by L A Cotton
I glanced back and smiled. “Morning.”
“What’s wrong?” She frowned.
“We might be snowed in after all.” I’d joked about it, but I hadn’t really imagined it would happen.
Joining me at the window, Felicity sucked in a shaky breath. “Wow, okay.”
“Maybe it’s not that bad out front.” I moved to the door and pulled it open, my eyes going wide.
“Hmm, babe, what is that?” She joined me as I stared at the sheet of compacted snow blocking the door.
“Maybe it’s the universe’s way of saying we should stay here.”
“You think?” Felicity wrapped her arms around my waist and rested her head on my shoulder. “You’ll be able to clear it though, right?” She let out a strangled laugh.
“I’m not sure.”
“Oh God. So we’re actually snowed in?”
“Let me check the back door.” I kissed her on the forehead before taking off down the hall. But it was no better.
“I’ll have to call Gio,” I said, joining her in the living room again. “Someone will have to come dig us out.” I dug my phone out my pocket, but Felicity moved around me, covering my hand with hers.
“We have time.” She smirked up at me. “There's that clawfoot tub in the master suite.”
“Yeah?”
She grinned.
“I’d still better give him a heads up.”
I typed out a quick text.
Me: We’re snowed in.
He replied almost immediately.
Gio: Yeah, it’s pretty bad out there. Nicco and Matteo are going to see if it thaws a little throughout the day. You good until then?
Me: Yeah, we’re good.
Gio: I bet you are…
Me: Fuck off.
His reply was a laughing emoji.
Fucker.
“So, what’s the verdict?”
“Nicco and Matteo are going to come up later if it doesn’t start to thaw.”
“Perfect.” Fee went up on her tiptoes and kissed the corner of my mouth. “Then we’d better go make the most of it.”
“Breakfast in bed?” I suggested.
“Sounds like Heaven.”
Felicity
The snow didn’t thaw. By lunchtime, the flurries started again. I sat by the window, watching the white blanket rise and rise.
“That was Gio,” Jason said as he entered the room. “Nicco and Matteo should be here any—”
“I see them.” I leaped up, and Jason chuckled.
“So eager to get out of here, or just that desperate to get a look at Nicco again?”
“What? No!” I blushed. “I didn’t… I’m not…” God, why was it so hard to get out the words?
“Relax, I’m joking.” Jason frowned. “Although I’m starting to question my manhood given how tongue-tied he’s got you.”
“You know it’s you I love.”
“Damn right.” The corner of his mouth lifted into a knowing smirk.
“I don’t want to leave,” I said, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I just don’t like the idea of not being able to get out.”
“I could have always smashed a window.” He shrugged.
“Behave.” I went up on my tiptoes and kissed his stubbled jaw. “I like the scruff. You should keep it.”
“Yeah?”
I nodded. “I can’t stop thinking about that photo we found,” I confessed. “I was thinking maybe you should ask—”
“No way. No fucking way. They are not mobsters.” Jason rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, but there’s something weird about—”
“Felicity, let it go. Nicco did a good thing letting us stay here.”
“I know, I just—”
“Babe, drop it.” He kissed me hard before moving to the window. “Okay, they’re digging.”
“God, I feel so bad. We should invite them to stay for dinner at least.”
“Maybe we should leave early and check in at a hotel? Just in case.”
I glanced around the cabin. It was so beautiful, but he was right. I didn’t want to risk missing New Year’s Eve with the guys.
“Yeah, maybe.” My smile fell.
“It’ll still be just the two of us. We don’t have to leave for New York until the thirtieth.
“Okay.”
“Hey,” Jason came over to me. “I know you love it out here, but if the snow doesn’t let up—”
“I know. It’s just such an incredible place.”
“Perhaps we can come again, in the summer?”
“I’d like that.”
Jason grunted. “Although next time, I’ll ask Matteo to meet us if you’re going to get so hot and bothered every time Nicco is around.”
“You’re never going to let me live this down, are you?” I groaned.
“Nope.”
Minutes passed, although it felt like a lifetime. Then there was an almighty bang on the door.
Jason went to open it. “Hey, guys. Sorry about this.”
“Don’t sweat it,” Matteo said, stepping inside and shaking off the snow on his jacket. “The forecasters were wrong about this one.”
“Are you both okay?” Nicco asked.
“We’re good. Managed to get out and explore yesterday a bit, but both doors were completely blocked in this morning.”
“Yeah, if the wind changes that can happen. We didn’t think it would be an issue this time though.”
“Can I get you both some hot cocoa?” I asked.
“Yeah, that sounds pretty great.” Matteo made himself at home, dropping into one of the armchairs.
I set about making the hot cocoa from the batch of mixture Alessia had left behind. The guys were chatting about Jason’s football career when I handed them their mugs.
“Heisman Trophy, that’s pretty epic.” Matteo grinned.
“You guys play?” Jason asked, and Matteo snickered.
“No, we don’t really have time for sport.”
My brows furrowed. That was... odd.
“That’s cool. I forget sometimes that not everyone loves the game.”
“Oh, I love the game,” Matteo said. “I’m a huge Patriots fan,”
“See, babe, just regular guys.” Jason winked at me.
Oh God, he didn’t…
I scowled at him.
“I feel like we’re missing something?” Nicco said.
“Oh, it’s nothing.” Jason looked far too smug, and I wanted to die. “Felicity found an old photograph and got it into her head that you guys might be mobsters or something.” Laughter rumbled deep in his chest but nobody else joined him.
I was too busy shrinking into the couch.
“Mobsters, you say?” Matteo smirked. “That’s a new one.”
“Matt,” Nicco warned. “Can you show me the photo?” he asked me, and I went to fetch it.
“Here.”
“I had no idea this was here.” He studied the photo. “That’s my great grandfather and his brothers and cousins. I can see why you thought they might be mobsters. It’s the Fedoras and suspenders isn’t it?”
My cheeks pinked as he smiled at me.
“I... sorry. My brain runs away with me sometimes.”
“It’s okay. But I can assure you we’re good people.” Nicco winked.
“I told her it was nothing,” Jason added with a little snort. “So do you think the snow is here to stay?”
“It’s looking that way.”
“I think we’re going to drive to a hotel and stay there until it’s time to head to New York. But we appreciate you letting us stay here.”
“It’s probably wise,” Nicco said. "We can help you get packed up and make sure you get back to the main road safely.”
“That would be great, thanks. Felicity?”
“Huh, yeah?” I blinked over at Jason who was frowning at me.
“If we get packed up, Nicco and Matteo will make sure we find the main road safely.”
“Oh, that’
s nice, thank you.” I smiled, barely hearing the words. Because my mind was still stuck on the idea that Nicco and Matteo were mobsters.
After all, he hadn’t denied it.
But Jason was right—it wasn’t possible.
Was it?
The First Christmas
Hailee
“Hailee, Sunshine, wake up.”
My eyes drifted open to find Cameron’s handsome face gazing down at me. “I fell asleep?” I croaked, my voice thick with sleep.
“Yeah. He’s out cold too.” His eyes dropped to the sleeping baby nestled in the crook of my arm.
Love radiated inside me as I watched Avery sleep. He was seven months old and growing too quickly.
“Where’s Xander?” I asked.
“He’s upstairs playing with his new game.”
“Cam, I thought we agreed, no more gifts before Christmas.”
“We did.” Guilt flashed over his face. “But there was a sale at the store, and he gave me those puppy dog eyes and I just couldn’t say no.”
I reached up, curving my hand around Cameron’s neck, and pulled his face down to mine. “You’re a good man, Cam. The best big brother Xander could have.” My lips brushed over his. “But you’ve got to stop spoiling him.”
“I will... next year.” He chuckled, deepening the kiss and curling his tongue around mine. Heat pooled in my stomach, desire rushing through my veins.
“God, I want you,” I breathed.
“Tonight,” his gaze darkened, “I promise.”
“Tonight? It’s Christmas Eve. You really think we’ll get Xander settled and this one to sleep before midnight?”
“I hope so... it’s been too long.” He cupped my face and kissed me again.
Avery began to stir, and Cameron stood. “Want me to take him?”
“Could you? I need a girl’s minute.” I shifted forward slightly so he could slide Avery out of my arms and into his own.
“Hey there, buddy.” Avery’s eyes fluttered open, and he smiled up at his dad. The rush of love I felt whenever Cameron held our son was like nothing I’d ever felt before, and tears pricked the corners of my eyes as I watched them.
“It’s your first Christmas, buddy,” he cooed softly. “Are you excited?”
“Cameron, he’s barely seven months old.”
“I know.” His warm gaze lifted to mine, making my heart squeeze.
It had been a whirlwind few months. We’d lost Karen at the beginning of the year, and I’d spent the last few months of college heavily pregnant and alone. Cameron needed to be with his family, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. But the second, my finals were done, he was right there to get me. We moved into his parents’ house. Clark needed support with Xander, and I needed the father of my child. It was a lot—still was—but we made it work. Because family... family was everything.
We kept talking about getting our own place, but deep down, I knew Cameron wasn’t ready to leave Xander and his dad, and I was okay with that.
“I’m going to take a shower and check in on Xander. If he gets hungry—”
“I got it. Go, you’re starting to smell.” Cameron’s lip curved, and I gasped.
“I do not smell.” Burying my nose in my tank top, I inhaled. “Okay, I smell a little.” Avery-spittle wasn’t exactly perfume of the month.
“I love you.” Cameron smiled. “It won’t always be like this, Sunshine.”
“Home is wherever you are, you know that.”
I left my boys on the couch while I went upstairs. Xander was quiet as I stood outside his door. He’d taken things the hardest losing Karen. He was getting there, but it was a slow process.
I’d been worried at first, that the baby would make him feel even more uncomfortable. But Xander loved Avery something fierce.
“Xan?” I knocked on the door, gently pushing it open.
Curled in a ball on the bed, he slept peacefully. I tiptoed over to him and pulled the cover over his body. There was a permanent ache in my chest knowing Xander had lost his mom. He was still a child, a boy. It’s partly why Cameron and I had stayed here. He needed us. He needed Cameron. And whatever we decided going forward, it went without saying that we would include Xander in those plans.
Cameron had given up his dreams of going pro for his family and he’d never looked back, not once, and it only made me love him more.
“How’s my little man?” Cameron pressed up behind me as I watched Avery in his crib. He slid his arms around my waist and let out a soft sigh.
We’d moved Avery into his own room a couple of months ago, but it had disrupted his sleep pattern. I was trying to persevere and not bring him back into our room, but it was hard.
“We’ve had a little talk and he says tonight is the night. It’s Christmas Eve, Santa is coming,” I chuckled, patting his little stomach, “and he needs to let Mommy and Daddy get some sleep. Isn’t that right, baby?”
Avery gurgled, smirking up at us as if he was already planning to wake us at least four times during the night.
“I swear when he looks at me like that all I see is you, Hailee.”
“Really? I don’t see it.”
“He’s going to have me wrapped around his little finger in no time," Cameron added.
“I can’t believe he’s here, that it’s our first Christmas together.” It wasn’t how I’d imagined my life going. I thought we’d graduate college and get jobs in the city. I thought I’d have my own gallery one day, spending my time covered in paint, lost in art. I’d imagined going to Cameron’s games, soaking up life with an NFL player.
As if he could hear my thoughts, Cameron whispered, “Any regrets?”
I tilted my head to look into his eyes. “Not a single a one. I love you, Cameron. I love our life together. And I truly believe we’re right where we’re supposed to be.”
Relief washed over him. “I’m so fucking relieved you said that. I keep thinking what if—”
“Don’t.” I slid a finger over his lips. “Don’t do that. I love you. I love our boy and Xander. Even your dad. They’re my family, Cameron. Nothing will ever compete with that.”
Cameron
I swallowed thickly, her words touching something deep inside.
Fuck, I loved this woman.
I loved her compassion and heart. Her loyalty and humility.
After my mom died, Hailee had been my rock, still was. But more than that, she was there for my dad and Xander. Her unwavering love had gotten me through some of the darkest times of my life... but we’d made it.
I ran my nose along hers. “I love you, Hailee Raine. More than you will ever know.” Kissing her softly, I pulled away. “Go. I’ll see to the boys.”
My heart swelled at just the mention of my son and brother. Xander was as much mine as Avery was. I couldn’t really explain our bond, but I didn’t need to. Hailee got it. Dad too. It’s why we hadn’t left and gotten a place of our own yet.
“You see to Avery, and I’ll check in on Xander, okay?”
“Deal.” I kissed the end of Hailee’s nose as she slipped out from between me and the crib.
“Daddy needs you to do me a solid tonight,” I whispered, letting Avery grip onto my finger. He cooed and kicked, smiling up at me in a way that completely melted my heart.
Fuck. This kid. He was every bit his mother and I wanted nothing more than to give him the world and then some.
I thought I loved Hailee immeasurably before Avery was born; but seeing her hold our son in her arms for the first time was like a lightning bolt to the chest, blowing my ribcage wide open and stuffing it with so much love that sometimes, when I watched them, I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
Football.
The NFL.
Dreams of the Super Bowl.
None of it could compete with watching Hailee with my son.
“Santa’s coming tonight, buddy. And I’d really like to make love to your mommy without being interrupted.”
My dad had b
een invited to a work thing. He hadn’t wanted to go, but we’d insisted. It had been almost a year since Mom passed. He needed to get back on the horse, and rumor had it that there was a woman he worked with who enjoyed his company. He’d be back later; much later, I hoped. Because I needed some quiet alone time with my girl, to feel her naked and soft beneath me.
My dick twitched in my sweatpants and I fought a smile. “Time for you to go to sleep, buddy. I’ll see you in the morning hopefully. I love you, Avery.” I smoothed my thumb over his chubby cheek before checking the baby monitor.
I’d barely reached Xander’s room when I heard Hailee’s voice.
“I think your mom is looking down on you right now, Xan, and thinking what an amazing kid you are.”
“Do you think she misses me?”
“I think she misses you every second of every day.”
I hesitated, my breath caught in my throat. Xander was doing better, but he didn’t talk about Mom often. It was like this wall was between him and his feelings. We were all giving him time, so to hear him opening up to Hailee was the best fucking Christmas gift I could have asked for.
Creeping closer to the door, I peeked into the room. Xander was curled up against Hailee’s side, his eyes closed and expression pensive as she stroked his hair.
“I miss her,” he whispered, the words like a vise around my heart. “I really miss her.”
“I know, Xan. We all do.”
“Night, Hailee.”
“Night, Xander. Merry Christmas, buddy.”
“Merry Christmas.” He rolled away from her, and she climbed gingerly off the bed, tucking the covers over his body.
I held back, waiting for her to leave his room.
“How much of that did you hear?” she asked, pulling his door closed.
“Enough.” The word almost got stuck in my throat.
“He’s going to be okay, Cam.” Hailee gazed up at me and I knew she was right. We’d all lost so much when Mom died, but we all had so much to live for, so much to remember her by.
“Come on,” I said, taking her hand. “I have something I want to give you.”
