Kavanagh Christmas: Kavanagh Legends, #5
()
About this ebook
The heartfelt holiday conclusion to the Kavanagh Legends family saga revisits all the couples that readers have fallen in love with throughout the series. An angsty and loving Christmas novella, it's the perfect goodbye to these Irish MMA fighters and a glimpse into what the future holds for them.
With the Christmas season fast approaching, the entire Kavanagh family is feeling anything but the holiday spirit. Commitments are questioned, relationships are tense, and bickering is nonstop.
However, when a crisis strikes and the family realizes that they might lose one of their own, they'll come together to remember the reason for the season is first, and foremost, love and family.
NOTE: This novella contains a short story about Rory & Clare Kavanagh, plus two excerpts from other Sarah Robinson novels, at the end. The holiday novella itself is 35,000 words.
With their own heartwarming HEAs, Sarah Robinson's Kavanagh Legends novels can be read together or separately:
BREAKING A LEGEND
SAVING A LEGEND
BECOMING A LEGEND
CHASING A LEGEND
KAVANAGH CHRISTMAS
"Fans of Lori Foster's SBC Fighters series will love the MMA atmosphere of [Sarah] Robinson's Legends."—Library Journal
"This endearing story showcases Keira and Quinn's easy banter, familiar warmth, and unquenchable heat." – Publisher's Weekly Starred Review, on Chasing a Legend
"One of my favorite MMA books to date."—#1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken, on Breaking a Legend
"Those Kavanaghs really know how to make a girl swoon."—New York Times bestselling author Katy Evans
"Saving a Legend is a gripping and sexy MMA romance with characters you'll be rooting for long after you finish reading. Buckle your seatbelts and get ready for one amazing and hot story from Sarah Robinson."—New York Times bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills, on Saving a Legend
"Raw, sexy, and romantic, Becoming a Legend is another perfect, steamy read about the heartwarming Kavanaghs."—Kate Meader, author of the Hot in Chicago series, on Becoming a Legend
Sarah Robinson
Top 10 Barnes & Noble and Amazon bestseller Sarah Robinson is a native of the Washington, DC, area and holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal psychology. She works as a counselor by day and romance novelist by night. She owns a small zoo of furry pets and is actively involved in volunteering in her community.
Read more from Sarah Robinson
Kitchen Witch: Food, Folklore & Fairy Tale Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Yin Magic: How to be Still Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Kitchen Witch Companion: Recipes, Rituals & Reflections Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNot A Hero Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsEnchanted Journeys: Guided Meditations for Magical Transformation Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhat Comes of Dreams Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSecond Shot of Whiskey Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Kavanagh Christmas
Titles in the series (1)
Kavanagh Christmas: Kavanagh Legends, #5 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related ebooks
Speed, Sex and Retribution: Eighth in the Rafe Vincennes Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Book of Live Wires Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHome on Anna Maria Island: Sullivan's Sons, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsUndercover Father (When Megan Smiles) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNever Let You Go: Sweethearts of Sumner County, #1 Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Foodies Rush In Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Love and Marriage: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Kiss, A Dance & A Diamond Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJamaican Me Crazy: A Christmas Escape (A Novel) Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Kicks for a Sinner Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsExtreme Courage: X-Treme Love Series Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLife After Breakfast Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKiss of Karma: Kiawah Kisses, #4 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHis Christmas Cinderella Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMistletoe Baby Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Fling to Steal Her Heart Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsShredding the Evidence Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Unexpected Consequences Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBest Friends with the Billionaire Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Limitless Love An Unconventional Family Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAva's Mate Armageddon Mates Book 3 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Christmas at the Easy Breezy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOne Heir...Or Two? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAddy's Angels Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Cowboy's Bonus Baby Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Last Days of Us: An unputdownable, emotional Irish family drama Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mistletoe Miracles Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
Contemporary Romance For You
Animal Farm Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Heart Bones: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Icebreaker: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5All Your Perfects: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hopeless Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ugly Love: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5November 9: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Slammed: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Without Merit: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The True Love Experiment Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It Ends with Us: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It Starts with Us: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Beautiful Disaster: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Finding Cinderella: A Novella Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Confess: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Point of Retreat: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Losing Hope: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Something Borrowed: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ruin Me Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Swear on This Life: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Maybe Not: A Novella Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Beautiful Bastard Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Maybe Someday Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Before We Were Strangers: A Love Story Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This Girl: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Spanish Love Deception: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wildfire: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Simple Wild: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5One Italian Summer: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Kavanagh Christmas
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Kavanagh Christmas - Sarah Robinson
KAVANAGH CHRISTMAS
A KAVANAGH LEGENDS HOLIDAY NOVELLA
SARAH ROBINSON
Kavanagh Christmas © 2017, Sarah Robinson
Cover Design by Cassy Roop at Pink Ink Designs
Editing by Katherine Tate, Author and Editor
Represented by Literary Agent Nicole Resciniti, The Seymour Agency
Copyright © 2017 by Sarah Robinson
All rights reserved. This document may not be reproduced in any way without the expressed written consent of the author. The ideas, characters, and situations presented in this story are strictly fictional and any unintentional likeness to real people or real situations is completely coincidental. Any mention of trademarked brands is not meant as copyright infringement.
This novella is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This novella may not be sold or given away to others. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This novella is suggested for 18+ years of age due to sexually explicit content.
To every reader that has grown to love the Kavanagh family as much as I have.
CONTENTS
Spoiler Alert!
About The Series
The Kavanagh Family Tree
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Epilogue
Where Are The Kavanaghs Now?
Want More Kavanaghs?
Subscribe to Sarah’s Newsletter!
Rory & Clare
Author Note
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Epilogue
Excerpt from Baby Bank
Chapter 1
Excerpt from NUDES
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Excerpt from Not a Hero
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Also by Sarah Robinson
SPOILER ALERT!
If you haven’t read the first four books in the Kavanagh Legends series (Breaking a Legend, Saving a Legend, Becoming a Legend, and Chasing a Legend), this novella will definitely contain many spoilers!
To avoid a spoiler, download the first four books and get reading today!
>>> Start the Kavanagh Legends series <<<
ABOUT THE SERIES
This series revolves around the Kavanagh family, a rough and tumble Irish clan in the Woodlawn neighborhood of the Bronx who own and operate a Mixed Martial Arts gym, Legends. All the books in this series can be read as happily-ever-after standalones, but the proper reading order is listed below.
Kavanagh Christmas is the fifth book in the Kavanagh Legends series and takes place several years after the fourth book in the series, Chasing a Legend. It is written from the perspective of multiple Kavanagh members, and brings this family saga to its conclusion—though the author isn’t ruling out a return to Woodlawn one day!
This novella also includes never-before-seen bonus scenes, including a wedding and a look back at Seamus & Dee’s love story over the years. Enjoy!
Warning: If you haven’t read the first 4 books, this novella will contain many spoilers!
Kavanagh Legends
#1: Breaking a Legend - Rory & Clare
#2: Saving a Legend - Kieran & Fiona
#3: Becoming a Legend - Kane & Nora
#3.5: Rory & Clare: A Short Story
#4: Chasing a Legend - Quinn & Kiera
#5: Kavanagh Christmas - All
THE KAVANAGH FAMILY TREE
AS OF THE BEGINNING OF KAVANAGH CHRISTMAS
Patriarch/ Father: Seamus Kavanagh
Matriarch/ Mother: Diedre Dee
Kavanagh
Oldest Son: Rory Kavanagh, Business Owner (son of Seamus & Dee Kavanagh)
Wife: Clare Ivers, Veterinarian
Children: Murphy (son) & Brontë (daughter)
Second Son: Kieran Kavanagh, Legends Gym Manager (son of Seamus & Dee Kavanagh, Kane’s twin)
Wife: Fiona Doherty, Florist
Children: Shea Doherty (Fiona’s little sister, adopted by Kieran & Fiona), and Gavin (son)
Third Son: Kane Kavanagh, Fighter (son of Seamus & Dee Kavanagh, Kieran’s twin)
Girlfriend: Nora Hannigan, Psychologist
(No children yet)
Fourth Son: Quinn Kavanagh, Artist (son of Seamus & Dee Kavanagh)
Wife: Kiera Finley, Physical Therapist
(No children yet)
Youngest Son: Jimmy Kavanagh, NYPD Detective (son of Seamus & Dee Kavanagh)
Girlfriend: Sophie Conroy, NYPD Police Officer
Children: Ava Conroy (Sophie’s daughter from an earlier relationship)
Cousin/ Adopted Daughter: Casey Kavanagh (daughter of Elle & Murphy Kavanagh, with two older deceased brothers, Declan and Liam, after a house fire; adopted by Aunt Dee and Uncle Seamus and raised as their own daughter. Murphy was Seamus’ brother.)
Boyfriend: Flynn Gallagher, Sports Agent at Legends
PROLOGUE
THREE WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Dee Kavanagh
Y ou’re kidding, right?
Dee turned away from the stove to look at her husband of forty years. "Not in your health."
Seamus grumbled something under his breath, putting the piece of bacon he’d been about to eat back on the serving plate. One piece of bacon with breakfast won’t kill me.
Pfft. You’re mad.
She shook her head, and turned back to stirring the scrambled eggs she was making for her grandkids. Plus, save it for the kids. They’ll be down for breakfast in a minute.
Her oldest son, Rory, was away on a romantic weekend trip with his wife, Clare, leaving their two children, Murphy and Brontë, under the care of Seamus and Dee. Dee was, of course, thrilled. There was nothing she loved more than being a mother, and now a grandmother. She would spend all day every day with her grandkids if she could, and her heart was filled to overflowing to have so many now.
At the reminder, Dee gazed at the photo go her grandchildren in a homemade popsicle-stick frame on her kitchen countertop that Murphy had made for her. The photo inside was silly and sweet—all five grandchildren making funny faces at the camera. Well, four of the five. Shea was in the back looking stoically at the camera, which wasn’t unusual for the teenager with special needs. Shea was Kieran’s wife, Fiona’s, biological sister, and when their mother passed away, Fiona and Kieran had adopted her.
Dee didn’t care one bit that they weren’t related by blood. Being loved and part of their family didn’t have a DNA requirement, and that was something she’d raised all her boys to know.
Next to Shea in the photo was Rory and Clare’s two children, Murphy and Brontë. Murphy was crossing his eyes and Brontë was sticking her tongue out, laughing. Gavin was on the floor in front of them, his little arm around Ava’s shoulder as they both made faces at the camera. Gavin was Kieran and Fiona’s son, and the youngest of the entire group. Ava was Jimmy’s girlfriend Sophie’s daughter from a previous relationship, and had been embraced by the family when Sophie and Jimmy began dating.
Have you checked your sugar yet?
Dee asked, plating the scrambled eggs and adding a serving spoon before placing it on the kitchen table next to the bacon and biscuits.
Not yet.
Seamus pulled a blood glucose monitor out of a kitchen drawer and began swabbing his finger with an alcohol wipe. He barely looked up at her, his answers always as succinct as possible. He’d always been brusque, but this was different.
His recent diagnosis of diabetes had thrown them a major curveball, and completely changed their lives. It was a struggle, however, because the man loved his carbs and sugar. Changing sixty years of unhealthy eating habits had caused a lot of friction between them.
Wiping her hands off on a towel, Dee approached her husband’s side and watched as he pricked his finger and dabbed a drop of blood onto a testing strip.
See? Healthy as all hell.
He turned the monitor towards her when it displayed his results, which thankfully were in a great range. You worry too much.
I know. I can’t help it.
Dee sighed, and glanced toward the hallway to make sure the kids weren’t about to walk in. Returning her gaze to her husband, she placed a hand on his upper arm. Seamus?
He grunted. Forty years and he couldn’t even respond with a word?
Next month is our anniversary.
She blinked quickly, taming the tears that wanted to flow. I was thinking maybe we book ourselves a trip. Or a cruise. Get away and celebrate.
He shrugged and then began putting away his supplies. Fine.
That’s it. Damn it, Seamus!
What?
He turned bewildered eyes to her. What’s wrong?
"You, that’s what. You’re being a fecking asshole. I know that I’m being strict with this new diet, but the doctor said you’d die. You were nearly in a coma, Seamus. Your sugar was hundreds above where it should have been. Do you know what that was like for me? Her voice was cracking, full of emotion as anger and heartbreak surged through her heavily Irish accented words.
I’ve spent more of my life as your wife than I ever was anything else. Losing you…shite. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t wake up every morning and not have you next to me. I—"
Dee…
Seamus reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her to his chest and wrapping her in a hug. "Feck. I’m sorry. You know I don’t mean it. I’m a grumpy old bastard."
Such a bastard,
she mumbled into his shirt, sniffling, twisting her fingers in the fabric.
He chuckled, kissing the top of her head. I know you’re just trying to keep me healthy. I’m trying, too. It’s hard, but I’m trying. I’d never do anything to shorten my time with you on this earth.
Dee felt her heart soften again, the tension of their recent fiction sliding away. After almost forty years together, fighting was nothing new for them. In fact, it was one of the things they did best. He was an asshole, and she had known that the day they met, but he was also a wonderful husband and an even better father and grandfather.
I love you, Dee.
He kissed her softly, and she felt the same flutter in her heart that he’d made her feel since the first time they’d laid eyes on one another. His voice deepened, developed a huskier lilt. Maybe once the kids leave, I can show you how much.
Sweet talker,
she teased, whacking his arm before turning back to the table.
Grandad!
Murphy came skipping into kitchen and tossed himself at his grandfather.
Seamus caught him just in time and swung him high above his head as the young boy’s laughter filled the air while he soared in the safety of his grandfather’s arms. Hey, Murph! Did you sleep all right?
Eh.
Murphy shrugged and wiggled his way back down to the floor, turning his affections to Dee this time. It’s okay. Hi, Nanna!
He squeezed her waist in a hug, his little head pressing into her stomach.
Dee picked him up and covered his cheeks with kisses. Is my grandbaby hungry? Breakfast is ready!
Yes! Hey, Nanna, guess how old I’m going to be next week?
Murphy held up both hands, one with all his fingers up, and the other with only one. Guess!
Hmmm.
She placed a finger on her chin. I think twenty-seven, right?
No!
His laughter peeled out of him, warming her heart. Guess again!
Thirteen?
Nope!
Murphy sat at the kitchen table, kicking his feet back and forth underneath him.
His little sister, Brontë, toddled into the kitchen, still holding her favorite blanket, her thumb shoved in her mouth.
Hey, baby girl, do you know how old your brother will be next week?
Dee scooped up the young girl and kissed her.
Six!
She burst out, her wet thumb popping from her mouth.
Is that right? Six? I can’t believe it!
Dee feigned as Murphy vigorously nodded his head in agreement.
Dee sat Brontë in a booster seat at the table and filled both of their plates with eggs and bacon. A mournful expression crept over Seamus’ face as he stared at his bowl of oatmeal and pushed around the apple slices on top with his spoon.
Murphy held up both hands, six fingers raised. Six, Nanna! Mama says I’m getting too big. She cries when I say that.
Dee chuckled. Well, mamas wish their kids stayed kids forever. We get sad thinking about them growing up.
Are your kids growed up?
Murphy asked, spooning a large bite of scrambled eggs into his mouth.
My first kid is your daddy, baby,
Dee reminded him, sitting at the table between her grandkids.
Oh, right.
Murphy looked deep in thought as he considered what she’d said. That’s weird.
Seamus laughed at that one then ruffled Brontë’s hair. She beamed at him, and offered him a piece of bacon which he only pretended to eat with loud, chomping noises that made her giggle. Dee loved watching Seamus with their grandkids—the love between them was so beautiful.
Did Daddy look like me when he was your kid?
Murphy continued his line of questioning. Actually, his questions never stopped. The boy was a sponge, asking everyone a million questions all day long. She didn’t mind one bit, though.
His hair was a bit darker, and he was shorter. A little stockier. You’ve got your mother’s height and slim frame. Very lucky, because your mother is beautiful.
You’re beautiful, too, Nanna.
Thanks, Murph.
She smiled. Kids were a goddamn blessing. Do you like the eggs? You’ve only eaten one bite.
He pushed some more around on his plate. I think I’m not very hungry.
You said you were.
The little boy sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. I know. I changed my mind.
Dee frowned, but squeezed his shoulder. Are you feeling all right?
He nodded. Can I be excused? Grandad said I could play Xbox today!
Seamus grinned, ignoring the look she shot him.
Okay, but only for an hour. After that, no more electronics this weekend.
Whyyyy?
Murphy began to whine. Just a little bit!
Hey, no whining,
Dee reminded him. Santa’s coming in three weeks. We’ve got to be good to be on the nice list and get lots of presents.
That reminder perked him right up. I’m going to be the nicest boy on the whole list!
Good job!
she cheered, making a mental note to finish her Christmas shopping soon.
Murphy was already up and out of his seat, heading for the living room. They’d already made sure Rory set the games up before he left, so that the parental controls were on. For the life of her, Dee couldn’t figure out how to work the blasted machine herself.
Brontë smiled, her