Page 4 of Two Hearts Reunited

“Geez, that’s huge,” Brian observed, starting to laugh. “Thanks, bro. She’ll enjoy them, that’s for sure. Why don’t you just bring them into the kitchen while I grab some of your stuff?”

“Sounds good,” Eric replied. “I guess the door leads into the kitchen?”

“Yep. Just go straight through the mudroom,” Brian said, grabbing a suitcase from the backseat before reaching for Eric’s duffel bag.

Eric stomped the snow off his boots before walking through the mudroom and into the kitchen, where Ashley was standing near the oven, studying something that she was cooking inside.

“Whatever you’re making smells great,” Eric said gruffly.

“Hi there, Eric. I’m so glad you were finally able to come and stay with us. Brian and I are still getting our bearings when it comes to cooking, but it’s hard to screw up a ham.” Ashley turned, giving him a wide smile when she saw the huge flower arrangement he was carrying in his arms.“Wow.”

“I brought you some flowers since I wasn’t exactly sure what you two needed,” he admitted. “Where would you like me to put this? I’ve got a few things packed away in the truck for the baby, so I’d better get everything in before we park the truck in the barn.”

Ashley laughed. “How about in the middle of the kitchen island? I can take it out from the sleeve first and see how much room we’re going to need before I find a place for it in the living room, where everyone can enjoy it.”

He grinned, resting it on the island surface before heading back toward the door to return outside.

Eric held open the door for Brian who headed in through the kitchen. “Being that you were so interested in what happened last year with capturing a few more guys in the trafficking ring, we’re having you stay in the basement apartment, which, by the way, has been completely remodeled. You’ll be staying with us longer than anyone else for the holidays, and Ashley wanted me to make sure I invited you to stay as long as you wanted since you’re on leave. There’s no need for you to return to Dad and Mom’s right after Christmas, unless you really want to.”

“Thanks, Brian. You know what? I might just do that as long as you mean what you’re saying, and I’m not going to be in your way.”

“Of course not. And if you really want to have some privacy—it can get a little crazy around here when both sets of in-laws are visiting—you have your own big screen TV and kitchen downstairs. You’ll even have the use of a washer and dryer. Ashley decided it wasn’t worth having her regular laundry room all the way downstairs when our master bedroom is up in the tower. And there’s a lot more laundry now that we have the baby, so she came up with plans for an upstairs laundry room. Now that it’s finished, it’s a lot more convenient for us.”

Eric blinked.Ashleyhad come up with the plans? But before he had a chance to ask what Brian meant, Brian had entered the kitchen and turned to the left, apparently taking Eric’s luggage downstairs through another doorway.

After Eric returned to the truck and dug out the three different bags of Christmas gifts for the baby, it only took a few more minutes to bring in the rest of his stuff, including his laptop.

Ashley began laughing when Eric explained that all three bags of Christmas gifts were for Arielle.

“She’s going to be as spoiled rotten as I was,” Ashley admitted. “Let’s keep them downstairs with your luggage for now and you can put them under the tree once we have it up. We were planning on taking you along with us to the tree farm to help pick one out, hopefully tomorrow. As long as you don’t mind, that is?”

Eric winked. “Ten years ago I would have never believed I could say this to you, but it’s so good to see you and Brian together. I can see how happy the two of you are. And Arielle is Mom and Dad’s first grandkid, and I know they were thrilled to hear you were pregnant after you and Brian got together, even though it happened so quickly.”

“I don’t blame you for not liking me when we were teens. I was a real b—,” Ashley began, before Brian snuck up behind her, covering her mouth with his hand.

“Watch your language,” he said sternly. “You’re talking about the woman I love. Besides, no cussing in front of the baby.”

Eric grinned. “Where is my niece, by the way? I can’t believe that I’m going to get to hold her before Mom and Dad. Staying away because of COVID must have just about killed them this summer.”

Ashley grimaced. “My mom and dad have been so disappointed too, but it was their idea for all of us to be cautious.”

“A good one, I believe,” Eric replied, frowning. “The father of a buddy of mine died from COVID after a family get together this summer. Their family reunion turned into a super spreader. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to spread the word, but I was allowed to be vaccinated since I might have to return to Afghanistan.”

“Good for you,” Brian said, looking thoughtful. “Not everyone who lives around here takes things as seriously as they should. I’ll take the rest of your luggage and the gifts downstairs if you want to grab a peek at Arielle before we move the truck.”

Reaching for the bags of gifts resting on the floor first and then picking up Eric’s duffel bag, Brian headed back down the staircase.

“I hope that we don’t have to wait too long for vaccinations to be available here,” Ashley said, motioning for Eric to follow her into the living room, where Arielle was swathed in a blanket, cradled in the large seat of her swing. “She’s been asleep for less than an hour, so I thought I’d just leave her here until after we ate.”

“Is that the swing that I sent to you after she was born?” Eric asked, grinning.

“It sure is,” Ashley replied, grinning back at him. “It’s been a lifesaver. It always puts her to sleep. I can’t tell you how much we appreciate it. And the fact that it can play music makes it even better. I’ve never seen anything like it and I spent quite a few months pouring through some online catalogs after I discovered I was pregnant.”

“A friend of mine has a mother who owns a baby boutique back east, so he offered to call his mom. I took him up on it since I know absolutely nothing about babies.”

“Well, that’s probably going to change while you’re here with us,” she answered, still grinning.

“She’s sure pretty, isn’t she?” Eric said gruffly. He’d never seen such a tiny little thing.

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