Page 69 of Louder Than Words

She gives me a soft smile and nods. “Yeah, I’m just not feeling that great. I’ll be fine after I eat, I think.”

“Do you need any help, love?”

She twists a finger through one of Lydia’s curls, watching it bounce before meeting my eyes.

“Actually…” Her smile grows. “You could distract them for me?”

I grin. “You got it.”

Bending to scoop Charlotte back up, I shift Lydia higher in my arms so I can hold one on each side. Then, without warning, I start zooming them all around the house.

Their laughter bounces off the walls, and it only gets louder when we pass James and he pokes each girl in the side, sending them into full-on squeals.

Normally, this would be enough to drown everything else out.

But right now?

Right now I can’t shake the feeling that something is seriously wrong.

29

Allie

Turns out, all it takes to cook a perfect turkey is a little help and zero kids screaming in the kitchen.

And this year I finally hadboth.

No little feet running in every three seconds begging for gummies. No Lydia dumping apple juice all over the rug while Trevor zones out on his game, leaving me to scrub the floor and pray the turkey doesn’t burn.

This year, I actually had people willing to help.

I look over the spread, feeling proud of myself for being able to pull all of this off. The turkey is golden and juicy. The green bean casserole looks like it might still have some crunch to it. The mashed potatoes are smooth, buttery, and practically calling my name.

And then, of course, Jax’s chocolate satin pie, which we just might have after dinner.

If this year were anything like last?

Ana and I would be eating Chinese takeout with the girls in the living room.

“Alright, you guys can come in!” I call, cupping my hands around my mouth so my voice carries wherever they’re all hiding.

I don’t have to wait long—it’s like the floodgates open, and everyone comes piling in at once. Now, my once-quiet kitchen is filled with heavy footsteps, giggles, and the sound of chairs scraping back from the table.

Jax slips past everyone, pulls out my chair, and presses a soft kiss to my cheek. “You did a wonderful job, love.”

And that right there? Just made the entire night worth every second. Even the little burn on my thumb from checking the turkey. Absolutely worth it.

I slide into my chair, watching in awe as everyone starts filling their plates—especially James, who stacks his mashed potatoes so high it’s a miracle he can see over them.

My hand automatically searches for Lydia’s plate, and when I don’t feel it, I glance up and see Jax already filling hersandCharlotte’s.

And if I thought this man was perfect before?

So instead, I grab his plate and start piling food onto it. Minus the stuffing, of course, since Jax is a certified hater of the best part of Thanksgiving.

“But I don’t want carrots,” Charlotte whines.

I look over just in time to see her bottom lip quiver, her arms drawn tight to her chest.