Page 35 of Last Chance Christmas

He kissed her forehead.

An older couple sat in front of them—Izan’s parents. The other siblings got up, hanging out in the aisle now they were free to get up from their seats.

“Mom, Dad. This is Olivia.”

She lifted her head from his shoulder. “It’s really nice to meet you guys.” She held out her hand and shook with them. Brenda and Sean, they said their names were. “Really nice.”

Brenda smiled. “You stood up to that man.”

“Saved two of my kids,” Sean said. “Means I owe you.”

Olivia shook her head. “I was just doing my job.” But it was more than that, wasn’t it? “I care about Izan a lot. I wasn’t going to let Alonzo take him anywhere.” She glanced over her shoulder, where Ainsley and Junior spoke quietly to each other, still in their embrace. “Junior is my partner.”

Brenda smiled. “It’ll be good to have more heroes in the family. Can’t have too many if you ask me.” She glanced at her sons, twins but not identical. They reminded Olivia of a much younger version of Bryce and Logan. The kind of boys who would grow up to be heroes, like so many of the men Olivia knew.

“Agreed.” Izan squeezed her shoulders.

She looked at him. “You realize we’re still on our first date, right?”

Izan’s father chuckled. “Didn’t take me long to know Brenda was the one. That’s for sure.”

“We’ve all heard the story plenty,” one of the boys said.

“I’d love to hear it.” Olivia smiled.

Brenda got up. “He can tell you while we decorate. These wreaths aren’t going to hang themselves.”

The family dispersed, finding decorations. Discussing where they were going to be hung around the sanctuary.

As if just moments ago they hadn’t been held at gunpoint by a man who could easily have killed one of their family—or all of them. As if life simply moved on, or you got on with it.

“They’re pretty amazing.”

Izan said, “It’ll hit them later. We can get ice cream or put a movie on and all pretend we aren’t crying.”

“That’s how you all process your fear?”

He shrugged against her. “Christmas will help. All being together and relaxing. Remembering the reason for the season and being thankful we have each other still.”

“Sounds magical.”

“Want to join us? Be part of the Collins Christmas celebration?”

Their faces were close, and she realized they were whispering like Ainsley and Junior. Olivia scanned the dark brown of his eyes, soaking up the affection she saw there. “I’d love to.”

Izan leaned down and touched his lips to hers, gently exploring. As if he had all the time in the world.

In a way, they did.

This was only the beginning, but if they stuck together and looked out for each other, if they treated this start like a fragile thing to be tended, they could watch it grow into something strong, with a solid foundation. The fact it started here in God’s house gave her the confidence to trust that it was His plan for them.

A Christmas like no other.

Maybe even one that would last forever.