Christmas with a Rockstar Read online

  “Same to you,” I said, while I gave her a squeeze.

  Jake motioned to Sam. “Okay, hand him over. Uncle Jake needs some snuggles with his new nephew.”

  “Why should you be the first to hold him?” AJ protested.

  “Maybe because he’s my sister’s kid?” Jake replied.

  Warmth spread through my chest at my two bandmates and best friends fighting over my son. While I’d never vocalized it to anyone, especially Allison, I’d worried about the stigma surrounding Sam. Would my friends and family embrace him the same way they would my blood son? It was truly a gift to see my fears had been unfounded when it came to my bandmates and their families.

  Gently, I handed Sam over to Jake. “Hey, Little Man, welcome to the family,” Jake said. He then kissed the top of Sam’s head.

  While AJ cooed at Sam in Jake’s arms, Mia and Abby got down to work organizing all the food. As Allison stepped out of the bathroom fresh-faced and in new clothes, Brayden and Lily appeared with their family and even more food.

  Immediately, Allison teared up at the sight of the bounty our bandmates had brought. “You guys, I can’t believe you did this.”

  “We couldn’t bear the thought of you guys eating cafeteria food for your Christmas dinner,” Lily said

  Abby nodded. “Not to mention, the allure of getting to see handsome Mr. Sam.”

  With a smile, I slid an arm around Allison’s waist. “Seriously, we can’t thank you all enough. Some of you guys are our blood, but all of you are our family.”

  “Oh, my God, you’re going to make me cry,” Allison tearfully admitted.

  “Already there,” Mia said, dabbing her eyes.

  “Group hug?” AJ suggested.

  Although I fully expected someone to protest, no one did. Instead, we all gathered together in a giant Runaway Train pile. As I squeezed my bandmates, I was so grateful to have them in my life. They were the family I’d always wanted.

  After we dispersed, Jake passed Sam on to an eager AJ. Spreading his arms wide, Jake proclaimed, “Let’s eat!”

  Always the minister’s daughter, Abby interjected, “After we say grace.”

  Jake grinned at her. “I’m sorry, babe. Didn’t mean to be a heathen on Christmas Day.”

  “Then why don’t you lead us?”

  Although Jake paled slightly, he gave a brief nod before bowing his head. Inwardly, I laughed at how the former manwhore was now a devoted husband returning grace. It certainly was a testament to the power of love. Especially the power of the love of strong women. The men of Runaway Train had certainly been blessed in the women we’d married.

  With the blessing returned, Mia and Lily started handing out plates while Brayden manned the drink station. Jake and AJ disappeared out into the hallway for a few seconds before reappearing with chairs. Before I could ask where they found them, Jake winked at me. “I’ve got connections.”

  After everyone filled their plates and started eating, I realized something was missing or more specifically, someone was missing. Leaning over, I whispered into Allison’s ear, “I’ll be right back.”

  She furrowed her brows, but she didn’t question me. After wading through the kids, I headed out the door and made my way up the hall. I knocked on the door of Keira’s room. “Come in,” she called. When I entered, it hit me how much quieter it was. Not to mention how somber the mood was.

  “Merry Christmas,” I said.

  With a smile, she replied, “Merry Christmas.”

  “You look good today.” From her change of clothes and shiny face, it was evident she’d showered.

  “Surprisingly, I feel pretty good, too.”

  Glancing around the room, I noticed Roland’s absence. “Where’s your dad?”

  “He’s gone down to the cafeteria to get us something to eat. I told him to go home and have lunch with Granny and Grandpa, but he refuses to leave me.”

  I gave her a knowing look. “Good fathers don’t leave.”

  “No. I don’t guess they do.”

  “Can you get in touch with him?”

  She furrowed her brows at me. “I suppose so. Why?”

  “I want you to tell him to forget the shitty cafeteria food and come to our room for Christmas dinner. The guys and their wives brought a hell of a feast.”

  “That sounds nice, but I don’t think we should impose.”

  “Who said anything about imposing?”

  “But we’re not family like they are,” she protested.

  I shook my head. “Sorry, but we are family. You gave birth to my son. From the very start of this journey, we always said we wanted you to be a part of Sam’s life. What better way to start that than by having his birth mom celebrate his first Christmas with him?”

  Tears sparkled in her eyes. “You really mean that?”

  “I sure as hell do.”

  She hiccupped a laugh. “I would love to eat lunch with you guys. Most of all, I’d love to see Sam.”

  “Who knows. You might even decide you want to hold him.”

  A shy smile played on her lips. “Maybe so.”

  “Good.” I stepped over to the bed. Extending my arm, I said, “How about I escort you down there?”

  “That’s okay. I really don’t need any help,” she answered as she threw back the covers.

  “Then just consider it me being a gentleman.”

  With a giggle, she replied, “Okay. I will.”

  As I was taking Keira to the room, Roland appeared with a cafeteria tray over-stacked with plates. He glanced between the two of us. “What’s going on?”

  “I’m escorting Keira to Christmas lunch in our room.”

  “You are?”

  I nodded. “Toss your tray, and come join us.”

  His brows shot up. “You want me to come, too?”

  “Of course. Considering the Runaway Train wives usually cook for an army, I’m more than certain there’s plenty for you.”

  Roland winked. “A homemade Christmas lunch? Oh yeah, you don’t have to ask me twice!”

  When we entered the room, Mia was holding Sam so Allison could eat. At the sight of Keira, Allison’s eyes bulged in surprise. After putting her plate down on the table, a beaming smile lit up her face. “Merry Christmas! Come on in and get some of this deliciousness.”

  Abby handed Roland a plate. While she prepared to hand one to Keira, Keira wasn’t paying attention. Her gaze was focused on Sam in Mia’s arms. As if she sensed the conflict, Mia stepped forward with a smile. “Would you like to hold him?”

  Keira’s conflicted gaze bounced over to Allison’s. When Allison nodded, Keira held out her trembling arms to Mia. Once Sam was nestled against her chest, Keira’s fear seemed to evaporate. She gave her birth son a smile. “Hi, Little Man.”

  At the sight of Sam in Keira’s arms, a mixture of both agony and joy filled me. I bit down on my lip to fight my tears. Allison abandoned her seat to come over to me. Gazing into my eyes, she smiled. “What you just did? You’re my hero.”

  I laughed. “Seriously? I invited two people to lunch. I’d hardly consider that something heroic.”

  “Well, I do. It’s just one of the hundreds of reasons why I love you with all my heart and soul.”

  Bending my head, I captured her lips with mine. After pulling away, I smiled. “And I love you with all my heart and soul.”

  Allison returned my smile before gazing out at the wonderful chaos in the room. “Our first Christmas as a family.”

  “It’s not what we expected, but it’s pretty amazing.” I motioned to Sam in Keira’s arms. “Seriously, who could ask for a better gift than Sam?”

  With a laugh, Allison replied, “You’re right. There’s nothing better.”

  “Merry Christmas, babe.”

  “Merry Christmas.”

  As I brought my lips to hers, I realized what a true Christmas miracle I’d been given. I had a beautiful, loving wife, a career with supportive band members who were more like my brothers, than my fr
iends, and most of all, I had a healthy son. With a goofy grin, I heard Tiny Tim’s words echoing in my mind, “God bless us, everyone.”

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  Runaway Train Series

  Music of the Heart

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  Melody of the Heart

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  Ian

  “I’m not sure this is the best idea,” Zoe announced.

  I picked up the bags the kindly porter had set at my—our—feet before zooming off down the narrow, twisty road before us. It led away from the old rehabbed church that served as my brother’s and his wife’s vacation property on a remote island, the name of which continued to elude me though I was currently standing on it.

  St. John’s? Yes, that seemed like it could be the one. I would attempt to discreetly find out while not acting as if I didn’t already know.

  Zoe and I were relatively new to this whole relationship business. I’d swiftly realized that being in a committed union was like navigating a minefield. I was just gaining my footing on the battleground. Slow but steady.

  I was also learning how to be a brother. Simon and I hadn’t grown up together. He’d been raised in California while I’d been raised in London. We were just beginning to learn to tolerate each other. Him more so than me. Though I’d had the requisite feelings of jealousy that came from being pitted against each other by our mum, I’d also had a bit of hero worship.

  No part of Simon had worshipped me. To be fair, he’d had no warning of my existence, and my arrival had heralded a torrent of trouble in his life. Some intentional, a lot not.

  But we were past all of that now. Somehow. I still wasn’t sure how we’d all made it through relatively unscathed.

  I even had my beloved Zoe by my side again, and we’d spent months together this go-round with no bloodshed. Well, there had been that one broken dish, due to me shagging her on the kitchen table.

  Some casualties of war were worth it.

  “You’re in paradise, Magic. Why ever would you say that?”

  “We’re in paradise with a heavily pregnant woman. An isolated paradise. Doesn’t that seem like a recipe for possible problems to you?”

  I slung the bags over my shoulder and stepped toward Zoe, cupping her face with my free hand. I’d forever thank all the gods that she was a light traveler. “It seems as if you’ve become a worrier in your newly maternal state.”

  She poked me in the chest. “Easy for you to be unconcerned. You men just drop and run.”

  “I hardly dropped and ran. As I recall, I spent an entire evening on the process of impregnating you, and then returned to improve upon my work the next day and the day after that.” I kissed her on the nose.

  “Yeah, and I’m never going to hear the end of it, as if you were the first man to ever become a father. I had something to do with it, in case you’ve forgotten.”

  “Oh, I’ve forgotten nothing. And in case I do, I have this trusty little video—” I started to reach for my mobile, letting out a laugh as she batted my hand away from my pocket.

  “Are we finally going to tell everyone?” She yanked one of her camera cases off my shoulder before I could protest. “Ideally, before I start to show and people think I’ve indulged in far too much Christmas baking?”

  “You’re barely along yet and besides, your peanut butter thumbprint cookies are to die for.”

  “Flattery will get you nowhere, buster.”

  “Not even into the pouch of them you secreted in your camera bag?” I reached for it and she laughed.

  “You see far too much.” Her laughter faded as a surprise gust of wind skittered some fallen branches and leaves across our feet. “What is the weather supposed to be like while we’re here anyway?”

  “It’s a tropical island. Hot. Sunny. And I’ve heard there’s a nude beach.”

  “You better hope there isn’t anyone with a long-range lens or else your dangly bits might end up on the cover of a magazine.”

  “Surely I’d sell even more records. My dangly bits are a sight, are they not?”

  She didn’t respond, since she’d dragged out her own phone and was flicking through screens. “Uh, did anyone check the weather report before we came here?”

  “Clearly, you did not, as you’re just checking it now.” I let out a long sigh as she narrowed her eyes at me. Such lovely golden eyes they were. Even more so when she was annoyed. “What does it say?”

  Rather than answer, she pushed the phone at me. An ominous looking headline in heavy black type made me frown.

  Hurricane Bertha has new storm track, analysts say.

  “Bertha is a truly dreadful name. I hope you don’t fancy it. My child shouldn’t have—”

  “Ian. Read the damn article and stop thinking about the fruit of your loins for five seconds.”

  As a wise man knew when to listen to his woman, I read the article.

  By the end of it, I was…well, concerned. A little.

  “Look, mate, this is my first Christmas with a family.” I passed her back her phone. “A real family, including my brother and my girl and our wee one.” I patted her belly and though her eyes remained slitted, they softened. Marginally. “I never expected such good fortune. If you think an itty storm that’s spinning away merrily over the ocean is going to bring me down, you’re wrong.”

  “That’s sweet. It truly is. Though if you call me mate again, I’m not going to be responsible for my actions.”

  “It’s a term of endearment.” I wrapped my free arm around her shoulders and guided her toward the place where we’d be staying. A large holiday wreath made of undetermined flora hung on the door, festooned with a large red bow and various beachy items. There were shells and sand dollars, and perhaps even a random bit or two of sea glass. It matched some of the windows, which held panes of rainbow hues.

  Stained glass was rather fitting for a renovated church. I hoped I didn’t start to smoke the moment I stepped over the threshold.

  The one positive thing was that from the outside, it didn’t much look like a church. Oh, some steeples and interesting arches remained, but Simon and Margo had expanded upon it and built it out until the structure held only the barest bones of a holy gathering place.

  At least I assumed there were no crosses over the beds. I wore one on my person, an item of personal value I’d had since I was a boy. Surely that was enough.

  My brother definitely wasn’t one to have a religious altar. So, I should be safe.

  “Yes, and so is jackass. Remember that when I call you it often over this vacation, especially if that hurricane comes anywhere near here.”

  Chuckling, I tugged on her long braids. The ends were newly bright purple from some non-toxic vegan dye, which reminded me of the early days of our courtship.

  “Magic, do you honestly think even the heavens themselves would deny us our happiness? After we’ve fought so long and so hard to have it?”

  “Famous last words,” she muttered.

  But she was smiling.

  Slightly.

  “Hey, brother, you going to come out and greet us?” I called, hoping Simon and Margo weren’t indisposed. It was rather late in her pregnancy, but I doubted they would abstain.

  I certainly didn’t intend to.

  The door opened and I smiled widely, ready to gree
t my brother with a hug. He still wasn’t that affectionate toward me, but I considered it a win that he was even speaking to me. I had faith things would improve even more in time.

  Look how far we’d come already.

  Nick Crandall stepped out on the small stoop and extended his arms broadly. “Welcome, friends. So happy to see you.” Nick’s smirk said volumes. He was about as sincere as a python. “Lila and I are so excited to spend this vacation with you both, along with Simon and Margo.”

  I slid a look at Zoe. “Did you know your cousin was coming here too?” I asked in an undertone.

  Her cousin who hated me. Fabulous.

  Frantically, Zoe shook her head.

  Lila and Nick—who just happened to be Margo’s and Simon’s best friends—had not yet gotten the memo that I was now considered a good guy. Yes, I’d had a rocky start with this group. I’d done some shady things and people had gotten hurt. I deserved every bit of their ire. But it was the holiday season, and we were turning over a new leaf.

  Or so I’d hoped.

  Still, it was on me to try to pave the way. If I radiated good cheer, perhaps the same would be returned to me. To us.

  At least until they all learned I’d impregnated Zoe—on purpose. Without the benefit of matrimony. Or even a terribly long courtship. Then I’d probably be on the, what was it called, shit list yet again.

  I tried to smile. Regardless, nothing would ruin our pre-Christmas holiday away. Not foul weather or relations who wished me dead. “Nick, how lovely to see you.” I cleared my throat. “Merry Christmas to us.”

  Nick

  An island Christmas was weird.

  He was a California guy, well used to the month of December being hot and sunny. But he’d now spent just enough holidays at his wife Lila’s parents’ place in upstate New York that looking out the window and seeing a hammock rocking wildly in the wind and white sand and palm trees wrapped in giant red bows was unnatural.

  Well, the decorated trees would’ve been unnatural regardless. Who did that?

  “We should be visiting Mom and Pop with the girls. We would’ve been, if I’d known interlopers were coming before we got here.”