So they worked together to clean up the dishes and immediately went to work on the tree.
“Did Garrett say what the roads were like?” she asked. “Do you think I can go shopping and pick up at least some small gifts for everyone?”
“I’m sure the roads are fine for you; you’re used to it,” he replied as he began winding the lights around the tree. “Personally, I don’t think you need to go and shop. No one’s expecting anything from us, and considering all we’ve just been through, I can guarantee that no one will be offended by us showing up empty-handed.”
“I guess, but it still feels wrong.”
“Hand me the next set of lights, please.”
She did, but then something else came to mind. “We still need to go into town and do some food shopping. We were fortunate that I over-shop as a general rule or we would be starving right now.”
“It sounds to me like you really just want to go into town.” He moved around the tree and connected the next set of lights before reaching for the last strand.
“We’ve been cooped up for days,” she reminded him, “so maybe I am a little anxious.”
Nodding, he said, “I get it.” Pausing, he took a step back before situating the last set of lights. “How about after we get this decorated, we go together?”
“Sounds like a plan!” And after that, Mia sang along to the music and forced herself to feel as jolly as possible–which wasn’t hard when it was finally starting to look festive in the house.
They bought groceries for themselves and gift cards for everyone else. For the life of him, Austin had no idea what the big deal was, but…it made Mia smile, so how could he complain?
Now it was a little after eight and all the lights in the house were out except for the ones on the tree and the fire in the fireplace. They sat cuddled up together on the couch, contentedly looking at both. He thought about suggesting they turn on a movie, but he supposed the silence was good.
Boring, but good.
When his phone rang, he nearly dumped her on the floor in his haste to get to it.
He didn’t even look at the screen, he simply answered. “Hello?”
“Hey, Bro! I’m not calling too late, am I?”
Chuckling, he shook his head. “Garrett, it’s barely after eight.”
“Yeah, but you’re old, so…you know,” his brother said with amusement.
“What’s up?”
“There’s been some change of plans for Christmas dinner, and Mom asked me to call and let you know.”
“Oh, um…okay. Actually, I wasn’t even sure where it was supposed to be.”
“Originally, Mom was going to host for Christmas Eve and Emma and I wanted to host Christmas Day. But then because of the storm and the extra people in town, Aunt Susannah suggested that we have a big old family Christmas dinner at her place. You know, the kind of get-together we used to have when Pops was alive.”
Just thinking about their great-grandfather made him smile. “That actually sounds really nice. Are we doing it tomorrow or Christmas Day?”
“Tomorrow,” Garrett replied. “And we’re all supposed to bring something, but Mom said she’d let me know first thing in the morning, so as soon as I know, I’ll let you know.”
That seemed a little odd, but he supposed everyone was sort of rolling with the punches for a last-minute gathering. “Sure. Sounds good.”
“Awesome. I’ll call you in the morning. Have a good night.”
After they hung up, Austin walked back over to the sofa and resumed his spot behind Mia.
“Everything okay?”
Nodding, he told her about the plans to go to the B&B for dinner. “Did Jill and Dex leave today?”
“No, they’re supposed to fly out in the morning last I heard.” She pressed back against him as his arms went around her. “They had a hell of a time getting a flight–not only because of the holiday but because so many flights were canceled because of the storm. I think Dex might have chartered a plane for them.”
“Hey, if you’ve got money, why not, right?”
“Seems a bit excessive, but I can understand about them wanting to get home to spend Christmas with their families. Simon too.”
He yawned and hated to admit that he was tired. It was ridiculously early for him to want to go to sleep, and yet…that’s exactly what he wanted to do.
“I know you’re going to think I’m crazy, but…” He yawned again.
Glancing over her shoulder, she gave him a knowing smirk. “Believe it or not, I’m tired too. I think we’ve been lying around so much lately that we exhausted ourselves with the grocery shopping.”
“Oh God,” he groaned. “We are old.”
She elbowed him in the gut before standing. “Don’t say that.”
“Fine.” But he did make a rather elderly sound as he got up from the couch. Mia walked to the bedroom while he turned off the tree and the fireplace. And it was crazy how quickly they managed to crawl into bed and fall asleep.
The next thing he knew, his phone was ringing, and someone was banging on the front door. “What the…?” Forcing himself to sit up, Austin glanced at the bedside clock and was surprised to see it was morning already.
Beside him, Mia rolled over and squinted sleepily at him. “What is going on?”
“No idea,” he murmured as he rose. “Stay there and I’ll see what’s up.” He had slept in a pair of flannel pajama pants and a t-shirt–which was unusual for him–but it meant he could walk to the door right away. In the distance, the phone stopped ringing, but the banging on the door continued.
A string of muttered curses flowed as he walked up and looked out the peephole and blinked twice to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.
Yanking the door open, he stood in shock. There stood his baby brother, who everyone thought was still deployed. Dressed in his cammies, he looked every inch a Marine. “Jackson?! What in the world…?”
“Merry Christmas, Austin!” They hugged and Austin immediately tugged him into the house.
“How…I mean…does Mom know you’re home?” He went to shut the door, but Garrett came walking up the stairs wearing a big grin. “Did you know about this, G?”
“Of course! I know everything,” Garrett said confidently. “We all know I’m the brains of this family.”
“Oh man,” Jackson grumbled. “It’s a little early in the morning for this crap.”
“Speaking of early,” Austin said as they walked into the house. “Let me go and shut the bedroom door. Mia’s asleep and…”
“Nope. Mia is awake,” she said as she tied the sash on her robe and came over to hug his brothers. “This is an amazing surprise, Jackson! Welcome home!”
“I hope you don’t mind, Mia, but we were hoping we could kidnap Austin and go out for breakfast. Just the three of us,” Jackson told her. “We know it’s short notice, but…”
“Are you kidding? I think it’s very sweet! Go and enjoy yourselves!”
Austin was torn for all of thirty seconds because it was Christmas Eve morning and he was sure there were things he and Mia needed to do, but the chance to go out with just his brothers was way too tempting. So he kissed her and quickly went off to get dressed. Five minutes later, he stepped back out and found everyone in the kitchen talking while Mia made herself some coffee.