Caught Up in Between Book 3
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Anastasia White
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Christmas Special Part One
TWO YEARS LATER
Okay, let’s have a look. Maybe I forgot something. If I did, it would be the second time within one week that I returned home, forgetting to buy some things from my list.
Ethan and Emma are driving me crazy. They want everything. If not, they try to run away from me. One day they even succeeded. I found them in the toy aisle.
I had no idea what to do: cry because of relief that they were safe, or yell at them. I settled for both options. I scolded them, but then hugged them and cried, telling them how much I love them both.
With Angie, everything was easier. She was calmer when she was little and a lot more reasonable. Now she’s being a massive help to me because her brother and sister are little monsters.
Don’t get me wrong, my children are well-mannered, adorable, and smart, and they also love their parents and their older sister. Yet, once they start playing, it’s very hard to stop them before they destroy our house.
Logan was used to telling me that I was overreacting. When I went on a business trip to New York and he stayed alone with them, he realized that I was right.
He only needed one day alone with them before he called his mom for help. It was my turn to have this look on my face, I mean the “I told you so” look.
Evangelina is already seven years old. She looks like I did at her age. She’s kind and wise, and she’s one of the popular kids in her school. Everybody loves her because she’s always nice to the people around her.
I am so proud of my little girl. When the twins were born, she became very jealous of them. One day she even screamed at Logan and me, telling us that she hates her brother and sister. We were terrified.
A few days after that situation, I was at home with the kids. I was utterly exhausted. I barely had time to sit because all three of my children needed my attention.
I heard the doorbell and went to open the door, annoyed beyond everything. I wasn’t expecting anyone. When I saw my visitor, or should I say visitors to be precise, I couldn’t stop myself from smiling.
Our moms were standing in front of me. They stayed at our house for a month, helping me, giving me time to relax and spend time with my beloved husband.
Logan and I were also able to show Angie that we love her just as much as before the twins were born. She became a lot calmer, and since those days, she started helping me.
Logan is retired now. He broke his arm a few months after winning his second Super Bowl, saying that it was the last straw. He works with children, training them, and he also invested some money in Drew’s company.
He trains children because he wants to, while the real money he gets from his investments. Besides, he has a good amount of savings because he always knew he would need to retire someday.
My hubby is smart, and he always thinks ahead, trying to plan for everything.
“Mommy!” I almost jumped. I turned my head and saw Ethan and Emma on the floor. They were trying to divide two toys. Two toys. What could be easier?
“Okay, I will give you five seconds. You need to decide which one either of you wants.
“If you aren't able to choose yourself and you continue arguing, I will take scissors and cut one of these toys in two parts while the second one goes to the trash can. One... two... three...”
“I will take the bear,” Ethan said, pressing the bear to his chest and staring at me with his wide brown eyes.
“I will take the puppy,” Emma said, doing the same and eyeing me with her lips pursed into a thin line. She has heterochromia. One of her eyes is emerald-green, while the second one is brown.
The twins take after their father entirely. I must admit it only makes his ego grow bigger.
Logan is a very proud and kind dad. He always knows what to say to make them stop crying or what to do for them to listen to him.
As we know now, I have very little patience. Yeah, I'm still the bad cop in our family.
“Ethan, Emma, I forgot to buy cheese and tomatoes, and I need them! In two days, this house will be full of guests, and I still don’t have everything I need.”
I stomped my foot and saw Logan coming inside. He arched his brow at me, trying to hide his smile. I narrowed my eyes at him. “Glad to see you home. I need to go shopping again. Stay with them.”
I headed to the door, but he caught my elbow and stopped me in my tracks. I locked eyes with him and instantly relaxed. I sighed and wrapped my arms around his waist, pressing my head to his chest.
“I'm sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing? I know our children and how unbearable they can be. You love them. You just need to remember that.”
“It’s hard to forget after I was in labor for six hours. They are precious, but…” I trailed off because Logan silenced me with a kiss.
He knows me too well. He knows where to touch me, what to say, or what to do to make me feel like a purring kitten. He understands me like no one else ever could. I love him so much!
“I will look after them. Don’t worry, and there is also no need to rush back home. Take your time. You told me that you didn’t have time to buy a dress for our little gathering. So why not do it now?”
“Really?” I looked up at him and saw his full lips stretch into a big smile.
“Really, Rebecca. Now go.” Another peck on my lips, and then he playfully pushed me a little towards the door. “Okay, Ethan, Emma, let’s talk like adults. What did you do again at the shop?”
When I was almost out of the room, I turned my head and looked at Logan with our twins. He knelt before them, and they started telling him about our trip to the shop.
I rolled my eyes because I heard that it was all my fault. I forgot to tell them that I wouldn’t buy any toys for them. Yeah, of course, they already forgot our big talk in my car just before we entered the shop.
Twins being twins.
“Mom? Where are you going?” I turned my head and saw Angie standing in the hallway. She had come here from the living room. I smiled at my daughter.
“To the mall. Do you want to go with me?”
“Absolutely! I need five minutes!” she rushed to the stairs and disappeared upstairs. I chuckled.
Of course, it took more than five minutes for her to be ready. I had time to go back to the kitchen and tell Logan that Angie was going to go with me.
The twins were calm, helping him put the things we brought in the fridge. Sometimes I have a feeling that they do it on purpose.
I am a bad cop, remember? While Dad is the sweetest, and he always tries to reduce the effect of my punishment.
Though, when they are ill or at night before they go to bed, they only need me. I can’t be mad at them for too long.
“What do you want to buy?” Angie was with me in the car. She looked cheerful. Yeah, days like this one are rare for us. That’s why I cherish whenever I can be alone with her.
“I need a dress. And cheese and tomatoes.”
“Dress? What kind of dress?” she looked curious.
“Something elegant and beautiful.”
“Mom, you are beautiful. You will be stunning even if you are dressed in some plain dress.”
“Plain dress?”
“Yeah, I heard Drew and Lisa talking when they were visiting the last time. She said you could be dressed in the most boring dress and still, you would shine like a diamond.
“Drew laughed but said that he completely agrees. Mom, is it true that Drew and you were a couple?”
I coughed, trying to hide my surprise. “Why do you think that?”
“I don’t know… It’s just… You don’t have the same relationship with Chase or with John, or with Tim. Drew is always so attentive to you, and he cares about you so much…
“I said it aloud, and Lisa told me that you were his first love, and it’s not something that will disappear, even with time.”
“Well, yes, I was Drew’s girlfriend when I only started my studies at college. We were together for two years, but we broke up. It happens.
“Now I am with your dad, and we are very happy together and in love. While Drew loves Lisa.”
“Yeah, she told me he loves Faith and her… But… I think he still loves you too.”
“Angie, I love Drew, but only as my friend. He feels the same. Sometimes, when you meet your person—you just know that he’s the one for you. I don’t need anyone except your dad.”
“He makes me feel absolute happiness and love. When Drew met Lisa, he knew she’s the one for him.”
“I think Zac is the one for me,” my daughter exclaimed and looked at me with a radiant smile on her lips.
She has known Chase and Jenny’s son for six years and continues to talk about him as if he will be her future husband. I even heard one day that they were making plans together.
They want to go to the same college and live in the same city.
I am not trying to change her mind. She’s free to believe whatever she wants, as I have no idea what destiny has in store for my baby. I only pray for her to be happy and not to suffer much because of boys.
“Maybe. We will see.” I winked at her, parking my car.
I spent two hours at the mall with Angie. I bought a dress not only for myself but also for her.
She also asked me to wait outside one of the shops while she was choosing a gift for Zac. She was a little shy when it came to him. I only smiled and agreed to do as she asked.
Since the year I was expecting the twins, our family has created this tradition. Our friends and our parents come to us, and we all celebrate Christmas together.
Soon, our house will be full of people, full of laughter and long talks. It feels amazing! I love this time of the year because I have a chance to see all my friends.
I am incredibly grateful to all of them that they are willing to visit us and to celebrate this holiday with our family. I honestly can’t wait.
