Lily hummed to herself in the kitchen feeling excited. Michael finished up bathing the children, which surprised her. He always helped with bath time, but he’d insisted she deserved a night off and that he could handle it on his own. It didn’t stop her from listening out for the shout of help while she made her two oldest children hot chocolate. She’d also made Michael and herself some because she wanted to start a Christmas tradition for their family.
The items the children were going to leave for Santa were spread out on the kitchen table so that they could make their own Santa plates to save squabbling. The apple pies and applesauce that she was taking to her in-laws the following day were in the utility room so they could be kept cool. Lily had been delighted when Pippa had been talked into letting her daughter-in-laws help with the Christmas meal.
Pippa loved to do everything and was like a one-woman army when she wanted to be, but herself and Carla had explained to her that they felt useless not doing something. Pippa had finally agreed, so they’d each picked something to do. And when Lily had mentioned it to Rosie and Sabrina, they’d also insisted on making something.
Michael had been the first one to fall and she had really enjoyed watching his brothers chase their tails between their legs. She loved her sister-in-laws and always looked forward to Sabrina being back in town, who had been her best friend for years before Lily had met Michael. She no longer felt lonely or as if something was missing. Michael and their children filled whatever void had plagued her life until she’d met him and his family...no, her family, now…completed everything else.
But now, as she heard jingle bells being sung downstairs, she smiled and pressed a hand to her chest in delight. The singing grew louder and then they were there, standing in the kitchen doorway.
Charlotte started to giggle, and her brother, Michael Jr., gave her a friendly shove before he also fell over laughing. They looked so cute in their elf pajamas, and Sirena matched in her elf romper. Michael had a Santa hat on his head and a beautiful grin. His eyes lit up when they settled on her.
She walked over to him, and curved her hand around his neck to bring him down to meet her lips. Her husband never had a problem with that. He slipped a hand around her waist and tugged her closer as he bent his head and sealed their lips together.
The noise of their children caused him to pull back slightly, and with a smile, filled with so much love, he gave her one quick kiss before he released her so that she could go to the twins.
They both wanted up in her arms but she could no longer lift them together now that they were older. So she distracted them by giving them each a kiss on the cheek before she helped them into their chairs at the table.
“Make sure you only put one of each onto the Santa plates, okay, guys?” She told them as she pushed the plates closer to their eager hands.
While she watched over them with one eye, she came back to Michael and wrapped her arm around his waist, snuggling close. Sirena started to wiggle so she placed a hand on her tummy to tease their young baby.
“You sit at the table with the twins and I’ll warm her a bottle.” She smiled and kissed his cheek before doing her task.
*
Michael sat next to Charlotte and smiled as she guzzled her chocolate milk.
Three years ago he had no idea that his future held a beautiful wife and three beautiful children. Both him and Lily wanted a large family, but he’d be happy if they stopped at three. He hated seeing Lily so uncomfortable with a huge swollen belly, even though knowing she carried his child was the biggest turn on. Lily never complained and always said it was worth it in the end. He had to agree it was worth it, he just hated the worry that came with it. His wife, when she’d been in labor, had complained that all he had to do was get his rocks off, and his job was done. She’d certainly had the maternity staff amused, and had apologized to him when she’d remembered what she’d said.
He loved her and who knew what the future held, but right now, he had a wiggling baby in his arms and a bottle of warm milk to feed her.
It didn’t take long for Sirena to feed and fall asleep in his arms, so he laid her down in her bassinet in the living room and joined his wife and twins on the sofa. Lily produced a book that she wanted to be one of the family stories for a few years until the children became older and would sit through The Little Match Girl.
Sebastian finished getting the fire going in the hearth and turned to find his wife was already sitting comfortably on the sofa. She had a pair of his thick socks on her feet and smiled softly at him when his lingering gaze finally landed on her face.
His love for her only grew stronger each day, and he couldn’t imagine his life without her in it. She made him whole and made him crave the family that had already started to grow in her womb.
“Come sit with me.” Carla held her hand out to him, and he didn’t hesitate to take it and settle down beside her.