Page 165 of Her Daddies' Everything

“Is there something going on between the two of you?” he asked.

“What? No! Why would you ask that?”

“Just the way you look at him sometimes. As well as the way the two of you act around each other. Guess I’m used to you looking at me like that.”

“Jenner,” she said in a shocked voice.

He shook his head. “Ignore that I just said that. Come on, baby. Time for sleep.” He leaned over her and kissed her on the head too. “I’m here for you as well. I’m not going anywhere. Iknow that I might not have Tobias’s skills. And that I haven’t always proven that I can be there for you. But I will be. Nothing and no one will touch you, Immy. Not while I’m here. Now, sleep tight and don’t let the bedbugs bite.”

Dear Lord.

She guessed they’d both thought they were being helpful. That they would ease her mind so she could sleep.

But now she was just more confused than ever!

30

Immy sat up in bed with a squeal. “It’s Christmas!”

Throwing herself from the bed, she slid her feet into her reindeer slippers and raced out of the bedroom. She ran down the hallway, knocking on everyone’s doors.

“It’s Christmas!”

A door opened down the end of the hall and Tobias stepped out, looking dishevelled. He’d moved into the main house for security reasons.

“What are you doing, Cherry?” he grumbled.

She threw her hands into the air. “It’s Christmas!”

Abe walked out next with a yawn. “I need coffee.”

“It’s Christmas, Abby!” she cried, running at him. He grabbed her, swinging her around with a grin.

“Too early. Coffee. And my name isn’t Abby.” He winked at her.

“Jesus, it’s early, Immy,” Sampson grumbled as he walked out of his bedroom.

She noticed they’d both put on their Christmas pajamas. She knew that they wouldn’t have worn them to bed, but they made the effort to wear them for Christmas morning.

“I know! Because it’s Christmas!”

“It’s Christmas!” Jenner sang as he moved into the hallway and opened his arms.

Immy ran to him with a giggle and he lifted her up onto his hip. “Come on, let’s head downstairs and see if Santa Claus has been.”

“I don’t think he came to Sammy,” she told him solemnly. “He’s been really naughty this year.”

“Hey!” Sampson said. “I heard that.”

Jenner carried her down the stairs and Abe started passing around coffee as Isaiah joined them wearing his Christmas pajamas.

Every year she bought them new pajamas. This year they were white with red cuffs and red reindeer all over them.

“Want to start opening gifts?” Jenner asked.

“We can’t. Tobias isn’t here.”

Should she go get him? Did he not want to wear the pajamas she’d given him last night? But then he stepped into the living room, in his pajamas.

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