Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Neither of us moved. We just lay there nestled close together as our breaths started to slow. She reached for my hand and laced her fingers through mine as she asked, “When do you have to head to the clubhouse?”
“I should’ve left a half hour ago.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“Nothing for you to be sorry about, babe.” I leaned over and kissed her on the temple. “Late or not, there’s no better way to start the day.”
Beck giggled as she replied, “I can’t disagree with you there.”
“I better get going.”
I gave her a quick kiss, then stood and quickly tossed the condom in the trash before taking a shower. I got dressed and headed to the clubhouse. Wrath and I spent the day running errands. We had some stuff to do for Dad, and we both had our own lists to get done. Like me, Wrath had waited until the last minute to do his Christmas shopping, and it was after dark before we got it all done.
When I finally got back to the house, Beck was curled up on the sofa, reading one of her books. She looked up with a smile on her face. “You’re home.”
“I meant to be here sooner, but I got caught up with Mom.”
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, she was helping me out with something.”
“Okay. Good.”
I removed my cut and then sat down next to her. “Where’s Ava?”
“She crashed about an hour ago.” Beck pointed to the mantle as she smiled and said, “We made cookies for Santa, and the excitement got the best of her.”
“I bet she’ll be up bright and early tomorrow.”
“You can count on it.”
Beck’s eyes widened with excitement when I placed her Christmas gift in her lap. “Merry Christmas.”
“Wait. We’re doing this now?”
“We can wait until tomorrow...”
“No, that’s okay. We can do it now. Just give me a second!”
She jumped up off the sofa and raced over to the tree. She quickly grabbed the gifts she’d gotten me, then returned to her spot on the sofa. She looked like she was about to bust as she handed them to me and said, “Ava helped me pick them out.”
“You don’t want to open yours first?”
“No, you go ahead. I want to see what you think of it.”
“Okay, but if you bought it, I’m gonna like it.”
“Whatever,” she scoffed.
Beck watched impatiently as I began to unwrap the first present. I carefully opened it and was pleased to see a new pair of black ROCKBROS winter gloves. I started to slip them on as I said, “These are great, babe.”
“Are you sure? I have the receipt if...”
“Don’t need the receipt, babe. They’re just what I wanted.”
“Okay, good! Now, open the other one.”
I opened the gift and was surprised to find a photo album filled with various pictures. I flipped through the first couple of pages and chuckled when I saw several old images of Beck and me when we were kids. As I continued turning the pages, there were several that were more recent, and even a couple of me with Ava that I didn’t know about. “This is great, Beck.”
“I thought we could add to it over the next year or so.”
“We definitely can.” I glanced down at the small box on the table as I told her, “Your turn.”
She nodded, then picked it up and started tearing away at the paper.
Seconds later, her eyes grew wide, and a soft smile crossed her face as she pulled the ring from the box. It wasn’t an engagement ring—not just yet, but it was a ring that was full of just as much promise. I took it from her hand, and as I slipped it on her finger, I told her, “It was my grandmother’s.”
“Oh, Thomas, it’s beautiful.”
“You like it?”
“I love it.” She wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me. “It’s perfect.”
“Everything ready for tomorrow morning?”
“I think so.” Beck looked over at the gifts beneath the tree and sighed. “We basically bought out the store, so surely she’ll be happy with everything.”
“I’m sure she’ll love it.”
“We should probably get to bed. There’s no telling when she’ll get up.”
I nodded, then followed her down the hall to her bedroom. I waited for her to crawl into bed, then sat down next to her. “I should get going.”
“What? No.”
“It’s Christmas and...”
“And I want you to stay.” Beck reached over and placed her hand on mine. “She would want you to be here, too.”
“You sure?”
“Absolutely.”
I nodded, then eased out of my clothes and climbed into bed next to Beck. She snuggled up, and in a matter of minutes, we were both out. I felt like I’d barely closed my eyes when I felt little arms and legs crawling on top of me. Knowing it was Ava, I didn’t move. I just laid there until I felt her nudge her mother and say, “Momma... Momma, Santa came.”