He went into the header and changed his working title from Strong5 to the new one he’d decided on, smiled, and set his printer to work.
With a satisfied breath, he sat back. He was done. Sure, he’d have to reread the entire book a couple more times, but the bulk of the task was done.
He’d always been afraid he couldn’t have a career and a happy married life, both. But with wonder he realized he could do both. He had just needed the right woman.
Lexi.
In that instant, he realized he loved her. Incredibly, in such a short time. Without a doubt. He wanted her in his life. Forever. He was finally ready to settle down and create a family--with an expert.
If she’d have him.
How could he convince her?
An idea formed in his mind. A crazy, silly, sentimental idea.
It involved a snowman.
And maybe, if he could wake Steven and Trista early enough, they could help him put the finishing touches on everything.
If they agreed to his plan. If they wanted him in their mother’s live. In their lives.
And, if his plan went the way he wanted, he would find out just how good his connections were.
Late as it was, he didn’t hesitate to lift the phone and dial the number of an old friend.
Chapter Twelve
VERY EARLY CHRISTMAS MORNING
Feeling like an idiot, Kyle tossed pebbles at Steven’s bedroom window.
One pinged hard. It would be just his luck to break the glass or to wake Lexi.
When Steven finally peeked out the window, Kyle motioned for him to be quiet, and to come down to let him in. Kyle stood at the front door for only a moment before Steven opened it.
The boy looked at him sleepily and whispered, “What are you doing up so early? It’s only five-thirty.”
“I know. Isn’t it exciting? It’s Christmas morning.”
Steven rubbed his eyes. “I’ll go wake Mom.”
“No, no, don’t do that. Wake Trista instead. I need to ask you both a question.”
Steven shook his head as he disappeared inside and came down a few minutes later with his sister, who was also yawning.
Kyle knelt on the tile and took each of them by the hand. “I have something really important to ask you. You know I really like your mother, don’t you?”
Trista rolled her eyes. “Double duh.”
Steven yawned and nodded.
“Well, I want to ask your mother to marry me, but I also want to make sure that’s okay with you two before I ask her.”
Steven’s eyes shone. “Sure.”
Trista said, “I knew it!”
“But do you like the idea? Do you approve?”
“I love it,” Trista said. “And I definitely approve.”
“Kyle Miller is going to be my new dad,” Steven said. “The kids at school will never believe it.”
“But what if I never ever wrote about Jared Strong again. What if I never had. Would you still want me to marry your mom?”
“Oh, yeah. And I can hardly wait when I introduce you as my new dad to friends at my birthday party.” Steven grew serious. “Is it okay if I call you Dad?”
Kyle’s heart jumped and love for this little boy filled him. “You bet. Can I call you son? And daughter?”
They both nodded, their eyes sparkling with excitement.
“I need help putting my plan into action this morning. Would you two like to be my elves?”
They both nodded again.
“Okay, go get dressed, and put on your coats and gloves and boots. And whatever you do, do not wake your mother.”
* * *
Lexi yawned and glanced at the clock. Nine o’clock.
It took a moment for the meaning of that to hit.
What on earth? It was Christmas morning and her kids had let her sleep in until nine o’clock? This had never happened before. Last night must have worn them out, too.
She pulled on her robe and silly pink bunny slippers and wandered down the hall to wake them. Pushing open Steven’s door, she called out, “Wake up, sleepyhead.”
Except Steven’s bed was empty.
So was Trista’s.
They must be downstairs playing with their Santa gifts, which this year were an iPod for Trista and a new bike for Justin.
As she descended the stairs, she couldn’t hear anything, but the children had never been this quiet before on Christmas morning.
No one was in the living room, either, or the kitchen. She called out their names, but no one answered. Now she was beginning to worry.
Suddenly, there was music coming from the front lawn. Were the kids playing music outside? How weird.
The music got very loud.
Sleigh bells ring.
Lexi crossed to the front door and opened it.
What an incredible sight greeted her.
Her children stood there, along with Kyle, Keefe and Alyssa and their kids, Kenneth, and Kyle’s dad.
They’d built a family of snowmen close to her front porch.