Page 26 of Big Daddy Christmas
“And we don’t have to stay in Charleston.” Cordelia shrugged when they both stared at her in shock. “I’m not saying we should move. I’m just saying… if you went that route and you found a job you really loved that wasn’t here, we could talk about moving.”
Jacob frowned. “But all your friends are here. My sisters are here.”
“True. But there are plenty of ways to stay in touch.” Rising up onto her knees, she cupped his face in her hands. “All I’m saying is, don’t let fear hold you back, baby. If you want to study dinosaurs, then study dinosaurs. Even if the only thing you ever do is satisfy your own curiosity, then it will be worth it. You don’t have to decide your whole future today. Do what you want to do, not what you think everyone else wants you to do. Understood?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Good boy.” She leaned forward to press a kiss to his hair. “I don’t know about the two of you, but I’m starving.”
“Midnight pancakes!” Practically squealing with happiness, Ivy all but vaulted out of the bed, then paused. “Oh. I should clean up first, though.”
“Jacob and I will take care of the toys. You go get started on those pancakes.”
Ivy’s face lit with joy. “Okay! And can we watch a Christmas movie? Please, Daddy? I’m not sleepy at all, I swear.”
Cordelia hesitated, weighing the options. If she let them stay up late, she’d likely be kicking herself for it in the morning, especially considering how early they had to be up for the wedding. The responsible thing to do, as their Daddy, was to tell Ivy no.
But then again, wasn’t that half the fun of the holidays? Staying up too late and gorging yourself on junk food while watching cheesy movies with your family?
“Of course, baby. Whatever you want.”
Beaming, Ivy hurried toward their closet to grab one of her robes. Wrapping the blue silk around her, she raced out of the bedroom and to the kitchen.
Alone with their boy, Cordelia smiled down at him. “I hope you know that from now until the twenty-sixth, it’s going to be nonstop Christmas insanity around here.”
“Really?” His smile bloomed to a full-on grin that had her heart tripping in her chest. “I’m kind of looking forward to it.”
The sound of Ivy belting out one of her favorite Christmas songs drifted into the room, and Cordelia couldn’t help but return his smile as her heart once again melted for the pair of them. “Me too, baby. Me too.”
