Page 207 of The Holiday Clause
“You know what I love about this story?” He set his glass on the side table and reached for her left hand, his thumb tracing the simple platinum band that had replaced his makeshift bootlace ring. “It has a happy ending.”
“Does it?” Soren asked with a knowing smirk. “Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like it’s just getting started.”
Greyson’s hand moved from Wren’s ring to rest gently on the curve of her belly, where their child grew safe and warm,nestled in a nest of Maine coon fur beneath. The gesture was so natural, so protective, that Wren’s heart swelled with the same overwhelming love that hit her daily—sometimes hourly.
“Any day now,” she murmured, covering his hand with hers. “Can you believe it?”
“Yes, because I always knew this was how it was meant to be, but some days the reality still shocks the hell out of me.”
“Get a room,” Logan grumbled.
Greyson ignored him and kissed Wren’s temple, his voice rough with emotion as he whispered, “You’re going to be an amazing mother. Just like our moms were.”
Logan leaned forward in his chair, expression softening as he watched them. “You know what’s crazy? Last Christmas, we were all convinced we were doomed to be miserable bastards like Dad. And now look at us.”
“Speak for yourself,” Soren said, arrogance wafting from him as usual. “Some of us have always been charming.”
“Right,” Wren laughed, softly stroking Rat’s long fur. “Is that what we’re calling your behavior lately?”
Soren’s ears turned red. “We agreed never to speak of that!”
“Speak of what?” Logan frowned. “What did I miss?”
“You agreed,” Wren said with theatrical innocence. “I never promised anything.”
“What did I ever do to you?”
“The pantry,” Greyson said.
“The parade,” Logan added.
“All right!” Soren snapped. “What are you two, her scorekeepers?”
Wren dissolved into laughter. “I’m protected at all angles. You can’t threaten me.”
Greyson’s arm tightened around her shoulders. “And if you try, I’ll personally send a detailed manifesto of every dirty little secret I know about you to Lady Lovewatch.”
“As if you even know who Lady Lovewatch is.” Soren crossed his arms.
“Wait, I’m still confused,” Logan griped. “What dirty secrets?”
Wren and Greyson shared a knowing look, then sealed their lips shut with an invisible key.
“You both suck. It’s probably dumb anyway. Soren’s life’s boring as hell since he became CEO.”
Wren snickered. Soren’s life hadn’t been boring in a long time.
Outside, snow continued to fall past the windows, transforming the harbor into a winter wonderland. Christmas lights twinkled from the eves as the fire crackled softly and a familiar swell of contentment settled over her.
“You know what I realized?” she said suddenly. “This is the first Christmas in years where none of us are dreading it.”
“Yeah,” Greyson agreed, glancing down at his tacky holiday sweaterhepicked up in town.
Wren smiled, looking down at her matching one he insisted she wear tonight. “This is exactly how Christmas should be.”
“Peaceful,” Soren said, stretching his legs toward the fire..
“Together,” Logan added.
