Coming Home For Christmas
Chapter 103

'The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other' ~ Burton Hills Lacey's P.O.V.

It's honestly crazy how much of a difference a year can make to one's life.

This time last year, the kids and I spent Christmas Eve with Carmella in our matching Christmas pyjamas watching our favourite movies and eating takeaway and junk food.

Now a year later, I'm married to the love of my life, I'm pregnant and I'm dressed in a beautiful dress while I'm surrounded by everyone that I love.

I feel so happy and blessed right now because of the people I'm surrounded by and yes, I know my parents aren't here and neither is Luca but there's always next year or the year after that if Luca pulls his finger out of his a*s and takes Klayton up on his offer and gets help.

Anyway, I'm just standing here and watching my three babies having fun with their cousins and opening up some of the gifts that have been bought for them.

My eyes were specifically on Liam and Dayton and I swear it was like watching Liam as a little boy and Liam as a grown-ass adult because of how similar they are in looks, in their mannerisms and their personalities.

I was brought out of my thoughts when I felt a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist.

"Why are you standing alone, love?"

Logan asks while nuzzling his face in my neck.

"Because I'm enjoying the view"

"Babe, I'm behind you, you can't see me"

He says and I roll my eyes while chuckling.

"I meant the view in front of me, everyone looks so happy"

"Are you happy?"

He asks me and I turn my head and look at Logan with a smile.

"I am so happy, my love, in fact, I think this is the happiest I've ever been in my life and it's all thanks to you"

"Me? why me?"

Logan asks confused.

"Because if it wasn't for you storming back into my life like a crazy ass storm then we wouldn't be here now, would we?...although, a huge part of me does wish that I never left in the first place because maybe then we wouldn't have lost out on so much together, especially you"

I say while feeling guilt enter my heart as Logan rests his forehead against mine.

"Don't dwell on the past love, we're together now and we're happy, that's all that matters, right?"

"Right"

say with a smile.

Logan then kissed my lips as one of his hands rested on my flat stomach.

"I can't wait to meet our new baby, Lace, I can't wait to find out what we're having and to pick out names and get the nursery sorted out and I can't wait to see our three babies with their new sibling"

Oh baby, you're not helping my guilt here.

Most of what he just said is what he should've experienced with our first babies but he missed out on all of that because of me.

"I hope you're also looking forward to sleepless nights, dirty nappies and no s*x, babe"

"No s*x?"

Logan shouted sounding very shocked and also kind of scared.

A faint blush appeared on my cheeks as I looked around at everyone who was looking at us with confused and amused expressions. "Excuse us, everyone"

I quickly grab Logan's wrist and drag his shocked a*s to the empty kitchen.

"Yes babe, no s*x"

"But...but why?"

Is he being for real right now?.

"Logan...you do realise that my body is gonna change, right? I'm gonna get big and there's gonna be days when I'm uncomfortable and in pain or really tired and have no energy, not to mention, I'll probably have a caesarean section again which means at the most, I won't be able to have s*x for around...six or eight weeks"

"Please tell me you're joking"

"Well, I'm not sure about the last one because you weren't there when I had the triplets so s*x wasn't exactly on my mind I'm being honest with you but I'm guessing the timeframe is accurate because I'm having surgery after all"

Logan looked genuinely shocked, hurt and sad at the thought of not having s*x with me and I couldn't help but chuckle at him.

He looks so cute.

"Don't worry, baby, I'll still look after you"

I said as I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed his lips.

"You'd better, love because I'm not looking forward to having blue balls for the next year or so"

He said and I rolled my eyes while chuckling.

"Oh my god, why are men so freaking dramatic?"

"What do you mean?"

He asks me and I look at him like what the f**k?.

"Logan, do you know what women have to go through while they're pregnant with their baby? and then there's actually having the baby and everything that comes afterwards and you're standing here talking about blue balls that you can easily relieve with a quick handshake with those five friends of yours at the end of your wrist...bitch please with that s**t I tell him before walking away. Some paragraphs are incomplete if you are not reading this novel on FindNovel.net. Visit FindNovel.net to read the complete chapters for free. Men don't realise that the miracle of life is more like the draining of a life for the mom or at least that's how it felt for me with my first pregnancy.

"Dinner's ready, everybody"

Our head maid said just as I had walked back into the living room.

Everyone then headed towards our dining room which has been decorated so beautifully by our staff.

The room has been styled in red, green and gold colours and decorations and to be honest with you, it kind of looks like a royal dining hall.

"Wow sis, you've gone all out for us, haven't you?"

Justin asks me and I smile brightly at him.

"It's the first time I've spent Christmas with more than just Carmella and the kids, so of course I was gonna go all out"

I didn't say this to be like poor woe is me, I'm so hard done by because I didn't and I'm not.

I simply said it because I'm happy that I finally get to host the family Christmas that I've always wanted to host and I certainly never intended for Justin or Liam to feel guilty about my words but that's exactly what happened.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you guys feel guilty, I'm just so happy to be hosting Christmas with you all, that's all" "We're happy as well, kid"

Liam said while side-hugging me and kissing my temple.

We all took our seats and I couldn't help but beam with happiness and contentment as I looked around the table at my beautiful family.

Logan's parents David and Ruth were happily conversing with Michael and Grace who didn't seem at all intimidated by the wealth and power which was surrounding them while my triplets along with Chloe, Alex and Elijah were all talking amongst themselves as well.

I thought Elijah would be uncomfortable being here because he doesn't like loud noises or huge crowds but he seemed really happy and content today which I'm guessing is because of the ear defenders he's wearing. Carmella and Cade looked so happy with each other as they conversed with Abby, Ryker and Tiffany but it was my brothers who made me feel even happier.

Justin and Liam were talking with Sabrina and Rachel while their daughters interacted with each other and baby James lay asleep in his mom's arms.

It made me feel so happy to see how stress-free and relaxed they both were but more importantly, I was happy that they were here with me and that we didn't allow our father or Luca to completely break us apart. Justin caught me staring at them and he smiled and winked at me before mouthing I love you to me and I mouthed it back to him just as a voice I wasn't expecting to hear tonight was heard. "Is there room for three more?"

I look towards the entrance and my smile got bigger if that's even possible when I saw my grams and gramps standing there.

"Grams, gramps, you guys made it"

"Of course we did, lambchop, do you really think I worked so hard to get you to come home for Christmas just to miss it?' My gramps asked me as he came over to me and kissed my head. "Wait, grams...did you just say three?"

A confused Liam asks our grandmother.

"Yes son, I did...your grandfather, me and good old Tanqueray"

My grams said whilst holding up one of her favourite bottles of gin and kissing it.

This woman.

My grandparents take their seats and food was served to us not long afterwards. Thank god, I thought I was gonna have to eat Logan if I had to wait any longer. "Before we dig in, I'd like to make a toast"

"We can't make a toast, honey, Lacey doesn't have any champers"

My grams said and I rolled my eyes.

"I don't drink, grams, I haven't drank alcohol since I was in my teens"

"You ain't no kin to me child, if you don't drink any alcohol"

Lord give me strength.

I thought to myself as everyone chuckled.

"Gramps, make your toast I've got orange juice"

"Thank you, lambchop"

My grandfather smiled at me before addressing everyone.

"I would like to make a toast to my family and our dear friends, I feel so blessed to stand here with my beautiful wife and three generations of Carpenters all in one room, it truly is a blessing"

My grandfather says as he looks around at all of us happily.

I briefly looked down at my lap when I felt a comforting grip on my hand before looking up at my husband who was smiling at me like I was the only girl in his world.

God, I love this man so much.

"Many years ago, I read a quote that said Christmas isn't about the gifts we bring, it's about the gift we are to people and it's true because the happiness we share, the love we give each other and how much we care for one another is the best gift we can give our loved ones" "Amen to that, Duke"

David raised his glass to my gramps who did the same with his glass.

"Logan"

My gramps says as he turns to face us.

"Thank you for being our lambchop's superhero, thank you for loving her the way that you do and for not giving her a har time over the kids because if I know my lambchop like I do then I can tell you with an honest heart that she would've don things differently six years ago if she knew about your feelings for her and also, if she didn't feel so cornered and scared by her father's ways....that girl hasn't got it in her to purposefully keep those kids from you or to purposefully hurt you for that matter"

"I know that, sir" Logan says with a smile.

"I don't mean any offence to my grandsons when I say this because I love you boys the world I really do but Lacey is something special to me and Bunny...she's not just our granddaughter, she's also the daughter we never had" My gramps says and I gasp.

"Gramps"

I said barely above a whisper as I dabbed my tears away with a napkin before they could fall.

"We love you so much, Lacey and we're so proud of the woman you've become, you're a wonderful wife to Logan and the best mother those triplets could ask for"

"Gramps is right mummy, you're amazing"

"Thank you, my princess"

I say while smiling at my daughter.

"You deserve all of the happiness in the world, Lacey and you also deserve this"

Duke says whilst waving an envelope in his hand before coming and handing it to me.

"Happy Christmas, lambchop"

My grandfather hugs me and kisses my cheek while I looked confused as f**k.

I briefly looked around at everyone before opening up the envelope and my eyeballs nearly fell out of their sockets when I saw what was inside of it. "Gramps...what the hell? what is this?"

I ask shocked.

"I'm taking on the role as the father of the bride and I'm paying for your wedding, lambchop"

My grandfather says leaving me feeling shocked and confused.

"I'm already married, gramps...you were there"

I say in a duh tone.

"Yes but your brothers and sisters-in-law weren't there, Lace, your nieces and nephews weren't present and neither was Logan's family..."

"Not to mention, weddings are the perfect excuse for a big, massive piss-up, darling"

Oh my god.

"Grams, there are children present"

I scolded my grandmother who just shrugged her shoulders as she smirked at me.

"You deserve the wedding of your dreams, Lacey...all you have to do is name the time and the place, sweetheart and I'll b there happily waiting to sign any damn cheque you need me to sign" Oh my god.

I stood up from my chair and happily embraced both of my grandparents in a hug.

"Thank you, guys so much"

"You're welcome, lambchop"

My grams said with a smile as she kissed my cheek.

"Now, let's eat before Bunny gets too drunk on an empty stomach and starts making naked snow bunnies outside in the garden"

"Oh darling, I'll do them even on a full stomach"

My grandparents said and we all chuckled while the kids just looked confused and kind of disgusted, not that I can blame them, to be honest with you.

With great food, some banter and a lot of storytelling, my family and I had the best Christmas Eve ever and I honestly couldn't be any happier than I am right now.

"I love you, Mrs Black"

Logan whispers in my ear.

"I love you too, Mr Black"

I said with a smile.

Logan then leaned in and kissed me and I sighed in contentment as soon as his thick lips met mine.

God, I'm such a lucky woman.