Page 21 of Yes to The Holidays
“Sure. My brother’s wife is expecting, which is why my parents left. We hope to get together for Christmas to celebrate the new bundle of joy but wanted to leave them in peace right now. But usually, we are together for the holidays, so it was going to be a bit quiet.”
“Are you a real person?”
I couldn’t stifle my laugh. “A real person? Of course, why do you say that?”
“You seem too good to be true. Most men would be running for the hills if a woman said come meet my family after just a few days.”
I rubbed her cheek. “You didn’t ask me to marry you, it’s dinner. And it’s a lovely offer.”
Sighing deeply, she snuggled back against me. “Can I ask why you’ve never been married?”
I shrugged. “Just hadn’t met the one, I suppose. Why did you get married? Did you think he was the one?”
“I dunno. Looking back, it was more practical than anything. Plus, that’s what you do after college, right? Settle down and start a family. Except, we didn’t do the last part.”
“Do you want kids?”
“Sometimes I think about being a mom. But I’m also glad I didn’t with him. Maybe it wasn’t meant to be.”
My brow furrowed. “You have plenty of time still.”
“Do you think you want kids?”
I nodded. I had thought of it often. The one nephew I had was so precious, and I couldn't wait to meet my niece. “I have a close family. I always planned to be a dad.”
“You seem like you’d be a good dad,” she said, her words getting quiet and mumbled.
Smiling, I closed my eyes as I held her. Seconds passed when an image popped into my mind of her, round and smiling, with my hand held out to her belly.
My eyes popped open, and I swallowed hard. I must have fallen asleep briefly. She was relaxed against my side, her soft purrs filling the room with the sounds of the low TV.
Trying not to disturb her, I set the alarm and then turned off the TV. In the dark room with her warmth to my side and my eyes closed again, I let myself imagine what it would be like to have her in my own bed as I drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 13
Janie
Odin had set the alarm, but I didn’t realize it, so it startled me. I went home to shower and change, then met him back at the hotel. He offered to drive after I suggested I did.
“It’s your family, so you can enjoy some spiked eggnog,” he said with a grin.
I gave him the address for his GPS, and we headed to my aunt’s house, about an hour from the city. Each year we shuffled it around between my mom and her siblings. My dad’s family was all scattered across the country, so we usually did a video chat for a few minutes around the holidays to catch up and mailed gifts for Christmas.
Looking down at my phone calendar, I realized only my aunt’s event was there for the day. Normally I would be racing around, managing to make it to Mom’s family gathering then over to Donald’s family. Everyone always insisted on having it on Thursday, and we were the only ones without kids, so we had to hustle around to both. We always went to mine first, and he’d rush me out. Then we would linger at his family’s dinner forever.
I didn’t intend on staying all day, but the idea of leaving at my leisure and enjoying my family was freeing. Plus, I could have spiked eggnog if they drove me crazy since Odin offered to drive. I never wanted to be tipsy at Donald’s, so I didn’t partake. Looking over, I couldn’t help but smile.
Sure, it was all shiny and new, but Odin was simple. Maybe it was so easy with him since we both knew there was an expiration date on this. He caught me watching him and smiled back at me, dimples prominent. His big hand went to my jean clad thigh, and he squeezed gently as he drove. I was so pressed for any attention that it seemed so possessive but sweet at the same time, and I loved every second of it.
I placed my hand over his then stared out the window, focusing on the red and yellow colors on the trees as he drove. Knowing we had an end in sight and reveling at the touch of his hand on my thigh at the same time was maddening.
“You alright?” he asked.
“Me? I’m fine. Why do you ask?”
“You sighed.”
Shit. I had to be more careful. “Yeah, just enjoying the view. Thanks for coming with me.”
