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Jay has no such issue. "Yes, Dad made us pretend, and Wren and Lark said they'd make me sleep outside if I didn't pretend good enough."

At that admission, I shoot a small frown at my two oldest children, who do not look in the least bit chastised for being called out. No, they look almost smug because Jay did as they said.

I shrug internally, knowing that Thro and I had our ways of dealing with one another. Who am I to judge my children's relationship with? I will talk with them later about making sure they know they cannot force their brother to sleep outside just because they are unhappy with him, though, just to be safe.

"Well, I think you did very well," Tori stifles her laugh. "Now, I made a special game this year for your gifts."

"A game?" The children all seem to ask at the same time. I would be with them if I did not know their mother's plans.

"Yes, a game." Tori's smile grows even more as she takes in our children's curious looks. "Your uncle and I spent a long time hiding fake gifts all over the house and the farm, and it's up to you to find your actual gifts."

"Right now?" Lark asks, looking around the room like someone might tell him he needs to wait.

"Right now," Tori says. Just as the words leave her mouth, Lark is sprinting from the room and out of the house, not even stopping when Robin calls out for him to wait.

Wren looks skeptically at her mother for a moment, looking for something that I do not know. When she determines that she knows everything she needs to know, she moves from where she's standing, and Raven follows after her, questioning her on where they will search first.

Jay stares longingly at where his siblings have now all disappeared. I scoop him up off the ground and place him on my shoulders before he can pout. "Looks like you are my partner. Where are we to search first?"

Before we leave the room to begin our search, I glance over my shoulder toward Tori. She is already speaking with Thro and Jen, but gives me a mischievous wink before returning to their conversation.

What a wonderful mate I have. I will need to remind her even more often now. Yes, it is the least I can do to make sure sheknows just how much the children and I adore her. The most amazing mate and an even better mother. I am a blessed male living the most blessed life.