Page 402 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
"Can we go over these things? Like a game plan. I'm a coach. I like knowing what the strategy looks like before we start the play."
"Behave and get dressed." Kari laughed over her shoulder at the look on his handsome face. He was an amazing boyfriend, and he would be the perfect husband and a great father. Her heart swelled in her chest just thinking about it.
The sound of Jake breathing in deeply had her turning as she reached back to buckle her bra.
"Mom made her breakfast casserole. It's a Christmas tradition." He smiled and walked toward the door with his t-shirt in his hand. The plaid sleeping pants he had on fit him almost too well.
"It's five in the morning. She got up at four and made breakfast?" Kari pulled her shirt over her head and leaned down to get her pants, putting them on quickly as Jake's hand hovered over the doorknob.
"No, it's an overnight casserole, so she made it last night while we were playing games. You didn't smell the sausage last night?" He reached over and flipped on the light.
"Yeah, but I guess I didn't put two and two together." She picked up her socks and nodded. "I'm ready."
"Good. I love Christmas morning." He opened the door and laughed. Landon and Clint were in the hall, looking like they were up to no good. It was a look she was getting used to expecting from both of them.
"All right. I'll get Mom. You get Dad, Clint, and Jake, you jump in the middle of the bed. Kari can flip the lights in their room off and on like Kade would normally do." Landon wagged his eyebrows and glanced around. "Everyone know their place?"
"Wait. What?" Kari took Jake's hand and walked down the hall toward his parents’ room.
"Just flip the lights off and on really fast. We've always scared the shit out of my parents on Christmas morning. It's tradition."
"Well, we should stop that tradition here with your family." She gave him a look.
He laughed. "No way. Our kids are going to covet this tradition."
"You guys ready?" Clint glanced back as Landon reached out and gripped the doorknob. "You have to be ready. It's a concerted effort, a joined mission."
"Oh, brother. Let's do it. Stop talking so damn much," Kari mumbled and moved through the boys as the door opened. She turned and flipped the lights on and off, putting her back to the Isaacs just in case.
"Merry Christmas!" the guys yelled as screams and laughter filled the room.
Kari glanced over her shoulder to see the guys bouncing on the bed and their parents swatting at them. Joy choked her at the sight before her.
Jake's family was perfect, and hopefully before long, they would be her family too. It was more than she could dream about, and yet it would be hers.
She was far too blessed.
CHAPTER 15
JAKE
"You guys are getting too old for jumping in the bed. You almost broke it this morning." Jake's mother looked over her shoulder as Jake and his brothers stood around the cinnamon rolls she'd just pulled out of the oven. Nothing had changed.
"You love it, Mom." Jake moved up behind his mom and ran his hands over her shoulders, squeezing softly before leaning forward to kiss her cheek. "Thanks for breakfast. It looks amazing."
"You're the best cooker in the world, Momma." Clint pushed at Jake and took his place, pulling his mom in a hug.
"Brother." Jake rolled his eyes and looked around. "Where's Kari?"
"She's on the porch with your father. They seem to be out there a lot. Did you say her dad wasn't part of the picture when she was growing up?" Jake's mom turned and gave him a loving look.
"I don't know much, like I said last night." He wrapped his arms around his chest and let out a sigh. "I'd be happy to share Daddy with her. You too."
"I don't think you have much of a choice." His mom glanced over her shoulder and scowled. "Did you boys already eat half of that pan of cinnamon rolls?"
"Duh, Mom." Landon laughed and licked at his fingers. "Why in the world wouldn't we?"
Jake walked back toward the counter where the pan lay and picked up a plate, hoping to save Kari one of the rolls before his brothers ate them all.
