Life After Dark: Book Two of the Dark Series

Chapter 109

~ Christmas: Chestnuts Roasting... ~

"I'm sorry that I didn't think to bring the others. I just wanted to get us out of there that I couldn't even think straight."

Dawn smiled at Nikolas and reached for his hand. "It's okay. Don't worry about it. Christmas isn't about gifts. It's about love and your love is the only gift I need," she said, finishing with a giggle.

"Hey! Why are you laughing?" Nikolas asked her, pulling her onto his lap. "The Tickle Monster hasn't even made an appearance!"

"And, he'd better not!" she told him, her eyes widened by his thinly disguised threat. She moved so that she straddled Nikolas and looked straight into his chocolate brown eyes. "I'm serious. Don't threaten me with a visit from the Tickle Monster."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Nikolas said, rolling his eyes. He grinned when she began to glare at him.

"You know, it's not fun when you use my own words against me," she said, laughing.

"I know," he said, joining in her laughter. Pointing to the carefully wrapped gift, which she still held in her hand, he said, "Open it, sweetheart."

"Okay." Unaware that she was driving Nikolas mad in anticipation, Dawn took her time with the wrapping paper. She pulled back each piece of tape and neatly unfolded the decorative paper from the box. Once the box could be easily opened, she placed the paper beside them on the bed. She then opened the box and was surprised by what she found inside.

Nikolas watched her eyes closely, looking for any telltale sign. Her brown eyes sparkled, but they failed to reveal the inner workings of her mind to him. He swallowed hard. Should he ask her, or should he wait? His impatience answered the question for him. "Darling, do you like it?"

She nodded. She removed the dazzling gold ring from the small, black velvet box. "It's beautiful," she whispered, holding it up to the light. "I'm surprised, though."

"Why?" he asked, taking the ring from her. "You don't like it, do you?"

"It's so expensive," she shrugged. "I wasn't expecting you to give me something like this. I thought we had agreed to keep it...well, I don't know...kinda simple."

"I know we did, but I just couldn't." He held the ring up between them. "This ring isn't for spectacle...to let everyone know how wealthy the Cassadines are. This ring is special, sweetheart, for you, me and our baby."

"Yeah?" she asked, slightly confused. "How's that?"

"Well, let me show you," he offered with a smile. As he pointed to each jewel, he spoke of its significance. "The amethyst represents you. The topaz here represents me. And, the diamond is for our child."

"These are our birthstones," she said, understanding his explanation. "Oh, baby, I love it! I should have realized it, but I-I... I'm sorry for questioning you. I love this. This is so thoughtful and sweet."

"I'm glad you like it," he replied, his voice just a little hoarse. "Allow me," he said, sliding the ring onto the middle finger of her left hand. "See look at that. A perfect fit."

"Just like you and me." She gently cupped his face and drew his face towards hers. She lightly brushed her lips against his, pulling away before he could deepen the embrace.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, puzzled by her abrupt movement. He tilted her face upwards so that their eyes locked. "You are happy with the ring, right?"

"I love it. I'll never take it off," she said, looking down at its brilliance. Biting her lower lip, she raised her eyes to his again. "Well, I have one of your gifts, but I'm not sure... I mean, if we could go back to Wyndemere to get the others I have for you..."