Page 26 of Let it Snow Queen
“Go ahead, Roo. What is it?” my papa encouraged me.
“I told Dad on the phone that I met a few guys, and well . . .”
A boisterous Irish-accented voice boomed behind me. “Ruby’s family!” Gallow strode over as if he’d known them for years. Fox and Koji did likewise.
“Uh . . . This is—”
My mother squealed. We all froze and looked at her. My papa asked, “Dot, you alright?”
“It’s. . . Koji Mukai,andGallow O’Brien, and, oh my gosh, you’reFox! Oh my god.”
“What the hell, Mom?” I asked in shock.
The guys just smiled sheepishly as my mother hugged them. My mom was fangirling. That wasn’t what I’d expected. My moms held hands, giving me a confused look.
My dad rumbled, “Care to explain, Queen?”
My mom huffed. “Des, Ced, Caroline, and Odie, these are only the stars of Los Angeles’sChasing Sunrise!”
We all exchanged bewildered looks, and my mother stomped her foot. “Ugh, it’s the best reality show on TV. They go in and revitalize old towns. I’m starstruck. How did y’all meet?”
Fox shook everyone’s hand, meeting my dad’s and papa’s firm gazes head-on. He signed, “Wewere snowed in together at Hope Falls. That’s where we all fell in love with your daughter.”
My mouth dropped open, and my cheeks heated. I looked to Koji and Gallow, but neither of them denied it as they shook my family’s hands. Koji said, “We imposed on you guys. We wanted to help Ruby with decorating, but we have a hotel suite nearby. We should get going. It was nice to meet—”
“Nonsense.” My dad slapped him on the shoulder . . . a little too roughly. They were the same height and had similar builds. For some reason, that made me want to laugh. “You boys are spending Christmas with us. We’ve got plenty of room, and that’ll give me enough time to see if you’re worthy of my daughter.”
“Looking forward to talking to you, sir,” Koji replied, smiling.
“Oh my god, moms,” I whispered as they giggled. “I’m mortified.”
“Ah, let your dads have their fun and let your mom fawn over meeting reality stars. We just dropped off Malcolm and Aurora at their birth mom’s house for Christmas Eve, but they’ll be home tomorrow night, and y’all can meet them.” Like my mom’s, Mama’s red hair glittered in the twinkling lights. “Come on, I’ll fix us some supper.” Mommy smiled happily.
“I would love to help you. I hear you’re a chef?” Koji said.
“Meet me in the kitchen, boy; let’s see what you got.” She grinned back.“I like them,” she mouthed to me on her way out.
I beamed. My papa stepped forward. “As Des said, you’re welcome here. And thank you for looking after Ruby when she was snowed in.”
The boys nodded and made small talk as I continued to sniff my son. He still had that baby smell, and I’d missed him so incredibly much.
My family drifted into the sitting room to awe over the decorations. I turned to follow them, and Declan did something that sent flutters of surprise through me. He reached for Gallow, tugging at his sleeve. Without hesitation, Gallow took him from my hold. “Hey there, we’ve been waiting to meet you, little one.”
Fox and Koji introduced themselves to Dec, who laughed and wiggled at the attention. “Can we give him an early present?”Fox asked.
I laughed. “Go ahead.”
Fox and Gallow whooped and carried him into the family room . . . with my whole family. We were all here together. I was stunned.
“I hope this isn’t too much,” Koji said lowly, putting a hand on my back.
I rolled my eyes. “Of course it is . . . but I kind of love it.”
Koji leaned in, his warm breath tickling my earlobe. “Good, because I think we kind of love you.”
I swallowed. Could this all truly be real?
Chapter 19