Renewing our Vows

Chapter 13: Christmas Eve

I woke suddenly, a little dazed. My alarm had not sounded yet and there was hardly any light coming through the window. I glanced down at the clock.

7:29

The moment my eyes closed again, I felt a stirring inside me. I pulled the covers back, a smile on my lips, and pressed my hands to my belly. That's when I felt it.

"Alex, wake up, the baby's kicking!" I whispered, staring at my stomach in wonder. I turned to his side and found it empty. "Alex?" I called out.

"Down here, babe," I heard him yell from the living room.

I threw the covers back, grabbing my robe from the bed stand and descended the stairs as quickly as I could manage.

When I came around the corner, he was sitting on the couch holding a cup of coffee and smiling brightly at me.

I rushed to his side, grabbing his hand and placing it on my stomach. "Do you feel it?" I asked.

"I don't feel anything," he replied sadly, staring down at my belly. He set his cup down on the table and turned to face me.

"Just wait, she'll do it again."

"She?!" he asked, his eyes flicking up to meet mine.

"Or he. I don't know yet, I just think it's a girl," I smiled at him dreamily.

As he leaned forward to kiss me, I felt a hard kick right in the middle of my belly. "There! Did you feel it?!" I asked.

He chuckled. "Yes! Hi there," he whispered to my belly. "Does it hurt when she kicks you?" he asked, his voice dreamy.

"Not really, it just feels a little weird." 

We sat there for a while in silence, waiting. When nothing more came, I looked up at him. "What are you doing awake so early?"

"I just had some stuff to take care of," he whispered suspiciously, looking pointedly over his shoulder. 

I followed his gaze, finally noticing the beautifully wrapped boxes sitting beneath the tree. "Alex! You got me presents?!" I giggled.

"Of course I did," he smiled, looking back into my eyes. "But they're not all for you." 

"Who are they for?"

"Dylan, Emma and Norman," he said, his smile wavering a little.

He got presents for my kids? I thought to myself as I stared at him in shock. 

I pulled him in suddenly, kissing him hard and he laughed against my lips.

"So it's okay?" he asked pulling back. 

"It's more than okay, Alex. Thank you so much," I whispered, leaning in to kiss him again.

"Merry Christmas Eve," he said against my lips.

"Merry Christmas Eve, baby," I whispered.

He pressed his forehead to mine and brushed his fingers through my hair.

"Come on," he said after a moment, pulling me off the couch, "I made breakfast."

I smiled at his back in disbelief. Would I ever get used to his perfection?

As he prepared our plates, I watched the fluffy flakes drift past the window and a thought popped into my head.

"Do you like snow?" I asked.