It’s been a long car ride from college with Paige, Dylan, and Jaxon, and all I want now is a long soak in either a Jacuzzi or a bathtub. I’m not too fussy as to which at this point.

The Stowe Mountain Lodge is a huge five star resort, which is overrun with guests during the winter months. Luckily for Charlotte there had been a wedding cancellation, which meant she and Tanner could be slotted in earlier than expected, and the block of guest rooms also went to the McKenzie/Jackson wedding party.

Finding somewhere to park in the huge lot wasn’t easy, but eventually we slipped into a space as another SUV pulled out—right at the entrance to the hotel.

Dylan grins. “This spot was so worth driving around for.”

Jaxon raises his brows and opens the door, letting the cold air invade the warmth of the car. “At least you won’t get a parking ticket here.”

I chuckle and clamber out, following my cousin to the trunk. Paige and Dylan join us as we grab our bags. Paige’s dress and mine are in separate clothing bags as we have our own rooms in this resort. Apparently when Charlotte took over the original booking she had no choice but to accept the room allocation as well. I’m not complaining.

“Mom and Dad are here,” Jaxon jogs over to Aunt Rosie and Uncle Ruben who look to have just arrived with my cousins, Ryan and Sofia.

“I think I’m going to sleep until the wedding,” Dylan comments, yawning. “Coach has us training hard.”

Paige teases, “You should have early nights instead of spending them out.”

I spot my dads, Noah and Ramon, strolling with our grandparents. Smiling widely, I nudge into Paige and grab Dylan’s arm. “Lets go and help. We can shove our bags on the baggage cart Ramon has.”

Without waiting for a response, but knowing they’ll follow, I head over and greet our grandparents with a hug and a kiss to their cheeks. “How was the drive?”

Ramon wraps an arm around my shoulders and kisses the top of my head. “The drive was good. So was the flight yesterday.” He smiles. “I missed you.”

I roll my eyes. “Dad, I’ve hardly had chance to settle back into college since the Christmas break.”

He kisses my cheek as I turn back to my grandparents.

“My old bones are glad to have a rest from the traveling for a few days though,” Granddad admitted as Noah, helps him into the wheelchair.

He hates the chair, but he accepts that he can’t get around like he used to be able to. I’m just glad to have both my grandparents in my life.

I find myself wrapped in Noah’s arms, squished into Paige. “Missed you both,” he says. “How you doing Dylan?” he asks hugging him.

Our families are big huggers—every last one of them.

“Fine.” Dylan yawns again.

Noah grins. “Too many late nights.” He watches Paige and me when he says that. His grin widening as we stifle our sniggers.

Noah leads Grandma into the hotel and we follow at a slower pace with Ramon while he negotiates the wheelchair that Granddad has to use. When we get inside Granddad is looking around for his wife, his eyes alight when he spots her. Seeing them together, and so in love into their nineties always makes me smile. They certainly set a good example for their children, and grandchildren.

“I’m going to find out why Madison looks upset.” Dylan takes off toward his sister, his mom and dad, Sebastian and Carla, close by.

“Rachel. Paige.”

I recognize that voice.

We turn and smile at Sirena as she slowly waddles toward us. Her husband, Garrett, carries their son Elias in his arms while trying to keep hold of his wife.

“Why haven’t you given birth yet?” Paige asks.

“I feel like I’ve been pregnant forever,” Sirena complains, but she glows with happiness. “But I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She settles into her husband’s one-armed embrace.

“Have you seen my parents yet?” Sirena asks.

I shake my head. “I think I heard that Joshua was meeting them at the airport and driving them up here.”

“I heard that too.” Sirena glances at her husband.

Garrett smiles softly. “I think we need to find our rooms so you can have a nap.”

“Hey,” Dylan returns, “you need to check in over there. They’ve set a desk up for wedding guests. It’s quicker than joining the line at reception.”

“Thanks.” I grab Dylan’s arm as he’s about to run off again. “Did you find out what’s up with Madison?”

He frowns. “She says she’s fine, but I don’t believe her.”

“I’ll get her alone and talk to her.” I shrug. “Let her know I’m here if she needs a female ear.”

“She’s my sister, she should talk to me.” Dylan isn’t happy.

“You’re a guy, and if she’s having man trouble why would she want to talk to her hot headed brother about it?” I grin. “You seriously want to have a conversation with your sister about sex?”

He narrows his eyes, grabs my face and gives me a sloppy kiss on the cheek. “Cousins are not allowed to mention that word.”

“What word?” My cousin Joshua appears.

“Sex,” I tell him.

Joshua pauses and glances to Dylan before saying dryly, “I’m not even going to ask.”

Dylan disappears with Paige in tow while I exchange a hug with Joshua. He blushes as I squeeze his arms. “Why Joshua, I do believe you’ve been working out,” I tease and reaching up, kiss his cheek. “You’re so easy to tease.”

“It’s hard work having a large family.” He smiles. “Can’t get away with anything.”

We head toward the desk Dylan had indicated for the room allocation. I turn to Joshua and ask, “Where did your mom and dad go? They came with you, right?”

“They did. Checked in the minute they walked through the front doors.”

“Ah!” I chuckle. “Say no more.”

“They’re like teenagers and can’t keep their hands off of each other.” He shudders. “Parents aren’t supposed to do that kind of stuff.”

“All my male cousins think like that. Why is it weird knowing your parents have plenty of sex?”

I get the narrowed-eyed glare. “I hate you,” he grumbles.

Joshua has always been quick to give in with us girls, and I bet now is no different. So while he’s pretending to ignore me, I slip my arms around his waist and bury my face in his neck.

He sighs and wraps me in an embrace. “I love you Rachel,” he whispers, “not as much as our cousin does though.”

I still and feel him kiss my forehead.

“I love you both, so be careful okay?”

Nodding, I let him give our names and take our keys as we’re checked off a list. “This is your room.” He hands me a keycard and I walk with him toward the elevators, grabbing my luggage and dress as I pass the cart my dads have.

“You’ve gone silent on me.” Joshua frowns. “I didn’t mean to hurt you when I said that about Alexander.”

“I know. It just hurts … all the time.” I blink back tears. “I’ll survive.”

I hope.

Joshua stays silent in the elevator and gives me a long hug when I’m on my floor. “Thank me later.”

I smile softly at him as the elevator doors slide shut. I frown at the closed doors wondering why I’d thank him later.