A Very Merry Hockey Holiday (Assassins #6.5)(18)

Claire: Fine. I’m gonna be miserable without you.



Jude: I’m always miserable without you.



She smiled as his next text came in.



Jude: I’ll see you soon. Have fun, get a dress or something for our wedding.



Her heart fluttered as she smiled dreamily. Their wedding. They were getting married very soon and she couldn’t be happier. She couldn’t wait to have Phillip give her away and to become Mrs. Jude Sinclair. When that happened, she’d have everything she could only dream of before.



Claire: 10-4 good buddy.



Jude: I love you. Have a safe flight.



Claire: I love you too. You too.





It was a long plane ride, but when she got off the plane and saw her aunt and nephew waiting for her, she almost came out of her skin in excitement. Running to them, she wrapped her arms around the both of them and hugged them tightly. It had been nine months since she had been home, and she couldn’t believe how big Sawyer had gotten.

“My goodness! What are you feeding this kid? Miracle-Gro?”

Reese laughed as Claire took Sawyer, kissing him all over his sweet face. He tried to get away, but he wasn’t going anywhere from his Claire. “He’s Phillip’s kid, what do you expect?”

Claire giggled as she nodded, hugging Sawyer tightly. “You have a point. He eats like a horse!”

“For sure! Ready? Your appointment is in an hour.”

“Appointment?” she asked, confused.

“Yeah, Jude asked me to get you an appointment for wedding dress shopping!”

Claire’s face broke out in a grin. “He did?”

“Yeah, he’s kind of sweet.”

“Yeah, he is,” Claire agreed as they made their way to claim her baggage and then out into the freezing Tennessee air. It had been so long since she had been home that the cold surprised her, and she cuddled closer to Sawyer.

“You look great, sweetheart,” Reese said as they walked to the car.

“Thanks, you do too!”

Reese grinned as they loaded the car up and then they were off. Blasting the heat, Claire held her hands to the vents, waiting for them to thaw as Reese navigated out of the airport. Pulling out her phone, she sent a quick text to Jude.



Claire: Landed and heading to the appointment you planned.



Jude: :) Hope you find the dress that will blow me away. I love you.



Her heart skipped a beat as she sent him back a smiley face along with that she loved him too and then leaned back in the car. She missed him like crazy but was glad to be home. Looking over at Reese, she smiled. Her aunt looked beautiful and almost like she was glowing. Her hair was up in a messy bun, and she wore light makeup with jeans and an Assassins tee. Even all comfy, she was beautiful. Reese had always thought she wouldn’t be a good mom or wife, but she was both. The best, even.

“How’s everyone?”

Reese grinned. “Good, big dinner tonight to welcome you home. Elli has been cooking all day.”

“Great, I’m hungry,” she said with a grin. “Can’t wait to see everyone.”

“They are excited to see you. Guess what?”

“What?”

“Harper is pregnant.”

Sitting up erect, she shouted, “What?”

“Yup!”

“Oh my God! I thought she couldn’t have any more kids.”

“We all thought that, hell, she thought that, but she’s ten weeks!”

Happiness and excitement poured out her pores as her grin grew. “That is so awesome.”

“I know, we are all so excited. She’s a blubbering mess, but she’s not the only one.”

“Really! Elli?”

Reese laughed. “Nope, the in vitro worked and Audrey’s pregnant too.”

“Awww. That’s so awesome!

“Yeah, she isn’t telling the world, but everyone who knows is pretty excited. Our little Assassins family is growing.”

“This family has never been little,” Claire said with a scoff, but she couldn’t stop smiling. This was so awesome. All these women were basically aunts to her, and to know they were all getting their Happily Ever Afters was so fulfilling. She was next, and that made her giddy with excitement. “I’m so happy for everyone.”

“Yeah,” Reese agreed. “Also, Phillip and I have decided to start trying for another baby.”

Gasping, Claire completely turned in her seat and shrieked. “What!”

Reese giggled. “Yup, I stopped taking birth control, so we will see.”

“Eek! I am so excited!”

“We are too.” Reese giggled as she pulled in the bridal shop parking lot. Getting out, Claire ran around and hugged Reese tightly which caused her to laugh. “I’m not pregnant yet.”

“I know, but it’s exciting. I love babies.”

Reese’s smiled dropped. “Doesn’t mean you need one yet.”

Claire laughed out loud, hard, and shook her head. “Believe me, not happening. We are gonna wait till my contract is done. I don’t want to raise kids in Vegas.”

“Thank sweet baby Jesus,” Reese muttered as she got Sawyer out. Claire grinned as they made their way inside. They were greeted by a gorgeous blonde and then escorted back into a room. When they entered, Claire immediately saw the big bouquet of white roses and grinned. They were her favorite flower and Jude knew that.