Page 74 of All in December

“I love you.”

There’s no build up or big speech; he just says it like it’s an absolute truth.

“I love you too, Nash. So much.”

He leans in and captures my mouth with his, sealing the words between us. When we finally pull apart, I press my forehead to his, breathing him in.

“We should probably go back out there,” I murmur. “Before they tear the house down.”

“Five more seconds,” he whispers, arms tightening around my waist. “Just want more time with you.”

“Mmm,” I agree, eyes closed, soaking up the warmth of his body against mine.

Eventually, we break apart and start pulling on our matching pajamas.

“Let’s take a photo in the mirror.” Nash grins, holding up his phone, and I absolutely go along with it because he looks too damn happy not to.

“Speaking of photos,” I say as we pose, “when did you get the one of us in the kitchen at your house?”

“When you ran to the bathroom, I gave Sam my phone and asked him to take a couple of pictures of us when you weren’t looking,” he says casually, like he didn’t just admit to the cutest thing ever.

“Huh, I hadn’t even noticed. But I love that you thought of it.”

We grin in the mirror, and Nash is wrapped around me, his chin tucked over my shoulder as he takes the photo.

“Let’s go give the kids theirs,” I say. “I have their box under my bed.”

He grabs my hand before we leave the room, lacing our fingers together.

“This is the life I want, you know,” I admit quietly. “Messy and loud and full of the kids and you.”

He squeezes my hand. “I’m not going anywhere, baby. I love you.”

We walk back out into the living room, and Emma sees it first.

“Another present?” She gasps excitedly.

“What is it?” Benji adds on.

“Open it and see,” Nash says, dropping onto the couch and tugging me down with him.

They dig in fast, and the shrieks of laughter that follow are so pure it makes my chest ache.

“Pajamas!” Benji says, holding up a pair.

“Do we all match?” Sam asks, looking between me and Nash.

I nod. “Yep. Full-on corny family Christmas vibe. Go change, we can take a photo in front of the tree.”

The kids scatter, each grabbing their set and disappearing down the hall.

Nash leans in close, voice low against my ear. “We are so those people now.”

I laugh, leaning into him. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

“Not even a little. This was my idea, after all.”

Not even a minute later, Sam and Benji come running back into the living room before Emma joins.