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“And is that what led to the scene that I walked in on?” Jensen asked. He turned to us with a frown. “The way they were talking to her was fucking disgusting.”

“I didn’t expect them to take it well, but I didn’t expect them to be cruel,” she whispered.

She didn’t deserve that. The idea of us ever treating Joey like that made me feel sick to my stomach.

“I’m so sorry that happened,” I said, reaching out and taking her hand that wasn’t holding a taco.

“I think, as terrible as it was, it needed to happen. It’s time they learn to stand on their own feet. They expect me to be back for Christmas, but I don’t think that’ll be happening.”

“No way in hell,” Gideon agreed, handing her the soda. “From what you’ve told us, they would have you on your feet the entire holiday, working like a dog, when you should be resting.”

“That was pretty normal for the holidays,” she admitted. “They started talking badly about our unborn child, and I just lost it. My fathers gave my brothers so much financial support over the years. They’ve paid for cars, they’ve paid for apartments, they’ve bent over backward for them, while I have been slaving away out here in California to get an education so I can make something of myself, when all they expect of me is to become a housewife.”

I can’t imagine how much it would have hurt, watching her brothers be handed everything while she had to work nonstop.

“Well, that’s not going to be your normal anymore,” I said firmly.

“I agree,” Gideon said. “This year, we will get food from the restaurant because it’s open on Christmas.”

Bethany’s eyes darted to me as she cocked her head questioningly. “I thought everything closed on Christmas.”

“Usually, but a few years after opening the restaurant, I noticed not all my staff had family to go home to, so we started doing a sort of family Christmas Day at the restaurant, where anyone who didn’t have family could come and have a good meal on Christmas. Just spend some time there. Over the years, it’s evolved and now we cook for a lot of the homeless population in the city. My staff only work if they want to, and they get paid triple time.”

“That’s really sweet…” Bethany smiled.

“The only thing you have to worry about on Christmas Day is having fun with Joey, eating a bunch of food, and keeping your feet up,” Jensen said as she took a sip of her soda.

“No cooking, no cleaning, no work. It is a holiday, and you’re going to rest.” Gideon’s tone was firm.

A sigh escaped her chest. “Joey is really lucky to have fathers like you, you know that?”

Something about her words made my chest burn with pride. We were doing our best for our daughter, but we were never certain if it was enough. But to hear Bethany, who had been through the exact same situation as Joey, praising us made me feel ten-feet tall.

“She’s also really lucky to have you,” Jensen said.

“Not many women would yell at me when I became a surly ass because they wanted to help my child,” Gideon pointed out.

Jensen leaned over, dragging her chair toward him so he could wrap his arms around her and kiss the top of her head.

“They’re so mad at me,” she whispered sadly. The broken tone of her voice hurt me to hear. Her dads and brothers were idiots, clearly failing to see the amazing woman in their lives.

Well, we were going to appreciate her and love her and spoil her like she goddamned deserved to be. We hadn’t really said out loud what our situation was, and I knew that had infuriated Gideon to no extent, but we were together.

The house felt warmer with her around, and we were all happier.

“You deserve so much better,” I assured her.

Chapter 35

Beth

“Ican walk to the fridge, you know?” I grumbled as Cullen brought me another soda.

“I know, but you need to rest,” he said as he sat next to me on the sofa, pulling me into his arms.

All I had been doing was resting. After the debacle with my family, the guys had gone into overdrive, making sure I rested. I hadn’t cooked or cleaned or even gotten my own drink since I came back. It was kind of nice being spoiled, but I was so used to doing things myself that it was a struggle at times to adjust to this new normal.

I was spending a lazy Tuesday on the sofa, watching TV with Cullen while Gideon worked from home. He had hardly gone into the office since I’d returned home. His presence was comforting, but I hoped he wasn’t slacking at work or falling behind because of me.