for Thea resembled the Worminator. Knox’s was covered with apples. Gray’s had flowers. Amber’s showcased Boomer and the inn.
They’d made some for themselves too, covered with ducks for Jolie and tools for Ford.
Nash’s had apples, cider, and showed him and Charlie waving. Olivia’s had dragons and brucans. Charlie’s had dragons and brucans playing sports. Ella’s was covered in pink dragons.
Amber had made bath bombs for everyone. After he learned what it was, he looked forward to sharing that particular gift with Olivia if the tub was large enough.
Gray had made Italian cookies called genettis and pizzelles. He’d also baked treats for the dogs. And he’d made personalized hot chocolate mix for them all, complete with spoons covered with chocolate that would melt into the drink.
It was going to be a sugar-high kind of day for everyone.
Then Olivia grinned. “Okay, Charlie. There’s a special one for you under the tree.”
His eyes widened. “For me?”
She nodded. “Open it.”
He grabbed the box and ripped open the paper. His shout of delight filled the room. He pulled out three hardcover books. The edges of the pages were gold with images of dragons and brucans. Nash had no idea how they’d done that.
His son did. “Special editions? Of all the books? And they’re signed. And there’s stickers and bookmarks. Even a mug.”
Charlie shot to his feet and threw himself at Olivia with a hug that seemed to nearly squeeze her in half. “Thank you. Thank you.”
Olivia laughed, but her eyes shone. “You’re very welcome, Charlie. You’re the first person to have Kayaia’s Choice in the special edition.”
The look of awe that crossed Charlie’s face was one Nash would never forget. He doubted Olivia would either.
Then he opened the third book and his eyes widened further. “Dad. It’s to you.”
Nash didn’t know what that meant, but Charlie didn’t make him wait. He rushed over and plopped himself onto the arm of the couch. “Look. Olivia dedicated the book to you.”
Nash’s heart slammed against his chest. Sure enough, there was his name, right there in print.
To Nash. My personal and forever hero.
Unable to speak, he traced his fingers over the words and swallowed hard. Then he pulled Olivia in for a hug and buried his face in her hair.
Charlie took the book to race around the room, showing everyone. It gave him a moment to compose himself and whisper. “Thank you. I’ve never been so honored.”