Page 72 of The Scrooge Effect

“Merry Christmas, OPS!”

“Hey!” Jack shouted. “Get off my lawn!”

“Your beautiful, snowy-white lawn!” I retorted. “Isn’t it amazing? It’s Christmas!”

“It’s gonna be a painful Christmas if you don’t get the hell off my lawn!”

Tossing my head back, I laughed hysterically as I kept going. I couldn’t wait to see my wife and kids. My lungs burned the longer I ran, but I was so close to them, almost at the house with them in my arms. There was no stopping now.

“Daddy!” Gracie shouted as the door opened and she spotted me.

“Gracie, baby! I’m home!”

Her little feet took her flying down the steps and into my arms. I scooped her up, holding her tight as the images of her in that old house crept into my mind. There would never be a time that I would disappear from her life again, or make her feel like I didn’t want her.

“Sweetie, I love you so much,” I whispered.

“I love you, too, Daddy.”

Pressing kisses to her face, I pulled back just enough to see those gorgeous brown eyes before pulling her in for another hug. I was immediately hit with another hug, this time from Eden. As she snuggled against me, I turned so only she could hear me.

“You’re so perfect, and you deserve a man who will love you.”

“Eww! Edu, boys are gross!”

Chuckling, I kissed her on the cheek. “Yes, they are.”

As I stood, the woman I loved was waiting at the top of the stairs with James in her arms. She looked so freaking beautiful, and the hesitant look on her face made me wish I had realized how wonderful my life was a hell of a lot sooner.

“Harper,” I croaked out, rushing forward. My arms were around her in the next instant, and my lips sealed over hers, swallowing all her tears and pain.

James squealed between us, but I didn’t dare let go. I was too afraid I was going to lose her, and that was the last thing I wanted.

“You’re home,” she whispered. “I was so afraid⁠—”

“I know, but, baby, I’m never going to leave you. Never.”

“Not even for work?” she chuckled.

“Okay, for work, but not for anything else.” My hand slid down her arm, over to her belly. “I love you so much, and I’m so happy about this baby.”

“You are?” Her face lit up at my words, and tears pricked her eyes.

God, I was so horrible.

“What brought about this sudden change?”

Barking out a laugh, I kissed her again. “Would you believe me if I told you I went through many doors and ended up in Victorian London and the future?”

“Lock told me you hit your head. Should I be worried?”

“Not about me, baby. That knock on the head saved my life.”

“Edu…just tell me we’re going to be okay.”

I hated the doubt in her voice. “We’re going to be more than okay. Now, the kids are staying with Lock for the night while we go shopping for Christmas!”

“But Edu, I already got everything.”