They glanced to his parents when he finished talking, and smiled as they both had their heads dipped toward their grandson, who watched his grandparents with fascination.
“We’ll talk more on it later, but, right now, I think I’ll head into the kitchen and make the coffee Mom offered.” Lucien stood and left his wife with his parents while he headed off.
*
Sabrina watched her husband leave the room, and then sat next to his mom and watched her in-laws cuddle and coo at her son. She knew that what Lucien had suggested had to happen. She was happy in Denver, but she’d be happier in Lexington with their family around them.
“Sabrina, we’re ignoring you. I’m sorry.” Pippa leaned closer and took hold of her hand. “I’m just overwhelmed to have Lucien’s son in my arms. It’s still hard to believe that he has everything he ever wanted, but didn’t expect to have.” Tears gathered on Pippa’s lashes. “He’s happy, isn’t he?”
“I’m happy, Mom,” Lucien answered, carrying in a tray of refreshments.
“That was quick,” Sabrina queried.
“Mom had already put the tray out and the coffee had finished brewing.” Lucien smiled and placed everything down onto the coffee table. He clasped his mom’s and Sabrina’s hands with his and looked at his mom. “Please stop worrying about me, Mom. Sabrina and our son make me happy.”
Pippa passed Alexander to his grandfather, and sniffled into a Kleenex. “I’m glad.”
While his mom busied herself with pouring the coffee, Lucien moved to snuggle with his wife on the sofa. Nothing had ever felt as right as Sabrina in his arms. Sabrina had no problem showing her affection toward him in public, and he loved that. He’d never been one to draw attention to himself, but he loved how Sabrina would glow, especially since it was him that made her that way.
A noise at the front door drew their attention, and he grinned when his brother, Ramon, walked inside with his fiancé, Noah. Their wedding was all arranged for New Year’s Day, and it was set to take place at their parents’ ranch house now that gay marriage had been legalized in Kentucky.
When he had his brother in his arms, he told him, “It’s good to see you.” Lucien had hidden his emotions behind a wall and until Sabrina knocked them down, he hadn’t admitted to himself that he needed his family, which was probably why the hug between brothers lasted longer than usual.
“You okay?” Ramon frowned.
Lucien grinned. “I’ve never been better.”
Ramon looked doubtful.
“Seriously.” Lucien lightly punched his brother on his shoulder before he greeted Noah.
Noah settled his brother, and although it felt strange at first to know his brother was with a man, Lucien accepted it without a problem. He loved his youngest brother, and they’d all been brought up to accept one and all, so he was just as comfortable as he would be if Ramon was with a woman.
“So how are the wedding arrangements going?” Sabrina asked, sitting back down after she’d greeted them.
Noah laughed and Ramon turned, frowning at him. “It’s going,” he commented.
“What he means is,” Noah added, “that the caterer is being a pain in the ass. One minute she has it all settled, the next, she’s on the phone again wanting to change something. I’m convinced she has a crush on Ramon.” Noah shook his head. “It would be annoying if it wasn’t so entertaining.”
“At my expense,” Ramon mumbled, not sounding happy.
“Now stop, you two. Your wedding is in ten days, I don’t want any disagreement.” Their mom absentmindedly caressed Alexander’s cheek, her eyes misting up with tears. “All I want is for my youngest baby to be happy.”
Lucien snickered at the horror on Ramon’s face. It was nice not being in the hot seat with his mom. Usually she was on his case.
He sat back and pulled Sabrina into his arms as he watched his brother react to their mom.
“Mom,” Ramon groaned, “please, don’t start with the tears.”
“You’re my son, why wouldn’t I feel emotional that you’re getting married? You’re my last baby to leave the nest.”
Ramon groaned. “I haven’t lived at home for years, and I’m not exactly too far away. I mean five minutes down the lane isn’t bad.”
“You know exactly what I mean, so stop.”
Ramon got up from his seat and kissed their mom on the top of her head.
Chapter 5
Christmas Eve