My What if Christmas Wish

Chapter 7

Patrice tossed and turned until she found a comfortable spot. The alarm clock went off, causing her to jerk. It continued to beep until someone turned it off. Patrice fluttered her eyes open. The room around her was not familiar at all. She heard a man moan as the bed shifted. Then he put his arm around her waist. Patrice gasped in fear as she did not know where she was. Who was the man in bed with her? 

She closed her eyes thinking it was a dream. She could wake up from it. All she had to do was squeeze her eyes shut. The trick had worked when she was a kid when nightmares haunted her. She could easily escape terror then, so hopefully, this time was no different.

Patrice opened her eyes again, but she was still in the same room. The man's arm was still around her. Next, she overheard a baby cry in the background. The man beside her groaned this time, just before she felt the bed shift once more. Then he was on his feet. When he patted Patrice's foot, she watched as he put on a sleeveless t-shirt.

"I'll get him, Babe," he said, still sounding sleepy.

Patrice jumped up at the man's voice. "Adam?" That can't be him, could it?

She examined the bedroom. Her eyes finally gazed at a picture on the nightstand. It was a picture of her and Adam— a wedding picture. Patrice's eyes widened in shock as she looked at her left hand. I'm wearing a ring. It was the same solitaire diamond ring Adam had proposed to her with, accompanied by a simple platinum wedding band. It suited Patrice perfectly. Still stunned, she leaped out of the queen sized bed. The situation baffled her. She asked herself, what's happening to me? Is this a dream?

At that point, Adam returned with a baby in his arms. Patrice paced the floor talking to herself.

"Honey, are you okay?" he wondered.

Patrice faced him as he cradled the baby in his strong arms. While his manly physique was evident with his muscular arms and strong torso, he looked endearing and gentle holding an infant. She was drawn to him all over again.

"What?" Patrice choked.

"Are you okay? You were talking to yourself," Adam replied. He continued to rock the baby in his arms.

"I don't know. I'm a little... confused," she responded. She cradled her head and sat on the bed. Then Patrice heard someone running down the hallway. A little girl entered the room. She was wearing pink pajamas with purple stars, and her hair was in pigtails. She favored Patrice with her heart-shaped face and brown eyes.

"Morning Mommy," the little girl grinned.

Patrice's eyes widened her mind in disbelief. "Mommy? Oh my... this can't be... wow..."

The little girl tried to sit on her lap. Patrice was too stunned, so she remained still. The little girl ended up sitting on her feet.

"Are you sure you're alright?" Adam repeated as he placed the baby on the bed.

The little girl then rose from Patrice's feet and jumped into Adam's arms. He hugged her back and kissed her baby cheeks.

Patrice swallowed hard. She needed to stay calm, but deep down she wanted to scream. Was she going crazy? What kind of dream was this? She finally answered, "I don't know. I think I'm having a bad dream or something. What am I doing here?"

"Are we still going to Grandma's, Daddy?" the little girl inquired as she played with Adam's mustache.

"Yep. You and Grandma have a full play day today. Go get ready to brush your teeth. Daddy will be there in a minute," Adam replied.