I chuckle, “But you love me anyway.”

She sighs, “But I love you anyway.”

11

We’re at my brother’s and the family is all gathered around in the living room in front of the fire place. We just finished with dinner and all exchanged gifts.

Everyone decided on buying something for the twins instead of buying for Hailey and Mason. They loved the idea of that. Plus a little part of me knows that neither one really knows what to buy anyway.

Cooper and I were given a weekend away in the mountains from everybody. This is a perfect gift and Cooper promised to find time to fit it in before pre-season starts up. When we first opened the envelope, Cooper looked a little uncomfortable but I think it’s because he knows everyone treats us like a couple even though we aren’t. I couldn’t help but squeal like a little girl when I saw what it was.

Jackson, Chloe and Alex got a trip to Disney World. Alex is running around the house calling out for Mickey Mouse every five minutes. It’s too cute.

Cooper’s mom and my mom were each given a day at the spa and Cooper’s dad got a round of golf at his favorite course.

And last but not least, Hunter, Ryder and MacKenzie were also given a trip to Disney World as well. Hunter and Jackson are already planning the trip for later this summer. Both Ryder and Alex are going to have a blast and I can’t wait to see the million pictures of them capturing precious memories.

Hunter takes a seat next to MacKenzie on the couch.

“You ok?” Hunter asks as she tries to get comfortable.

“Yeah, Princess here is just causing me some little back contractions.” Hunter starts to rub his hands up and down her back, trying to comfort her.

MacKenzie has been complaining about back pains a lot this past week. She isn’t due for another three weeks but I have a sneaky suspicion that she’s going to have the baby early. My big brother is such a good dad and a great role model too.

MacKenzie stands and paces the room.

I’ve been leaning up against the wall watching my best friend. When she walks past me I ask, “You ok?”

MacKenzie winces, “Yeah, sitting was becoming unbearable.”

“Baby girl,” Andrew, Cooper’s dad says as he walks back in the room from the kitchen. “Everything ok?”

“Everything is great.” MacKenzie answers and I can tell she is trying to keep her voice even. “I’m about to head upstairs to try and lay down flat for a few minutes.”

“Ok.” Andrew and I both say in unison.

MacKenzie makes it a few steps away when I look over to Andrew and he cocks an eyebrow and nods his head in his daughter’s direction.

I nod back my understanding. I follow MacKenzie just to make sure she’s ok.

MacKenzie makes it about three steps up and suddenly she stops mid-step. I hear her yelp and then she quickly looks down to the puddle at her feet.

“Hunter!” MacKenzie and I yell at the same time. I don’t have a f**king clue what that is but it can’t be good.

Thankfully, my brother is there in a flash. “Oh shit.”

Mason comes up behind Hunter and curses under his breath. “Is that what’s going to happen to Hailey?” he asks with horror on his face.

“Mason, if you don’t shut up I’m going to make you come into the delivery room with me and I promise you, you don’t want that.” MacKenzie says through gritted teeth.

Mason blanches and walks away, clearly not wanting that at all.

In the next few minutes everything happens so fast. Hunter has called the doctor and they are on their way out of the door to the hospital.

MacKenzie yells over my shoulder to everyone, “Merry Christmas, I love you!”

Everyone yells back, “Merry Christmas.”

“I’ll call as soon as we know something.” Hunter says as he shuts the door and follows after his wife.

I go back into the living room and plop down next to Cooper. “I know what’s about to happen is a miracle, but damn that was gross.” Cooper says with a grimace and a shiver.

I giggle, “It’s beautiful. You’re about to become an uncle again.”

Cooper looks a little in awe, “Yeah I am.” He wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer.

“Let’s go help get everything cleaned up and put the house somewhat back together.”

The next hour, all of us except Hailey, who’s napping in the recliner, are bustling around cleaning up so that when they get released from the hospital they don’t have to worry about it.

“So are you and Cooper keeping Ryder?” My mom asks me.

I wrap my arms around my mom, “Yup, I told Hunter that Cooper and I would stay here when MacKenzie was set to deliver.” I giggle. “Cooper is more excited about that than anything.”

Mom sighs, “I’m happy that you’re so close, Jay. For a while I thought you and Cooper were going to dance around your feelings forever.”

Her words take me by surprise. Did everyone else know that Cooper and I had feelings for each other for the longest time and no one said anything to us about it?

“Mom,” I hug her a little tighter. “You realize that Cooper and I are just friends right? Yeah, we have feelings for each other but nothing will come of it.”

Saying those words out loud hurt deeply but I need her to understand just like I need to understand myself.

Someone clears their throat behind us. We both turn and see Cooper standing in the doorway of the kitchen with his arms crossed.

“Since we’re staying here I’m going to go run back to the house and grab a few things. Do you need or want me to stop by your house and grab anything?”

I purse my lips together. From the tone of his voice I know he’s overheard our conversation but I wasn’t going to lie to my mom. It’s Cooper’s fault that we aren’t together anyway and he has no right to be angry about what he just overheard.

“Nope,” I stand there with my head held high.

Cooper reaches up and scratches the back of his head. “Alright then, I’ll be back shortly.”

I nod once and turn my attention back to my mom.

Mom has this knowing look on her face. “That was a little intense.”

I huff, “You can say that again.”

She grabs my hand and leads me towards to the coffee pot. “Why don’t we grab some coffee and sit and talk?”

We take a seat in the playroom with Ryder while Mason, Hailey, Elle and Andrew are watching A Christmas Story. I give her a clear rundown of what’s been going on with Cooper and me. I explain that, yes, we do having feelings for each other but he doesn’t seem to want to take the next step with me. I think I have a pretty good idea why but I can’t tell my mom that. I can’t explain to her what I went through and how I feel like that’s the thing holding Cooper back. That’s something in my past and I’m leaving it there, at least for now.