MADDOX
Lucas clutched my hand tightly while Junior held Missy’s. Delilah was practically climbing River as we walked through the bustling shopping center, talking nonstop. I was sure she had a crush. Junior was staring daggers into River’s back, juvenile jealousy raging in his little eyes. River had been nervous at first but relaxed around the kids pretty quickly. Emmett and Allie walked ahead, pretty oblivious that the rest of us were even there, while Sol gave Leo a piggyback ride. He hugged her shoulders with a loving look in his eyes, like she was his whole world.
The kids had been nonstop balls of energy, but Missy was ecstatic to have them around. She built blanket forts and made them cocoa. When she found out they all had more or less matching outfits for the tree lighting, she d
