by Joanna Blake
Angelina
Jackson was right. We received a lot of teasing about missing the cocktail hour. I blushed a bit. It had been a bit longer than an hour…
More like two.
It was his fault for keeping me locked up all that time. Then springing the wedding on me. Telling me he loved me. Actually, in retrospect, it was kind of cute.
In a caveman kind of way.
I felt a bit better when Casey told me that Daniel and Francesca had also disappeared. As had Elle and Jake.
Apparently no one could wait for their wedding night.
I sipped my champagne, smiling at my newfound family. For someone who’d spent the last six years with only my sister, it was pretty amazing to have gained so many relatives all at once.
Jackson’s father was chatting with Casey. I smiled at her fondly as a man came and asked her to dance. She nodded and stood, walking slowly to the dance floor.
“She’ll be fine.”
I looked at Jackson as he ran his hand up my back soothingly.
“What?”
“You are going to break the stem if you grip that any tighter.”
I glanced down and saw that he was right. I had a death grip on my champagne flute. I relaxed my hand, setting the glass down on the table.
“Dale’s a good guy, he’ll be careful with her.”
I nodded, letting Jackson pull me into the crook of his shoulder. Dinner was over, and the dancing part of the evening had commenced. It was nearly time to cut the cake.
Jake stood and tapped his spoon against his glass.
“I’d like to propose a toast to my brothers and their brides!”
“Hear hear!”
“As much as I’d love to tell you a bit more about how these four got together, I think-“
Daniel and Jackson tackled Jake, carrying him away from the mic. I hastily grabbed the mic and smiled at the crowd.
“It’s time to cut the cake!”
Francesca, Elle and I pressed down on the knife together, laughing as our joined hands fumbled awkwardly. Jake, Daniel and Jackson each cut a piece after that, feeding bites to their brides.
Jake put a dollop of frosting on Elle’s nose and licked it off. Daniel was about to do the same to Francesca when he was stopped by her cold stare. She whispered something to him and he set his cake down immediately.
I shook my head, watching as Jackson draped a napkin over our slice, handing it to Mrs. G . He said something I couldn’t hear and she smiled, hurrying off with the cake.
“What was that all about?”
“I’m saving our piece for later.”
“To put in the ice box?”
He shook his head slowly.
“I was thinking I could eat it in bed.”
I tilted my head, wondering what the hell he was talking about.
“Jackson, that sounds kind of messy.”
“Not if I use you as a plate.”
He bit my neck and I shuddered, already aroused.
“Besides, I seem to recall marrying a girl who liked getting messy now and then.”
I laughed and kissed him back. I glanced at his watch, starting to wish it was time to go upstairs. I decided to put aside a slice of my own.
And to ask Mrs. G if we had any whipped cream.
He was right. He had married a girl who liked getting messy.
Six Months Later
Casey
“My turn to hold her.”
I reached out eagerly as Elle handed me the wiggling little bundle of joy. Elle and Jake had named their daughter Jessebelle. And I was pretty much in love with her.
Everyone was.
I walked around the patio in a circle, singing off key to the baby. I laughed. Considering her mother’s beautiful voice, it was no wonder the baby looked so confused!
I was walking better these days. The fresh air and holistic doctor Francesca had flown in from Europe had helped. They’d put me on a theraputic dose of magnesium and vitamin C.
I grinned at the tall ginger man who was watching me fondly from across the room.
He’d helped a lot too.
He was the Delancey’s vet. And he was my boyfriend. Once Jackson had asked him about using antibiotics on their horses, a whole doorway had opened. He’d known about the poisonous effects of the drug and never used it on his patients.
So when we met at the wedding, he’d already known all about me.
After that first dance, we found out we had a lot more to talk about. He was wise, kind and very easy on the eyes.
Even Angelina approved, which was saying something.
I carried Jessebelle over to stand by my sister. She was opening another present while everyone ooh’d and ah’d. At six months pregnant, we’d decided it was time to throw her a shower.
She was different now. Softer. I knew Jackson had everything to do with that.
He looked kind of goofy as he proudly held up yet another tiny cowboy outfit. To think I’d thought he was intimidating at first. Other than his size, he was just about the kindest man I knew.
I loved him like a brother. I looked around the table. I’d gained three brothers really, and two sisters, along with my favorite cousin-in-law Phee. Clint and Pheonyx were visiting, evem though she was pregnant for the third time. Daniel, Francesca, Elle and Jake were there too, along with their father. He’d been doing a lot better lately.
Something to do with a new granddaughter and two more grandchildren on the way.
Francesca was glowing, her bump just starting to show. Angelina griped about that more than once. They were due just days apart and the glamorous Italian was svelte as ever.
Her baby shower was tomorrow. And Phee's was the day after that.
I sat down, handing the baby off to her proud papa.
Dale took my hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it.
I had a crazy feeling I might be next.
A Very Delancey Christmas
Joanna Blake
Three Years Later
Christmas Eve
Jackson
Everyone was stuffed. I was the only sensible person in the entire family it seemed. I had saved room for dessert.
My wife had promised me something much tastier than pie.
Her.
With two babies, and six young nieces and nephews and cousins, it wasn't easy to get alone time. But the kids were down early tonight, eager to wake up for Santa.
Speaking of which…
I had my Santa outfit ready for the pre-dawn wake up time the ladies had all insisted on. Up at six, then down at ten for a nap.
That was the plan anyway.
For the kids, and me. I needed my rest these days. The horse farm kept me busy, with Jake handling the nightclub in town and Daniel handling the public relations for both. Elle ran the estate and house with an iron fist when she wasn't busy singing and raising her little girl.
She and Jake had two, Francesca and Daniel had one, and Angie and I had two. I was hoping to make a third soon. I couldn't let Clint beat me in the baby-making department.
I had a feeling they were already working on number four.
I gave him a hard look as he sipped his whiskey, one arm slung around my cousin. I still didn't like the idea of some man pawing our innocent little Phee, but even I had to admit he made her happy.
More than happy. She was glowing. Another reason to suspect he might be pulling even further ahead in the virility department.
Then again, he'd had a head start.
I sneered at him. He sneered back. Then we both laughed and toasted each other.
My wife was shaking her head as she pulled me towards the stairs.
"Time for bed, Santa baby."
"Yes, dear."
I waved goodnight to everyone, kissing all the ladies on the cheek. My wife crooked her finger and I followed her eagerly up the stairs, already planning on covering her with the whipped cream I'd seen her hiding in the bedside table earlier.
"Does S
anta get his milk and cookies now?"
She giggled and nodded, locking the door.
"Actually, I was going to have my dessert first…"
My jaw dropped and I swallowed. She always surprised me. I nodded eagerly as she pushed me onto the bed, removing my clothes with a seductive smile.
Then she pulled off her dress and my mouth went dry.
She wore a sexy red Christmas themed teddy. It left very little to the imagination. But what it did leave out, I was happy to fill in.
"Lay back and relax, Santa. You've got a long night of giving presents ahead of you…"
I groaned as her cool fingers grasped my cock. A second later I felt the whipped cream spraying against me. I moaned, my fingers gripping the bed as she started to slowly lick me clean.
My hips jerked upwards as she pulled me into her mouth and started to work me. She switched to my balls, sliding her tongue over them and humming. I cursed, realizing she was going to make me come.
I rolled her over and growled at her sexy little surprised face.
"Santa doesn't want to wait. Santa wants to ride… after a sweet… hmmm… little… snack."
She gasped as I sprayed cream on her pussy, tugging her panties to the side. I licked her clean, too eager to even take the naughty outfit off. It would just have to get sticky like the sheets.
And my face.
I lifted her legs and settled them on my shoulders. I kissed one ankle, and then the other. She whimpered as my cock nudged her lips apart, sinking deep inside her.
We started to move in perfect rhythm, knowing each other's bodies so well. I knew that she liked the little swoop I made with each stroke. She knew I liked it when she squeezed me.
It wasn't long before I was losing control.
I held on for dear life as Angie started to come. I was right behind her. I stared down at my perfect, stubborn, amazingly beautiful wife and poured myself into her.
"God, Angie! I love you!"
I spread her legs and thrust madly, wanting to get as deep inside her as I could.
Needing to.
I had the crazy feeling that we'd just made another baby. I had a sudden vision of a little blond girl with flashing green eyes and lots of opinions.
Just like her mama.
It was a little while later when my wife was cleaned up and tucked up against me in a fresh nightie. I'd even changed the sheets, not wanting her to be uncomfortable.
After all, how many lucky Santa's got to be the cookies and milk?
Daniel
"Cesca…"
She was staring into the fireplace, idly twirling her glass of wine. It was from her family estate in Northern Italy. We had cases and cases of it.
That's right. My Countess had her own label.
The funniest part of the whole thing was… now that we were married, I wasn't just in love with a Countess. I was a Count. She had a hell of a good time teasing me about it in her sexy accent.
Her 'Cowboy Count' she called me. And damn if I didn't mind the sound of it. When she said it anyway.
When Jake or Jackson used my title, I wanted to punch them. Count Delancey was pretty damn silly sounding. So was 'my lord.'
"It's getting late, love. Let's go up."
She smiled at me, shaking her head. I cocked my head to one side, wondering what she was up to. Everyone else was already upstairs. Did she want to fool around on the couch?
Because if she did, I was down for that. I smiled, remembering the times we'd done it in 'almost' public places. My Countess had a tendency to be impetuous, and demanded my services whenever the fancy struck her.
Lucky for me, she had an insatiable appetite for her husband…
But she looked shy as she sat up and took my hands.
"In Italy, we give gifts on Christmas eve. There are still presents given in the morning, to the children especially. But the important, adult gifts are given on the twenty-fourth of December."
I waited, suddenly out of breath as she turned my hand over and placed a slim, oblong package inside it.
"I've been saving this for a few days. I think you will be pleased."
I opened it slowly, wondering what the hell was in it. I froze as I realized what it was.
Francesca had taken a pregnancy test.
The little blue plus sign was like a shot of joy straight to my heart. My eyes sought hers out quickly, questioning whether I was reading it right. She nodded, tears in her eyes.
I realized that I was crying as I crushed her against me, careful not to smush her belly. I kissed her head, whispering my thanks in her ear.
"Thank you, my love. You have made me the happiest man alive."
She kissed me hard on the mouth.
"Let's go to bed. I'll make you even happier."
I smiled and scooped her up, carrying her to our bedroom. I wasn't a fool. I didn't have to be asked twice.
Jake
"Silent night… holy night… all is calm… all is bright…"
I stood in the doorway, watching as my wife sang softly to our children in her soothing Irish lilt.
Our naughty children, who should be asleep.
Jessie and Beau were staring up at their mother, eyes wide and full of wonder. I knew how they felt. There was something magical about her voice. It sounded like warm velvet.
Or scotch.
I glanced down at my glass and took a sip. I was getting sleepy. I didn't have the late night staying power I used to.
When it came to drinking anyway.
When it came to making love to my wife, I was happy to go on two hours of sleep, or less. She finished her song and kissed the children goodnight. I noticed they were yawning and stifled my own.
We closed the door and tiptoed down the hallway.
"I need to wrap a few more things…"
I nodded even though I wanted nothing more than to take my wife to bed and kiss her senseless.
"I'll help you."
She gave me a grateful look and led me downstairs to her office. She ran the entire household from this little room. Never mind everything else she did.
She was pretty much a superhero.
A Goddamn gorgeous one.
She had gifts for our kids hidden in the closet, along with a few for the nieces and nephews. She even had a saddle she'd had custom made for Phee. It was red leather and had her name carved into it, along with embossed flowers and stars.
Pheonyx Delancey McRae.
Actually, I wasn't sure she was still using her maiden name, but I knew neither of my brothers gave a damn. They'd insisted on leaving it in there, so there it was. The saddle was from all of us, but Elle was the one who had got it made in time.
I wondered what Clint would make of it.
Phee had slowed down after she won the Championship two years ago. She was too busy making babies these days. But I knew she'd compete again.
It was in her blood, after all.
I helped my wife carry out the supplies and wrapping paper, along with a couple of bags of unwrapped toys. We sat by the gas fireplace, cranking it back up again. The enormous tree was in the corner, cut down from our own property.
Actually, Angie insisted it was her tree… but she didn't mind all that much when it was said and done.
"Brandy?"
She smiled and accepted a glass. She had a taste for the sweet liquor, while I preferred a stiffer drink. I poured myself a fresh drink and settled down to help wrap the last of the presents.
By the time we were done, I decided to wrap a ribbon around my wife. Then I decided to unwrap her, then and there. She giggled, pushing me away. But I kept kissing her until we were rolling around on the rug, rubbing against each other like a couple of horny teenagers.
I winced as the light hit my eyes. A huge shape stood over me, dressed in red and white. Elle groaned as she woke up, sitting up beside me.
"Ho, ho, ho! Looks like some naughty elves were up to no good last night!"
Jackson was grinning ear t
o ear as he stared at us, sprawled on the floor by the fire. We must have fallen asleep before we even finished fooling around. Elle was blushing furiously and tugging her clothes into place as Jackson gave her a knowing look.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Behave yourself Santa."
He winked at me.
"Too late. Mrs. Claus had other ideas."
I groaned and shook my head. I went to get coffee for Elle. If Jackson was in such a good mood, I knew he must have gotten some action last night. I felt a spark of jealousy before I remembered.
He and Angie were taking a turn doing bedtime stories tonight. Plus, he was about to have all the kids down here and was giving out the first of many gifts from his sack. That would entertain them for at least an hour before it was time for breakfast and more presents.
Which meant that I was the one who would be getting lucky.
I was whistling as I brought my wife her coffee. She took a sip and I stole the cup back. I didn't want her spilling it as I carried her up to bed.
"Jake Delancey! What are you about?"
I grinned, taking the stairs at a gallop. I paused to nip her ear and she giggled breathlessly.
"Finishing what you started last night, you naughty elf."
Clint
"Hmmm… what time is it?"
I glanced at the clock.
"Almost seven."
Phee moaned and rolled over. I'd been up for an hour, watching her sleep. I knew she needed her rest, so I'd resisted making love to her.
That was definitely my favorite way to start the day.
But since she was expecting, I wasn't going to steal even one second of sleep from her. She was strong, but I didn't take any chances with my girl. I made sure she ate well and was well protected at all times.
And well loved.
Besides, I knew she was going to be up and on her feet in five… four… three… two…
She sat up abruptly, her hand covering her mouth. I watched in sympathy as she ran for the bathroom. For some reason, even after two pregnancies, the silly girl always looked surprised.
