“I really did mean what I said. Never give up on your dreams, Charlotte. They make you who you are. And that’s what makes you special.”
She beams, and a change overcomes her as she stands a little taller. “Thank you,” she cheers. “And I won’t. I promise.”
“Merry Christmas,” I call out as she turns to leave.
“Merry Christmas. And I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I watch her head around the corner before resuming my task of finding my keys.
Maybe I didn’t pick them up again.
“Where are you?” I wonder, wishing I could drop the contents all over the floor. But I know if I did, there would be no getting back up off the floor.
A car pulling up has me pulling away from my task. I breathe out a sigh of relief when I see Jaxon pull in.
He takes my breath away as he grins at me. It never fails to undo me. Every time I look at him, my heart aches from the overwhelming love I have for him.
“What are you doing out in the cold?” he scolds.
My shoulders drop. “I’ve lost my keys again.”
His grin spreads as he shakes his head. When he reaches me, he pulls me into his arms, kissing me breathlessly. I drop my bag to the floor, cupping his cheeks as I kiss him back. I’ll never get tired of his kisses. They seem to pour energy into me. And when he pulls back, I want more, missing the contact.
“I’ve missed you,” he breathes, gently rubbing my stomach.
“I’ve missed you too,” I tell him, breathing in his spicy cologne. “Did you have a good day?”
“It was okay. Reid still isn’t back. He went out on a bender after dropping off a delivery so he can’t drive back until the early hours of the morning, if not tomorrow if he keeps drinking. I left the others to finish up at the office.”
My eyes widen when realisation hits me. “He’s going to miss Christmas.”
He sighs. “Mum is going to kill him.” He steps back, glancing down at the bags. “Did you have a good day?”
I bite my lip when my gaze goes to all the bags. I may have gone a little overboard since we did everyone else’s presents together. But Hayden insisted I get the underwear, stating once I’ve had the baby, and we get the all clear to be intimate, Jaxon will want to ravish me. She said it will give him something to look forward to. I blush at the reminder and try to reach for the bags before he does. “I’ll get those,” I squeak, not wanting him to see his present.
I’m still embarrassed about one of them, unsure whether to give it to him or not, but it’s what Charlotte’s friend Harriet recommended. I’m just not sure how Jaxon will feel about it now it’s done.
He looks up from where he’s bent down, and grins. “I won’t peek, I promise.”
I sag with relief. “Okay.” We step inside, and I pull my hat and gloves off, dropping them down on the bench next to the door. “And I had a good day. Aunt Kayla told me about the day everyone found out she was pregnant.”
I quickly run through the story, and Jaxon’s eyes widen at the end. “So, he got sent to a psych ward?”
“Evidently it was his first time there, which is surprising. The others found out and wanted to see it for themselves, so they went to visit him. He had already driven the staff crazy.”
“And they most likely wanted to take pictures, since he’s always pranking them.”
I giggle as I remember the story. “Yes. Well, Max kept warning them that a baby would soon be coming, and that Kayla would steal all their food. They put two and two together, and everyone knew before the night ended that she was pregnant.”
“I guess everyone has stories,” he murmurs, pulling me into his arms.
“Maybe we shouldn’t tell ours: that you found out seconds before we were trapped in a burning house,” I tease.
His gaze darkens before he glances down at me. “It doesn’t take away from the moment you told me, or that it’s the second-best day of my life.”
“What is your first?” I ask, lowering my lashes.
“The day you said, I do.”
Tears warm my cheeks as a few slip free. This time last year, I was falling into a sea of emptiness. I felt void, and for a moment, I feared I’d always feel that empty. “I love you, Jaxon.”
He ducks his head, meeting my gaze as he lifts my chin up. “Then why the tears?”
“Because this year we get to spend Christmas together. Last year…” I close my eyes, wondering why I’m thinking about it.
“Lily,” he calls, and a resigned sigh follows. He knows what I’m thinking too.
I blink up at him through my wet lashes. “This year isn’t going to be anything like last year.” I sniffle as I try to pull myself together. “I have a husband, and a baby due soon. I’ve never been happier. I’ve got a life I didn’t know I wanted. I’ve been granted a wish I never knew I made.”
He presses his lips against mine, groaning as I melt against him, sliding my tongue against his. He pulls back, resting his forehead against mine. “Why do you say these things when I can’t take you to bed and fuck you the way I want to.”
Heat floods my cheeks. “The doctor told you at our last appointment that it’s still okay. You just can’t be, you know…”
His body shakes with soft laughter as he gently grips my cheeks. “The baby isn’t the reason I can’t fuck you right now. We have people arriving, and I’d prefer not to be interrupted by your damn brother or uncle again.”
I bite my lip to stop the laughter from spilling out. I press against him—as much as I can with my stomach in the way. After a quick glance at the clock, I smile. “We have nearly two hours before they arrive.”
His pupils dilate as he stares down at me with hunger. “Then I’d best give my wife what she wants.”
Laughter spills out of me as he tucks one hand behind my back and one under my legs before sweeping me up into his arms.
Definitely going to be the best Christmas ever.
CHAPTER FOUR
Lily
Soft laughter flows up the stairs to my room, stirring me awake. For a moment, I forget about the sound of voices, and smile to myself as I burrow down into the blanket, where I’m still naked from our earlier activities.
Even now, as I close my eyes, I savour every moment we shared as it plays back in my mind. My entire body heats like a summer’s day as I recall every touch and caress. How he loomed above me, fighting not to go harder, even though my body screamed for him to do it. Ever since we found out about the baby, he has pulled back, not wanting to accidently hurt either of us. Still, each moment is as special as the last.
I run my finger along my lips, still feeling the buzz and swelling from us kissing. Just the reminder of how his kisses ignite a fire inside of me has my stomach fluttering.
I roll my head to the side, spotting Jaxon’s side empty. I place my hand there, feeling the cool cotton beneath my fingers. He’s been gone awhile.
Then my mum’s voice reaches me, and I struggle to sit up, panicking as I remember I’ve got people coming over. I glance at the time as I finally make it up, sitting on the edge of the bed.