Page 30 of Soldier’s Christmas Crush (Trinity Falls: Home for Christmas #4)
“Hey, baby, do you like trains?” Mae asked, running up to Willow and Henry.
“Let’s get his coat off,” Willow said. “And these big boots. Then he can be cozy when you show him your train set.”
A few minutes later, everyone was free of their winter things and making themselves at home. Travis sat on the floor with Mae and Henry, reading them “The Little Engine That Could” while the adults set the table.
There was no real time to talk about serious matters once the food was ready. When the kids were set up with everything they could possibly want to eat, everyone turned their attention to devouring the delicious breakfast.
It wasn’t until the bacon, eggs, and muffins were eaten, and the kids had opened Willow’s presents while Henry dozed off on her chest, that the three adults were able to settle in and talk.
Willow settled in at the center of the sofa. She had Henry in her arms and her two men on either side while the kids worked on their train under the tree, and for the first time in a long time, everything felt just right.
“How did this happen?” Willow asked, gesturing between the two of them.
“Yesterday,” Jensen said. “When you left, we got to talking.”
“Really?” she asked.
“Everything you said really hit home,” Ransom told her, his voice gruff. “You were right. I’ve been unreasonable. Nothing should be more important to me than the happiness of the people I love.”
“It’s not unreasonable to feel betrayed that your best friend and your sister have gotten together without talking to you,” she said. “And that’s what it looked like, didn’t it?”
“It’s what I wanted,” Jensen admitted. “And what I still want.”
His words sent a shiver down her spine.
“What do you want, Willow?” Ransom asked quietly.
“I don’t want to lose my big brother,” she told him.
“You won’t lose me,” he told her. “As a matter of fact, you two have my blessing, if you still want it.”
“We do?” she asked, turning to Ransom.
It was one thing to say it, but was he really going to be okay with this?
“You do,” he told her with a sad smile. “I’ll probably always have the instinct to be overprotective, especially when it comes to you being with someone. But honestly, you chose someone I already like and respect more than any other man in the world. You made it easy for me, Willow.”
“We put it all on the table after you left,” Jensen said softly. “We talked about the Army, the pact, and about everything you said. I think we all understand each other a lot better now.”
“The short version is that I was an idiot,” Ransom said with a smile of chagrin.
“A well-meaning, good-hearted idiot,” Jensen amended. “Who cares about his family.”
Ransom reached past Willow to give his best friend a gentle punch in the shoulder.
“Well, the whole pact thing was pretty silly, but I get it,” Willow said. “And I was a coward not to tell you how I really felt about Jensen. Back in school, and also these last few weeks.”
“Don’t worry,” Ransom said. “ Everyone knew how you felt about Jensen back then.”
Willow shoved him gently and he ruffled her hair, just the way she always hated, making her laugh.
“Hopefully, everyone is going to know how I feel about you now, Willow,” Jensen said. “If you still want me. I know a single dad isn’t every girl’s first choice for a boyfriend.”
“You will always be my first choice for a boyfriend,” she told him. “And Henry is at least half the draw, so you’d better watch what you say about my favorite baby. ”
She kissed the top of the little one’s silky head, and when she looked up again Jensen was gazing at her, his jaw tight and his eyes glittering, as if with unshed tears.
“Want to see our train, Dad? ” Mae sang out happily.
Willow looked over to see that they kids had a full loop of track put together.
“Definitely,” Ransom told them, clasping Willow’s shoulder warmly before jumping up to join his kids on the floor.
“Is this really happening?” Willow whispered to Jensen.
“It’s a Christmas miracle,” he whispered back, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and giving her a gentle squeeze.
The feeling of being here, watching her brother with his children, Henry sleeping peacefully on her chest, and Jensen’s warm arm around her filled her with so much happiness that she couldn’t stop the tears that slid down her cheeks.
“Beautiful,” Jensen whispered, catching one of her tears with a fingertip before cupping her cheek in his hand.
They stayed like that for a while, watching the kids play, and Ransom play right along with them.
Before too long, Henry woke up and wanted to join in the fun, and the day went on—playing with toys, reading books, going outside with the dogs and watching them streak across the snow, then coming in with cold, pink cheeks to enjoy a snack of hot chocolate and cookies.
“Hey,” Ransom said quietly to Willow as the kids devoured some cookies. “Is there any chance you could stay with these guys while I run out for a bit?”
“Of course,” Willow said, a little surprised that he was leaving, but not wanting to push for more info. She had the feeling that she wasn’t the only one in the family who had sparked up a romance this holiday season, and she was happy if that was true. “Take as long as you need.”
He patted her shoulder and headed to the door, giving the kids a quick goodbye and letting them know he had to run a tiny errand, and that Willow and Jensen would be there with them.
“What’s that all about?” Jensen asked Willow after he had gone.
“I have no idea,” Willow said, shaking her head. “But if he thinks I’m not grilling him about it when he gets back, he really is an idiot.”
“What happened to you two minding your own business?” Jensen teased.
“He’s the only one who agreed to that,” she pointed out. “I’m still nosy as can be.”
“I know where he went,” Mae announced, looking very pleased.
“We don’t know where he went,” Travis said.
“Who wants to play board games?” Willow asked quickly.
She was super curious about where her brother had gone, but she figured she probably shouldn’t let Mae be the one to spill the beans on this little secret. That was for Ransom to tell her himself, and she hoped that he’d be back soon enough with some happy news to share.
After all, her own wishes had come true this Christmas Day. How could she not want the same for Ransom?