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Chapter Forty-Five

Jamie

The cabin smells like pine and cinnamon, and for once, it feels calm. Well, as calm as it can be with three dudes trying to hang garlands while Savannah tells us it’s crooked.

“Jamie, it’s lopsided,” Savannah says, hands on her hips.

I squint at the garland. “It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine. It’s leaning like a drunk on New Year’s.”

Jared smirks from across the room, holding a box of ornaments. “She’s right, man. It’s embarrassing.”

“Embarrassing? You’re the one who hung the damn thing!”

“Language,” Savannah scolds, pointing at me like I’m one of the kids.

I hold my hands up. “Yes, ma’am. No swearing around the garlands.”

Troy strolls in with a plate of cookies. “Maybe if y’all stopped arguing, we’d actually finish this tree before Christmas.”

“Shut up, Troy,” Jared and I say at the same time.

Troy grins, smug as ever. “I’m just here to keep the peace.”

Savannah rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling, and damn if that doesn’t make my chest feel all kinds of warm.

A couple of hours later, the tree is done, and the fireplace is crackling. Savannah sits on the couch, Noah asleep in her arms, looking like the picture of serenity.

“You need anything?” I ask her, plopping down beside her.

“I could use some water,” she says softly.

“I’ll get it.” Jared’s already halfway to the kitchen before I can argue that he should take a break.

Troy takes the seat on her other side, leaning in to stroke Noah’s tiny hand. “You’re too good at this,” I say to him.

“What can I say? I’ve got the magic touch.”

“You’re so full of shit.”

Savannah laughs quietly. “Stop bickering. It’s Christmas .”

***

The next few days blur together in the best way. Jared insists on making breakfast every morning, even though he burns the bacon half the time. Troy organizes movie marathons that include way too many cheesy Christmas rom-coms. And me? I keep Savannah laughing, even when she’s stressing about the babies or whether the tree skirt matches the stockings.

The next night, I tell the guys I’ve got a surprise.

“What surprise?” Savannah asks, narrowing her eyes.

“You’ll see,” I say, grinning like an idiot.

Troy groans. “If it’s another half-assed attempt at cookies, we’re all doomed.”

“It’s not cookies, jackass. Just wait.”

That night, we light candles around the living room. Jared gets Savannah settled in the middle of the couch, Noah snuggled up against her chest.

I walk over with a small box in my hand. My heart’s pounding harder than it should, but I keep it cool.

“What’s that?” she asks, her voice soft.

“Open it.”

She hesitates, glancing at the guys like she’s waiting for a punchline.

“No tricks,” I say, crouching in front of her. “Just...open it.”

She lifts the lid and her lips part. Inside is a delicate necklace, three tiny pendants hanging from the chain—a star, a heart, and a moon.

“They’re for the babies,” I say quickly, scratching the back of my neck. “You know, a symbol or whatever. Jared said it was cheesy, but Troy thought it was sweet.”

“Hey, don’t drag me into this,” Troy mutters.

Savannah’s eyes well up, and she touches the necklace like it’s made of gold. “Jamie...”

“If you don’t like it, we can exchange it. Get something better…”

“I love it,” she cuts me off, her voice thick with emotions.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

The room goes quiet, except for the crackling fire. Jared clears his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the mushy moment.

“Well,” Troy says, clapping his hands, “who’s ready for presents?”

Later that night, after the gifts are opened and the cookies are eaten, I sit with Savannah by the fire.

“Y’know,” I say, “I don’t do this kinda thing often.”

“What thing?” she asks, leaning her head on my shoulder.

“Family stuff. Christmas, decorations, all that crap.”

She tilts her head to look at me. “You’re pretty good at it.”

“Don’t let it go to your head.”

She laughs softly, and I feel like I could live in this moment forever.

But then she tenses.

“Sav?”

She grips my hand. “Jamie...something’s happening.”

“What do you mean?”

Her eyes go wide. “I think it’s time.”

“Time for what—oh, shit.” My heart skips a beat. “The babies? Now?”

She nods, wincing.

“Guys!” I shout, leaping off the couch.

Jared and Troy burst in, looking alarmed.

“What the hell’s going on?” Troy asks.

“Contractions,” I say, pointing at Savannah like an idiot.

Jared curses under his breath. “I’ll grab the bags.”

Troy takes Savannah’s other hand. “Breathe, Sav. We’ve got you.”

“I’m fine,” she says through gritted teeth, clearly not fine.

I kneel in front of her, trying not to panic. “You sure it’s happening now? Can’t we wait till morning?”

She glares at me. “Do you think I can schedule this?”

“Fair point.”

Jared reappears with the bags, and we help Savannah to her feet.

“Okay, let’s go,” Troy says, already halfway to the door.

“Wait,” Savannah says, clutching my arm.

“What? What’s wrong?”

“Jamie,” she says, her voice softer now, “thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being here. For this.” She gestures around the room. “For...everything.”

I swallow hard, not trusting myself to speak.

“We’re gonna be okay,” I say finally, squeezing her hand. “All of us.”

And then we’re out the door, into the snow, and on our way to meet the rest of our family.