Page 42 of Finding Home (Willow Valley #1)

FORTY-TWO

EVERETT

C hristmas morning is a whirlwind. Chloe gave me a heads up about their traditions, but hearing about it and seeing it are two completely different things. Hannah and I both sit on the couch as we take in everything.

“This is so different from how I grew up,” she muses.

I nod, agreeing. She nudges me with her arm, and I look at her.

“I’m glad you’re here with her. Both you and Lila. She seems happy.”

I look at Chloe, who’s trying to put pancake batter on her brother’s face while he fights her off.

Lila is trying to help by tickling him, but it doesn’t seem to be doing much.

Chloe smiles at me while she still works to beat her brother, and my heart grows in my chest even more.

She knew I was watching her and sought me out.

“Don’t let her slip through your fingers,” Hannah says, patting me on the arm before she gets up and joins them, leaning down to whisper something in Grayson’s ear that gets him to stop fighting Chloe for just long enough that she smudges the batter down his cheek from his eye to his jaw.

Chloe and Lila laugh as they grip their stomachs, and Grayson looks at his wife in outrage.

“You chose my sister’s side over mine!” he exclaims.

“I am the better sibling,” Chloe says through her laughter, and Grayson swings his head to look at her .

“This is the second time you’ve gotten me, don’t think either will go unanswered.”

Hannah pats his shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll make it up to you later,” she says with a wink.

“Ewww. I really don’t need that mental image,” Chloe says, and I’m thankful that Lila is still too young to understand.

“Should my payback be in the form of making you very uncomfortable, Chlo? Should I tell you how much I love when Hannah sits—” He’s cut off by Chloe’s hand over his mouth.

“There’s a child here, for God’s sake.”

His eyes flick to Lila, and she watches them before he nods and Chloe removes her hand.

“Sorry, just not used to having kids here.”

Chloe pats his chest. “Better get used to it. She spends more time here than you do.”

He winces slightly.

“You should have heard the scolding he got from Caleb when he said some less than savoury things in front of his daughter.”

“He was!” Grayson says indignantly. “He was able to pick out Taylor Swift song titles in a conversation. You’re really trying to say he wasn’t completely pu—” This time it’s Hannah who cover’s Grayson’s mouth, and I’m grateful, because I have a feeling the words about to leave his mouth were pussy whipped .

I leave the couch and join them in the kitchen as Hannah runs her fingers through Grayson’s hair and says, “I don’t think you’re one to judge. You’d do anything if I told you it would get you a good time.”

“Where’s that batter, you two?” Melanie asks, interrupting the sibling argument.

Chloe grabs the bowl and takes it over to her mom, Lila hot on her heels asking, “Can I help make pancakes, Chloe?”

“I’m sure we can make that happen,” Chloe says, running her hand over Lila’s head as she cheers. Hannah moves with them, leaving Grayson and I alone.

“They seem attached,” he muses, watching Chloe and Lila as they work together to pour the pancake batter .

“They are. They seem to find new ways to gang up on me, too, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Grayson studies me. I let him, not backing down from his stare or the way he sits up straighter in his chair as if trying to get an extra inch on me, which he already has an inch on me, but I’ve got the muscle.

“Do you love her?” he finally asks, and my lips pull up at the corners and I nod.

“I do.”

He leans forward, bracing himself on his thighs as he takes a deep breath before saying, “I know I haven’t been around a lot for Chloe.

I’ve had my reasons and I’m working on that, but she will always be my little sister.

I will always want what’s best for her. Take care of her.

She will do anything for those she loves, so make sure you deserve that love. ”

I nod, and he reaches out to shake my hand.

We spend the rest of the day eating and opening gifts before everyone decides it’s time for naps before dinner. Lila, my ever energetic little girl, stays up with Mickey downstairs while they watch a movie.

When I wake up, Chloe isn’t in bed with me anymore. I find her downstairs sitting on the floor at the coffee table in the sun room with Lila while they make bracelets. It was a gift Lila got from Hannah, and she was so excited to start making them.

When she spots me, she grabs one off the table and makes a beeline for me.

“Daddy, I made you this!” She holds out a white beaded bracelet, and I take it, slipping it on.

“It’s perfect, Peanut. Thank you.”

Chloe is smiling at us, and I decide to tease her. “Did you also make me one?”

She grins and holds out one with blue beads. “I did. Now you can wear one every day.”

I slide it on and lean over her, placing a quick kiss on her lips as she smiles up at me.

“Daddy, will you make bracelets with us?”

Chloe gives me a pouty look and says, “Please, Daddy? ”

I take a seat beside Chloe, and Lila cheers as she passes me materials. I lean over and whisper to Chloe, “This is the second time you’ve toyed with me like that. Do we need to do some exploring when we get home?”

I’m not sure that’s my particular kink in reality, but I’m learning I’ll try anything at least once for Chloe. Her cheeks heat, and she bites her lip but shakes her head.

“I’m not yucking anyone’s yum, but I just say it to get a rise out of you. I call my own dad daddy. I’m not calling you that.”

I throw my head back and laugh. The way this girl knows exactly what to do and say to get to me shows just how well she knows me.

The three of us sit on the floor making bracelets until Hannah joins and we eventually move to the kitchen for dinner.

While everyone socializes, I do more observing.

This is the quintessential family I always wanted growing up and what I wanted for Lila.

I never thought I could give it to her, but here we are.

The thing is, you never know how fast things can change until you’re facing it head on.