Page 171 of The Havenport Collection

Josh

I nuzzled Maggie, pulling her closer. We had stayed up late last night, playing Santa and drinking wine.

One thing led to another, and we ended up making love by the Christmas tree, and then again upstairs before bed.

Our separation had reignited the passion we had for one another, and we had a lot of time to make up for.

If it meant a few late nights, that was a sacrifice I was willing to make.

“Is your sister awake?” Maggie yelled, refusing to open her eyes.

“No,” Jack shouted from the other side of the door. “I banged on her door, and she yelled at me.”

Ava was twelve now and was beginning to value her sleep. “Okay, bud. Get your sister, and I’ll drag your mom out of bed. Let’s meet at the top of the stairs in ten minutes.”

Jack’s feet scampered down the hall as I rolled Maggie over. She opened one eye and grinned at me.

“Merry Christmas, beautiful,” I said, caging her between my arms.

“Merry Christmas, sexy,” she murmured, her voice husky with sleep. She slid a hand around my waist and squeezed my ass. I kissed her neck, inhaling her natural scent, and she sighed deeply. “We should probably put some clothes on.” She gestured to the pile of red plaid pajamas on the floor.

“Fine.” I whipped the covers back and ogled her naked body one more time before groaning and pulling myself off her.

Maggie covered her face with a pillow. “Why did we stay up so late? I’m too old for this.”

I gathered her in my arms, tickling her gently. “We stayed up late because I can’t get enough of my sexy wife.” I kissed her softly.

“Do I smell coffee?”

“I programmed the machine last night,” I said, giving her a wink.

Pulling me down, she kissed me deeply before pushing against my chest and grinning. “You are the perfect man.”

Christmas morning was the Super Bowl of parenting. You worked hard all year in order to enjoy a few blissful family moments. There was no fighting, no rushing around, and no urge to clean up or put on real clothes. And for the first time in many years, I was letting myself really enjoy it.

The day was pure magic. I cooked a feast of bacon and homemade waffles, and we danced to Christmas music in our pajamas.

The kids were buried under a pile of wrapping paper, playing with toys and singing along to the music while Maggie and I snuggled on the couch.

“I got you a little something.” I handed Maggie her gift.

“Josh. We said no gifts.”

I shrugged. “I couldn’t help myself.”

She carefully untied the ribbon and opened the box, taking stock of the papers inside.

“What is this? Costa Rica? I don’t understand.”

I took her hand and kissed it. “It’s our honeymoon,” I said with a shrug. “Finally.”

“Wait, what?” She leaned back, clearly shocked.

“I want a week of me and you.” I leaned in and lowered my voice. “And I want you naked the whole time.”

“But my job, the kids, everything. We—”

“Stop right there. I took care of everything. Dr. Peters is covering for you. Our parents, Cece, and Liam are all scheduled to stay with the kids. Everything is all planned and paid for. There’s nothing left for you to do except pack a few bikinis.”

“After thirteen years, you finally want to go on our honeymoon?” She looked incredulous.

“Hey, lucky number thirteen, baby,” I said. “We always said when we had the time and the money, we would go to Costa Rica, so we’re going.”

“I’ll think about it”—her eyes twinkled with excitement—“but only if you promise to behave.”

I pulled her onto my lap, spanking her gently. “I’ll do no such thing, woman.”

Maggie sipped her third—or maybe fourth—cup of coffee while snuggled up against me later that day. “Santa was really good to you guys,” she said, gesturing to the haul of gifts the kids had received.

Jack climbed up on the couch and threw his arms around us. “The presents are great,” he said, burying his head in my chest. “But I asked Santa to send Dad home so we could be a family again. And it worked!”

His hopeful face and innocence completely broke me. And Maggie, too, judging by the tears in her eyes.

Soon Ava was piling on top of her brother and joining the group hug. “It was my Christmas wish too,” she said. “I am so happy we’re all here together.”

I hugged them tight—my wife, my daughter, and my son. The three most precious people in my universe. And I said a silent prayer of thanks that I had found my way back to them. That our love was enough to reunite our family.