New Beginnings

by Lori Maguire

  The men ended up migrating into the kitchen. The sound of beer bottles popping open and the clinking together of glass told us girls that they were starting in on the beer. Talk soon turned to football.

  When Tiffany dashed to the bathroom for the third time, I made my way into the kitchen. “Hey, Gabe? You got something you want to tell us?”

  He froze with the bottle against his lips. “I don’t know what you mean,” he said, tipping the bottle back and taking a long pull on his beer.

  Xavier frowned at me in question. “About Tiffany?” I asked.

  “Is she all right?” he asked, sounding concerned. Suddenly the secret smile he gave me when we arrived made sense. I raised a brow at him. “She just dashed to the bathroom. Again”

  We all made our way back out to the living room. Tiffany came back into the room looking surprised when she found everyone’s attention focused on her. Gabriel walked over to her and whispered something in her ear. She nodded.

  “We’ve got some news.” Gabriel paused for a moment. “Tiffany’s pregnant. She’s due in August,” he announced, staring down at her with a huge smile on his face.

  We all clapped and cheered and offered them our congratulations.

  “It’s about time you gave your niece and nephew a cousin. You two have only been married for four years,” Xavier teased.

  “Listen, X, not all of us move lightning fast like you,” Gabriel teased back.

  “Who said anything about him being lightning fast,” I said, winking at Xavier.

  “Besides,” Xavier began, giving me an adoring look. “I just didn’t want to wait.

  When you find the one you want to spend the rest of your life with, you get eager to start it as soon as possible.”

  Gabriel groaned. “Geez, X, you are such a sap. And you,” he said pointing at me. “TMI.” We all laughed.

  “I think I’ll get dinner started. If I remember it’s my turn to cook,” Renatta said. Tom followed her in to help. Tiffany went to go lie down. Marissa went into the kitchen with Isabella. The twins noticed it started snowing again and begged their uncle to take them back outside. Stewart went along with them, leaving Xavier and I on the couch alone.

  “Do you want to go watch the snow fall while the kids are outside? I know how much you enjoy that,” he said softly, brushing some hair behind my ear.

  I shook my head at him. “In a minute. I wanted to talk to you first.”

  “What about, sweetness?”

  “About the possibility of having more children,” I said quickly. Every time I tried to discuss it with him, he would immediately shut down. This time was no different. He sighed and turned his face away from me. “Xavier, I’m not getting any younger. I spent years thinking I couldn’t have any children. I just don’t want to miss the opportunity to have any more with you.”

  He turned to face me so quickly, with such a fierce look on his beautiful face that my eyes widened. Gently cradling my face between his hands, he leaned his forehead against mine. “Ella,” he breathed before pulling back to look me in the eyes. “You nearly bled to death when you had the twins. The risk of losing you so we can have more beautiful babies is just too great a risk for me. Don’t you see how happy you’ve made me? You’ve given me two beautiful children. There isn’t anything else I could possibly want in this life, but you. I want to grow old with you. I want to watch our children grow up with you. I want to become a grandparent with you. So please no more talk about children, sweetness.” His tone said end of discussion. He pulled me up off the couch. “Now let’s go help the kids pummel my brother and Stewart with snowballs,” he said, giving me a devilish smile.

  “I’ll meet you outside. I’m just going to check in with Renatta and see if she needs any help,” I said, trying to hide my disappointment as I made my way to the kitchen.

  “Don’t be too long or I’ll carry you out of here and toss you into a snow bank,” he teased.

  I stood for a moment just outside the kitchen listening to Renatta, Marissa, and Tiffany talk about her pregnancy. The sadness on Renatta’s face had me recalling a conversation I had with her not too long ago about children and how much she wanted them. She said it was unfortunate that she found Tom so late in life. Now she was no longer capable of having children and she was finally with the person she’d want to have them with. It seemed cruel. Her fate could’ve been mine. Instead Xavier and I were blessed with two beautiful children. He was right. There was nothing else I needed from life, but to grow old with him. I made my way into the kitchen and immediately hugged Renatta.

  “What was that for?” she asked, giving me a puzzled look. The smell of roasted chicken clung to her hair.

  “Nothing. Do I need a reason to give my BFF a hug?”

  “Well, no, but-”

  “But nothing. Do you need any help?”

  “No, we’ve got everything under control,” she said.

  “Okay then. I’m going to join Xavier and the kids outside.”

  “Have fun,” she hollered as I made my way to the door.

  I could hear the kids screaming while I slipped my coat and boots on. Grabbing my scarf and gloves, I headed out the door.

  The twins were running around hurdling snowballs at Gabriel and Stewart, who were dodging around the trees trying to shield themselves. Their little noses and cheeks were bright red. Xavier was behind a tree making snowballs as fast as he could, giving the twins an endless supply to throw. I made my way over to Xavier.

  “You look like you could use some help.”

  Without stopping what he was doing, he looked up at me. “Absolutely. Get busy.”

  No matter how fast I tried though, I couldn’t keep up with Xavier. He kept teasing me. Finally, I made a small one and smashed him in the upper back with it. He turned around slowly and narrowed his eyes at me playfully.

  I started backing up slowly. As he started to rise, I shook my head at him. “Don’t you dare,” I warned, pointing a gloved finger at him.

  A playful smile spread across his face just as he launched himself toward me. Screaming, I turned trying to run from him, but all attempts were futile. He wrapped his arms around me, cradling my head, as he slammed me down into the snow.

  With his weight trapping me under him, he stared down at me, smiling and laughing. His impossibly blue eyes sparkled with happiness. His cheeks were flushed from the cold. He looked stunning. That fire that his good looks always sparked within me started building in my core. As if he could sense it, the happiness in his eyes turned heated. Fire and ice. His lips crashed down onto mine.

  Through my lust-filled haze, I heard Gabriel ask why the twins ran out of snowballs.

  “Daddy’s kissing Mommy again,” Brant grumbled, causing Xavier to break our kiss. We smiled at each other.

  “Do they do that often?” Gabriel asked, suppressing a laugh.

  “Yes,” Brant groaned.

  “Really guys?” Stewart asked.

  Xavier and I started laughing as he helped me up out of the snow. “Please, you guys aren’t any better with your wives,” Xavier teased.

  The twin’s noses were freezing cold along with their little cheeks. “Come on you two. You both look like Rudolph. Let’s get you two warmed up before we go back out after dinner,” I said, ushering them into the house.

  Once I had their snowsuits, boots, hats, gloves, and scarves off, they settled down on the couch in front of the fire. Xavier sat down to read to them while I headed into the kitchen. Stewart and Gabriel disappeared upstairs where the pool table was. Shortly after their disappearance, the sound of pool balls being knocked around floated downstairs.

  Renatta was just putting the finishing touches on dinner as Tom was carving the roasted chicken. I helped Marissa set the table, ordering Tiffany to sit every time she tried to get up to help. “If you really want to do something, go tell everyone dinner is ready,” I said, directing her out of the kitchen.

  As we sat around the table, enjoying the delicious mea
l that Tom and Renatta had prepared, I looked around at all the faces of the people who made up my family. Tom was praising Renatta on her cooking skills. Gabriel and Tiffany’s heads were bent close together murmuring softly to each other. Marissa was trying to eat while keeping little Isabella entertained. Xavier was talking to Stewart about cars while the twins were busy building forts with their mashed potatoes surrounded by broccoli as trees. I couldn’t help but smile as I went back to my meal.

  Following dinner, Xavier surprised the twins with a sleigh ride into the center of town. They were both unaware of the festivities that were about to take place since we wanted to keep that a surprise as well.

  Tom and Renatta joined us, eager to see the children’s reactions. Stewart and Marissa stayed behind with Isabella, and Gabriel stayed with Tiffany who still wasn’t feeling well.

  Brant and Sophia’s little faces lit up with excitement when they saw the horse-drawn sleigh waiting for us. Xavier lifted them up into the sleigh before holding his hand out to help me. Brant sat between us while Sophia curled up on Xavier’s lap. She was such a daddy’s little girl.

  The main street was crowded with people getting ready for the parade. Brant sat on top of Tom’s shoulders while Sophia was on top of Xavier’s so they could easily see. Christmas carols were being sung while the people paraded down the street. Smiles never left their little faces.

  When the crowd began to countdown for the lighting ceremony, Brant and Sophia looked around not knowing what to expect. Xavier directed their attention to the buildings as the countdown got close to one. As soon as the lights flashed on, their eyes grew big and they shouted with delight. You couldn’t help but share in their exuberant cheers.

  Tom and Xavier took them over to the small hill by the gazebo where several kids were tubing. Brant was excited and showed no fear as he hit the hill. Sophia was a little apprehensive, but being the daddy’s girl that she is, Xavier was able to talk her in to giving it a try. Her scream of delight coupled with the huge smile on her face told me she would willingly go again. Renatta and I slowly made our way closer to them.

  “You’ve done good, Ella,” Renatta said, smiling at the men with the twins. “Not only is he the hottest man alive, and don’t you dare tell Tom I said that or I will vehemently deny it, but he’s the model daddy.”

  I laughed. “I definitely won the lottery with that one.”

  “How do you stand that, though?” she asked, jerking her chin towards the men.

  Three women were standing close by openly ogling Xavier. Because he was wearing his gloves, his wedding ring wasn’t visible. Curious to see what the women would do, I pulled on Renatta’s arm to slow our advance. She gave me a curious look.

  “Just watch and you’ll see why I’m no longer a jealous fool when it comes to him.”

  After several minutes, the youngest looking of the group mustered the courage to approach Xavier. He barely looked at her as she spoke, shaking his head the entire time. Finally he straightened up and pointed in my direction. As soon as our eyes met, I waved and blew him a kiss. He smiled and beckoned me over with the crook of a finger. The three women’s faces fell when they looked my way.

  “That’s right, ladies. That smoking hot man right there is all mine.” I looked over at Renatta. “Do you understand now?” She just laughed in response as we made our way over. “He gives me no reason to be jealous when I know he only has eyes for me.”

  “Damn it. You are the luckiest lady alive,” she said, poking me in the side.

  “I know. Believe me, I’m thankful every day.”

  I walked up to Xavier, who enveloped me in his arms, kissing me soundly on the lips. “What are you smirking for?” he asked, tapping a gloved finger to the tip of my nose.

  “Just admiring my hot-as-hell husband.” He smiled and shook his head. I swore his red cheeks from the cold turned redder from blushing.

  A live band started playing at the gazebo next to the hill. Several couples started dancing. Tom grabbed Renatta and started swaying to the music with her.

  The kids were still tubing down the hill. While Xavier and I stood watch, an older boy pushed Sophia out of his way causing her to stumble backwards. I grabbed Xavier’s arm when he lunged forward, but Brant had already come to her rescue, just like I knew he would. He helped his sister up and started yelling at the older boy, who surprised us by apologizing to Sophia.

  “That boy is so protective over his sister.” Xavier commented.

  I raised a brow at him. “Hmm, I wonder where he gets that from?”

  “Ella, I don’t think the protective instinct is an inheritable trait.”

  Thinking about how Gabriel is with Tiffany, the stories of his father with their mother, and knowing from firsthand experience how Xavier is with me, I was positive that it was. “I beg to differ,” I said, looking up at him. “I think the protective instinct is deeply rooted in the Hart genes.”

  He looked at me carefully. “You know, you may just be right.” He surprised me by saying.

  After hours of taking in all the festivities, we collected two very tired children and headed back to the sleigh. The twins were out cold in no time. Brant was leaning up against me and Sophia was on Xavier’s lap.

  As soon as we got back to the house, we took them upstairs. They feebly protested while we changed them into their pajamas and made them brush their teeth before we tucked them into bed.

  Xavier was quietly talking to Gabriel when I came out of the kid’s bedroom. He wished him a good night and headed over to me. “Tired?”

  “Yeah. I was just thinking I could really head to bed myself.”

  “Come on then.” He dragged me downstairs where we said good night to everyone. Gabriel gave me a strange smile, which I thought was odd. What had Xavier talked to him about just now?

  “What’s up with your brother?” I asked as Xavier and I headed up the stairs.

  “What do you mean?” He frowned but wouldn’t meet my eyes.

  “He just gave me this strange smile. What were you two just talking about?”

  “Nothing unusual. I asked how Tiffany was doing. He asked if the kids had a good time.”

  “Okay,” I said, sounding unconvinced. I still thought he was hiding something.

  My suspicions only grew when we climbed into bed and he made no move to touch me in a sexual way. He just curled up behind me, wrapping his arms around me, and pulling me into him.

  Hours later, he woke me. It was still dark out. The fire in the room was just about out causing the room to feel rather cold. I tried to bury myself under the covers deeper. Xavier left the bathroom light on with the door ajar. A sliver of light spilled out into the dark room. It was then that I realized he was fully dressed.

  “Where are you going?” I shot up in bed.

  “I’ve got a surprise for you,” he said, causing me to frown at him. “Come with me.”

  I grumbled as I allowed him to pull me from the warmth and comfort of the bed. He made sure I was warmly dressed before we headed downstairs. He surprised me by getting me suited up in a snowsuit and boots, but as soon as he pulled out the helmets and goggles I knew exactly what we were doing. Sure enough, outside sat a two-seater snowmobile.

  “What about the kids?” I protested.

  “They are in a house full of people. They will be fine. Gabe will be listening for them.”

  Realization dawned on me. “So that’s what you were talking to Gabriel about.” I narrowed my eyes at him.

  “Well, it wouldn’t have been much of a surprise if I had told you earlier. Get on.”

  He fired up the snowmobile, and with the help of the headlights we made our way through the Cascade Mountains. It was a clear night. The moon was reflecting off the new-fallen snow making it appear to be lighter out than it actually was. The untouched snow glistened like diamonds in the moonlight.

  Xavier stopped at the top of a mountain. I could tell it was close to sunrise as the sky was starting to lighten. He coaxed
me off the snowmobile so he could slide back into my seat. Then he pulled me down facing him on his seat. Pulling our goggles off, we looked out over the mountains.

  “Where are we?” I asked.

  “I’m not sure, but I think this is Sugarloaf Peak.”

  “It’s beautiful,” I said, turning to look at him.

  His blue eyes were staring at me intently. “Yes, beautiful,” he said softly.

  “Looking out over these huge mountains and all this open space really makes you feel small and insignificant,” I said.

  “That and you know what else it makes me think?”

  “What’s that?” I asked.

  “How big this world we live in really is and how damn lucky I am to have found you in it.”

  I took my gloves off and cupped his cool face. “I love you so much.” I crushed my lips to his before he could speak.

  When we finally broke away, he said, “I love you so much, too.”

  We snuggled up to each other, and silently watched the sky change from an array of blues while the thin layer of clouds went from gray to pink to purple and then finally white once the sun had risen over the horizon. No words could describe how beautiful it was being with the only person in the world I would ever want more than my next breath, witnessing the birth of a new day. The first of, what I hoped would be, many more new beginnings.

  Why is it whenever you are running late everybody and their brother wants a minute of your time? It’s not as if they can’t see the frazzled look in my eyes, the tight expression on my face, and the way I’m speed walking towards the elevator. They can see it. They just choose to ignore it.

  “Mr. Hart,” a female voice called from behind me.

  Suppressing a sigh, I turn to find the secretary to the CEO of Lockhart Holdings chasing me down the hall. While watching her jog towards me, I casually studied her features only to realize that she’s quite attractive. She’s a little taller than average, though it could just be the killer heels she’s wearing. Beautiful brown locks were bouncing around her heart-shaped face. She looked flush, but it could have been from jogging down the hall to catch me. Belatedly, I realize I should have met her halfway instead of standing here like an idiot waiting on her.