Page 101 of Ice & Steel

“Okay, honey, I’ll look.”

I joined them in the hallway and took their scarves and gloves down. They both stood obediently while I put them on and pressed a kiss to their foreheads.

“I’m going to find frozen fish,” Ettore said.

“Oh? I didn’t know you could do that,” I said.

Having four sons meant I rarely asked questions. It wasn’t abnormal for them to walk in and say something that made no sense at all. I usually just went along with it unless someone was in immediate danger.

“Yeah, we’re going to cut a hole in the ice and pull them out,” Atlas said. “I saw it in a book.”

“Well, have fun, baby. Is Marco going?”

“Yeah,” Ettore said. “He’d better not be boring.”

“You boys listen to your brother,” I said firmly.

They nodded and scrambled out onto the snowy porch. I made my way through the living room and began putting the presents back into place. Clearly the twins had been sorting through theirs.

From up above, I heard a firm stride. Head cocked, I listened.

It was hard to tell Lucien and Marco’s footsteps apart. They both moved with crisp, decisive footfalls. I listened as they strode closer and my eldest son appeared in the foyer. He wore his wool coat and a newsboy cap, pulled over his eyes.

“Marco, can you please make sure the twins don’t walk out onto the ice,” I said. “They have some idea that they’re going to go ice fishing or something.”

“Yeah, I’ll keep them off,” he said, nodding.

His eyes were distant. I leaned in the doorway and looked up at him, studying his sober face.

“You okay?”

He nodded once. “Yes, all good.”

I crossed my arms. “I talked to your father about Freja. He doesn’t seem entirely closed off to the idea of you dating her. I think it’ll all be fine.”

His lips thinned. “I don’t hold out much hope.”

“Oh…why?”

He shifted, sighing. “She’s somebody. She’s not like me…she’s good, you know.”

My heart hurt, not just from the words, but from the tired expression in his eyes.

“You’re good,” I whispered.

He sent me a small, rueful smile. “I’ve got the wrong blood in me, mom. Dad has always been upfront about what people think of him.”

“Dad doesn’t know everything,” I said softly.

He sighed and I could tell he wasn’t willing to keep talking about it. I stood in the doorway and watched my sons trekk over the snowy field. The sight filled me with warmth. Through all of the turmoil of the first decade of my marriage, I’d wanted only one thing.

This.

My husband and sons safe, together for one more Christmas.

I skipped down the hall and made a quick turn to see if Lucien was in his office. The door was ajar so I pushed it open an inch and peered inside. He sat at his desk, absorbed in his work.

He was so gorgeous, especially with those reading glasses sitting on his nose. His hair was mostly gray and he had the sexiest laughter lines around his eyes and mouth. It was hard to believe, but somehow I was even more attracted to him now than before.