Sitting cross-legged on the Italian fill-grain white leather sofa, I let out a sigh. I knew there was a lot on my schedule, but I hadn’t expected Andrea’s list to be quite so extensive. I moved my index finger over the tablet’s screen, considering the possible venues for the upcoming RPH launch party.
“You have a very busy week, Mrs. Raine,” Tristan said, as he scrolled into my home office.
Without looking up, I said, “Give me just a second.” After highlighting my top picks for Andrea, I dropped the tablet in my lap. “Okay, let’s hear it.” I motioned for Tristan to have a seat in one of the two chairs positioned closest to me.
“Today alone, you have holiday tea with the foreign dignitaries—today’s their last day here and per your request, I’ve already rescheduled twice. After lunch, there’s the unveiling of the Christmas nativity, the charity Christmas supper after that, and then finally the Boston Common tree lighting ceremony with the mayor.”
“Okay. Remind me why we scheduled all this on one day.”
“Because you wanted to have the last two weeks free for family,” he said, looking up from his electronic calendar.
“I know. I know,” I said, with a sigh. “Let’s make sure Dianna knows to have Lyric ready for the nativity unveiling. I’d like for him to go with me, and Aiden will be joining me for both dinner and the tree lighting.”
“Will do,” he said. “Is Lyric not attending the evening ceremony?”
“No. I’d like for him to go, but he has the sniffles, and I’m worried the night air will make it worse. I hate he’s going to miss it, but we’ll more than make up for it with everything else we have planned.”
“I’ll make sure Dianna knows.”
“What do I have tomorrow?” I asked. “And let’s go to my desk. I think we need to move some things around later in the week.”
After Tristan and I reviewed my schedule, I started a conference call with the imprint launch team. The meeting ran longer than I expected, so I ended up cutting out early, leaving them to wrap things up. It was going to be a very long day.
*****
With charming holiday decorations placed in nearly every room, and seasonal music floating from the sound system, our home had become an enchanted Christmas village. The pine-sweet smell of nearly a half dozen trees drifted through the house. Each room held exquisite floral pieces—some embellished with holly, others with red amaryllis blooms and berries. The mantles were all adorned with fresh greenery and stunning glass figurines, and the traditional nutcracker dutifully watched over it all.
It had taken a lot of help to get the house Christmas-ready. Aiden and I decorated quite a bit of it ourselves. We spent many a day walking hand in hand to several shops in downtown Boston, selecting items for our first Christmas as husband and wife.
We continued the Raine family tradition—decorating a separate tree for each of us. Although Sienna had passed down quite a few of Aiden’s ornaments, we procured several keepsakes of our own. Our quest for decorations had quickly become a string of wonderful excursions—visiting antique shops, designing our own, or ordering online. We’d even flown to the Big Apple to visit a few stores that carried legendary collections of vintage ornaments. Although the relentless New York cold made it tempting to stay inside, we enjoyed most of our weekend on foot. We were lost in the crowds, peeking through the lavishly decorated windows, stopping to admire the brightly lit trees, and ducking into quaint little coffee houses to get warm. I fell in love with one of the shops, so much so, that I wandered around too long for Aiden and Lyric’s tastes. As they went off on their own, I took my time choosing an assortment of specialty ornaments—some were fairly standard new-age trinkets, while others were collectibles from the 1950s. As I stepped out of the shop to meet up with my two favorite guys, I’d thought about calling Kellan to meet us for dinner. I was sure he’d love to see Lyric, but instead of making the offer, I kept it at just the three of us. I didn’t want to risk anything spoiling our holiday.
Trimming the trees made for the sweetest of brisk wintry evenings. In the family room was the most grand of all the Christmas trees—standing at twelve feet, the balsam fir took center stage. Lia and Bianca had had a hand in creating the picture-perfect end product. It had taken hours, but keeping Lyric away from the tree proved to be a more daunting task than decorating it. I’d lost track of the number of times I had to pull him away from it—each time he screamed at the top of his lungs, struggling in my arms as we left the tree behind.
The smaller trees positioned throughout the house were also his targets. Lyric was a toddler on a mission; he raced toward those, too, but none of the trees made his eyes as big as the one in the family room. He was seemingly spellbound, but the spell was always broken when Mommy or Daddy pulled him away from it. It was adorable watching his father scold him. “Daddy says no.” That’s all Aiden would say. And then he’d rub Lyric’s back, soothing his cries as he carried his son to the kitchen for a treat. Some scolding. It had happened so often that I thought Lyric was doing it just for the treat. I’d even said as much to Aiden, but he dismissed it as ridiculous. Of course a one-year old couldn’t manipulate him, right?
Bedtime was probably my favorite time of day. Not because it allowed for intimate time with my husband—I’d never have enough of that. It was special because it was our time—just us. I’d grab a juice cup for Lyric and a cup of cocoa or a warm after-dinner cocktail for Aiden and me. While I busied myself with drinks, Lyric and Daddy piled a heap of pillows on the floor in the family room. Once we were all comfortable near the warm, cozy fire, Aiden and I would take turns reading Christmas stories to Lyric.
*****
“How about a little Michael Bublé?” Aiden asked one evening after we’d tucked our son in. He walked to the control center on the wall, and selected the soft melody of I’ll be Home for Christmas.
“This is one of my absolute favorite Christmas carols,” I said. “His rendition makes me love it even more.”
We sat on the sofa in front of the fireplace and Aiden pulled me into his arms. “The lyrics in this song are my words to you,” Aiden said.
“How so?”
“I was lost. I’d forgotten where my heart lies, but I’m home,” he said and pressed a long kiss to the top of my head. “And never again will I lose my compass.”
Previously, I’d thought last year’s Christmas was one of the best I’d experienced, but this year topped every Christmas I’d ever had. Aiden and I were finally in a place that fit. We still bumped heads from time to time, but that was expected. But the way we handled those bumps was healthier and made for a much happier marriage. Let’s face it—Aiden would always be Aiden, and I would always be me. That’s what drew us together in the first place. We were still madly in love and we still wanted forever. The difference now—thanks to our qualms, unfortunate losses, and Dr. France—was that we had the tools to lead us there.
*****
I headed to the kitchen to check on the preparations for the evening’s dinner. It was my first attempt as hostess for a large holiday gathering of family and friends. Excitement was in the air, but there was a wee bit of nervous energy floating around also, namely because the guest list included a few people who would make for an interesting evening. But then again, maybe Aiden would be on his best behavior as he’d promised … which actually meant very little, considering.
Kellan, Sloan, Allison, and Liam had already arrived. They were enjoying drinks and conversation as I gave some last-minute instructions to the chef.
“I don’t know which of my sister’s dates I have the least regard for,” Aiden said, having joined me in the kitchen.
“Well, lucky for you, you aren’t dating either of them.”
“But you did,” he said, eyeing me over the lip of his glass. “What did you ever see in that guy?”
My brows rose. “You mean besides the obvious?”
“Did I miss something?”
“He’s very good looking,” I said.
Aiden sneered. “You think?”
“Okay. We’ll bypass that part. Kellan was easy. He was calming. There was no pressure with him. I could just be.”
“He sounds like a walk in the park,” he said wryly. “Are you sure you chose the right guy?”
“Oh hush. I made the only choice I could. There was really never a choice. Kellan didn’t knock me off my feet. His voice didn’t make my insides melt. His eyes didn’t pull me into a trance. His touch didn’t set my skin on fire, and he didn’t give me the most amazing kid in the world. That’s all you.” I grasped his hand as we headed into the family room to join our guests.
“But I make you uneasy?” he asked.
“Aiden, you’re a force that one can’t easily handle. Even in the most casual of circumstances, you often put me on edge. It’s who you are. It’s not a bad thing.”
*****
After Connor and Sienna’s arrival, I was in the kitchen again tending to a last-minute request.
“Aria, can I borrow you for a second?” It was Sloan—and this evening she looked positively breathtaking. Her hair had grown, falling just past her shoulders. One side of her dark brown locks was tucked behind her ear while the other lay slightly over the right side of her face. She wore a deep red mini-dress with long raglan bell sleeves. The arched hem showcased her long legs. I’d never seen her wearing anything that even remotely revealed her sexuality, unless you counted the dress she wore in my wedding, but even that had been a subdued hint of sexy, nothing as bold as she was wearing tonight.
“Sure,” I said. “What do you need?”
She let out a long, exasperated sigh as she shook her head. “It’s my brother.”
“Oh God. I’m sure you mean the younger one. What’s he done?”
“Kellan and I were taking a tour of the house,” she started, as she lowered her voice and stepped closer to me. “We saw Dianna and Lyric, so we stepped into the nursery.”
“Let me guess,” I said. “Aiden walked in and had words with Kellan.”
“Pretty much. If Dianna hadn’t been there, it wouldn’t have been an amicable parting.”
“He swore he would be on his best behavior,” I said.
“And you know what?” she asked. “In his mind, he probably is.”
“I’m sorry, Sloan.”
“Why are you apologizing? Although I know he won’t, Aiden should be the one doing that,” Sloan said.
“He’ll apologize. I’ll make sure of it,” I said, moving my hand sympathetically down her arm.
“Thanks, Aria. I know how hard you’re working to make this comfortable for all of us. I really don’t know how you put up with Aiden,” she said.
“Oh Sloan, don’t bash our brother,” Allison said, having joined us.
“Allison, I’m actually shocked you aren’t adding to his list of offenses. Didn’t you say he was still out to get Liam?” Sloan asked.
“Well … yes. But he’s been cool about it lately,” she shrugged. “I guess I owe that to you, Aria. So thank you,” Allison said.
“Listen to us,” Sloan said. “We’re grown women, hoping our brother approves of our choice in men.”
“My powers of deduction lead me to believe that my beautiful sisters are saying less than flattering things about me,” Aiden said, stepping behind us.
“Oh, you figured that out, did you?” Sloan asked.
“Are you worried I don’t like those assholes you’ve brought into my house? Because you should be. This brother disapproves. Vehemently.”
“Aiden,” I warned.
“Don’t start with me, Aria,” he said.
“And what are you two doing?” he asked, looking back toward his sisters. “Running to my wife hoping she can whip me in line?”
“Listen, you,” I said, pointing a finger at him. “We discussed this. And you promised. You will not be rude to our guests. I expect you to apologize to Kellan.”
Aiden’s brows rose. “For what?”
“Sloan filled me in on your visit to the nursery,” I said. “Please don’t bother to defend yourself. I don’t want to hear it.”
“So now you’re cross with me, too?” Aiden asked.
“I’m not upset … I’m disappointed.”
“I’m sorry,” Aiden said, as he leaned in and kissed me chastely on the lips.
I loved his kisses, even those that didn’t last long enough, but his gesture wouldn’t deter my thoughts of his behavior. “You just couldn’t behave, could you? I asked if you would be okay with this, and you said yes.”
“Aria, damn. How can any man really be okay with this scenario?” Aiden asked.
“If I can deal with Anja being here, you can deal with Kellan and Liam. And if you knew you weren’t on board with this dinner party, why did you agree to it?”
“The same reason I go along with just about anything that involves you, regardless of whether I like it or not … because I love you.”
“Then do as I ask,” I said. “Go to Kellan and apologize.”
Aiden turned to face his sisters, glaring at them both.
“Leave them alone, Aiden. And go.”
He was quiet—his gaze still assessing Sloan and Allison. He breathed a sigh as he turned to face me and granted me another kiss—this one on my cheek. “Anything for you,” he said, and turned to leave.
“What the fuck was that?” Sloan asked, once Aiden was out of hearing range.
“I know, right?” Allison echoed. “Who was that guy and where have you hidden our brother? How did you get him to do that so easily?”
“Nothing is ever easy with that man. You guys know that. But he’s learning. Besides, you know how the saying goes … happy wife, happy life.”
“No one ties his hands like you do. I love it,” Sloan said, grinning.
And no one ties mine like he does.
“You’re taming the untamable,” Sloan said and made the pretense of a curtsy. “I bow at your feet.”
“Oh, stop. Don’t let Aiden fool you. He may apologize, but we all know it won’t be sincere and he’s not going to stop until he gets his way. But for now, I’ll take this win. I suggest you two do the same because at any moment, he can do any number of things to break both of your relationships, and he’ll feel perfectly justified in doing so.”
“I love Aiden to the moon and back, but he really needs to stop going big brother on the guys we choose to date,” Sloan said.
“If it helps at all, remember he’s doing it because he loves you, though I know that doesn’t make it right. And I promise to keep working on him,” I said.
“Thanks,” they said, almost in unison.
I felt bad for them. It was unreal the amount of control they allowed Aiden to have over them, but then again, it was more like they didn’t really have a choice with someone like Aiden. I knew that much first hand.
I looked at their empty glasses. “We should do something about those,” I said, and beckoned one of the waiters.
*****
“Why’s everyone so quiet?” I asked. We’d all been in our little groups until sitting down at the table when a hush fell over the room. I glanced at each of them and noticed a few eyes were focused on Aiden. The silence suddenly made sense.
“Hey, what did I do?” Aiden asked. “I’ve been nothing but cordial to all of this craziness.”
“You’ve behaved for the most part,” Nicholas said, in agreement.
“I’m under a direct order from the wife,” Aiden replied.
“Maybe we’re all waiting on you to go Aiden Raine on us,” Allison said.
“I don’t know what that means,” he replied.
He knew exactly what it meant; we all did. And quite frankly, I was wary at first, but as Aiden had said, he wouldn’t do anything to ruin this evening for me. He did step out of line, but he made up for it, so all in all, I was proud of him. I knew this was awkward for all of us, but if this was to be our status quo, then we’d better get used to it.
“Aiden, why don’t you make a toast?” I suggested.
“If you’ll raise your glasses,” he said.
A couple of people had to wait until their drinks were topped off, but once we’d all lifted our glasses, Aiden continued. “In the words of Hamilton Wright Mabie, ‘Blessed is the season that engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.’ Aiden glanced at his sisters and their dates. “And conspiracy is the right word, given the unlikely bunch seated around my table.”
“Aiden,” I warned.
“Okay, okay,” he said, and cleared his throat. “This year has been met with some extreme highs,” he said, looking at me. “And we’ve also been hit with some of our toughest challenges, but with patience, love and understanding, we’ve all made it to the other side. One thing I can say with one hundred percent certainty—it has all made me a better man. A wise man once said, ‘Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.’ I think tonight is a start to that. And to the love of my life, I love you more with each passing day. Thanks for not giving up on me.”
“Never,” I mouthed.
“Merry Christmas,” Aiden said as he concluded his toast.
“Merry Christmas,” we all chimed.