boughs.
Theresa Walker had boxes of white bulbs that she’d always
decorated the tree with, but after the brothers discussed it, they’d all agreed
with Marliss that those could stay in the basement storage room this year.
Killian and Lexie, Rogue and Kit, Jackson and Rori, and
Dylan, Zoe and even little Hunter hung the few ornaments they’d each brought.
It was the beginning of a new tradition for their extended families.
“Should we haul in the booty?” Jackson led his brothers back
outside. As the men hauled in wrapped packages by the dozens, a number of them
looking suspiciously like bicycles in the perfect size for a three-year-old,
the women congregated in the kitchen. Lou, running at full throttle in his
Santa apron, had all four ovens going, one with a turkey, one held a beef
roast, and the others emitted the amazing scents of side dishes.
Wearing a red-and-black plaid dress, black leggings, and
gold lamé shoes with tiny bells on them, Marliss shooed them out of the kitchen
to the formal dining room, where hotplates bearing fancy appetizers sat on the
sideboard, and a wide variety of cocktail options awaited them at the portable
bar.
Lexie played bartender, and soon each of the women held
glasses. They nibbled on the appetizers, then filled plates of the delicious
goodies and wandered into the living room, sharing their delicacies with their
men.
“Looks like the gals have found the bar.” Rogue put the last
of the colorful packages under the tree.
Jackson walked up to the group holding four heavy tumblers
of Dusty’s finest single-barrel whiskey. He handed one to each of his brothers.
“I’m thinking we should each say a few words. Ladies?”
“Let’s hear the toasts,” Marliss urged as she and Lou walked
into the room, each carrying their own glass.
“I’ll go first,” Lexie said, “if that’s okay. The best day
of my life was the day Killian walked into it. Like everyone else, we’ve had
our challenges.” She looked at Killian. “I’m grateful for the man he is and for
the future we have together. I love you, Killian. Merry Christmas.”
Everyone echoed Merry Christmas and took a sip of their
drinks. The whiskey calmed Jackson some, warming him, but the step he was about
to take tonight warranted a few nervous jitters.
“And I have one more announcement to make.” Killian held out
his arm and Lexie moved into the circle of it. “We’re adding another Walker to
the mix. Lexie and I are having a baby.”
“Oh, my god!” Zoe rushed over and hugged Lexie. She was soon
joined by the other women, adding their excitement to the mix.
“Guess there’s no question about your motility,” Jackson
joked. The brothers laughed at the reference to the lessons on horse breeding
they’d gotten at Killian’s ranch.
“Will you still be able to handle the show, being pregnant
and all?” Rori walked back to Jackson, letting him pull her close. “That’s a
lot to take on.”
Killian smiled down at his wife. “I’ll make sure she gets
pampered and coddled.”
Jackson leaned tipped his head. “Another baby.” He said the
words quietly to Rori, and she just rolled her eyes. The two of them were
taking things slowly, making each step in their relationship intentionally and
cautiously. Jackson knew it was so he wouldn’t get spooked, but Rori said it
was just because she was such a perfectionist.
Rori leaned in close to him. “Since it’s the ladies’ turn to
toast, I want to let everyone know that I’ve never been happier, thanks to
Jackson. I’ve fallen in love. For the first time in my life.” She raised her
glass in salute to him. “And for the last time in my life.”
Jackson pulled her close for a kiss. “You got that right,
Rori darlin’. Merry Christmas.”
Everyone gave mushy “awws” and laughed as both Rori and
Jackson blushed a little.
Zoe cleared her throat, gaining the room’s attention. “Since
Lexie let the cat out of the bag, I might as well spill the
Theresa Walker had boxes of white bulbs that she’d always
decorated the tree with, but after the brothers discussed it, they’d all agreed
with Marliss that those could stay in the basement storage room this year.
Killian and Lexie, Rogue and Kit, Jackson and Rori, and
Dylan, Zoe and even little Hunter hung the few ornaments they’d each brought.
It was the beginning of a new tradition for their extended families.
“Should we haul in the booty?” Jackson led his brothers back
outside. As the men hauled in wrapped packages by the dozens, a number of them
looking suspiciously like bicycles in the perfect size for a three-year-old,
the women congregated in the kitchen. Lou, running at full throttle in his
Santa apron, had all four ovens going, one with a turkey, one held a beef
roast, and the others emitted the amazing scents of side dishes.
Wearing a red-and-black plaid dress, black leggings, and
gold lamé shoes with tiny bells on them, Marliss shooed them out of the kitchen
to the formal dining room, where hotplates bearing fancy appetizers sat on the
sideboard, and a wide variety of cocktail options awaited them at the portable
bar.
Lexie played bartender, and soon each of the women held
glasses. They nibbled on the appetizers, then filled plates of the delicious
goodies and wandered into the living room, sharing their delicacies with their
men.
“Looks like the gals have found the bar.” Rogue put the last
of the colorful packages under the tree.
Jackson walked up to the group holding four heavy tumblers
of Dusty’s finest single-barrel whiskey. He handed one to each of his brothers.
“I’m thinking we should each say a few words. Ladies?”
“Let’s hear the toasts,” Marliss urged as she and Lou walked
into the room, each carrying their own glass.
“I’ll go first,” Lexie said, “if that’s okay. The best day
of my life was the day Killian walked into it. Like everyone else, we’ve had
our challenges.” She looked at Killian. “I’m grateful for the man he is and for
the future we have together. I love you, Killian. Merry Christmas.”
Everyone echoed Merry Christmas and took a sip of their
drinks. The whiskey calmed Jackson some, warming him, but the step he was about
to take tonight warranted a few nervous jitters.
“And I have one more announcement to make.” Killian held out
his arm and Lexie moved into the circle of it. “We’re adding another Walker to
the mix. Lexie and I are having a baby.”
“Oh, my god!” Zoe rushed over and hugged Lexie. She was soon
joined by the other women, adding their excitement to the mix.
“Guess there’s no question about your motility,” Jackson
joked. The brothers laughed at the reference to the lessons on horse breeding
they’d gotten at Killian’s ranch.
“Will you still be able to handle the show, being pregnant
and all?” Rori walked back to Jackson, letting him pull her close. “That’s a
lot to take on.”
Killian smiled down at his wife. “I’ll make sure she gets
pampered and coddled.”
Jackson leaned tipped his head. “Another baby.” He said the
words quietly to Rori, and she just rolled her eyes. The two of them were
taking things slowly, making each step in their relationship intentionally and
cautiously. Jackson knew it was so he wouldn’t get spooked, but Rori said it
was just because she was such a perfectionist.
Rori leaned in close to him. “Since it’s the ladies’ turn to
toast, I want to let everyone know that I’ve never been happier, thanks to
Jackson. I’ve fallen in love. For the first time in my life.” She raised her
glass in salute to him. “And for the last time in my life.”
Jackson pulled her close for a kiss. “You got that right,
Rori darlin’. Merry Christmas.”
Everyone gave mushy “awws” and laughed as both Rori and
Jackson blushed a little.
Zoe cleared her throat, gaining the room’s attention. “Since
Lexie let the cat out of the bag, I might as well spill the
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