His Miracle

Christmas Day.

Emily's POV

I hear Jake sneak into our room when the sun is beginning to rise. He slips off his shirt before crawling into bed beside me. I'm half asleep but I feel his arms wrap around me as he pulls me into his chest. The tension from earlier seems to have disappeared from him, possibly due to his exhaustion. He's been out most of the night. He breathes me in before his body relaxes against mine. Within minutes, he's fast asleep.

Within a few hours, I'm woken to the sound of our bedroom door creaking open. I force open one eye despite my body screaming at me to continue sleeping. Sunlight streams in through the windows and I notice Tobias popping his head round the bedroom door with caution. Ivory is standing behind him and they're both wearing Santa hats. Tobias grins at me before pressing a button. His hat begins to flash with red and green colors and I stifle a laugh. Jake is sleeping soundly beside me, completely unaware of the Christmas cheer he's about to endure from his cousins.

"Merry Christmas!" Ivory and Tobias scream at the same time.

Jake's eyes spring open and he bolts upright in bed due the sudden intrusion. His eyes frantically dart around the room before they land on Ivory and Tobias. He lies down and glares at them before tossing a pillow in their direction.

"You're both adults!" Jake yells before slapping a hand over his eyes to shield the light. I giggle as Ivory tosses a Santa hat into my lap. I place it over my head before gently nudging Jake in his ribs. He groans and turns his head before opening one eye.

"Merry Christmas," I whisper down to him with a small smile on my face.

The aura between us is heavy with all of the conversations we need to have, but I'd rather avoid it for today. Jake's blue eyes linger on my face and he appears to be thinking the same. His features soften and he reaches for my hand before pressing a kiss on the back of it.

"Merry Christmas, beautiful."

My heart fills with warmth. It isn't exactly how I planned our Christmas morning, but I've learnt to not have any expectations when it comes to my life. It's one giant roller coaster but at least I have Jake sitting next to me. Tobias tosses a Santa hat at Jake and he's met with a fierce glare.

"There is no way I'm wearing that," Jake mumbles. Tobias rolls his eyes before dropping down in Jake's bean bag. Ivory walks over to take a seat next to him.

"We've had a rough couple of months. It hasn't been easy but we all have each other. Isn't that what matters? I thought we could use today to celebrate family," Tobias says quietly while looking around the room.

I gently squeeze Jake's hand with encouragement and he releases a soft sigh.

"Fine, but nobody is allowed to take a picture of me wearing this. I'll never live it down," Jake says with playful frustration. Ivory, Tobias and I watch as he slowly reaches for the Santa hat before placing it on top of his head. Ivory cheers and Tobias cracks a smile in response. My lips curl up into a grin and I lean forward to press my lips against the faint stubble on his sharp jawline.

"You're the most handsome Santa I've ever seen," I tell him. Ivory holds up her phone to snap a picture of Jake and I despite his request not to be photographed.

"Say Merry Christmas, you two lovebirds!"

I expect Jake to shy away from the camera but he swings one arm around my shoulder, pulls me into his chest and gives the camera his signature irresistible smile. Despite my pregnancy news, it's difficult for me not to feel joy when the people around me are filled with so much of it.

*

Christmas day in the Melvin household consists of opening presents followed by an elaborate Christmas Dinner. Jake's Mom and Tobias' Mom cook all morning to prepare for the mammoth feast ahead. The dining table is decorated in Christmas colors, fit to seat a member of the Royal family. Aunt Myra's best china from all of her travels around the world comes out for one meal only. Everybody is required to dress up and I'm embracing the tradition fully to immerse myself among the people I consider family. They took me in when I needed them the most, and I was a stranger to them at the time. They didn't have to show me kindness and grace. I'll never be able to repay them for their generosity and saving my life. The scent of warm Turkey and fresh-cut herbs floats up the stairs. I'd offered to help with the cooking but the two Mom's insisted I spend the day with Jake and relax as much as possible. Their Christmas Dinner routine in the kitchen seemed military like, beside the copious amounts of red wine flowing through their glasses.