by B. A. Wolfe
“Mmm. Our first Christmas as a family.” He brought my knuckles to his mouth. “Merry Christmas, baby.”
There was something to be said for a first holiday together as a family. There was no telling what the day would bring, but something inside said it would be magical.
Chapter 2
IT WAS STILL DARK OUTSIDE and the house was silent as I stood in front of the piles of presents placed around the base of the tree. It was early Christmas morning when I had slipped out of bed to use the restroom and couldn’t fall back asleep. I wandered down the hallway and found myself staring at the twinkling lights on the fresh douglas fir we purchased two weeks ago. It was our first Christmas as a family. Jase was almost three, and his excitement and understanding of the holidays was more fun at this age. I couldn’t wait to watch him barrel around the corner to see what Santa had left for him.
The only thing that had me tossing and turning for hours was something Aidan said last night. “I guess we’ll find out soon, won’t we?”
The fact we were celebrating today and we didn’t know what to call our baby began to eat at me. At first, not finding out the gender seemed the right thing to do. I didn’t have a clue what I was having when Jase was born, and it all turned out great. But the woman inside me screamed, yelled, and made me regret this decision now. The sonogram with the results was sealed in an envelope above the fireplace, next to the tree. I couldn’t stop staring at it.
Maybe, if I just snuck a quick peek and kept it to myself, I’d feel some sort of comfort?
As I stepped forward, a slight pain tightened my belly. I steadied back on my heels, pressed my lips together in a grimace, and glanced down at my cotton-covered stomach. My lungs stilled as I rubbed my sides and the pain quickly subsided. I brushed it off as probably nothing and returned my thoughts to the white envelope. As I took a step forward, a husky voice froze my movements.
“Morning, Sweet Tea.” Aidan rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he lazily made his way toward me, a pair of plaid pants hanging from his hips. “You’re up early.” His lips curved to the side in a tired smile. “Excited to see what Santa brought you?”
Not exactly . . .
“Uh,” I paused and shook my head, fidgeting with my fingers. “Can we talk?”
He raised his eyebrows. “Now, you’ve got me worried.” His gaze swept over my body. “Are you okay? Cassie, what is it?” Urgency swam through his rushed words and I instantly regretted my question.
“No, no.” I reached out and touched his arm. “I’m fine. It’s nothing big.” My attention dropped to the white envelope once again. “I mean, it is a big deal, I guess. I have to ask you something.”
A soft finger tilted my chin up, and our eyes met. “What is it, Sweet Tea?”
I rubbed my belly, searched for the right words, and smiled when I felt a tiny kick. Aidan’s hand immediately touched next to mine. He loved when he could feel our baby. Grinning, I moved my fingers and pressed his palm where the kicks were. Two beats later, his face lit up.
“Merry Christmas, sweet baby,” he murmured. He glanced down, his face in awe. He or she had been kicking for quite some time, but he never seemed to get over the amazement of it. My heart swelled at his loving words and his gentle voice. I couldn’t have asked for a better man.
“I’ll never get over that.” His whole face spread into a smile before he raised a quick brow. “So, what am I about to get suckered into here?” He ran his hand over my stomach in a smooth circular motion before he crossed his arms and smirked.
It was now or never. “I know we said we’d wait until the baby was born to find out the gender.” Both of his brows were now raised high. “But what if we find out this morning?” My words rushed out as if I had opened a floodgate. Aidan blinked several times digesting my request, so I continued, “We could open the envelope together and find out what we’re having. Make it a Christmas to remember!” Enthusiasm and hopefulness filled my unsure voice.
He rubbed his lips together and shifted his weight. “You’ve been against this since we had the ultrasound done. Why now?” he asked. Curiosity laced his soft tone.
“I dunno,” I said on a long sigh. “Something was different this morning. I . . . I just want to know.” I patted my hand over my chest. “My heart wants to know.”
“Ah, baby.” Strong arms wrapped around my body. My ear flattened against his chest and I listened to his loud heartbeat. “We’ve waited this long. What’s a couple more weeks? Let’s hold on a little longer. You’re stressed.” He held me away from him, love veiling his hazel irises. “Sit and relax before Jase wakes up. I’ll get breakfast started.”
“So, that’s a no?” My lips twisted in a dissatisfied grin.
He chuckled under his breath. “If it’s what you want, you know I’ll give you anything. But I don’t think it’s what you want.” He pivoted on his feet and headed toward the kitchen.
I cocked my head and picked at my fingernails, watching his backside as he left. “And how do you know what I want?”
He turned, his lips curved to the side in a devious smile, his eyes half-mast. Aidan prowled toward me like a lion in heat. It didn’t matter if I was two months pregnant or ready to burst in an instant, he’d always turn me into a needy woman who craved his touch. He stood barely an inch in front of me. My chest began to heave, and my body tingled as he opened his mouth.
“I’m your husband, and I’ll always know that these goosebumps,” he paused, ghosting a finger down my arm, “and the red tinting your face are because of me,” he caressed the apples of my cheeks. I moaned, ready to reach for his chiseled stomach and bring him closer to me.
“That little moan right there is the sound you make right before you tug at the hem of my shirt or graze your finger across my waist.” He leaned closer and nibbled at my earlobe. “And of course I know you get anxious when you’re stressed. And that you never stop fidgeting with your fingernails when you’re overthinking something.” He pulled back and covered my hands with his, a slow smile stretching across his stubbly face. “And let’s not forget the way you pause right before you ask me something—something you’re not ready for but you think you want.” I bit down on my lip, overly aware of how right he was. “That’s where I come in and stop you from making a decision you might regret.”
I was beginning to think he knew me better than I even knew myself. A heavy sigh passed through my lips. “How’d I get so lucky to have you?”
“Fate.” His voice was a low timber.
I closed my eyes, the heaviness of the word settled deep inside of me. We were brought together by a fate stronger than either of us would ever realize. A fate that was so beautiful, yet so sorrowful that it was actually painful to discuss aloud. Our story was one for the books.
His minty breath fanned my face and tingled my lips. “I think I need an X.”
I quivered and parted my mouth in a smile. “I think I need an O.” It was as if I could hear his grin. “XO,” I whispered.
The heat from his close body emanated onto mine as he gathered me into his arms. “XO, Sweet Tea,” he said before he kissed me with heated passion.
I mewed into his mouth and lifted the hem of his shirt. Caressing my fingertips gently against his rippled abs, his muscles contracted under my touch. Eager for more, I dipped my hands under the waistband of his pants. A thick growl ripped through his throat before his tongue ravished mine.
“Mommy! Daddy!” Jase’s high-pitched squeal froze the movements of our heated bodies. My eyes flashed open to see Aidan’s wide gaze on mine. “Sanna came! Sanna!”
Jase’s little voice grew closer and we pulled apart, our bodies burning. Aidan ran a hand over his face before he crouched down with his arms open, waiting for our son.
“Merry Trimas, Mommy and Daddy!” Jase barreled around the corner in his Robin pajamas, and threw himself into Aidan’s embrace.
Aidan lifted Jase in the air. “Merry Christmas, buddy!” The boy giggled when Aidan swung
him around in a circle. Jase wriggled to the floor and he all but ran to me, squeezing his arms around my lower legs.
“Morning, Jase.” I bent in half to pick him up, and as I did, another tight pain shot through my stomach. I sucked in a breath and concealed my cringe. I didn’t want my husband to worry. I was still a few weeks from delivery, and Braxton Hicks contractions were more than likely the culprit. Pushing the thoughts away, I lifted Jase into my arms and propped him on my hip.
Kissing his squishy cheek, I hugged him tightly. “Merry Christmas, sweet boy.”
Aidan closed in around us, folding us into his long arms, and kissed Jase’s other cheek.
“Sanna come?” His little brown eyes grew huge as his gaze ping-ponged between us.
We shared a smile and I slowly lowered Jase to the floor. “Go see, honey!”
His lips puckered and his brows rose in excitement. He clapped, and then as if Santa himself were waiting with this present, darted toward the room faster than I’d ever seen him run.
“He came! He came!” He ran around his new bike at least three times before he went straight for the bell Aidan installed on the handlebar.
Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring . . .
Aidan pulled me into his side and rested his cheek against my hair. “So, this is what Christmas morning feels like as a parent?” Awe and wonder saturated his low voice and I melted into him.
“I never want to forget this,” I whispered, mentally taking a picture of Jase with the twinkling tree behind him.
“Me either,” he muttered. “And to think, next year we’ll have two kids.”
“I can’t wait.” I swirled my hand over my stomach and smiled. “But until then, I need to get started on this meal or we’ll be eating pancakes and eggs for Christmas dinner instead.” I giggled and pulled away from his comforting side.
We had agreed to host dinner this year. Grandma Maggie had been saying how much work it was for her, and with our new house big enough for everyone, we agreed to have the family over. It sounded like a great plan until I realized that I’d be nine months pregnant and cooking.
“No way, Sweet Tea. Let me do all of it.” His firm gaze landed on mine. “You relax. I’ve got this.”
I was pregnant, not dead. There was no way I’d leave him to prepare a meal he probably had no clue how to make.
“Have you cooked a meal like this before?”
He gasped in mock defense. “Are you doubting my skills, baby?”
I chuckled and nodded.
Jase rode by on his bike with the training wheels secure to its sides and the bell ringing constantly. Aidan winked at me before he followed behind him. Glancing over his shoulder as he tailed Jase’s bike, he asked, “What time do I need to get the turkey in?”
He was really planning to do this. I knew he’d help, that’s who he was, but this was an entire meal of dishes I wasn’t sure he’d ever made before. “Around eight. But I still have to peel potatoes, prepare the stuffing, and wash the veggies.” I sighed. There was a laundry list of food to prepare.
“Sweet Tea, stop doing that. I’m helping. End of subject.” Aidan ruffled Jase’s messy hair as he got off his bike and ran over to his stocking, pulling out toys and chocolate.
“I’m not on bed rest. I can do this,” I grumbled.
Aidan left Jase to his candy and stuffed animals and sauntered toward me. Lacing our hands together, he gazed down at me, his morning stubble overly sexy. “I tell you what.” A slow smile spread across his face. “Why don’t you go sit and relax? Enjoy this moment. I’ll make you guys breakfast and then we’ll discuss dinner.” He ushered me toward the couch before he brought me a small silver wrapped box with a red bow.
I blinked up at him, and excitement bubbled up inside me. “What is it?”
“You have to open it.”
He pivoted and started to leave, but I grabbed hold of his long fingers and secured them inside my grip. “Wait,” I begged. “Please stay.”
He turned back around and crouched in front of me, his hands instantly warming my knees. “I’m not going anywhere, Sweet Tea.”
My lips bowed at his response and I lowered my gaze to the gift that lay in my lap. I twirled the red tendril of ribbon and my smile grew. “It’s so beautiful.”
A soft chuckle filled the space between us. “The gift is inside the box, baby.”
I bit back my laughter and glanced up at him.
“Open it.”
With eager fingers, I peeled back the thick silver paper until I got to the white box underneath. I eased the lid off and pushed aside layers of bright red tissue paper. I sucked in my lips and covered my mouth as I stared at a platinum frame with a picture that instantly melted my heart.
“Oh, Aidan.” My words were muffled by the palm of my hand.
Looking up at him was a mistake. Tears silently escaped the corners of my eyes as I watched his cheeks split into an even bigger smile.
“I took it while you were in the rocking chair reading Jase a bedtime story. You both had fallen asleep and I knew I wanted to save that memory.”
“I love it,” I whispered. I glanced down at the picture once more, adoring the scene. Jase was on my chest, my head against his, my hand protectively over his little body as the book lay open on my lap. “It’s the perfect memory to have framed.”
My vision had blurred as I looked up at Aidan. He rose from the floor and pressed his loving lips to my forehead.
Wiping the salty tears from my face, I grabbed his hand. “Thank you.”
He smiled as if it was nothing to thank him for. “I love you,” he mouthed before getting ready to turn away once again.
“Wait! It’s your turn.”
“We can wait. Let me get breakfast started for you guys.”
My long hair swished as I shook my head. “Jase, should we let Daddy open a gift?”
A tiny gasp left Jase’s mouth. He darted up from the floor and ran toward us. “Daddy prise!” Jase threw his arms around Aidan.
“See!” I told Aidan.
“All right, all right.” Aidan chuckled and lifted Jase into the air as he slowly stood. “You guys win.”
Jase, now perched on Aidan’s side, clapped his little hands and cheered. I giggled and set the picture frame back in the box, and groaned as I put the gift on the floor next to my bare feet. The couch dipped as Aidan lowered himself next to me, Jase in his lap.
I twisted to gaze at him. “I hope you love it,” I murmured. He met my stare. The lights from the tree shone off his face, and I smiled.
“Sweet Tea, I love anything from my two favorite people . . .” he paused and glanced down at my stomach before he met my gaze. “Three favorite,” he corrected himself. Warmness spread throughout my limbs. He sat there, so devilishly handsome, and I couldn’t help but smile back at him.
This would be so perfect.
I scanned beneath the tree for one of Aidan’s special gifts. But as I examined each delicately wrapped present, the one for Aidan wasn’t there. My heart began to race. I gripped the cushions and leaned forward, my belly and gravity wanting to take drag my belly to the floor.
Jase peeked around the tree, a frown on his face. “It not here, Mommy.”
Blood rushed from my face, and my cheeks slackened. “It has to be.”
Aidan laughed and crawled onto the floor next to Jase. “What color is the paper, Sweet Tea?”
“It’s a slender navy blue box with a silver bow,” I told him, my words rushed with panic.
He nodded and rolled onto his side, then stretched out as he sorted through the piles of presents. It wasn’t seconds later he sat up, a twisted smile stretched across his face. “Not here, baby. Did you hide it and forget where you put it?” A slight smirk lifted his lips to the side. I’d had my bouts of pregnancy brain, but I thought for sure I brought his present out. In fact, I knew I did. Jase and I tucked it under the tree together.
“No. I know it’s down there. Check again. Please?”
He captured my eyes with his, sincerity swimming in them. “It’s okay, we’ll find it later.” He growled like a bear and pulled Jase in by the waist. “How about little Robin opens . . .” Aidan grabbed a large Batman wrapped gift, “This one!”
“Yay!” Jase plopped to the floor and nestled the present between his legs. He tore off scraps of paper one at a time.
My shoulders sagged in defeat. “Can you help me up?” I lifted my hands for Aidan to grab. Getting up these days was near impossible.
“Yeah, baby.” He strolled toward me, his mouth downturned.
“I swear it’s under the tree, Aidan. I’ll cry if we can’t find it. It was so . . .” My words clogged in my throat, then threatened to erupt with a loud cry. Stupid hormones.
Aidan bent down, his knees touching the carpet, his warm hands covering mine in a familiar and comforting touch. “Don’t worry. We’ll find it.”
I dropped my chin to my chest. He didn’t understand that the moment had passed to give him the perfect present. “It was a special gift, Aidan. I’ll be heartbroken if we can’t find it.”
I sniffled as a loving finger lifted my eyes upward. I met the sorrow in his stare and cupped his cheek.
He leaned into my touch and asked, “I can’t have you sad on Christmas. What can I do?”
“Daddy, prise.” Jase’s cheerful high-pitched voice surrounded us. Aidan’s finger left my skin and my palm lowered from his cheek to my lap. My pulse escalated and with a wide gaze I watched Jase take one last step toward us carrying a box.
I sighed as I investigated the red box. It wasn’t the one I was searching for.
“What do you have there, buddy?”
“A prise for Daddy.” His cheeks squished in a smile that seemed to make everything better. “I put on for Daddy.”
Aidan’s brows pulled together as he eyed me in question.
I gave him a knowing smile, loving that Jase remembered what he picked out for his daddy. I shrugged and giggled as Jase unwrapped Aidan’s present for him.
Aidan sat curiously as Jase shredded the paper and opened the box. Not two seconds later, Jase’s tiny fingers wrapped around a black silicone watch decorated in Batman logos we found at the store. I’ll never forget Jase running toward it and holding it to his chest as he repeated “pesent for Daddy. He my Baman.” I melted into a puddle that day.
