The Monster Under my Bed

xmas special!!!

December 25, 20XX
9:42 am

I unwrap my gift to reveal a box with an eight pointed star on it. I lift the lid and gasp. Inside the box is a locket shaped like one of the stars from when Damien proposed to me.

I look up at him and smile. "It's beautiful Damien. I love it."

He smiles that excited-little-boy smile of his and reaches into the box. Picking up the necklace, he reaches behind my neck and fastens it, placing the locket on my chest.

"What did you get me?" he asks, looking under our Christmas tree, only to find that none of the gifts under there have his name on it. He meets my gaze again with his eyebrows drawn together in confusion.

"Well," I say, "I did get you something, but it won't be here for another eight or nine months..."

"Eight or nine months..." he says under his breath. His gaze moves to my belly and realization spreads across his face, followed by surprise. "Wait, you're not saying-"

I bite my lip to hide my smile and nod. "I'm pregnant, Damien."

He stands, grabs my hands, and pulls me up with him. "Really?" he says, giving my hands a squeeze. "We're really gonna have a baby? There's a baby in there?"

"Yes! We're having a baby!"

"No way!" He drops my hands and runs his through his hair. "No way, no way! I'm going to be a dad! And you're going to be a mom!"

He pulls me to him, hugging me tight, but he soon backs away and looks down at my stomach again, worry etching itself onto his face. "What if I'm not a good dad? What if I mess it up and we have an asshole kid?"

I bring his face up to meet mine and kiss him softly on the lips. "You're going to be an amazing father, okay? Don't you dare think that you'll mess it up."

He smiles at me, his eyes getting all squinty and soft, and then he kisses me—he kisses me as though if he presses too hard, I'll break.

And soon, we're laughing; not at anything in particular, just laughing with each other and being happy in one another's presence.

And that's how it was for a very, very long time.