Christmas With The Houstons (Acceptance #4) Read Free Page A

years and has a gentle but firm touch. Kids bond with her quickly, and she usually keeps in touch with them all even after they are adopted.
    Mia opens her eyes and looks at me with her sweet little sad face. “April, can I go home now?”
    Oh, my heart. I’ve never wanted to take a kid home with me and make their world better like I wish I could for her right now.
    “Mia, this is my friend Marie. She’s going to take you to your neighbor’s house for a while. Do you know Denise Robinson?”
    Mia nods. “Mrs. Robinson is my best friend, Hannah’s, foster mom. She makes us cookies after school and watches me until my nana gets home from work.”
    For a child with no family, this could not have worked out better. “Marie will make sure you get settled in at Mrs. Robinson’s house and I’ll come by and check on you in a few days.”
    Mia nods her head and slowly stands, grabbing her bear and box. Marie takes her hand and they head out.
    “Need a hand?” Derek asks once they are out of my line of sight. Before I have the opportunity to answer, Jake is in front of me, pulling me up.
    “We’re good, man, thanks,” Jake replies coolly.
    “See you later, Derek.” I wave as Jake leads me out. He’s tense. I can tell he’s pissed and I’m really not in the mood for his possessive bullshit right now.
    Surprisingly, the ride home is pretty quiet. I’m lost in thought most of the way, wondering if there really is something to my boss’s reasoning about not working traumatic cases while pregnant. I’ve never felt as drawn to a child as I do to Mia.
    When we walk into the house, we’re immediately greeted by Luvbug and his happy dance. God, he’s adorable. His paws are huge and he’s such a roly poly, he can barely control his movements. He comes running up and slams into my leg because he isn’t exactly coordinated enough yet to stop when he wants to.
    “Hey, Luvbug, did you miss us?”
    Jake bends down and picks him up, handing him to me. He knows I like to give him a hug when we get home.
    “Such a pussy-ass fucking name for a dog.”
    “He picked it, Jake, so complain to him.”
    When we brought Luvbug home, we tried calling him a few different names and most of the time he just stared blankly at us. As soon as I jokingly called him Luvbug, he came running. Jake insisted it was a fluke but sure enough, every time we said it, he came. Jake tried for almost two weeks to get him to come to Tank but no luck. Finally, he gave up.
    “Luvbug, you’re going to be a big, fat, manly English Bulldog. Your head is going to be huge, your body is going to be buff, and all the other dogs at the dog park are going to make fun of you because of your pussy-ass name. Remember when that happens it was your choice.”
    I’m laughing as I pass him to Jake. “Can you let him out, please? I really have to pee.”
    He kisses me on the cheek. “Sure thing, but then we’re talking about Derek.”
    Yeah, I knew that was coming; I was just hoping I’d get lucky.
    By the time Jake comes back in, I’m comfortable in our bed. I’m so tired; I just need a small nap.
    Jake lies beside me and pulls me close, placing kisses along my neck as he rubs my belly. Of course, now that I want to sleep, Jaxson starts to kick against Jake’s hands. We haven’t told anyone his name yet—we’re keeping it a surprise. We both really loved the name, and when we realized it began with JA, we knew it was perfect. Jake and April created Jaxson.
    Jaxson Noah Houston. We can’t wait until we finally get to meet our little guy. My eyes grow heavy as Jake continues to rub my belly.

    When I wake up, Jake is no longer curled up behind me. I wish he would have stayed. Actually, I wish he would have made love to me like he said he was going to. I’m thirsty, grumpy, and know immediately from my mood I slept way too long.
    As I make my way into the kitchen, I hear pounding coming from the front of the house. When I look up at the clock on the stove, I