Page 120 of Forever Fascinating

She knew exactly what Matthew was thinking and remembering, because those heated, stolen moments stayed in the forefront of her mind, too.

It was like they had fallen further in love, if that was even possible, knowing that they were trying to make their own legacy together to love, and see grow before their very eyes.

“I would do Cairo all over again in a heartbeat…” Jana said softly.

“Oh gosh, me too…” Matthew replied emphatically.

“I think I’m going to hurl…” Jace muttered, getting up from the table, leaving them alone, as the front door opened. “Oh, thank goodness you’re back, Karen… they are getting mushy again and I can’t stand it.”

“Jealous, sweetheart?” Karen replied, laughing softly. “Here, can you change Claire while I get the stuff from the trunk?”

“Oh mannnn…” Jace whimpered, whining in the distance. “How about I get the stuff from the trunk instead of dealing with Miss Poopy Pants?”

Matthew met Jana’s eyes at that moment, smiling.

“I’ve changed poopy pants,” Matthew announced loudly, grinning at Jana. “I’ve changed Michael and Madison Petersen’s diapers, because that’s whatreal mendo, you know?”

“SHADDUP, VAPOR…” Jace hollered, causing Claire to immediately squawk as if to mimic her father. “That’s right sweet girl, you tell him…” he crooned, coming around the corner to glare at Matthew and Jana where they sat laughing softly, still holding hands.

* * *

Hours later,the entire family was sitting around the Christmas tree in the living room. Her father had a fire going in the fireplace, causing it to crackle and pop softly. Matthew and Jace both sat on-guard at the hearth, intent on keeping Claire away from the bright orange glowing thing that had her fascinated.

Karen and Jana sat beside the Christmas tree… again for the same reason.

Claire.

The little girl loved bright things and if the fire wasn’t so tempting, she would have been exploring the tree, touching the lights and glass ornaments that really needed to be plastic nowadays because of the introduction of a grandbaby to the family.

“Are we opening tonight?” Jace asked, looking directly at Jana – goading her. He knew she preferred to open on Christmas mornings, and this had been a bone of contention between the siblings for as long as she could remember.

“Jace…” Karen sighed, remembering last year’s argument.

“You know what?” Jana said confrontationally, pointing at her brother who was grinning wildly. “Yeah, we are going to open tonight – and Matthew is going first.”

“What?” everyone said in unison, staring at Jana in shock – before looking at Matthew.

“Don’t look at me,” he sputtered, glancing at her. “Are you feeling okay honey? Jace said he wanted to open presentstonight, not tomorrow,tonight…” he stressed.

Jana picked up the small box she had been hiding behind her – and handed it to Matthew.

“I heard him,” she replied, smiling. “Go ahead.”

“I thought the trip was our Christmas present to each other,” Matthew said, frowning as he held the box. “We agreed not to do anything for each other because of the trip.”

“Just open it,” Jana sighed, rolling her eyes.

Matthew looked down at the box in his hands – and Jana handed her cell phone to Karen silently, giving her a quick glance, angling her head towards her husband.

Her sister-in-law hesitated and then nodded in silent understanding, pressing record… and slapping Jace on the ankle. Her brother looked at Karen in surprise – and then Jana.

She held up a finger to her lips – and grinned.

Matthew finally had the bow off of the box and pulled the lid off, unfolding tissue paper, before making a confused face and holding up a polished little stone, before looking at her.

“Which one was this? I don’t remember from the museums. Did you get this while we were there?”

“The gift is in the lid – that just goes with it,” she said softly, seeing him turn over the lid of the box and look up at her, stunned.

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