“Does it take four grown men to start that fire?” Cara asks with a laugh.

“I’m going too!” Seth cries and runs for his boots to follow the men.

“Make that four and a half,” Lo says.

“Yes, because they have to choose the perfect wood and argue about the best way to start the fire and then admire it once it’s been started,” Nancy informs us. “It’s a man thing.”

“I suppose so.” I step back to admire the huge Christmas tree. “This is pretty.”

“I like the red and white lights,” Lo says, also admiring the tree.

“I do too,” Cara agrees.

“Those are new,” Nancy says. “Zack got them for Jilly.”

“For me?” Holy shit! “Why would he get special lights for me?”

“Because he knows your favorite color is red,” she replies and offers me a soft smile. “I do believe my son is in love with you, darling.”

“Oh.” I wave her off and shake my head. “There have been no exchanges of the L word.”

“It won’t be long,” she replies. “How did your little project turn out?”

“What project?” Lo asks and hangs a pretty red bulb on the tree.

“Nancy found a photo of Zack with Seth when Seth was a tiny baby for me. You’ll see what I did with it in the morning when he opens his gift.” I hug Nancy and kiss her cheek. “Thanks again.”

“You’re welcome.”

“What did Ty get you?” I ask Lo.

“He says we’re exchanging our gifts tomorrow night when we get home. He won’t tell me what it is.” She rolls her eyes. “How about you, Cara?”

“Josh says I can open it tomorrow morning.” She shrugs and continues to string her popcorn. “It doesn’t really matter to me, though. I have everything I need. What do you and Jeff usually do for each other, Nancy?”

“We typically don’t exchange gifts, but this year Jeff bought us tickets on an Alaskan cruise.”

“Awesome!” I exclaim. “You’ll love that.”

“It will be fun. I was surprised he thought of it. He likes to stick close to home.”

“I wonder what Zack got you,” Cara says.

“Oh, I don’t need anything. We’ve been seeing each other for less than a month.”

“That doesn’t matter,” Cara insists.

I shrug and smile softly. “As long as Seth has a good Christmas, that’s all that matters. He deserves it.”

“I agree,” Zack says as he walks into the room, clearly hearing the last part of the conversation. “And thank you.” He pulls me in for a big hug, and when my breasts press against his chest, I have to catch my breath. They’ve been so sore the past couple of days. I must be about to start my period.

Merry Christmas to me.

“Are you guys ready to go outside? The fire’s roaring.”

“We’re not done trimming the tree,” I remind him.

“How much is left?”

“The popcorn is done,” Cara announces and begins draping it around the tree. Lo jumps in to help her, and within seconds they’re finished. “Now it’s just the angel on top.”

“Seth can do that when we come back in.”

“I’ll grab some extra blankets,” Nancy offers and opens a hall linen closet as we all bundle up into our jackets and boots. “Zack, will you grab the bags in the kitchen?”

“Sure, Mom.”

“I’ll be right out,” I say and set a pot on the stove and fill it with milk. “I’m going to make some hot chocolate real quick. I brought a thermos.”

“We have dozens of thermoses, sugar.” Zack kisses my cheek. “I’ll be right back to help.”

Zack and the girls go outside, leaving me alone in the kitchen. It smells fantastic, since Nancy and I baked pies this afternoon for tomorrow’s dessert. When the milk is on its way to a boil, I add the chocolate and vanilla—my secret ingredient—and mix constantly, not wanting the milk to scorch.

“How’s it going?” Zack asks as he rejoins me.

“Fine. Almost ready. I think I’ll need one of your thermoses too. I made a lot.”

He fetches me the thermos as I fill the first, then helps me fill the second.

“I brought disposable cups with lids too.”

“Thought of everything, didn’t you?”

“I’m a planner, can’t help it.” I turn to carry the hot drinks outside, but Zack stops me, sets everything back on the kitchen counter, and pulls me in for a long, firm hug.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Jilly.”

“Me too.” I grin and breathe him in.

“You spoiled the shit out of my kid.”

“How do you know? Everything’s still wrapped.”

“Because there are at least ten gifts over there for him from you.” He massages my lower back gently. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Once I started with that damn one-click button I couldn’t quit. It was fun, and I really want him to be spoiled rotten this year.”

Zack kisses my forehead then leans his forehead against mine. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Tomorrow morning is going to be fun.” I kiss him quickly before pulling out of his arms. “Let’s go. I want s’mores.”