Page 144 of Colt

I turned to see Kit with his arms slung over Kennedy’s shoulders with a wide grin spread across his face.

“Yay!” Sunny punched the air again. “Where’s Kai and Kady?”

Kennedy nodded toward the bar. “With your gramps, helping him sort the gifts out.”

Sunshine let out a little squeal and skipped toward the door.

“Be good, Sunny,” Layla called out. “Help your grandpa and don’t get in his way.” She put a plate of bacon and scrambled egg, and a cup of coffee down in front of Bowie. “You’ll feel better after you eat.”

Bowie looked down at the plate and his face turned green.

“Told you both last night you’d regret it,” Kit crowed, planting Kennedy down on a seat at the table and going over to the coffee pot. “Ya better not ruin Christmas for the kids.”

Cash groaned. “I’ll be fine. Just waiting for the pills to start working.”

I caught Cara’s gaze and grinned as she rolled her eyes again.

I looked toward the doorway as a familiar voice called out, “Good morning my babies! Merry Christmas.”

“Mom!” I breathed.

She held her arms out for me to walk into. “Hello, Daughter. You look amazing!”

My hands went around her shoulders and I sighed. “I’ve missed you.”

Mom pulled back slightly. Her eyes flicked over my face before narrowing slightly. “There’s something different about you. What’s going on?”

My stomach dropped.

Mom knew me inside out. I should’ve expected her to notice something was going on with me. She was the same with my brothers too. She only had to look at us to know we were up to something. We never got away with anything as kids, and it was the same now.

“Nothing’s going on,” I insisted, but I knew I’d have to tell Mom about me and Colt. She’d be okay with it, especially as she’d never agreed with Dad’s stupid rule. Still, she wouldn’t be happy about the lies and the sneaking around. The woman was honest to a fault.

“Right.” Her eyes flickered between mine. “We’ll chat later.”

Mom greeted everybody before moving over to help Iris at the stove.

Layla came to sit down and rubbed her burgeoning stomach with a soft smile. “They’re active today. I think they’re playing football in there.”

Just after Kennedy’s birthday party Bowie took Layla for a sonogram where they discovered they were having twins. Bowie hadn’t stopped boasting about it, to the point where even I got bored of his attitude.

Needless to say, Dad was over the moon, and now Bowie and Layla were his new favorites.

Abe sauntered into the kitchen and made a beeline straight for Iris. “Get away from that stove, woman,” he said good-naturedly. “You prepared everythin’ already. These assholes are big enough to look after themselves.”

Iris slapped Abe across the chest. “Shush, old man.” She retorted. “It’s all done, and now Adele’s here she’ll help.”

Abe stuck two fingers in his mouth and let out a piercing whistle. “Merry fuckin’ Christmas,” he called out. “Prez is ready for you all. Could you make your way into the bar please.”

I walked over to the coffee pot and quickly poured a cup for Dad before grabbing my purse from the counter and following everyone through the corridor toward where Dad had set up the room ready for today.

The bar looked amazing.

Dad had put up a huge Christmas tree in the corner by the sofas. Its white lights twinkled in the muted lighting of the room. Underneath it were brightly wrapped gifts sorted into piles and huge Santa sacks full of presents.

Fairy lights lit the countertop of the bar, giving the place an ethereal air that just added to the magical atmosphere. Dad had outdone himself.

Dad stood and turned to face us all with outstretched arms. “Ho, ho, ho. Merry Christmas.”

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