Page 88 of The Blessings of Christmas
“I’ve hardly slept. Not that I mind.” Amanda pushed her tangled hair back. Was she even wearing lipstick? She glanced over at Connor watching Sean doze. “Will you just look at him, McKenna? Is Connor the proud dad or what?”
“So good to see him like this.”
“He insists on handling some of the night feedings. Said he wanted guy time with his son. Do you believe it?”
“Best Christmas present ever for this family. I can tell you that much.” McKenna had every reason to be proud. What would they have done without her? “Did you see Angie while you were in the hospital?”
Amanda nodded. “We stopped in. She looked relieved.”
“She told me she was glad the baby came early. She’ll be ready for the second semester of night classes. She’s excited about her new life, Amanda. You gave her that peace of mind.”
“The gift she gave us was so much more. We have no problem with her seeing Sean whenever she wants.” That decision had brought unexpected relief for Amanda. “Hey, wait a minute. What’s this?”
McKenna blushed as red as her sweater when Amanda grabbed her sister-in-law’s left hand. “Did you get a diamond for Christmas?”
McKenna nodded, wiggling her fingers and smiling as her diamond caught the light. “Tell you all about it later.”
“Oh, I’m so happy for you.” Amanda gave her a tight hug. “You two deserve each other.”
“I think so.” McKenna sighed with satisfaction. “Isn’t this just the best Christmas ever?”
“The very best.” Amanda could hardly wait to tell Connor the news.
Soon Connor carted Sean into the family room, as if he were one of the guys. Donna and Bill drifted to the back room, not about to let Sean out of their sight and Amanda followed.
Connor was so darn sweet. He even made a point of introducing Sean to Bella, Cameron’s little girl.
“Hello, baby.” Standing there in her red velvet dress, Bella studied the sleeping infant. “We’re going to get a baby too someday.”
Cameron jerked and Amanda sucked in her cheeks to keep from laughing. Had Harper heard the comment? She was deep in conversation with Selena.
Connor swallowed a chuckle that ended in a cough. “Why, that sounds like a great plan, Bella,” he finally said.
Bella went back to playing animal dominoes with the other children, and Connor joined a spirited Super Bowl discussion. He’d lifted the baby from the seat, and Sean lay content on his shoulder while Connor swayed, like he did this every day.
Now where did he learn how to do that? Brought tears to Amanda’s eyes. After all their parenting worries, Connor was a natural.
Wandering out to the kitchen, Amanda offered to help but Maureen wouldn’t have it and neither would any of the other women. “You just tend that baby, now. We’ll handle the meal.”
Pans and serving plates crowded the counters. The women stirred, seasoned and sliced. But the smell of that turkey wasn’t making her hungry. She always loved Maureen’s green bean casserole or the sweet ham scored with cloves. This darn stomach virus. She sure hoped the baby didn’t catch it.
Her mom was playing checkers with one of the little boys, and Amanda circled back to the family room to watch, keeping one eye on the baby. She hated to miss one flutter of those long eyelashes or one dreamy smile. Connor looked like he needed a break. At least, that’s what she told herself. “Mom time,” she told her husband, lifting the warm, sweet smelling baby from his arms.
Connor kissed her forehead. “Glad to share, Mom.”
She stiffened. “No way. To you, I’m babe or Amanda… not Mom. Not to you. Let’s keep things, well, straight.”
The outburst made Sean shift in her arms and she dropped her voice. But she had to make this point clear. She never wanted to be “Mom” to Connor.
Mark chuckled. “You’re in trouble now, Connor.”
“You better believe it.” Her husband was smiling, like he wanted her to keep babe status.
Mark’s wife Janie and Amanda had talked about the “Mom” label while they registered for baby necessities before theshower. They agreed on this point. Being called Mom by your husband could make a girl feel downright unsexy. That wasn’t going to be Amanda.
Mark moved into the kitchen and she was alone with Connor.
“You look so happy.”
