Page 150 of Tangled In Tinsel & Knots
“It’s your new car,” Chris says simply, like he’s announcing that we’re having pizza for dinner instead of gifting me an amazing new car. “You need something reliable if you’re living out here in the mountains. That Honda had to go.”
“In fact, we already got rid of it,” Kane adds way too cheerfully.
I spin around to stare at them, my mouth hanging open.
“Traded it in,” Noel says, completely unrepentant. “Got you this instead.” He holds up a set of keys, dangling them in front of me. “Merry Christmas.”
I’m frozen, shocked, smiling like crazy. “This is so perfect.”
Then all three of them pull me into a group hug that nearly lifts me off my feet, and I’m crying again. Evidently, that’s just what I do now.
“Can I see what it’s like inside before I have a complete emotional breakdown?” My voice comes out embarrassingly squeaky.
They practically carry me over to it, and Chris opens the driver’s door with a dramatic flourish like he’s presenting me to royalty.
The interior is absolutely stunning. Black leather seats. A modern dashboard with all the tech features I could possibly want and several I didn’t know existed. That new car smell that I love. I climb into the driver’s seat, running my hands over the steering wheel, and all three of them crowd around the open door, watching me with identical expressions of satisfaction.
“This is incredible,” I whisper, because apparently I’ve lost the ability to speak at a normal volume. “Thank you. All of you. This is the best gift I’ve ever received in my entire life, and I’m including the Easy-Bake Oven I got when I was seven.”
“We have plenty of space for Corn Dog in the back,” I point out, gesturing to the rear seats.
“NO!” all three of them say in perfect unison.
I burst out laughing.
That’s when the doorbell rings from inside the house, cutting through our moment. “Guests are arriving,” Chris murmurs. “Time to be social humans instead of people having emotional breakdowns in garages over cars.”
I get out of the Jeep, and we head back inside through the connecting door. I’m still slightly dazed from the gift as I practically sprint to the front entrance and swing it open.
Lily stands there with platters of baked goods stacked so high in her arms that I’m amazed she can see over them. And next to her is Dad, grinning.
“So good to finally see your new home, Hannah,” Dad says.
“So good you’ve arrived.” I throw myself at him for a hug, nearly knocking the platters out of Lily’s arms in the process. “Come in!”
Behind Lily are her three Alphas, Archer, James, and Hunter. Archer has a baby bag and toys in his hand, while James and Hunter are each carrying their gorgeous little twins in handheld carriages.
“We brought half the bakery,” Lily announces, handing platters to whoever has free hands.
Everyone is talking and laughing at once, moving into the kitchen to set things down, and I’m gushing over Sage and Blake, who are making the cutest baby sounds. They are the most precious little things. Sage has tiny reindeer antlers on, while Blake wears a gingerbread suit. My entire heart just folds in on itself.
“Oh my God, come here,” I whisper, scooping Blake from his carrier while Hunter hands Sage to Chris. Blake stares up at me with those big sleepy eyes, then lets out this soft coo thatabsolutely destroys me. “You two are illegal levels of adorable,” I tell them, kissing Blake’s warm forehead and wiggling Sage’s foot until she kicks happily.
James and Hunter step in behind me, loaded with diaper bags and assorted baby gear.
“Where can we set up the play mat?” James asks.
“I cleared space near the couches,” I say, shifting Blake to my hip and pointing with my free hand. “Right over there with a perfect view of the tree.”
Hunter huffs a laugh and starts unrolling the play mat. I kneel to help him, still bouncing Blake gently on my knee as Sage babbles from Chris’s arms. The whole house feels different now, warmer, fuller, alive in a way I didn’t realize it had been missing until this exact moment.
I finally hand Blake over to James, smoothing the front of his tiny onesie before letting go. When I stand, my gaze catches on Chris nearby. He’s cradling Sage effortlessly, one big hand supporting her small back, his expression soft in a way that punches all the air straight out of my lungs.
He looksgoodwith a baby.
Dangerously good.
His eyes slide to mine, slow and knowing, heat simmering under the sweetness. “You getting those feelings, gorgeous?” he murmurs.
