by Vivian Lux
"When it comes to you, Harp, I've never been able to think straight," Gray said, grabbing my ass a little harder. "Now go take a shower before I change my mind about letting you go."
I stumbled away, half in confusion, half in relief. When Ellie's cries ramped up, I stopped for a moment, deliberating on whether or not I should turn back. But then I heard the low murmur of Cal fussing over her, and the creak of the nursery door as Gray headed downstairs to warm some milk and I sighed. I needed to trust them. I did trust them
Shutting the door of the bathroom went against every fierce mothering instinct I had, but as I peeled away the grimy layers of milk-crusted clothes I'd been living in, I found I felt more and more free. I flipped on the exhaust fan in the master bathroom and gave a momentary sigh of thanks that we had moved out of Cal's house almost immediately upon getting engaged, in spite of his dour pronouncements of Gray making messes there forever. Now Gray had a beautiful new chef's kitchen with lovely granite countertops to make messes on, courtesy of a newly-built house up in the hills.
We'd moved in just before Christmas and spent this morning unwrapping amidst a slew of packing boxes. The love and acceptance of our friends and family was one thing, but their scrutiny was another entirely. I felt much more comfortable living our weird little trinity away from everyone's prying eyes. We were only fifteen minutes out of town, we could still see everyone when we wanted to. On our terms.
I turned on the shower and cranked the hot water onto full blast. Billows of steam swirled around my ankles as I stepped under the spray. For a long time I just stood there, letting the water run down over my swollen breasts and the new shape of my now softened tummy. I soaped up my loofah and ran the jasmine scented body wash Gray had slipped into my stocking over my skin, letting the grime and sweat and new-mother nervousness wash down the drain. I shampooed my hair twice, then did it all over again just because it felt good.
When I turned off the water, I stood there listening. Neither Cal nor Gray had come to knock on the door and ask me anything. I listened, but heard nothing.
"It's a Christmas miracle," I whispered. Maybe they'd taken her for a drive. Sometimes a late night jaunt through the hills was all Ellie needed to reset.
I stepped from the shower and pulled on the plush bathrobe Cal had given me, then quietly poked my head out the bathroom door.
The house was silent and dark but for the lights on the Christmas tree. I padded over and unplugged it from the outlet, leaving the room washed in the blue of the moonlight reflected off the snow.
Then I turned to see that the master bedroom light was blazing.
I stepped out of the bathroom and padded down the hallway and then stopped short and pressed my hand to my heart.
They'd gotten her back to sleep without me. And now...
They were asleep. All three of them.
My tiny daughter was nestled in the very center of our gigantic, king-sized bed. Her rosebud lips were pursed with worried little baby-dreams and she suckled sweetly a few times before drawing a hitching little sigh.
On one side of her curled Gray, propped up at the very edge of the bed. His hand was just to the side of her, like it had slipped from her back as she drifted off to sleep.
On the other side of her lay Cal, curled towards Ellie with his face right up alongside her head. He looked like he'd fallen asleep singing and whispering to her.
For how long I stood there, I have no idea. I knew this was a moment I would remember for the rest of my life. Our first Christmas would always be wrapped up in this picture of my tiny daughter nestled, protected, and watched over by the two men who loved her, who I loved...and who loved me too.
THE END
BOOKS BY VIVIAN LUX:
Sons of Steel Motorcycle Club:
Steel My Heart
Steel Me Away
Steel My Love
Steel My Soul
Rockstar Romance
JAX: A Rockstar Stepbrother Romance
RANE: A Rockstar Stepbrother Romance
WILDER: A Rockstar Romance
LOW: A Rockstar Romance
TRUE: A Rockstar Romance
The Reckless Falls Series:
KEPT: A Small Town Second Chance Novella
WRECKED: A Small Town Bad Boy Romance
TWICE: A Small Town Menage Romance
TIED: A Steamy Small Town Romance
CRAVE: A Small Town Menage Romance
PLAYED: A Small Town Billionaire Novella (May 2017)
Sports Romance
FORCE: A Bad Boy Sports Romance
IMPACT: A Secret Baby Sports Romance
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