Chapter Thirty-Three

The gathering at Zack’s home was perfect, but Lacy couldn’t wait to get back to her little apartment. There was one more gift to be given, and she wanted to be alone with her man when she showed it to him.

But Jake had relaxed as the pleasant afternoon drifted into evening and then night, so she bided her time. To the squeals of delight from all the children in the house, Zack and Mei pushed back a set of panels at the far end of their expansive family room to reveal a closet full of sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets. Apparently, this Christmas-after-New-Year’s party was a slumber party for the youngsters.

LiLi took over, which seemed appropriate since she was taller and the oldest of the tribe, also the bossiest. But she got things done in her domineering way. She handed the sleeping supplies out in quick order and told the younger children where to put theirs so her daddy could tell a story. “Hurry up. We hafta be in our beds and we hafta be extra quiet.”

Baby MiKi pursed her lips and spit out a bubbly “Shhhhh” as if she’d done this before while Song dove into her sleeping bag lickety-split, the cutie.

Brand new pajamas appeared courtesy of Alex and Kelsey, and the best part of the day commenced watching all those big guys with their large hands and callused fingers change their kids’ play clothes for sleep clothes. What a circus.

Most knew what to do, but Harley’s and Judy’s little ones ran for their lives, squealing and whooping it up. Harley’s chasing after them didn’t lessen the racket, but Lacy couldn’t miss the enjoyment on Harley’s face or the amused smile on his wife’s face. Judy didn’t look angry. If anything, she looked—smitten.

Lacy also kept a close eye on Alex. For as tough as he sounded, the man was as gentle as a lamb with his little girl, Lexie. Kelsey looked on while the toddler squirmed, but over and over, Alex patiently laid Lexie back to the floor where he sat cross-legged, until he had her out of her jeans and Christmas sweater.

Training diapers, huh. Pull-ups? Interesting. Lacy took note of the tenderness on his rugged face as he cared for his daughter. By the time Lexie was changed and dressed, she’d forgotten about the party behind her. When he lifted her to her pajama-footed toes and said, “There you go. Now scoot,” she dove headlong into his arms and squealed, “I wuv you, Daddy! Mostest of all!”

If that didn’t bring a tear to Lacy’s eye, nothing could. Apparently it worked on Alex too. He swiped a hand over his face as he took his place beside Kelsey. Those two. There was something between them that set them apart from everyone else. It might’ve been the way Kelsey melted into his side, her fingers fluttering on his chest and a warm glow in her brown eyes. Maybe it was the way he pulled her in like he needed her, or the way he closed his eyes when he kissed her forehead. It could’ve been nothing more than the soft smile on her pretty face when his lips touched her skin. Whatever it was, Lacy wanted it.

Finally, Little Alex and Georgie were in their pajamas and the restless natives settled for the night. Lacy and Jake had since moved to one of the loveseats facing the tree. The fire in the fireplace crackled with real logs instead of gas, a nice touch that had kept Rory busy since he seemed to be in charge of it.

At last, Zack dragged a wooden stool to the wide stone hearth. He hooked his boot heels on the lowest rung, folded his arms over his chest, and—

“Wait. Don’t we get out treats now?” intelligent and wise LiLi asked, blinking those big brown eyes at her father.

“Oops,” Mei yipped. “I forgot.”

“You stay put, I’ll get them,” Hunter Christian said, one foot in the kitchen already. He and his wife Meredith had shown up late in the afternoon with their son, Courtney, but what a handsome pair. Clean cut and shaved, Hunter was a walking piece of damned hot eye candy, while Meredith still looked like she’d rather be in bed sound asleep.

“Morning sickness still bothering you?” Libby Houston called out.

“I’ve never thrown up so much in my life, not even with my first,” Meredith said, nodding. “I’m glad Hunter’s getting the treats. I don’t think I can handle looking at food.”

Courtney was already tucked in the sleeping bag he’d dragged alongside Rory and Ember’s son, Tyler, but oh my heck. What were Zack and Mei thinking to invite all these children for a sleepover? It wasn’t Christmas and Santa Claus wasn’t coming. What was going on?

“Ahem,” Zack cleared his throat as he eyed the children while Uncle Hunter passed popcorn balls and juice boxes. “Are we ready?”

“Yes, Uncle Zack,” the smiling tribe replied in unison as if they’d done this before.

“Okay then. This is a story about true love,” Zack began quietly, his hands on his knees and making careful eye contact with each of the kids.

The little boys set to grumbling while a collective “Aww…” came from the girls.

Zack lifted an eyebrow. “What does it take for true love to start and to grow?” The rapport he had with these kids was sweet to watch.

A tiny blonde girl who looked more like an elfin princess than a human child waved her hand. “I know. I know!”

“Suzette?” Zack prompted.

“A princess and a prince!” she belted out. That must be Gabe Cartwright’s little one. With those mahogany curls, she looked just like him.

A red-haired boy of maybe three frowned at Suzette, his lips pursed. “Doesn’t always hafta be a prince. My Daddy loves my Mommy, and he’s no prince. He’s just a regular dad.”

The adults in the room chuckled while Lacy lost track of whose child was whose, until Tess Hart muttered, “You tell ’em Charlie.” Okay. Charlie belongs to Lee and Tess Hart. God help me remember all these faces and names.

“But what does it truly take?” Zack asked as his fist thumped his chest. “Down deep. What does it really take for a man and woman to be happy together?”

Lacy smiled. He’d already given the answer away. These little ones just had to think for a moment.

Damned if Jake didn’t unfold his long legs and stand to attention beside her. “I know what it takes,” he said, his back stiff and his eyes on Zack. All those little faces turned expectantly upward to Jake.

“What are you doing?” Lacy asked. “Sit down. This story’s for the little—”

“True love takes true love,” Jake said loudly and proudly, and, oh, my gosh. He turned and dropped to one knee. Lacy blinked and blinked again. Someone giggled, and she was pretty sure it wasn’t her. “Jake Weylin?” she asked, her heart fluttering as if a million butterflies had just taken wing inside its chambers.

“Lacy Wright,” he said as he tugged something out of his back pocket. “Will you marry me?” he asked, not a bit of doubt in his strong, masculine voice.

Oh, wow. Oh, Wow. A… a diamond ring.

“M-m-me?” she asked, stuttering enough for the both of them. Oddly, she couldn’t come up woth any moisture in her throat when she needed it most, but her eyes had plenty.

“Yes, you, you, you,” he said as he nodded. “You’re my heart and soul, Lacy. I want you to be the rest of my life, too.”

“Are you sure?” she asked, thinking of all those paintings in her closet.

It seemed the room held its breath. Not Jake. “Never been surer,” he said without missing a beat.

“Yes,” she managed before she choked on the emotions in her heart. “Oh, yes, Jake Weylin. I’ll marry you.”

Without a single tremor, he placed the ring on her left ring finger. It fit. Perfectly.

A sweet “Awww…” came from the little girls, a few of the older girls, too.

“See, what’d I tell you?” cute little Charlie stage-whispered. “It just takes a smart man and a smarter woman to fall in love.”

Lacy sputtered at that. Oh, the stories Charlie’s mom must have told him.

“You may kiss your future bride,” Zack intoned like a minister.

“Yes, I may,” Jake growled as he leaned in and blessed Lacy with a moist, warm, but chaste, kiss.

She couldn’t let him go after that, just pressed her forehead to his. His lips pressed another kiss to her nose. “Like the man said, it just takes a man and a smarter woman.”