The Patchwork Heart

Chapter 18

Christmas Eve was a wonderful day spent with the Leys family and my family. We all got together at my parent's house for a big meal and presents. My mom made a turkey with all the fixings, Sandra made two kinds of dessert. Finn got so many presents from his grandparents I had no idea where I was going to put everything when we got home. Murray insisted on reading the Night Before Christmas to his grandson, even though Finn was far too young to actually listen to it. Mitchell was sure to take a video of the storytelling all the same.

Mitchell and I had planned to spend Christmas Day at home just the two of us all day. My parents were going to come over after lunch for stockings. Sandra and Murray were invited to Tessa's family's home for supper, so they could spend more time with Elliot. They tried really hard not to discuss it with me, but I knew they were excited to spend time with him. I understood that he was their grandson too, they wanted to know him. Whatever my personal feelings were about the situation, Elliot and Tessa were not at fault and I needed to remember that.

When we were in the kitchen pouring cider, I asked Sandra, "Do you have a picture of Elliot? I'd like to see him." She stared at me for a moment and nodded. Sandra took out her phone and scrolled through it until she smiled, "This is him with his mom." I took her phone and looked at the picture. Tessa was a pretty girl with dark hair and dark eyes. Her son had dirty blonde hair with a big smile. Elliot could have been Finn's twin, they looked identical. I smiled, though it tugged at my heart a little bit. I whispered, "He is perfect."

Sandra wrapped her arm around my shoulders, "I know this has been a lot, Bree. On top of a terrible year. We love you so much and we love Finn." I nodded, "I know. It's not a competition. I'm not angry with her and would never be angry about Elliot." We held each other for a moment before we returned to the living room. My dad was walking with Finn around the Christmas tree, his eyes were lit up with wonder. Mitchell walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. He kissed my neck softly, I smiled and leaned back into his embrace.

"Merry Christmas baby." he whispered in my ear. Mitchell's breath tickled my ear, I let out a small giggle. I nodded my head as it bit my lower lip. I couldn't wait for Mitchell to see his quilt I had made for him. It has been a wonderful project for me over the past couple months. I had to stitch rip easily a million times but by the end the t-shirt quilt looked wonderful. I planned to give it to him on Christmas morning before Finn woke up. I was going to tell Mitchell I loved him at the same time, as an extra special gift that was only for him.

After supper, Michell and I took Finn home. He fell asleep in the truck on the way home. I pulled him out of the car seat and took him inside the house while Mitchell plugged the truck in. Finn didn't fight his pajamas that night, he just let me change him into his sleeper and was out like a little light. By the time Mitchell came into the house I had tucked Finn in and left his nightlight on.

I poured us each a glass of Baileys over ice while Mithcell took his jacket and boots off. When I handed him the glass he kissed me softly. We sat on the couch in the dark looking out at the night sky while we sipped our drinks. It was quiet and blissful. Mitchell had his arms wrapped around me, his face resting in my hair. I could feel his love radiating through his embrace, it was the most amazing feeling to be loved so completely.

"Thank you for loving me so much, Mitch. Finn and I are so lucky to have you in our lives." I whispered. He shook his head, "I would do anything for you, baby. I love you both so much." He kissed my neck over and over again. His gentle kisses trailed down to my collarbone and then over my shoulder. I moaned and leaned further into his chest. Mitchell moved his left hand down to trace small circles on the inside of my left thigh. I turned around in his lap and pulled his lips to mine. He returned my kiss eagerly, he pulled my hips closer until I was straddling his lap, his hands gripping my butt.

I let out a content sigh as I broke the kiss to rail my lips down his neck, "Take me to bed, Mitch." He lifted us off the couch. I wrapped my legs around his middle while he carried me to the bedroom. Mitchell took off my pants and underwear slowly. I slipped my top and bra off before I lifted his shirt over his head. I pulled his waistband and unzipped his fly. We climbed into bed, giggling and wrapped up in each other's arms. He felt so good inside me, like he was meant to be there. His hands on my skin were like fire, his lips possessed heat. I couldn't get enough of him. As I reached my peak I cried out, "I love you Mitch!"

He kissed my lips softly as we both came down from our highs, his hands tangled in my hair, "I know baby. I know. I love you too." I hadn't planned to tell him like that, but it was true. I loved Mithcell, with my entire being and he deserved to know. I loved him because he cared about me, he put me first, he saw me for who i was and he was loyal to me and only me. It felt right, and I was never so sure of anything else.

The next morning came too soon. I was still sound asleep when the alarm went off at 6:30am. Luckily Mitchell didn't wake up from it. I rose and tiptoed out of bed to get his present from the office. I had wrapped it up terribly in Christmas wrapping paper with a massive bow. I held the package close to my chest as I went back into my bedroom. I crawled into the bed carefully and shook Mithcell's arm gently, "Wake up, baby. Santa brought you a present!"

Mitchell turned his head toward my voice but didn't open his eyes, "Santa? What?" I chuckled and shook his arm again, "Santa brought you a special present from Finn and I. You have to open it up quickly."

He opened his eyes slowly and shifted up into a sitting position against the headboard. MItchell took the package from my hands and looked at it. He smiled at my poor wrapping abilities before he started pulling the paper off. When the paper was gone, he examined the contents carefully. He lifted the corner of the quilt and tossed it out to see it's full size. When it opened, Mitchell's eyes went wide and he let out a soft gasp, "Are these my old t-shirts?" I nodded.

Mitchell let a small tear flow down his cheek as he examined each and every one of the patches with intense care. His hands followed the stitches from one to the next. I watched and waited for him to say something as he stood up to get a closer look at the quilt. After several minutes he looked at me with soft, loving eyes and whispered, "I can't believe you made this for me, Bree. It's amazing, I don't have words, baby. This is just completely awesome."

I smiled, "I wanted to do something very special for you, so I thought this was the perfect thing. You do so much for everyone else, so this is just a small token of my gratitude and love for you." He climbed across the bed to catch my lips in his. Mitchell wrapped us up in the quilt and made love to me again that morning. He took his time, making each moment last what felt like a lifetime. It was the most romantic Christmas I had ever had.