Ian’s parents spent the night at the small house Tomi rented, but it was too small to accommodate the rest of the family. Since all the cousins were used to waking up Christmas morning together, Tomi had invited them to stay with her and Ian. Still, his house wasn’t big enough for her side of the family to be here too. Tomi’s parents were staying with Gabe and Piper. She and Ian wished they could be in two places at once, but Piper suggested they come over after they opened presents with the Davie’s clan to have breakfast with them.
Christmas excitement buzzed with childlike anticipation as they drew closer to the great room adjacent to the kitchen. When they stepped into the cozy room, Tomi spied the big box Ian’s brother had set out for her this morning. She was so excited to give Ian his present and was glad that he’d have to open it soon out of necessity.
Ian’s family did Christmas a little different than Tomi’s parents. Instead of Santa bringing all their presents, each child got one wrapped gift from Santa, placed next to their filled Christmas stocking. The rest of the gifts came from their family and were spread out under the tree.
Connor, Ian’s oldest brother, had three kids. Benjamin was the youngest, so he got to go first. Ryan’s twin girls were next to go. It took about ten minutes for all seven nieces and nephews to rip open their presents.
Finally, it was time for Ian to open his present. Tomi lifted the box carefully, trying not to tip it to one side. The top had several air holes cut in it, and she hoped the occupant of the box wouldn’t do anything to give it away until after Ian lifted the lid off.
“To Ian from Santa and his helpers,” Tomi read, placing the package in front of him.
A tiny bark emitted from the box, and Ian’s eyes went wide. “Is that what I think it is?” he said as he lifted off the lid.
“It’s a puppy!” Ben cried out.
“It sure is,” Ian said, his eyes filling with moisture as he lifted out the adorable dog. The red bow Tomi had attached was almost as big as the German shepherd’s entire body. “It’s a girl,” Ian said, looking at the underside of the black and golden belly.
“Yes, and she’s from Molly’s lineage,” Tomi said, her heart melting at the way her husband cuddled the tiny little puppy close to his face.
“How did you find her?” Ian asked, laughing when the dog vigorously licked his face.
Tomi would tell him the real story later. For now, she would keep the magic of Christmas alive for the seven little kids who still believed in Santa. “Your dad did all the research and then sent a letter to the North Pole asking Santa if he could stop by Spokane with his sleigh and pick her up.” She winked at one of the twins. “I guess Santa got the message.”
While Ian’s dad had tracked down Molly’s posterity, Caytie and Jace had been the real heroes. They’d commissioned a private jet they had access to and had picked up the puppy the week before. The couple had been taking care of her ever since and had reluctantly relinquished the puppy to Ian’s brother last night. According to Connor, Caytie and Jace were flying out in a few days to pick up the puppy’s sister.
“Thank you,” Ian said, giving Tomi a sweet kiss. The puppy broke it up when she started licking Tomi’s cheek. “I think she wants her mommy to hold her.”
It was silly to suddenly feel all maternal, but Tomi was overwhelmed with the desire to be a real mommy. She and Ian both wanted children. He was eager to start right away, but Tomi had wanted to wait a couple of years. Funny that being his wife for only two short days could change her mind. She loved him and wanted nothing more than to create a family with him.
She snuggled the little puppy close, wondering when would be a good time to tell Ian she wouldn’t mind having a little human the two of them created from their love sooner than later.
Once Ian handed over the puppy to Tomi, his nieces and nephews forgot about all the unopened gifts surrounding the tree and joined their aunt and uncle on the floor. Ian explained to them why they couldn’t hold her yet, but he gave them each a chance to touch her soft fur.
“We need to get a picture of you all and your first family Christmas together,” Candice said, shooing the kids away. “Smile,” she said, holding up her phone to capture the picture.
The puppy started whimpering. While the kids started opening their presents, Ian and Tomi took the puppy to their bedroom. “Piper said she’ll help us train her,” Tomi said, nestling the puppy in a clothes basket lined with a flannel blanket. “She also volunteered to take care of her while we’re in Hawaii.”
“It’s going to be hard to leave her,” Ian said, gently rubbing his fingers across her fur. “What should we name her?”
Tomi sat next to him on the bed, leaning against his arm to watch as the puppy drifted off to sleep. “Hmm, what about something to do with Christmas like Noel or Bell?”
“I like both names.” He nudged her with his arm. “You pick.”
“Nope, this is your baby,” Tomi said. “It will be my turn to pick a name when we have our first baby.”
Ian looked at her, a hint of a smile lifting the corners of his lips. “And just how soon are we going to have this baby?”
Tomi shrugged her shoulders. “It usually takes at least nine months.”
“At least,” he said in a low voice.
Giving him a mischievous smile, she kissed him, loving the way he took over as he caressed her mouth in a way that only he could do.
Later…much later, she stood next to her husband, watching Ginger sleep, curled up in a little doggie bed under the Christmas tree. Turning toward him, Tomi wound her arms around Ian’s neck. “I love you,” she said, rising on her toes to feather a kiss across his lips.
“I love you more,” he said, pulling her closer. Then he gave her a long, tantalizing kiss, leaving her in a haze of pure ecstasy. She was right where she was supposed to be, and she planned to keep it that way forever.
About the Author
Cindy Roland Anderson is an Amazon best selling author who writes clean, contemporary romance with a combination of humor, romantic tension and some pretty great kissing scenes. She and her husband live in northern Utah, and are parents to five children, and grandparents to seven adorable grandchildren. She is a registered nurse and has worked in the NICU as well as the newborn nursery. She loves to read, almost as much as she loves writing. And she loves chocolate…probably a little too much. Be sure and sign up for Cindy's Newsletter and receive a free copy of one of her books. You’ll also get notified first of her latest book release and the chance to receive an advanced copy of that new book before anyone else.
To see all her works and be notified of new releases, please follow her on her Amazon author page Cindy Roland Anderson's Author Page
Also by Cindy Roland Anderson
Individual Titles
Fair Catch
Discovering Sophie
Georgia Moon Romance Series
Under a Georgia Moon
Just a Kiss in the Moonlight
Blue Moon Kisses
Snow Valley Romance Series
An Unexpected Kiss
Catching Caytie
Operation Kiss the Girl
Destiny Came Knocking
Caught Kissing the Cowboy
Navy SEAL Romances 2.0
The Rogue Warrior
Country Brides & Cowboy Boots Series
The Cowboy’s Accidental Bride
Under the Mistletoe: A Timeless Romance Anthology
Forgotten Kisses
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