The Sweetest Gift - Scarlett Cole Page 0,7

would explode with the impact of it, he listened.

“I need to relax, don’t I?” he said.

The smile that lit up her face reassured him. “Just a little. I love how fiercely you love me, Jordan. It’s the most glorious of feelings. And I love that you love this little one just as much, if not more, already. But suffocating either one of us isn’t the answer to keeping us safe. Plus, you can tell your brothers now. And they’ll help you navigate this.”

That made him smile. Somehow, Lexi always knew the right things to say to soothe his insides when they got all frazzled. “Fine. Let’s go tell them,” he said.

“Petal is going to be pissed. She didn’t take it well when Elliott had Holly, and she liked it even less when Holly’s brother, Noah, came along.”

“Yeah, she’ll take some persuading that I’ll still love her.” Jordan helped Lexi off the examination table and held her coat while she slid her arms inside. He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her close for a chaste kiss. “Thank you,” he said. “For everything in the last four years, but especially for marrying me and for this.” He stepped back and placed his hand on her stomach, still stunned by the miracle growing in there. “It’s the best Christmas gift I could have asked for.”

“Well, perhaps I should take your real gift back to the store, then,” she said, laughter brightening her words.

He shrugged. “Easy either way, Angel.”

When they stepped out of the room, Dr. Cherry was waiting with the copies of the ultrasound. Twelve weren’t enough. He wanted everyone in his life to have a copy. Ellen would want one, as would Maisie. And he definitely wanted Lennon’s fiancée, Georgia, to take a look, get a second opinion on the baby, given she was such an accomplished doctor.

Once the logistics of booking the next appointment were completed and Jordan was confident that Lexi was securely in the car, a Jaguar F-Pace he’d bought when he finally passed his driving test three years ago, he drove them to Elliott’s house. The band was scheduled for an end-of-year round-up before they called it a day for the holidays.

He pulled into the driveway and for a moment looked up toward the attic. A light shone through the windows, new ones that had been added long after he’d moved out. The walls had thick insulation, the carpet plush. Daniel now used it as his personal den where he would hang out with school friends. It warmed Jordan to think of the once cold space being used for good.

“Are you okay?” Lexi asked, placing her hand on his knee. He could feel her heat through the thick denim.

“Never better,” he said, feeling a sense of relief that everything was right with his world. “Let’s get you inside.”

Elliott had never asked for their keys when they had all moved out, and encouraged them all to come and go as they pleased. So, when Jordan and Lexi had moved into their house, they’d given everyone a key. As had Dred, and Lennon, and Nik. Five keys to five homes he’d always be welcome at. Just the sight of them made his heart feel fuller.

“Elliott,” he yelled as he kicked the snow off his boots and followed Lexi into the house that had once been his home. A fire burned brightly in the hearth. As always, Kendalee had gone overboard. Trees in both the dining room to the right of the hall, trees in the family room to the left. Huge garlands of evergreens swathed the handrails up the stairs. And that hyper-annoying Mariah Carey song blasted from speakers around the place. Even the hall table had jars of candy canes.

They took their coats off and hung them on the hooks by the door.

“Hey, Lexi, Jordan,” Kendalee said as she came down the stairs. Noah caused a fuss in her arms. “Here,” she said, thrusting Noah toward him. “Work your magic, Jordan. He won’t settle.”

Jordan took him and perched him on his hip. “What’s put a bee in your bonnet, bud?” he said, softly. He began to bounce slightly, swaying from left to right.

“Teeth,” Kendalee answered. “Poor little guy is having a hard time of it.”

Jordan looked toward the dining room. “I was standing in there four years ago when Pixie and Dred had enough of dealing with Petal teething. That’s why I was walking with her that night.”

“I didn’t know that story,” Kendalee said. “You’re like