Betty hooks her arm with mine. “Well, you know, we are the wiser ones.” We make our way to the clubhouse, ignoring the groups of people at the front. Not intentionally. My mind isn’t here right now. It’s still with the job I just came from.

Before I’ve reached the steps, Wicked rounds the corner, his eyes finding me instantly. “You alright?” Ma takes Wolf over to the playground with Lion’s old lady and Jade’s mom.

“Yup!” I flash a wide smile at him, sliding beneath his arm.

“I’m going to find eggnog.” Snow is powdered everywhere outside, I honestly don’t know how the hell the kids are outside.

Wicked closes the door behind us and I shiver, removing my long trench coat. “Get me one!”

“Hey!” Wicked’s hands come to my arms, turning me toward him. His dark eyes search mine and as every second passes, the guilt builds deeper and deeper inside my gut. “What’s wrong so I can kill it?”

I place a gentle kiss on the palm of his hand. “Nothing. I promise. I just had something to do before I got here, and well…” I shuffle out of his grip and place my handbag on the counter. “Let’s just say it wasn’t fun.” The clubhouse looks completely different to what it usually does. Jade and the girls did it good. I probably should have been here to help them, as Wicked’s old lady, but I think they all understand my schedule.

“Wanna talk about it?” he asks, kissing the top of my head. The door closes behind us as Mama and Olivia walk back through.

Shaking my head, I rest on his shoulder as he pulls me down onto his lap. “Nope.” His arm wraps around mine protectively. Wicked and I went back and forth on how we would do Christmas. He wanted to spend time with the MC, but I just wanted something at home. We came to an agreement for Christmas Eve at the clubhouse and Christmas Day at home. Everything is already organized for tomorrow. We have Gio, Marcu, and my aunt and uncle coming, as well as Val and Ivy. I still haven’t met her yet. Mama said that she hasn’t wanted a lot to do with our family since finding out what Victor did when we were younger. I guess she’s decided to burn a bridge to come tomorrow. Or burn a bridge when she gets there. I watch as Royce and Jade cuddle in the corner, Royce nibbling on her neck.

“Guys!” Jade wriggles in Royce’s lap. “We have an announcement!”

My lips curl between my teeth as I take the eggnog Betty hands me, taking the spot beside Wicked. I already know what she’s going to say before she says it.

“We’re having a baby!”