“Oh I can wait,” she waves it off.

  “Sweetheart if you wait any longer you are going to burst and we all know what happens when you’ve reached your limit.” Gemma laughs.

  “Yeah, you spill everything in your head and I don’t know about everyone else but there are some things better left untold.” Rhett dares her to argue and Grace only glares at her brother because she knows it's true.

  “Okay,” she finally says as she walks toward the Christmas tree and lifts two boxes up, the same size, just different wrapping paper. When she turns back around she walks toward her parents and holds them out. “These are for you.”

  Reed and Kori accept the packages, sharing a look before both finding a place to sit. With a box resting in each of their laps, Grace encourages them to open and we all watch in anticipation.

  Reed & Kori

  (Rhett and Grace’s Parents)

  twenty

  Reed

  I still remember the first time I saw Rhett. He was so small and instantly I loved him. I didn’t even know him, had never held him or laughed with him, but I knew I wanted him in my life. Whether it be a best friend or even the cool uncle, I couldn’t imagine not being some part of his life.

  I fell in love with his mom before I even understood what those feelings truly meant. But I had that same instant connection with Kori that I felt for Rhett. But with Kori I was a young fool that made one really dumb choice that I’ve never stopped regretting. But somehow fate brought her back to me and we’ve built this amazing life together.

  The very second the doctor placed Grace in my arms that love I’d felt for Kori and for Rhett overflowed and I was so overwhelmed with such an incredible joy that I broke and stood there in the hospital room holding our daughter looking at my wife and our son and thanked God for the life I’d been blessed with.

  I’ve spent every day since protecting and loving them to the best of my ability. I've built a business, one that will financially secure my children’s children and for that I am proud. The fact that I’ve built the business with many of my family and best friends only sweetens the deal.

  Now here I am, opening up a present my daughter has given me and I can’t see through the tears.

  My baby is having a baby. I refused to think of how that happened because when I do all I want to do is beat Terrance’s ass. In my head a stork will be bringing this sweet bundle to my daughters doorstep. Believe me it's better I act a fool on this account. It’s still hard for me to look at Grace and not want to tuck her away someplace safe and sound.

  Kori holds up her own matching shirt and I glance at her to find she too is emotional.

  “I knew something was going on with you,” my wife tells our daughter. “You were bursting at the seams and I must say I’m proud you held out this long.”

  I turn my shirt around for everyone else in the room to see and suddenly everyone erupts with congratulations and smiles. Hugs passed around and I simply take it all in. My father is here, and he sits on the couch, looking at everyone with a grin so big. Life is good.

  Suddenly I feel a tug on my pant leg and look down to see Blake by my side. Immediately lifting his arms up silently asking for me to pick him up. My first grandchild and Papa’s right hand man. He loves to get dirty and be right at my side, pretending to work as hard as I am.

  “I see,” he leans forward, grabbing my shirt and I turn it around for him to see. “Me wear.” He pats his chest and I can’t deny him. The best I can with one arm, I help him slide his arms through and then up and over his head.

  He has no idea what it says and doesn’t care, he just wants to wear grandpa’s shirt.

  I glance up to find Grace looking at me, and that’s when I repeat Blake’s movement tapping on my chest. Only I pause over my heart and give her a nod, telling her without words just how incredibly happy I am to have this news.

  Grace and I have always had a way of telling one another all we need to say without actually having a conversation. She is her momma through and through, but when she is angry or upset, Reed Jackson comes out in her. Watch out when she’s pissed, the ring of fire will ignite.

  Kori

  “I knew you were hiding something,” I hold Grace’s face in my hands looking at my sweet girl. She may be an adult but she will always be my baby. Both her and Rhett are, and will always be the two sweet kids that Reed and I protected and molded into the perfect people they are today.

  I’m so proud, beyond words, over the moon. Rhett has built a life with my beautiful daughter in law AJ and though I cared for Harley, AJ is the one Rhett was meant to love. She keeps him on his toes and I see the way she looks at my boy, like he’s hung her the moon and stars. I wanted that for him. I wanted him to find someone that was independent yes, but also refused to live without him.

  He found that in AJ and together they’ve given me two beautiful grandchildren.

  Now here I am, standing in my parents rec room finding out that we have another little miracle on the way. Only this time my beautiful daughter and her husband are the ones offering the news.

  Terrance isn’t the man I had in mind when I thought of Grace and her future. He was Rhett’s crazy wild friend, and until I found out the life he led behind the mask I thought he was too wild.

  I can honestly say I have never been more happy to be wrong.

  Terrance is an amazing man, a loving and devoted husband that reminds me a lot of Reed. A little rough around the edges but loves fiercely and will go above and beyond to protect and care for those he loves.

  He’s the perfect man for Grace, because I know he will always ensure she is taken care of and never goes a day without knowing how much she is loved. We may have spoiled her growing up, but that man spoils our girl something fierce now.

  He works hard to give her everything he can and seeing the smiles on my children’s faces, that’s all a mother truly wants.

  “Congratulations baby girl,” Reed moves in behind me and hugs us both in his arms.

  “Thanks Daddy,” Grace whispers through her tears just before Rhett joins us for a little family hug.

  We share a perfect moment, before we clean up our faces and turn to everyone else as we watch them all congratulate our sweet girl and her husband.

  gavin and maria

  MIKE & GARRETT’S PARENTS

  Gavin

  “Maddison,” Grace hollers out from across the room and the two of them find one another in the crowd.

  Little Sarah is climbing my legs as I hold out my hands to her, trying to keep her from falling. She is a ball of energy so unlike her daddy, who was quiet and reserved growing up. But dammit I love this little fireball; she keeps us all on our toes.

  “Isn’t there something you want to say?” Grace challenges Maddison and Colton, her father and I share a look.

  “No,” Maddison waves Grace off and looks at Mikey for help, but all he offers is a shrug and a smile.

  “Another time,” Maddison tries once more, but Grace isn’t giving up.

  “Now is good,” she pushes a little more. “You know me, I won't give up until I get my way.”

  “Because you are spoiled and a pain in my ass,” my daughter in law flashes Grace a glare, but she’s anything but mad.

  Again Maddison looks at Mikey and the two of them have a silent conversation before he stands to join his wife.

  “Looks like Grace and Terrance aren’t the only two that have been offered a Christmas miracle,” Mikey says, placing his arm over Maddison’s shoulder. “Seems Sarah is getting a little brother or sister in the next seven months.”

  My wife jumps up, squealing as she works her way through the mass of people. Alexis is close behind and Colton and I observe as our wives act like two doting grandmothers.

  Glancing over to Garrett, who sits beside Kyra, I lean a little closer. “You see what you two have to look forward to?” They both look at me and Kyra’s eyes are filled with tears.

  “I can’t wait,” she declares before looking back at the scene before us. Garrett raises his brow, and I chuckle.

  “Seems like your little ladies eager to give us more grandbabies. Your momma is gonna love that.”

  It’s hard to believe that my boys are as grown as they are. Looking back over the years, the struggles Maria and I had, mostly at my hands. I’d gone through a messy divorce, making the mistake of marrying the wrong woman and it sent me down a path I wasn’t proud of. I mistreated Maria, and dragged her through my mess, and for that I will always hold regret.

  Yet somehow, someway she and I made it through, stronger for it and the love I still hold years later for my woman is baffling. She’s my rock, the one person that taught me the true meaning of love and she is the person that brought me two amazing boys. Two men I am proud to call my sons.

  Maria

  I walk into the bedroom after an exhausting day of cooking and cleaning up. Not to mention the emotional news of not one but two babies being added to our crazy family. One of those babies, my grandchild and I can’t help the smile that takes over my face.

  “Still feeling the high I see,” Gavin pulls back the covers and taps at the empty space beside him.

  I walk over to the bed and climb in at his side, laying my head on his chest. “It feels like just yesterday Mikey and Garrett were fighting over the PlayStation controllers and wrestling in the living room. Now they are getting married and having babies.”

  “Is it weird that I’m perfectly happy right here, doing this exact thing. Being a grandpa, years ago it was horrifying to think I’d be called that by anyone. But now, every time I hear Sarah call out for me I’m in awe.”

  “Even when its two am and she’s up for the tenth time?”

  “Especially then,” Gavin declares. I look up at Gavin with a smile.

  “She’s so cuddly and all she really wants when she does that is a little company.” I say admiringly.

  “So if I’m feeling cuddly, do I need to start screaming for you and you’ll give me some love?” Gavin gives me a wink.

  Still after all these years one mischievous glance from Gavin and I feel like I am on fire from the inside out.

  Lifting my body up, I climb over him, straddling his waist. “Are you trying to tell me you need some love?”

  He nods.

  “What do you have in mind?”

  Suddenly he slides his palms up my bare thighs and for the next hour my husband makes sure that I remember I am so much more than a grandma.

  ben and leann

  CHLOE’S PARENTS

  Ben

  “Chloe told me I’d find you here,” I step in through the plastic covering the doorway to find my son-in-law measuring some drywall. He looks up, laying the tape measure down and writing down the measurement.

  “Just thought I’d get a little work done.”

  “It’s the holidays.” I tell him moving in closer. I hate to see that he’s struggling and what I hate more is not being able to fix it.

  “Also a time that reminds me he’s gone.”

  Landon’s suffering cuts deep.

  Chloe is my only child. I don’t regret that, but when she married Landon I gained the son I never had. He’s a good man who is grieving and if it means that all I can do is be here, sitting silent at his side, I’ll do it.

  My daughter is hurting because her husband is hurting and in the end that means I hurt too.

  “Finishing this room for your mom is a great gesture to him,” I walk over and grab the hammer. “He wanted your mom to have this craft room so what do you say I offer a hand.”

  “You don’t have to, I’m sure Leann would rather you be home relaxing with her.” The sadness in his eyes is real and it guts me.

  “She’s with the girls at the church, getting everything ready for the upcoming wedding. The house is quiet, and you know me, I hate quiet.”

  I point to the hammer and he nods as I pick it up.

  Together we spend several hours drywalling, little conversation is exchanged, but I know being here with him is enough. He will never stop missing his father, and in no way could I ever replace him. And I wouldn’t want to.

  “Thanks for today,” Landon says as he tosses the tools into the bucket. “I know Chloe’s worried about me, but I’m good. Some days are harder than others, and I have regrets.” He leans against the saw horse in the middle of the room.

  “All the times he and I fought, I wish I could go back and erase those times. Spend them doing something worth remembering instead.”

  “From what your mother says the two of you were so much alike. Of course you’d bicker.”

  “There is never enough time,” he says, releasing a breath.

  “I have to agree with you on that one,” I chuckle, joining him. “I feel like just yesterday Chloe was three years old and wanted me to play airplane. Now she’s married with a little one of her own and no longer needs me.”

  “She’ll always need her dad,” he offers me a smile. “I’m alright Ben, honestly,” Landon stands tall once more. “It's the first year without him and I know it will get easier, but I need these times to just feel, right? Wasn’t it you that told me to feel?”

  “Yes,” I agree, “but in the process don’t shut us out.”

  He nods, and I know he’s hearing what I’m telling him. My daughter needs him, she needs to know he is okay. “Just talk to her,” I add. “She needs to know you’re okay, that’s all.”

  Leann

  “This cake is gorgeous,” I admire Lily Mae’s work. “Has Kyra seen it?”

  “No, and I’ve banned her from this kitchen until after the wedding. I may have given her Sugarland, but that doesn’t change the fact that I make the final decisions when it comes to this kitchen.”

  “Also we wanted it to be a surprise.” Rose, Kyra’s mom adds. “She’s got so many other things to worry about, we wanted this to be something we could do to set her mind at ease.”

  “Well, I agree it's amazing,” Maria takes in the masterpiece. “It’s almost too beautiful to eat.”

  “We have a large cooler at the venue,” Kori tells Lily Mae. “Can it be disassembled so that we can store it and then right before they arrive we can have it all set out.”

  “That would be perfect.” Rose says.

  “We can transfer it in pieces over to the venue tomorrow night, so we don’t have to rush on Saturday.” Lily Mae smiles. “There will be enough to do on the day of the wedding.”

  This wedding is going to be beautiful; Lily Mae has spared no expense. I know she wants Kyra to have the perfect day and a Christmas themed wedding is something I’d always imagined but never seen. Every little detail has been perfected. The colors, the flowers and my goodness Garrett said Kyra wanted lights, there are so many twinkle lights strung throughout the reception area it seems like a million little stars.

  It's going to be the perfect day.

  colton and alexis

  MADDISON AND COLTON JR.’S PARENTS

  Colton Sr.

  “This is perfect,” Maddison covers her mouth with her hands as tears fill her eyes. “Wow, dad,” she looks up at me and I feel the burn in my chest. I know the tears are those of joy, but I’ve always been weakened by her tears.

  From the very first moment I walked into the diner and noticed Alexis with a cute little chubby faced brunette angel my heart was full. I didn’t even know their story but sensed someone had hurt them and I felt territorial over them.

  I vowed then and there to protect them anyway I could, even if that only meant ensuring they made it to safety and walked away. The problem was, once I spent time with them I knew there was no way I could let them go. Hell, I traveled to California to get them back when Alexis thought she could run away.

  Maddison may not be my blood but I’d kill anyone who hurt her. Mike is as protective as I am, the way he is with Maddison and with Sarah reminds me of myself. His girls are his world.

  The protective nature runs deep in the men in these parts.

  It's uncontrollable.

  Maddison runs her hand over the side of the cabinet and then opens the doors to peer inside. “There’s even grooves to hold the plates securely.”

  “The China set Grandma gave you as a wedding gift will sit perfectly inside.” Alexis tells her, as she joins our daughter. Together they look over the details of the cabinet that Colton and I spent months perfecting.

  My boy shares my joy of building. Colton stepped up and his talent amazes me, he’s got a gift. Together we’ve grown and built the business I started in my garage into something strong.

  Now Gretchen, Colton’s wife, is one I can’t build anything for. The woman has an eye for beauty, though it may not be that way when she finds it, but she can take any piece of furniture and restore it. On most occasions it's better than its original form.

  “Gretch,” I say and watch as she looks over from her place on the couch. “Alexis and I have your gift in the garage.”

  She looks over at Colt then back at me. “Why don’t the two of you go have a look?” I motion with my hand and the two of them stand and start for the front door. Once they are gone I glance at Alexis and she worries her lip.

  “Do you think she’s going to like it?”

  “Babe,” my wife is always the worrier, “she is going to be in heaven.”

  “What did you do?” Maddison asks and Mike picks up Sarah joining her.

  “Why don’t we all go have a look?”

  As a group we walk outside toward the two stall garage Colton and I use as storage mostly for lumber. The door creaks as we push it open and then step inside. Gretchen is in the middle of the room with several worn-out neglected pieces of furniture around her. Her face is buried in Colton’s chest and her shoulders shake.