Page 66 of Tinsel Time Treasure

“It’s over,” I breathed, tears welling in my eyes.

Max kissed my forehead. “I’m proud of you.”

I shook my head. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

He chuckled. “You’re wrong about that.”

“What do you mean?”

“You took charge from the beginning, omega-mine. You were scared, but you refused to let him win. You’re the one who had the idea to trick him, and stuck with the plan even when you knew it was dangerous. All I did was support you.”

“I don’t know if I could have done it if I didn’t know you were there.”

He tilted my chin up and kissed me softly. “Maybe the plan would have been different. But you’re strong, and I know you would have eventually made him stop.”

I smiled at him, even as he brushed a tear from my cheek.

“Now,” he said, “what do you want for a celebration lunch?”

“Um…”

“Not that,” he teased, leaning in to nip my ear. “That’s for later.”

My face heated with the strength of my blush, and Max chuckled.

We all ended up at an Italian restaurant a bit later, and as the topic turned from the verdict to Kaleb’s and my pregnancies, I knew that my future was bright.

∞∞∞

~September~

“He’s already getting so big,” I said as Kaleb handed over baby Charlie.

Kaleb laughed. “I know. But the doctor says he’s right at his milestones so I think we’re just remembering how he was as a newborn.”

Charlie looked up at me, big eyes making it clear that he wasn’t sure if he wanted to cry or not.

“Hey Charlie,” I murmured, letting him grab onto one of my fingers. “How ya doin’ bud?”

He blinked, waving his free fist.

“Has Papa already put you to work painting?”

Charlie made a noise that was either happy, or a burp. But soon he had a hard time keeping his eyes open.

“I think it’s nap time, isn’t it?” I asked as he jolted awake to stare at me again.

“Probably,” Kaleb laughed. He held out his hands and took Charlie from me before setting him in his swing. He’d barely started it when the baby was out.

“Make sure you have one of these in every room,” Kaleb stated. “We started with two, one for the nursery and one for out here. It was not enough. If you expect to be in there for any amount of time with Miles, then have a swing. It’s a lifesaver.”

“Is that why you and Frankie got us two for the shower?”

Kaleb grinned. “You’ll need more, or you’ll end up toting one around with you.”

I laughed, then winced.

“Braxton-Hicks?” Kaleb asked.