A Merry Vested Wedding - Melanie Moreland Page 0,33

had. There were a few vehicles parked there, as well as Aiden’s 4x4. With its heavy tires and chains, he would make sure everyone got home safely.

We smiled in delight as we took in the building. Lights were strung around the windows, framing the wreaths hanging in each one. There was a tree outside decorated with red bows and suet balls for the birds. Santa and his reindeer were set up on the big deck—something I recalled from when I was a small child.

When we got inside, Addi gasped. Our family had been busy and decorated the entire place the last two days we’d been locked inside our home and lost in each other. Garland was strung, glowing with lights. Candles were plentiful, the scent of pine, holly berry, and cinnamon heavy in the air. Everywhere you looked, there was something Christmassy. The railings were wrapped in greenery and more lights, the mantel on the fireplace piled high with evergreens and pinecones. Bows adorned picture frames. Vases were filled with more pinecones and red balls. It was beautiful every year, and every time it felt as if we’d never seen it before. Something new had always been added, and it was fun to see familiar things as well as the unique additions.

The gift-laden tree was ablaze with color, the ornaments reflecting off the thousands of twinkle lights on the branches and the bows on the presents underneath. Every year, Bentley, Aiden, and my dad went out and chopped down a tree tall enough to fill the enormous space. The ceiling soared to twenty feet in the center, and the lowest point was still over twelve feet tall. Every year, they argued and measured and always brought home a tree Aiden was certain would fit. Every year, some had to be cut off the bottom and the branches trimmed. Every year, they quarreled like schoolboys. It was odd as a child, but as an adult, it was amusing. I realized it was simply their thing. One year, Van went with them and brought home a perfect-fitting tree. He gloated over the magnificence. The other three men sulked for days. He never went with them again.

The air was filled with delicious aromas. Turkey, ham, spices. The sweet fragrance of pies mixed with the scents of the candles. Christmas music was playing, and I heard the sounds of our family laughing and talking. I added our gifts to the pile, and we headed toward the kitchen and were greeted by our mothers and aunts. Hugs and kisses were plentiful.

Nan stood back, cupped my face, then Addi’s, and kissed us. “No need to ask how you are.” She winked. “You both look very happy.”

“I’m sure Aiden will still ask,” Cami chuckled. “Rudely, of course.”

“And Bentley will smack him,” Emmy added.

“So will Maddox,” Mom smirked.

And they were right.

Bentley shook my hand, my dad enveloped me in a hug, and Aiden smacked my back. “How’s married life?”

“Aiden,” Bentley warned. “That’s my daughter.”

“And my son,” Maddox added.

Aiden held up his hands. “Just asking.” He grinned my way. “She calling you daddy now?”

I tried to hold in my laughter, but I couldn’t. The remark was so Aiden. My dad tried to hide his smile and failed. Van and Halton both smirked, and Bentley choked on the cup of coffee he was drinking.

Luckily, the rest of the crew came up from downstairs and interrupted the moment. There was more laughter and teasing, although most of it didn’t reach Bentley’s ears. I knew Addi was getting some teasing as well from the flush across her cheekbones, but it was all in good fun.

Drink in hand, I followed the crew into the games room and admired the new air hockey table “Santa” had brought. Along with the foosball and pool tables already in place, it was a great addition.

“I wanted to add an ax-throwing area, but I was voted down,” Aiden pouted.

“A little dangerous inside,” Pops pointed out. “Fun, but dangerous.”

Van perched on the edge of the pool table. “You know, the small area by the woodpile would be a great place. We could build an enclosure there. Safe. All cement walls lined in wood. A wood burner to keep it warm in the winter.”

Aiden brightened. “Love it.”

“Great sport,” Bentley mused. “It could be fun. As long as it’s not inside here.”

“I’ll draw up some plans.”

Aiden high-fived him. “Awesome. I’ll take on the boys.”

“And we’ll beat you,” they said in unison.

“Whatever.”

I headed toward Addi. I hadn’t touched her in fifteen minutes—far