Page 137 of Kane's Awakening
Epilogue
Kane
Christmas
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factoryplayed on the TV as Ryker and I sat on the couch, drinking coffee and cuddling together under the same blanket. Snow fell soundlessly outside the window, falling in massive snowflakes, the kind that was fun to try and catch on your tongue. It had been falling for hours, and the ground was completely covered.
A white Christmas.
Mine and Ryker’s first Christmas together, but definitely not our last. I didn’t even question that fact, because I knew in my heart the truth of it.
That morning had been busy as we’d woken up late and had rushed around the house, cleaning everything up and starting the turkey before everyone showed up for presents and Christmas dinner. Everyone, meaning, both Ryker’s family and my parents. Although busy, it had been one hell of an amazing day.
“Oh my god!” My mom had exclaimed as she came through the door, carrying bags—yes bags—of presents for the twins. They had practically ambushed her. “Look at you sweet angels. Grandma Tracy ran into some of Santa’s elves on the way here.”
I scoffed and turned to look at Ryker, who smiled into his coffee.
My parents had met the twins a little after I’d gotten out of the hospital, and sometime in November, Mom had started referring to herself as Grandma. Good thing the kids loved her. Maybe because she spoiled them, which Ryker pointed out, was what Grandmas did.
Theo loved the dinosaur figures and science book I got for him. Isabella had been a tad bit harder to buy for, but with Ryker’s help, I was able to get her something she loved, too—a Harry Potter wand and a stuffed animal owl.
Devon and Max had stopped by for about an hour as well, but then they’d left to go to Max’s parent’s house for dinner.
Devon’s divorce had been finalized at the end of October, and he and Vanessa had settled things semi-smoothly. Ryker had taken him on as a client and had done a kickass job knocking that chick down a few pegs. Devon let her have the house, but he got to keep his fancy ass car and most of his savings account. They hadn’t signed a pre-nuptial agreement and didn’t have children, so Vanessa hadn’t received all the shit she’d thought she was entitled to.
He and Max had begun dating. Openly. Well, as open as Devon could be at least.
Even while visiting us that day, Devon hadn’t been that affectionate toward Max, as if he was still getting used to the not-hiding thing. Once, however, Max had laughed at something I’d said and Devon had looked at him withthatlook—the one where his eyes crinkled and a hint of a smile played at the edge of his mouth.
They had a long way to go, but they were on the right track, and I had no doubts that wherever that road led them, it would be somewhere they both wanted to be.
As for me and Ryker, damn… I never believed I’d find happiness like I had with him.
“What’s on your mind?” Ryker asked, bumping my shoulder.
Before I answered, Anna came into the room. Brian walked behind her, beaming with a smile.
“Okay,” Anna started, standing in front of us. “We were going to wait until after Christmas to say anything, but I can’t hold it back anymore.” She looked on the verge of combustion. “I’m pregnant!”
Ryker placed his coffee on the side table and leapt off the couch, throwing his arms around her and spinning her around. “Anna banana! I’m so happy for you.”
She squealed, and when he sat her back down, I saw tears staining her cheeks. “I never thought it would happen again. Not after the last miscarriage, and the doctor saying I’d probably never have another baby.”
“How far along are you?” he asked, and it was clear he didn’t want to ruin her good mood, but I knew Ryker. He was thinking logically and didn’t want her hopes to get crushed if it was still really early.
“It will be four months in January,” she gushed, unable to contain her excitement.
I stood and hugged her. “Congrats, beautiful.”
“Thank you, Candy Kane,” she responded, using the nickname she’d coined all of six hours ago. Her small arms returned my embrace, but she gave my biceps a squeeze before pulling away.
“Hey, woman,” Brian said. “I’m standing right here.”
“Oh, hush it, you,” Anna responded, winking at him.
I laughed.
Ryker approached Brian and gave him a one-armed hug. “Congratulations, ginger.”
