Watermelon

Dream Come True

"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night," Shawn read from the little hardcover book he was holding. Maggie laid snuggled up in her bed wearing her Christmas pajamas, with Camila cuddled up next to her. The little girl's eyes were heavy — she was clearly just minutes, if not seconds, from falling asleep.

"Goodnight cutie pie," Camila whispered, brushing her curls back with her hand and kissing her forehead.

"Night mommy," she mumbled. Shawn set the book back on her little bookshelf and took his turn kissing the top of her head.

"Goodnight stinky."

"Night daddy." Camila got up from the small bed and tiptoed out of Maggie's bedroom, Shawn following behind her. "Daddy!" Maggie whispered in the dark, just as Shawn was about to close the door.

"Yeah?"

"Make sure Santa sees the cookies."

"I will," he chuckled, closing the door. The moment the door was shut he turned to look at his wife. "It's game time."

They spent the next few hours wrapping presents and putting them under the tree — Shawn occasionally taking breaks to sneak a cookie from the plate that Maggie and Camila had made earlier that day. Camila eyed her husband as he set a small wrapped box under the tree and then made his way over to the plate to grab his fourth cookie of the night.

"What?" He asked innocently. "Santa would definitely eat at least six cookies before leaving. I'm just trying to make it look believable. You know, for Maggie."

"You're such a good dad."

"I do what I can," he shrugged, taking a bite of the chocolate chip cookie in his hand.

By a little past midnight, all of the presents were wrapped and placed neatly under the Christmas tree. The stockings hung on the bookshelf had been filled with all sorts of little goodies and treats. And six of the dozen cookies had been eaten — five by Shawn and one by Camila.

"Alright, Mrs. Claus...ready to call it a night?" Shawn slung his arm over his wife's shoulders.

"Aw, sure my little elf." She reached up and booped him on the nose, making him scrunch up his nose at her.

"I'm not a little elf..."

Camila laughed to herself as she walked back to their bedroom. She did her normal nighttime routine – brushing her teeth, combing her hair, washing her face, and changing into a cozy pair of Christmas-themed pajamas. It was only fitting with it being the night before Christmas. When she came back out of the bathroom, Shawn was sitting on the bed in only a pair of sweatpants, scrolling on his phone. She sat down next to him.

"There's one Christmas gift that I think I should give you now."

Shawn looked up from his phone at her, his eyebrows raising as a smirk grew on his face.

"Nothing like that, perv," Camila snorted. Shawn laughed, watching her get up and grab something from their closet. It was a small ring box — and the moment he saw it in her hand he knew exactly what it was. He couldn't help but smile. She handed it over to him, sitting down on the bed again. "Sorry, I didn't get the chance to wrap it..."

"That's okay — I think you've wrapped enough presents today." He opened the box slowly, smiling when he saw the ring. He looked up at her. "Is this what I think it is?"

Camila shrugged. "I figured it was about time you got your own wedding ring."

"Oh man, this is exciting." He set the ring box down on the bed and slid off the ring he had been wearing on his left hand as a placeholder. "Do you wanna do the honors?"