Page 52 of Stolen Holidays
“Another first,” I confess.
Eli grins at me, and his mismatched eyes gleam with joy. He presses his mouth to mine in a passionate kiss. By the time we break apart, I’m out of breath, my knees are wobbly, and blood is pounding in my ears, and all I can think about is that I get to kiss Elijiah Miller under the mistletoe for the rest of my life.
Merry Christmas to me.
twenty-one
Eli
Christmas Eve
Again,Irunthroughmy mental checklist for tomorrow. Emery assured me that everything for the wedding is all set. The vendors delivered flowers and cupcakes, and with Hilly’s help, Emery has tucked everything away in the barn.
The only exception, the dresses.
Yep, plural.
A same-day proposal and wedding is already bucking the typical wedding traditions, so I found a few ways to keep some for Callie. Like picking out her gown with her mom. I liked the idea of being surprised. I remember the shocked looks on both Jace and Mason’s faces when they saw their bride for the first time. I want that. I want Callie to take my breath away as I see her standing at the end of the aisle in a dress she picked out just for me.
I had Callie’s stylists pull some dresses for me and deliver them to Emery’s brother, Chris, who will fly with them tomorrow morning.
“Uncle Eli,” Rhys shouts, startling me out of my thoughts.
“Yeah, bud?” I rub my chin. I’ve been doing a shit job listening to him, Callie, and Diana play music. We are in the inn’s common room, hanging out. The three musicians have made themselves at home on the floor with piles of pillows. I’m on the couch, with Riah in my lap as she rests her head on my chest and sucks her thumb. She looks about five minutes away from falling asleep.
“Will you take me outside for a while?” He gives me puppy eyes, and I can’t say no.
“Of course. Where’s your mom and dad?”
He shrugs.
I look around the room and realize it’s only the five of us. Jace and Ry probably snuck off to fuck like wild rabbits because they have no self-control.
“Here, I’ll take her.” Callie takes Riah from my arms and bounces her a few times.
I stand and stretch my back, easing the tension in my muscles, as Callie starts singingSomewhere over the Rainbow.I never miss an opportunity to hear my girl sing. I turn to find Callie cuddling Riah to her chest as she sings. My lungs cease to work at the sight of them swaying back and forth. Flashes of her with our own daughter fill me with a warm mix of joy and hope.
I still haven’t brought up the topic of kids with Callie yet. I know she wants them. I’m just unclear about the when part. Not that I’m in a rush. Having Callie all to myself is pretty fucking great.
Rhys pulls on my arm, tugging me back to reality. “Come on, Uncle E.”
Callie grins at me, and the urge to sweep her away to a private place so we can bring those visions into existence has me stumbling.
“Go. I’ll put this little one down for a nap and come find you,” she says.
“You better.” I throw Rhys over my shoulder and head outside with him.
I place him on his feet, and he runs for his glove. The cold winter is a shock, as are the gray clouds in the distance that catch my attention. Anxiety swirls in my stomach. If it snows, will the highways be open?
“Rhys!”
He comes running over to me, and I squat down to look him in his brown and gold eyes.
“I need to ask your Aunt Emery something, but you have to make me a promise.”
Curious but cautious, Rhys nods.
“Whatever you see or hear in the barn, you must keep it a secret.”
