Hide Your Heart

Christmas

It was 13 degrees on Christmas morning when Paul woke up. "Damn!" he swore, feeling the icy air as he got out of bed. Going downstairs, he turned the living room lights on so  he could start the fireplace. 

Waiting until he could feel the heat, he went to make coffee. "Lord, it's cold."

Upstairs, the triplets were starting to wake up. They were carried downstairs and changed in front of the fireplace. Paul brought a basket of their clothes down along with the portable crib. He refused to let them stay upstairs. He went through his closet and did the same with his clothes and took all of them downstairs. 

On his last trip upstairs, Paul wrapped Tommy up and carried him to the couch. "Baby, it's Christmas." 

"Why is it so cold?" mumbled Tommy. He sat up and noticed the fire going.

"I moved us all in here for awhile. It's 13 outside." "Merry Christmas baby." Paul handed Tommy his first present. "It's not much."

Tommy's eyes widened as he opened the box. "N-n-not much? Cartier? Ooh! it's beautiful!"

Paul took the lightning bolt necklace out and fastened it around Tommy's neck. "If you look closely, it's a baby blue diamond. I wanted it to be unique."

Tommy was speechless. "I don't know what to say." "I love it!" "Mine are awful compared to this."

"It's the thought that counts."

Tommy's biggest surprise was the telescope. He started crying. 

Paul liked the year's supply of exotic chocolates and the tickets to Spain, which actually took him by surprise. "Baby, are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm okay with it." I realize now We  if you can trust me, I can trust you." " We leave on the 2nd."

"Are you up to flying?"

"I made the plans before I found out we were expecting again but  I think I'll be okay." "If not, you can take Gene or Eric or Bruce." "I promise I'm fine with the choice."

Paul kissed him as he served breakfast. They talked over breakfast. Paul knew Tommy was uncomfortable with him going to Spain but he wanted to make sure it wouldn't become an issue. "I want to make sure you're 100% okay with this trip."

"Yes."

Paul knew better. He decided to bring up the subject later.

Later that night, Gene and Eric stopped by with the twins on their way to the airport. "We decided to go on the honeymoon first. " said Eric. "Merry Christmas guys." "We'll be back in two weeks."

After getting their gifts and dropping some off, Gene and Eric left. "Well, I guess they're in a hurry." laughed Paul. "Gene's leaving the kids with Eric's mom."

Bruce stopped by last. He stayed for awhile.