Ophélie

Part 53

Charles and I put on a Christmas movie and sit down at the coffee table.

We're building a gingerbread house with a certain colour of sweets inside for a little gender reveal with the family. We're laughing and talking about how excited we are to tell everyone. I sit back as Charles puts the roof on the house, watching him with a small smile on my lips.

He looks up at me. "What?"

I smile and shake my head. "Nothing. I'm just happy."

He grins at me. "I am too. I can't wait for our little bean."

"Me too." I yawn and then stand up. "Come on, let's go to bed."

The next morning I have a shower and then I head downstairs to start preparing Christmas dinner.

Charles comes down about an hour later, he hops onto the counter. "What are you making?"

"Cookies." I shrug, looking down at the cookie batter in front of me.

"Chocolate chip? With dark chocolate?" he asks excitedly.

I laugh. "The only way to make them. And yes, I'm making extra so I can put some away for your little midnight snacks."

He smiles widely at me. "Best wife ever."

"What are you doing today? While our mothers, Lily and I cook?" I ask, rolling little balls and putting them onto the cookie sheet.

"Arthur and I are going to do last-minute shopping. I need to get one more thing for your gift, and he needs to get Lily and mom gifts."

I raise my eyebrow. "You know you're going to be in the store for hours, right? It's Christmas eve."

He nods and groans. "I know. But we'll try to make it quick."

The doorbell rings and Charles hops off of the counter. "I'll get it."

"It's our mothers." I smile over my shoulder, watching him walk to the front door.

I hear them greeting Charles and then they start making their way toward the kitchen.

I quickly wash my hands and wipe them off on my apron.

"Maman." I smile, holding my hands out and giving her a hug. I hug Pascale next.

"Je vois que vous avez déjà commencé." Pascale smiles, looking around the kitchen. (I see you've already started.)

I nod. "Ouais, je suis sur le point de mettre les cookies au four, et ensuite on pourra commencer le rosbif." (Yeah, I'm about to put the cookies in the oven, and then we can start the roast beef.)

My mom and Pascale start putting aprons on when the doorbell rings again.

"Lily." Charles and I say at the same time.

Charles opens the door for her.

"It's Christmas!!!" I hear Lily say loudly.

She and Charles come around the corner and she rushes over to me, squeezing me tightly.

She hugs my mom and Pascale, asking them how they are.

Charles tells us that he'll see us later, gives me a quick kiss, and leaves.

We put on some music and chat while we get to work on the food.

Everyone has arrived and we've shown everyone to their rooms.

We have everyone staying the night, in the two guest houses and in our guest rooms.

We've just finished dinner and are all sitting around the Christmas tree.