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“While I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to know the sex,” Virginia said with a sniff. “The nursery needs to be finished and—”Advertisement

“Oh I agree, Virginia,” Mariela said, placing a hand on the other woman’s. “These two want it to be a surprise. How much more surprised can you get?”

Sage’s best friend, Mandy, waddled around the room, stopping by her husband and giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Try finding out you’re having twins.”

“Kevin almost fainted, you said.” Sage winked at Mandy and her husband.

Kevin grinned like a happy fool and shook his head. Joaquin recognized that smile, because he sported it himself twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

“Have y’all picked out any names?” Charles asked, grabbing a gingerbread man from the tray on the table. “My grandfather—”

“Not this again,” Juan said with a roll of his eyes. “The baby will be named after—”

“Matthew, after both great-grandfathers,” Sage said with a smile.

“It will be Mateo when he is with me,” Juan muttered, then his eyes widened. “It’s a boy?”

Joaquin put his arms around Sage as their parents and friends rushed to them, hugging and laughing.

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“Finally, this stupid feud can be put to rest,” Mariela said, wiping her eyes.

“Because joining our businesses together wasn’t enough?” Joaquin asked. It had been his idea to merge. Both companies had what the other wanted. Except his dad had room to spare while Charles’ dealership was slowly being zoned into residential and small shops, with the city’s downtown revitalization plan that it didn’t fit in.

Charles gave Joaquin a hearty clap on the back. “That’s why you’re in charge, son.”

Sage snorted. “So why do you and Juan keep going to the office?”

“Someone has to make sure he doesn’t run us into the ground,” Juan said and Charles nodded.

“Give my son-in-law some credit,” Virginia suddenly said, shocking everyone into silence. “What…a zebra can change its stripes. Besides, it’s all about tiger prints this year.”

Joaquin grabbed Sage’s hand and led her to the nursery. Soft yellows, greens and blues greeted them. A crib made of natural wood still in its box sat in the corner.

“One more month, and then it’s not just us,” Sage said, her red hair brushing his shoulder as she passed by him. She picked up a stuffed giraffe and tossed it to him.

He shrugged. “I was getting kinda of tired talking to you anyway. We need some excitement around here.”

Rolling her eyes, she moved to him and kissed his cheek. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Morales.”

“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Morales.” pqdm.com