Page 80 of Take Me Home for Christmas

“I’ll make it up to you later,” he whispered in my ear as he kissed our daughter on the head and took her from me.

Val shook her head. “You two lovebirds,” she said.

Pedro laughed. “I don’t know, but maybe there’s something in the water on this floor.”

We all laughed and wished each other happy holidays.

Romance on the adolescent unit. Guess a bunch of us fell for that.

Gracie slept the whole way to Oak Bluff.

“Still fast asleep,” I said as I turned back around from checking on her. “She’s going to be up all night.”

“That’s okay,” Brax said as we held hands on the seat between us. “I have a feeling your mom will steal her from us the moment we walk in.”

“And keep her most of the time we’re there.”

We were both tired but happy to have an entire week off. We’d spend half of it at my parents’ house and half with Jenna and Aiden and their three kids. An entire week to spend with family was a treat.

In Oak Bluff, my parents met us at the door with hugs and kisses all around.

My mom looked happy and healthy, her hair now longer, but still its natural gray color. I’d never stopped being grateful for having her. After she greeted me and fussed over Grace, she pulled me aside and handed me a little bag, which I quickly tucked into Grace’s travel bag.

“You got it,” I exclaimed. “Thank you.”

She nodded. “He did a beautiful job. Brax is going to love it.”

“Thanks, Mom. I’m so excited to be home.”

“Hi, sweetheart,” my dad said, greeting me quickly, then racing to beat my mom by stealing Gracie away first to see the big Christmas tree. Of course, my mom followed right behind.

That left Brax and me to haul our suitcases up to our room and get settled.

As soon as we got into my old room, Brax grabbed my hand, sat down on the bed, and pulled me into his lap. I noticed that the familiar tree was lit with glowing red and pink lights. NickJonas had left the room a while ago. After all, he was married and a parent too, so it just didn’t seem fitting anymore for me to keep hanging onto that old dream. Haha.

I caught sight of the old photo of me and Grace at our five-year-old birthday party. In my mind, I gave her a quick mental update.Your namesake is just like you.I’m living my life the way you’d want me to, trying to be bold and unafraid. Trying to be my best self. You helped me get here.

“Hi,” Brax said to me, smiling. Being the object of his smile still felt like being in the light of the sun. Warm and wonderful.

“Why are you smiling?” I asked.

He kissed me. “Because we’re off, it’s almost Christmas, and for at least a few minutes, our daughter is in the loving care of her doting grandparents.”

“Hi to you too,” I said, going in for another kiss.

He blew out a big breath, as if with that, he left all the work stress behind for the holiday. “I’m looking forward to having some time off with you.”

“Me too.” I smiled and got up, walking over to my bag and pulling out the little package my mom had handed to me. “I have an early Christmas present for you.”

He looked puzzled. And like all he really wanted were more kisses. “Now?”

I nodded. “Right now. It’s—important. While we’re alone. And it’s quiet.”

He gave me a shouldn’t-we-be-responsible-parents-and-seek-out-our-child look.

“My mom’s been waiting for a month to have Grace all to herself.” I pushed the box into his hands.

He tore open the package to reveal of all things, a small cube-shaped box. “This isn’t a snow globe, is it?”

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