My Ex’s Dad is Coming to Town (Bringing Home Trouble)

WINTER

WINTER

TWO YEARS LATER

“I think we need a little Christmas wine over here.” Ryan called out to his dad from across the room. “Don’t you have a nice, unoaked Chardonnay in the cellar?”

Cole gave me a sly grin as he answered. “Sure do. Pick whichever one looks good. We’ve got a lot to celebrate tonight.”

The four of us—Cole, me, Ryan, and his wife Steph—had gotten together to celebrate the holidays. We’d been civil for the past couple of years. I’d even forged a tenuous friendship with Steph, but this was the first time Cole and I were hosting them overnight.

Ryan came back from the wine cellar with two bottles in his hands. “I figured one wouldn’t be enough, though Steph isn’t drinking tonight.”

“Oh?” My ears perked up at that bit of news. Not that Steph was usually a big drinker, but she usually indulged in a glass or two of wine when we got together.

She smiled and gave me a slight shrug, but I caught the way her hand slid over her stomach. Interesting. Her reaction made me wonder if we had even more of a reason to celebrate than the two of them coming to LA for the holidays.

“Should we take a seat?” Cole held my chair out for me, and I sank onto the soft cushion, grateful to be off my feet. We’d had the meal catered in since I wasn’t much of a cook to begin with and had been so tired for the past couple of weeks.

“Everything looks delicious,” Steph said as she sat down directly across from me.

“I wish I could take credit, but I had nothing to do with it this year,” I admitted.

Cole took my hand and gave it a squeeze. “You’ve been busy with other things lately.”

“Oh yeah? What kind of other things?” Ryan asked. He’d uncorked the first bottle of wine and poured himself a generous amount. It was a little odd being around him now that I was technically his stepmother, but I was getting used to it.

“She’s been putting in too much time at the studio.” Cole let go of my hand and rested his palm on my thigh.

Even with his son in the room, his touch sent heat racing through my limbs. I picked up his hand and set it on the table, then gave him a look he shouldn’t have any problem interpreting. Now wasn’t the time to toy with me under the table.

“You know I wouldn’t be there so much if I didn’t love it.” As soon as Cole proposed, I moved into his house in LA and started a wellness studio for women that included yoga, pilates, and massage. It had been wildly successful, and I was going to have a hard time slowing down when the time came.

“I’ve been there a few times and really enjoyed it,” Steph said. “I saw the new class schedule has a few prenatal yoga classes listed. Is that right?”

“Babe…” Ryan set his wineglass down on the table. “I thought we weren’t going to say anything until dessert.”

Cole looked from Ryan to me, then to Steph. “Prenatal? Does that mean?—”

“We’re having a baby, Dad.” Ryan rested his hands on Steph’s shoulders. “I mean, I’m freaked the fuck out, but we’re super excited.”

“Congratulations.” Cole got up from his chair and gave them both a hug. His smile was genuine, but slightly strained. We’d been trying to start a family for over a year, but hadn’t had any luck. Although, I had news of my own to share once I had him alone.

“That’s fantastic news. I’m so happy for you both.” I reached across the table and squeezed Steph’s hand. It had taken a little while for me to warm up to the woman my ex cheated on me with, but if that hadn’t happened, I never would have ended up with Cole. And that would have been a tragedy.

“Should we toast?” Cole picked up the wine and held out a glass to me.

I waved it off. “I’m going to skip the wine tonight, too.”

“Are you feeling okay?” Immediately, my husband’s forehead creased with worry. He was always incredibly attentive, and I was so lucky to have found him.

Ryan had already downed half of his Chardonnay. “Wouldn’t that be a riot if Winter wasn’t drinking because she’s pregnant too?”

He took another sip of wine, then laughed at his own joke.

“Winter?” Cole leaned over me, the look in his eyes a mix of hope and concern. “Are you…” his words faded away like he couldn’t bear to ask.

“Holy shit. Are you?” Ryan looked at me, his eyes wide with horror.

I’d wanted to wait and share my news with Cole in private, but Ryan had unknowingly outed me.

I turned to my husband and cupped his cheeks in my hands. “Cole, you’re going to be a dad again.”

“Are you sure?” His hands covered mine, and he gripped my fingers like he couldn’t believe what I was telling him. “You’re pregnant?”

Nodding my head, I leaned in until our foreheads touched. “I took the test today and was going to tell you later tonight.”

He crashed his lips down on mine, and the two of us basked in the moment, shutting out everything else.

“Congratulations!” Steph clapped her hands together. “I can’t believe we’re going to be pregnant together.”

“I can’t believe I’m going to be a dad again,” Cole said, his mouth turned up in a huge smile.

“I can’t believe I’m going to have a son and a brother right around the same time.” Ryan shook his head and dropped down onto the chair next to his wife. “I guess it’s true what they say.”

“What’s that?” Cole asked.

“About Christmas… it’s the most wonderful time of the year.” Ryan pulled himself together enough to clink his wine glass against Cole’s.

Steph and I raised our water glasses to join in. As I held Cole’s gaze, I reached for his hand. I didn’t think things could get any better, but each moment we spent together proved me wrong. Our love had grown bigger and stronger with each passing day, and now we’d have a little one to share it with.

He must have read my mind. The smile he gave me was filled with so much love, it made my heart swell. Cole’s gaze shifted to my stomach, then back to my eyes, as if reminding me that our future—our family—was something he’d cherish forever.

“To love, family, and all the surprises that make life… extraordinary,” he said, his voice deep and warm. He’d always been my rock and my strength, but now he was going to be so much more. I could already picture him holding our son or daughter and the way he’d light up at the sound of their laughter.

As we all took a sip from our glasses and shared a moment of contented silence, I realized how far we’d come. Christmas had always been special, but this year, it held a new kind of magic—a warmth that came not just from the decorations and music, but from the love that filled the room.

Cole leaned closer, brushing his thumb over my hand. “You ready for all of this?” he murmured, a hint of playful mischief in his tone.

I smiled as I squeezed back. “With you? Always.”