Page 99 of Cabin Fever Baby

“Best Christmas ever.” She eased back enough to cover my mouth with hers.

She tasted of the cool snow that fell outside the window.

I had a feeling I would be thankful for winter for the rest of my days.

Ocean snuggled in against me, her cheek on my chest. “I love you. I don’t think I’m going to tire of saying that, by the way.”

“I hope not, Angel. I’m never going to get tired of hearing it.”

OCEAN

Christmas Day

This was exactlywhat I’d pictured when I rented this cabin on Crescent Lake.

Well, there were a few more people than I’d originally intended.

A few more children than I’d ever imagined.

And a few who were missed. My siblings and I’d had a video chat with our parents who were somewhere in the Caribbean. They vowed to never miss a Christmas again.

Instead of trying to fit everyone around the table in the more formal area at the back of the cabin, a few of my very strong brothers had brought the big table into the living room.

We spread out the couches—all with brand-new giant blankets serving as covers. Q really couldn’t get over the fact that I just might have had sex on one or two of them.

I didn’t mind.

At least he’d picked festive red and green covers.

My favorite was the red one with all the snowflakes on it.

I fingered the aquamarine snowflake at my neck. A little remembrance of how I got so lucky to have an even bigger family in my life.

“Christmas Valentine” by Ingrid Michaelson & Jason Mraz played through the speakers all around as the fireplace crackled.

Two little girls—Faith and Cara—were playing in front of the fireplace with their new Polly Pocket toys.

All the toys of my youth were coming around again. Though I was pretty sure the accessories were a little fancier than the stickers I’d played with long ago.

Faith had curly cinnamon-colored hair that was tied back in a festive ribbon. I wondered idly if Hudson and I would have a little girl who looked like that. Or if she would be a sweet blond like Cara.

Hudson’s mom was currently cuddled up with the newest MacGregor, Evan. He was a cranky little man and had finally tired himself out enough to take a nap with Grandma.

Knowing my luck, I’d get an Evan.

He was super cute when he was sleeping, at least.

Ellie and Callum had escaped into the kitchen for a little privacy under the guise of checking on the Italian feast we were having for dinner.

Lasagna, Hudson’s favorite, along with pans of ziti and chicken parmigiana would hopefully fill the bellies of all the males in the room. I caught my brother Q adding a few bags of dinosaur chicken nuggets to a baking sheet to make the kids happy, though I was pretty sure half were for him.

Lennox and River were arguing some case that had just gone to the Supreme Court. My sister was ecstatic to have another law nerd to talk to.

Kent and Hudson’s father, Theo, were talking about the haunted Victorian on the lake. Hudson’s dad was like a kid when he found out Kent’s friend had worked on the property.

Kent hadn’t been so animated while talking to someone in years.

It was really nice to see.