The Christmas Baby Bump (14 page)

They belonged together, both broken and jagged along the edges but a perfect fit. Filled with hope, she knew without a doubt that his unconditional love would finally help her heal.

“So what do we do now?” he said, against her ear.

She pulled back and gazed into his sea-blue eyes. As he’d said everything she needed to hear, and she had admitted exactly how she felt, there really wasn’t much left to say or do. Except one silly thought popped into her mind. “Let’s go and buy that Christmas tree.”

His full-out laugh was the second-best sound she’d heard all day, the first having been the newborn baby’s cry.

On Christmas Eve, Stephanie had come down with a mild cold. Phil insisted she stay in bed, but she didn’t want to miss such a special holiday, her first Christmas with the man she loved.

Their decorated tree blinked and twinkled in the corner of the family room. A few gifts, mostly for the dogs, were wrapped and tucked beneath. Christmas carols played quietly in the background. The incredible aroma of roast beef filled the air as it cooked in the
oven, along with Yorkshire pudding, making her mouth water.

Carl and Roma arrived with hyperactive Robbie. What was it about Christmas that got kids so wound up?

She grinned at the boy, and stooped to his level before he had a chance to tackle her. Her legs were still sore from Phil’s tricky maneuver at the beach the week before, and Robbie’s version of hugging was to throw his body against hers.

“Pill,” Robbie said, quickly losing interest in Stephanie when he noticed his big brother.

“Dude!” Phil hugged him, and Stephanie had to blink when he kissed his brother on the cheek. “Merry Christmas.”

Robbie’s gaze darted everywhere. “Wow, did Santa come to your house already?” He saw the gifts and ran for the tree.

Daisy and Sherwood intercepted him, hopping in circles and demanding their fair share of attention. Easily distracted, Robbie giggled and jumped around with them.

Stephanie grinned, thinking the dogs were protecting their doggy cookies and leather chews but knowing they loved any and all attention they could get. She watched Robbie roll around on the floor with them, and soon felt a hand on her shoulder.

It was Carl.

“Thank you,” he said.

She looked into the same blue eyes she’d woken up to that morning, and imagined how Phil would look thirty years down the road. She liked what she saw.

“For what?” she said.

“For making my son happy. For helping him finally grow up.”

She shook her head and hugged Carl. “He’s done the same for me.”

Christmas evening, one year later…

Stephanie sat bundled in a blanket and snuggling with Phil on the couch. She stared at the Christmas tree in the dimmed living room. It really was the most beautiful tree she’d ever seen. The decorations reflected the colorful blinking lights across the family-room ceiling, and the effect was nothing short of magical.

Their family and friends had come and gone and they were finally alone. She looked up at her husband, who bore a mischievous grin.

“I’ve got an idea how to make an already perfect day even better,” he said. He dipped his head and kissed her neck, sending feathery tickles over her chest. She reached for him and kissed his jaw, enjoying the evening stubble and waning spice of his aftershave.

“That sounds wonderful,” she whispered.

He stood, held her hands, and pulled her to her feet.

Baby gurgles and coos came through the nursery intercom. From their brand-new Santa-delivered dog beds, Daisy’s and Sherwood’s ears perked up.

Stephanie smiled at Phil. “Shall we wait to see how long before she realizes she’s hungry?”

They looked at each other briefly and said in unison, “Nah.”

Phil led her down the hall and together they peeked in on the center of their universe—their four-month-old daughter, Emma.

The contented baby lay on her back in her crib, reaching for the tiny stuffed animals dangling from the mobile over her bed. Her foot made contact with a teddy bear and she squealed with delight.

Stephanie and Phil laughed quietly. They loved watching her, and wanted to steal a few more moments enjoying the show before she noticed them. But it was too late. The baby glanced at the doorway and squealed even louder when she saw them. She flapped her arms and legs as if she might fly to them.

Stephanie rushed to her and lifted her into her arms, smothering her with kisses. Emma cooed and gurgled, and laughed. She’d reached a euphoric stage in her life, and everything seemed to make her happy.

Phil wrapped his arms around both Stephanie and Emma and hugged them tight. “How’re my girls doing this Christmas night?”

Stephanie pressed her cheek to Emma’s and glanced up at Phil as if she was posing for a picture. “Just fine, Daddy. We couldn’t be happier.”

ISBN: 978-1-472-04504-1

The Christmas Baby Bump © 2010 Lynne Marshall