“What?” she says sweetly.

  “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus? That’s the song you picked?”

  She shrugs. “It seemed appropriate.”

  Ellie giggles behind her coffee mug.

  “Et tu, Ellie?”

  “What do you mean, et tu? It was my idea to put the song on a loop for a while. Just until it gets through Lacy’s thick skull that we’re all okay with this new reality.”

  I nod once in understanding. “Solid point.”

  She holds up her mug as if to toast her thought process and goes back to eating her breakfast. I’ve just poured two mugs of steaming joe and am getting ready to doctor it when the woman of the hour comes strolling in.

  “Merry Christmas everyone.” She kisses the kids on top of their heads before making her way to me. Actually she’s making her way to the coffee pot, but I can pretend.

  Lacy clearly found all my bathroom supplies since her hair is brushed and face looks washed. The faint smell of mint tells me she also used my toothbrush. That could gross me out, but my tongue was in her mouth hours ago and that’s basically the same thing anyway.

  I finish putting a teaspoon of sugar and three teaspoons of coconut milk in her coffee just as she walks up.

  As I hand it to her, a smile graces her beautiful face. “Is this for me?”

  “Of course.” I kiss her on the cheek. “Merry Christmas.”

  Her cheeks turn red and she looks down shyly. “Tucker…”

  “Lacy.” I lean my head forward and make eye contact. “They already know.”

  “That doesn’t mean we need to flaunt it.”

  I open my mouth to argue but suddenly she turns her head quickly, as if she’s listening. She purses her lips as realization hits.

  “Seriously, Ellie?”

  Ellie stabs another piece of pancake and brings it to her mouth. “It’s today’s theme song.”

  “Did you kiss Santa last night, Mommy?” It’s a reasonable conclusion for Sutton to come to, considering the background music that’s likely invading her psyche.

  Ellie holds up a half-eaten cookie, complete with runny icing, and my stomach gives a gurgle.

  “By the look of these cookies, I’d say Santa was definitely here,” she announces. “Which means Mommy definitely kissed him in appreciation, as well as other things.”

  “Santa!” Kody yells and the two kids quickly forget about food as they race to the tree, jumping up and down and pointing out all the presents.

  “Wait for me,” Ellie calls, taking one final bite, grabbing her mug, and then following them into the living room.

  These kids have remarkable self-control. My brothers and I never waited this long before tearing into the gifts.

  Lacy leans against the counter, holding her mug just inches from her lips. “So I guess everyone knows now.”

  Matching her pose, I bump her with my shoulder. “I’d say finding you topless in my bed was a dead giveaway.”

  She covers her face with her hand. “I can’t believe your mother saw that,” she groans.

  Mom doesn’t miss a beat, just kisses Lacy on the cheek. “Welcome to the family dear. I appreciate not having Tucker’s naked butt flashed at me this time. That’s something no mother should ever see.” She pats Lacy’s cheek gently and joins the others around the tree.

  I loop my arm around Lacy’s shoulder and kiss the top her head. “See? You earned brownie points already.”

  She scoffs and shakes her head. Pulling her with me I say, “Come on. The kids have waited long enough.”

  When we settle ourselves on the couch, Lacy tries to sit on the opposite end but I drag her across the cushions so we’re sitting side by side. She narrows her eyes at me, but I narrow mine right back.

  “All in, remember?”

  She sighs and rolls her eyes, but by the way her lips tip up, I know she’s just trying to guard her heart. It’s understandable. This is new and we’re both a little nervous. I just don’t have as many walls as she does. Fortunately, watching Ellie help the kids pass out presents is a good way to distract Lacy until she feels more comfortable with public displays of affection. Especially once the frenzy begins. And I do mean frenzy.

  Ellie no more than gives the word and the kids are ripping wrapping paper and tearing apart boxes like their lives depend on it. I’m not even sure they know what all they’re getting with how the paper flies everywhere and lands wherever it wants.

  “Holy shit, Tucker. I knew you went overboard but I think I underestimated how much room there is for presents under this tree. Did you save any presents for everyone else at the store?” Lacy jokes, but she’s not wrong.

  I may have gotten a tad carried away.

  “It’s our first Christmas together,” I argue. “Consider it making up for the three I missed.”

  Lacy’s not buying it. “You’re trying to tell me it won’t be like this next year?”

  She’s got a point.

  “Let me have my fun, woman. Look at their happy faces.”

  Sutton holds up a bag of giant Legos, perfect for her age.

  “See?” I gesture to my daughter. “I read the age requirements this time.”

  “They’re guidelines, Tucker. Not requirements,” she says, amused with my word choice.

  “Meh. Whatever. They’re happy.”

  Kody pulls out his own bag of giant Legos and the kids squeal at the excitement of having identical gifts.

  “They are happy.” Lacy snuggles in closer to me. “We all are.”

  I look down at her. A soft smile graces her lips and I can’t help myself. I close the last few inches between us and take her lips in a searing kiss. It doesn’t matter who is in the room. It doesn’t matter how many questions I have to field. I love this woman so damn much.

  “Tucker Fucking Hayes!” Ellie screeches.

  I tear my mouth from Lacy’s to see why she’s using my self-proclaimed middle name. “What did I do?”

  She waves a card and red envelope in the air as she rages. “A year’s worth of daycare prepaid?”

  “Oh that.” I say as nonchalantly as I feel. “Merry Christmas.”

  “Seriously, Tucker?” She reads over the card again, apparently in disbelief which is weird to me. Kody needs somewhere to go while the adults are working and in school. If anything, it feels less like a gift to me and more like a necessity, but by the way Ellie is tearing up, I guess it’s good I presented it to her this morning under a tree.

  Ellie somehow finds her way through the maze of wrapping paper and discarded toys, so she can throw herself in my arms and hug me. “Thank you, Tucker. This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

  “You need some better friends, then.”

  She pulls away and smacks my arm playfully, wiping at a few stray tears before turning her attention back to the kids.

  Lacy pulls her knees to her chest and settles against the back of the couch. “All inclusive daycare expenses? Big spender.”

  “Oh that’s not what you get for Christmas.”

  She sits up straight, aghast. “What? Why not?”

  “Because it’s my job to pay for Sutton’s daycare. That’s already done. Here.” I reach under the couch where her gifts are hidden and pull out a small box. “I wasn’t really sure what to get you, but this seemed like a good place to start.”

  She tentatively takes the blue velvet gift box into her hands. “Tucker…” she whispers, not even knowing what’s inside yet.

  “Just open it.”

  She finally does and sucks in a breath when she takes in the contents. “Tucker, it’s so perfect.”

  Inside is a sterling silver necklace with three charms on it. The largest is clearly an adult bird with a small red ruby placed in the eye position. The other two charms are identical baby birds, one with a small blue sapphire eye and one with a green topaz.

  “You’re like the mama bird, raising these crazy babies, so I thought I’d get you something to always remind you of how important you are to them. And to all of us.”

  Lacy gently grabs my chin with her fingers and pulls me in for a sweet kiss. “Thank you. I love it so much.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “And I’m glad you didn’t go over the top with presents for me. This one is just perfect.”

  I laugh because she has no idea. “You think that’s it?” Reaching under the couch again, I pull out keys to her brand new car.

  “You bought me a car?” she bellows while I continue to laugh. I knew she’d have that reaction. I was actually kind of hoping for it. “My car is just fine.”

  “Your car is a piece of shit and you know it. So I got you a red version of mine.”

  She stares at me in disbelief. “You got me a Porsche.”

  I cover my heart with my hand, feigning offense. “I got you a Cayenne.”

  Lacy shakes her head but doesn’t throw the keys at me which I’ve been half expecting. She’s probably realizing it doesn’t matter how much she says not to spend so much money on them. I’m going to spoil them for as long as I can.

  “But that’s not all!”

  I jump up from the couch, ignoring Lacy’s grumble of “You’ve got to be kidding me” as I check my hiding spot in the storage closet. I pull out the five identical boxes no one found.

  “There are rules with these boxes, guys.” I pretend Lacy isn’t looking at me skeptically and hand my mom a box. “Don’t open your gift until I say ‘go’, got it?”

  “Oh god. Now I’m afraid.” Lacy takes her present when I hand it to her and holds it in front of her like it’s a live bomb.

  “Nothing to be afraid of, my sweet.”

  Ellie takes hers without a problem, even though I’m still trying to reassure her friend.

  “This is going to be fun, I promise.” Holding the last two boxes out to the kids I look them in the eyes. “Don’t open this present yet. Got it?”

  They both nod in understanding, but I can see the anticipation in their eyes. I better make this fast.

  Handing them their gifts, I settle myself back on the couch so I have the best view of the coming madness.

  “Are you ready?” I ask, almost as excited as everyone else.

  Little heads nod and yell, “Yeah!”

  Big heads just groan and grumble about what an impulsive shopper I am.

  “On your mark, get set, go!”

  The kids tear at the boxes like they’re in a race to get it open first. They’re beaten by Ellie who pulls out her shirt before they’ve even gotten through the tape.

  She reads the front, then drops it onto her lap. “No way.”

  I waggle my eyebrows and wait for everyone to reveal their matching clothes. The shirts themselves are not that exciting—they’re the standard Disney shirts with an outline of Mickey Mouse and their individual names added.

  “It’s Mickey Mouse, Mommy!” Kody yells and launches his shirt at his mother. She catches it one-handed.

  “Does this mean what I think it does?” Mom asks and I nod.

  “Season passes for everyone!” I yell and throw my arms in the air in victory. I doubt the kids understand what’s happening here, but they start jumping up and down anyway, getting in on the excitement.

  “Even for me?” Mom asks.

  “Your box comes with the information on how to redeem your travel vouchers. You’ve got four round trip tickets so you can come visit us several times this year.” I glance over at Lacy who is smiling, and not a maniacal smile that makes me wonder if she’s going to punch me in the junk. It’s a real, genuine smile.

  “Is this okay with you, Lacy?” Mom asks. “This is your home, too. I don’t want to be the overbearing Grammy who wears out her welcome.”

  Lacy tears her eyes from mine to address my mother. “We talked about it and that gift is from both of us. Well,” she waves her hand in the air. “Not the money part. That’s all him.”

  “How far is Disney from here?” Ellie asks as she pulls the shirts over the kids heads and down over their pajamas. “Like an hour and a half?”

  “Should be a little less than that. And they open in a couple hours.” I clap my hands together and rub. “Anyone want to spend an impromptu day at Disney World?”

  Amid the hoots and hollers, I glance over at the woman I love again and raise an eyebrow in question.

  She raises her eyebrow back and says the words I was hoping to hear.

  “I’ll drive.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  LACY

  “This is so fun,” Muriel yells in my ear.

  “What?” I yell back. Amidst the cheers, air horns, and ruckus the kids are making, I can barely hear her.

  “I said,” she yells louder, “This is really fun. Thanks for inviting me.”

  “Thanks for coming with us.”

  “I wouldn’t miss it!”

  Apparently, that was the general consensus with everyone because there are six of us sitting together. We had to take two cars to get to the game tonight.

  Tucker was able to get us tickets right up next to the glass and it’s been quite an experience, especially for the kids. Someone, and I’m pretty sure it was Ellie, showed them how to bang on the glass whenever the players skate by and that’s been their favorite thing to do since the game began.

  Until now.

  Tucker slams into the glass right in front of Sutton and there’s a scuffle for the puck. At least, that’s what I assume is happening when he and whoever has him pressed up against the wall shove each other back and forth, Tucker’s face hits the glass several times, leaving sweat marks. I might find it gross if I wasn’t too busy watching my daughter’s face as she takes in the violence of it all.

  The smile she was sporting disappears, replaced by a grimace, followed by horror as she watches. The pink Mickey Mouse ears she hasn’t taken off since our impromptu visit to Disney World on Christmas morning is holding her hair back, so not even rogue strands of hair are blocking her view.

  “Daddy!” she screams and looks over to me for help, as if there’s anything I can do.

  I guess these seats were great in theory but they may be a little too close to the action. I’ll remember that next time.

  I assume the puck is finally passed off when the players all race to the other side of the rink, but Sutton’s worry remains. Squatting down next to her, I pull her close and try to reassure her.

  “Daddy’s okay. They were fighting over the puck.”

  “They’re not supposed to fight.” She buries her little face in my neck and I pick her up so we can shift into her empty seat. “It’s not nice to fight.”

  “It’s nice to take turns,” Kody says and I can’t help but smile. Their three-year-old logic hasn’t quite figured out that the rules don’t apply when it comes to sports.

  “They’re not fighting,” I try to reassure them. I’m not having much luck considering Sutton is still snuggling into me, avoiding watching the game. “See? Look.” I point out to the ice just as they go slamming into another wall. “Okay maybe don’t look. But they’re playing a game. It gets a little rough out there. They’re fine, though. Daddy didn’t get hurt. He has lots of pads on.”

  Holly sits down in the vacant seat next to us and pulls Kody on her lap. “What’s got my grandbabies so upset?”

  She gives me a knowing smirk and I appreciate that she’s come to help me calm them down a bit. Ellie, on the other hand, is deep in conversation with Muriel and merely waves at me when I point to her child and all the drama. I’m glad she trusts me with her child, but I have a sneaking suspicion she just doesn’t feel like touching this one.

  Sutton pops up into the sitting position to give Grammy the lowdown.

  “They’re fighting with Daddy!” She sounds appalled. “They’re being mean to my daddy and they’re not taking turns.” Kody nods in agreement, a stoic expression on his face.

  “I can see why that’s frightening,” Holly says with a deep concern I know she doesn’t actually feel. “They do a lot of fighting in hockey.”

  “They hurt my daddy.” If Sutton was standing, she would have stomped her foot on the floor.

  “Your daddy isn’t hurt. See?” Holly points onto the ice. Sutton finally chances a glance at the game just as Tucker goes sliding into another wall.

  Seriously? It’s like he’s timing this shit on purpose at this point.

  “Oh!” Holly exclaims. “He hit another wall. But look how he just skates away.”

  Sutton’s brows crinkle the slightest bit. “Daddy’s not hurt?”

  “No. Your daddy is very strong.”

  “Like a superhero!” Kody yells, making Holly laugh at the comparison.

  “Exactly. He’s like a hockey superhero. They run into walls and fall down. And look at that goalie at the end. See him with all his gear on?” The kids nod. “Look at how many times the puck hits him and it doesn’t hurt. He just keeps fighting them off.”

  “He’s an Avenger,” Kody whispers, reverence suddenly in his voice.

  I was skeptical when Tucker introduced the kids to the Marvel movies, only because they’re his favorite and they’re still so young, but clearly there was a benefit I wasn’t expecting. Namely, smoothing the rough edges of hockey violence. Fingers crossed Tucker doesn’t lose a tooth or the kids will never get over it.

  Holly hugs Kody, who is too busy watching the game from a different perspective to notice her squeeze. His eyes are wide as saucers, and I can practically hear the gears turning as he tries to figure out what other superpowers the guys on the ice have.

  “They are. They’re hockey Avengers,” Holly agrees.

  “Wow,” Kody breathes.

  The buzzer sounds signaling the end of the second period. As the guys slowly leave the ice to do whatever it is they do during this down time, Tucker veers off into our direction.

  Skating straight up the glass, he taps it with the top of his stick. “I’m okay,” he mouths at the kids who jump off our laps and head straight toward him. “I’m okay,” he says again while they jump up and down, Kody yelling, “You’re an Avenger, Not-Daddy!”

  Other fans crowd in, banging on the glass as well, so I crouch right behind the kids, making sure they don’t get lost in the chaos.