Grumpy Doctor’s Holiday Twins (Forbidden Doctors #17)

35. Melody

35

MELODY

I t was difficult stopping by Ethan's parents' house last night to tell him I couldn't stand in his way, and my heart was broken thinking he would actually accept the job. But I knew in my heart it was the right thing. He deserved happiness, even if it took him away from me.

I sat with Holly on my lap while John sat opposite me with Noel on his knee. Dad was on the floor by the tree handing out gifts to the fidgeting toddlers who squealed in delight every time he offered a package to them. John's face lit up with each burst of joy, and I tried to feel light and joyous, but my heart was hurting.

By now, I was sure Ethan had made his choice. I gave him my blessing to leave, and I knew how desperately he wanted that job even if he had told me he would stay here. It was in his blood. There was no denying it. He wanted to be abroad, not stuck in this tiny town with its Christmas obsession and gossip mill. And I wanted only his happiness. I just hoped he'd stop by and say goodbye before he left.

Why would he ever choose to stay here, anyway? The only thing I could offer him was a life of stress and emotional baggage from our past. It would take a miracle for us to work through the heartbreaks we'd caused each other. And raising twins wasn't for the faint of heart, let alone their condition, which we knew both twins now had. He was better off on the road.

The bell rang and John looked up, confused. He glanced at me and then Dad and asked, "Did you guys invite someone?"

We were all in our matching Christmas pajamas. It was still early, before eight a.m. Who would come knocking on a door this time unless maybe it was the town carolers out to spread Christmas cheer, though that typically happened in the evening, not in broad daylight?

"I'll check," Dad said, and he started to struggle toward his wheelchair, but John scowled.

"Mel, can you get it?" he asked, and he picked up a gift for Noel and started helping him unwrap it. It was his house, not mine, but he was sending me to the door, which made me feel like he was setting me up.

"Sure," I told him, and I put Holly on Dad's lap for the moment.

With every step I took toward the door, I felt like it was a plot on my brother's part. I looked awful, messy hair, Christmas jammies, cold, bare toes with chipped paint, and I probably had coffee breath, but I shuffled to the door and looked through the window next to it.

There on John's stoop stood Ethan. He wore his usual black trench coat and a dark gray scarf, but he had a bright red sock hat on and he looked peaceful. I could've sat there mesmerized by how good-looking he was for a while, but it was below zero this morning, so I yanked the door open to let him in.

"Ethan, why are you here?" I didn't mean for my words to come out so bluntly, but I was shocked.

"Wow, can't a man stop by to give the woman he loves a Christmas gift anymore?" He chuckled at me as he walked past and turned to face me. He pulled the hat off his head and his hair stood up about as much as I suspected mine did. His rosy cheeks quirked upward into a smile that met his eyes, and I shut the door and hugged myself.

"Why did you? I mean…" I glanced at John. "How did you know I'd be here?" My toes were so cold standing on the tile by the door. I curled them tightly and wished I could go back to the warmth by the roaring fire in the hearth.

"John invited me." Ethan shed his coat and shoved his hat down the sleeve in true Mistletoe Springs fashion, then reached into the pocket of it and pulled out a small package before hanging the coat on the coat tree.

I knew John was up to something. He couldn’t leave well enough alone. I had set my heart on the idea that Ethan was leaving and I hadn't even gotten him a gift. I felt guilty and I felt anxious. I couldn't sit here and enjoy Christmas if he was just going to leave. It wasn't fair to me and it wasn’t fair to the twins, either.

"Ethan, I don't think this is a good idea." I hung my head but as I did, I noticed the onyx-emblazoned gold name tag he wore. It clearly said, Dr. Ethan Sinclair, MD. Head of Pediatrics , and that title broke my heart. He had chosen to accept the job, which meant he'd be away from home eleven months of the year. I couldn't do long distance.

"Melody," he said softly as my eyes filled with tears. Then I felt his hand under my chin. It was icy cold, but I didn't shy away. Last night's goodbye was supposed to be goodbye. This part wasn't supposed to happen.

"Congratulations on taking the job." I meant it, though my words came out so sad, it probably sounded like I didn't.

"I didn't," he said, and I looked up. "I mean, I did, but I didn't." The dumb smile on his face wouldn’t leave and I wanted to cry.

"What?" My lip trembled with emotion, and I had to fight back tears.

"I accepted the position of chief of pediatrics, but not for Doctors Without Borders."

"What?" I said again, not even caring that I had lost my battle against the tears. They now flowed freely down my cheeks.

If it were even possible, his grin grew wider. "I am the new head of pediatrics for New Hope Hospital here in Mistletoe Springs." I gawked at him, still crying, not knowing if this was some sort of joke. And he said, "Did you hear me? Say something."

"I… uh…"

"Oh, hey, Ethan!" John called, and I looked to see him coming my way. He tossed a box at Ethan and said, “This is to you. From the kids." John winked and patted me on the back. "I gotta pee! Be right back."

John darted down the hallway, and I started chuckling, a tiny little snicker that turned into laughter that turned into sobbing, happy tears. Ethan pulled me against his chest with both hands full of gifts, and all I could do was cling to him and cry. I never believed in Christmas miracles, but this sure the heck felt like one.

"So, the kids got me something?" he asked, and I shrugged.

"I guess?" I said, wiping my tears as I pulled away. There were so many words I wanted to say to him and I had no way to say them all.

He handed me the small box he brought, wrapped in thick silver paper with a red ribbon. And we sat by the tree with the kids and Dad. Dad greeted Ethan with a handshake, and the kids were too busy playing with new toys to notice much, but I noticed. My hands trembled as I tore open the package at the same time Ethan tore open his.

The petite golden barrette with jewels set in it was gorgeous. I couldn't believe he'd go to all that expense, which made me feel even guiltier when I thought of how I bought him nothing.

But Ethan's face lit up and his eyes brimmed with tears when he opened the box John gave him. He pulled a dark blue T-shirt out of the box and held it up to look at it, and when he blinked, tears dripped from his cheeks.

"Well, what is it?" I asked impatiently. I leaned forward as he turned it around to reveal a large bear holding two smaller bears and the words, World's Best Dad scrawled above and beneath it.

I chuckled at the design as John walked back into the room, and he had a smirk on his face. My big brother swore he was never the romantic type, but he had just outed himself as a closet romantic.

"I love it," Ethan said, and he looked like he would lean forward to kiss me, but he stopped himself.

Until John cleared his throat and both of us looked up. He stood behind Ethan with a sprig of mistletoe in hand, dangling it over us.

Ethan grinned mischievously and I felt my cheeks get hot. He leaned forward and planted a kiss on my lips, and I melted. It wasn't super passionate, just a lingering peck—our twins were seated in front of us, after all—but it was enough.

"You're really staying?" I whispered.

"I'm never leaving again unless you go with me. You and our babies. Lots of babies," he said, then he kissed me again and this time, he bit my lip, a taste of what I had to look forward to any time I wanted from now on.