“Oh, my,” Paige sighed. “Looks like you guys had a big day.” She picked Gabby up and pressed a kiss to Gannon’s forehead.

Gannon pulled her down to sprawl on top of him.

“Hey now, sister present,” Cat said, pretending to gag.

“This is nothing compared to what I had to listen to today,” Gannon yawned. “Come on wife. Let’s go home and do bad things to each other.”

“Fffffck.” Gabby chirped, clapping her hands together.

“What was that that just came out of my sweet child’s mouth?” Paige asked sharply.

“She said funk,” Drake said, his head popping up from the pillow.

“Clearly,” Henry agreed from his position on the floor.

“Definitely did not say ‘fuck.’” Ricky announced.

Jasper kicked Ricky in the shin.

“Ouch!”

Cat smothered a laugh and watched Noah try not to flip out over Sara’s hair.

The party over, they left in families and twosomes carting leftovers and kids until it was just the two of them.

Noah slipped his arm around Cat’s shoulder as they waved Sara, Mellody, and Ricky off. And by the time the headlights came on in Mellody’s car, Noah was dragging Cat back inside.

He kissed her, and she tasted sweetness.

“Don’t you think we should talk?” she asked.

“Talk later.” He bent low tossing her over his shoulder and headed for the stairs. Cat shrieked as he jogged up them, his shoulder shoving its way into her solar plexus with every bounce. He tossed her with less ceremony and more enthusiasm onto the mattress.

Laughing, she bounced once against the wall of pillows. “Just how many drinks have you had?”

“Why?” Noah asked, kicking off his slippers and yanking his t-shirt over his head.

“Because there are rules about taking advantage of partners when they’re inebriated,” Cat reminded him.

“You’re a really good person, you know that?” Noah insisted as he unzipped his jeans.

Cat bit her lip as they slipped low over his hips offering a view of that v of muscles she loved to bite.

“I am pretty great,” she agreed.

“It’s no wonder I’m in love with you,” he said conversationally.

Cat blinked.

With jeans low on his hips, Noah crossed to the dresser. He opened a drawer with a flourish and pulled out a matchbook. Striking one, he lit the two pillar candles in front of the mirror.

“Noah.” She said his name softly, not even sure of what she could or should say next.

“It’s funny how you can go through life and be as careful as possible, follow all the rules, and then BAM!” He plugged something into the wall and the floor lit up. He’d strung Christmas lights over every piece of furniture and the floor the whole way around the room.