Fire and Ice

Ever After -The final chapter

Daryl and Lexi walked back into the house shivering and laughing softly at their excitement getting Luke's Christmas presents out.

"I'll run down to the basement and grab his presents and we can sit and wrap and put them under the tree" Daryl whispered.

"Where's the puppy?" Lexi asked

"In the basement" Daryl said softly.

"Awww, you can't leave him down there alone, I'm going to grab him" Lexi said grinning.

"You just want to play with the puppy" Daryl accused "I just know I'm going to end up doing all the wrapping" He said with a wry grin.

Running down into the basement, Lexi squealed in delight at the little yellow ball of fluff.

"Oh my goodness Daryl, he's so cute!" Lexi said, picking up the puppy out of the box and snuggling him under her chin.  Feeling the puppy cuddle with her and whine softly, Lexi was instantly in love.

Following Daryl back up the stairs as he carried the many bags of toys Lexi and he had bought, Lexi carried the puppy talking to him softly as he snuggled closer to her.

Sitting on the floor and wrapping all of Luke's toy trucks, cars, race track, bike among the other many toys and games, Lexi giggled watching the puppy pounce on the wrinkling paper and shiny bows.

"I think maybe that puppy might be more for you" Daryl teased.

"Probably" Lexi smiled, still watching the little bundle of fur play. "I never had a pet and I always wanted a dog."

"Really?" Daryl asked

"Yeah, I mean I saw my parents reasoning, I was away at school and they both worked so the dog would have been alone a lot and that wasn't right....but I did promise myself that one day I would have one and today is that day, even if I do have to share with Luke" Lexi laughed softly.

"Well I think we're done here, you putting him back in the basement?" Daryl said giving her a lopsided grin.

"Oh....um" Lexi said sadly looking at the puppy. "Do you think we could..."

"I figured" Daryl laughed interrupting her and picking up the dog. "You're blocking me there bud, you better enjoy your one night in our bed"

"Thank you" Lexi smiled giving him a sweet kiss "I'll make it up to you, I promise"

Heading to their bedroom, Lexi climbed under their covers with the puppy and smiled at Daryl as the puppy snuggled close to her and fell asleep.

"Is it wrong I'm jealous of a puppy?" Daryl asked, getting in bed with them.

Lexi giggled and kissed him deeply.

"Just for one night" Lexi smiled and kissed the top of the puppy's head.

"Fine" Daryl sighed "But at least let me say goodnight to my other baby" 

Lexi couldn't help tearing up watching him kiss her belly tenderly and whisper goodnight to their own little bundle in her belly.

"Goodnight sweetheart" Daryl said softly with a yawn.

"Night" Lexi said softly, giving him another kiss "I love you"

"Love you too" Daryl said nodding off already.

Closing her eyes with the warmness of the puppy pressed against her chest, Lexi had to laugh at the mothering instincts that were already kicking in as she fell fast asleep.  Waking the next morning as Luke pounded on the door, Lexi and Daryl looked at each other grinning.