The Harper Brothers: You Can't Hurry Love (Wattpad Version)

Holiday Shenanigans

Marty

Christmas break arrived, and we headed home. The minute the car pulled into the driveway and we got out, Ma tackled us like she had joined the NFL. For a small person, she has a death grip on her.

Dad peeled Ma from us like Saran Wrap. "Tori, give the boys time to settle in. Then you can tackle them."

Ma turned to Dad. "Elias, I've missed my babies."

"I know because you tell me every day."

Ma crossed her arms and pouted as we laughed. Dad
helped us with our bags while the girls kept Ma busy. My brothers hugged Dad, then carried in their bags.

"You good?"

I grabbed my bag and closed the trunk lid. "Yeah, it's been a rough few weeks, but the therapy sessions are helping."

"Good. You worried your mom and me."

"Sorry."

"Don't be. We want you to be happy."

We walked to the house.

"How's Bailey doing?"

"She has her good and bad days. Oliver has been helping her."

"Oliver is crazy, but he's the best at helping people with grief."

I nodded.

We walked into the house. I headed up to my bedroom and set my bag on my bed. Someone knocked on my bedroom door. I turned to find Val in the doorway.

Val walked over to me. "Are we good?"

"Yeah." I nodded.

"Marty, I would never let anyone hurt you."

"I know. You're my big brother."

Val nodded. I wrapped my arms around his torso as he hugged me.

"Can we get in on the action?" Romeo asked.

We broke from our embrace. I gave my brothers a nod. They walked over to us and threw their arms around us. We laughed because we weren't huggers. We broke apart.

"What do you think Ma has planned?" Rafe asked.

"Everything," we said.

We laughed.

"Did you get it?" Pat asked Val.

"I picked it up yesterday," Val said.

"Do you think she will like it?" I asked.

"Hell, yeah," Romeo said.

We grinned because we had something special planned for someone important in our life.

*******
Elias

I got Tori to give the boys breathing room. She grumbled, but she had plenty of time with them. There's no need to cram everything into one day.

Tori came downstairs and grabbed mugs from the kitchen cabinet.

"Are the girls settled in?" I asked.

"Yeah. Sage, Reese, and Bailey will stop by after they check in at home." Tori prepared hot cocoa for everyone.

A herd of elephants stormed the steps as the boys entered and sat at the kitchen table. Yep, some things never change.

I helped Tori with the hot cocoa as Leokadia and Rowan came downstairs and joined the boys. A few minutes later, the doorbell chimed. Rafe answered the door and returned with Sage, Reese, and Bailey. The girls joined the boys at the table.