“After this,” Scotty said to the twins, “let’s go throw snowballs for Skippy to fetch.” Looking up at Sam and Nick, he added, “She can’t figure out why she can’t catch them. It’s so funny.” They’d gotten another six inches of snow the day before, and the kids had been thrilled.

“That sounds like fun.” Nick picked up Aubrey while Scotty lifted Alden so they could wave to their brother as his three-car motorcade departed. “Let’s go upstairs and get your snow pants on. I’ll help with boots.”

The three of them took off in a rush of energy and excitement that made Sam laugh. She took the arm that Nick offered for the walk to the elevator. “Thank goodness for Scotty. They’ve already shaken off Eli’s departure.”

“I was just thinking the same thing. Our boy has become an amazing big brother.”

“Yes, he has.”

Nick pushed the button to summon the elevator.

“I’m looking forward to being able to do stairs again.”

“You’re getting there.”

“Such a stupid injury,” she said for the nine hundredth time.

“Eh, shit happens. So, after the kids go out to play, you wanna take a nap?”

“Like a sleeping nap?”

“What other kind is there?”

Sam laughed at the heated look he gave her. “I could use a nap. I’m still recovering, you know.”

Upstairs, they followed the sound of squealing children, who were chasing Skippy around while Scotty tried to corral them to put on snow pants.

“They’re impossible,” he declared.

Sam was glad to see they’d shaken off the sadness of Eli’s departure rather quickly and was certain Scotty’s attention had made a big difference. He was so good with them. “Guys, let’s get your snow pants on so you can go play before the snow melts.”

She sat on Alden’s bed and helped him into the pants while Scotty helped Aubrey. Nick handled boots, and within a few minutes, they were ready to go.

“Give me five,” Scotty said, “and then we’re outta here. We’re gonna hit the bowling alley after this. We’ve got a big afternoon planned, don’t we, guys?”

“We do!” Aubrey said. “We’re very busy. And Ms. Florence said we can bake cookies tomorrow. I can’t wait!”

“I love cookies,” Alden said, grinning.

Sam gave his belly a playful poke that made him laugh. It amazed her daily that she couldn’t seem to remember what life had been like before the twins and Eli joined them a few months ago.

They sent the kids off to play in the snow, under the watchful eyes of their devoted big brother and the Secret Service.

Sam took the hand Nick offered her and followed him into their suite.

Chapter Eighteen

Nick shut the door and then tossed a log on the fire one of the ushers had started earlier. “Alone at last.”