He slides the ring onto my finger. It’s a perfect fit, as though it was always meant to be there.
"I can't believe this is happening.” I stare at the diamond now adorning my hand.
Luca pulls me against him. "Believe it. We finally made it, baby.” He kisses me, and it’s filled with love and hope and promise.
I push him back, straddle him. "I want to open presents early.”
"The children will be disappointed," he murmurs, but his eyes darken with understanding as my hands slide down to the buttons of his shirt.
"Not those presents.” I work each button free.
His breath catches as I push the shirt from his shoulders, revealing his muscled chest.
"Elena," he groans.
I place a finger against his mouth. "Shh. I’m not done."
“I think this is going to be the best Christmas ever.” He pulls my sweater over my head and then cups my breasts, rubbing his thumbs over my nipples. “Do you think we’ve made a baby yet?”
I rock my denim-covered center over his denim-covered dick. “I can’t imagine we haven’t, but you know what they say?”
“If at first you don’t succeed…”
“Practice makes perfect.”
I lean over and kiss him, and then there are no words. Our hands finish undressing and then caress and squeeze.
He levers up, his lips wrapping around my nipple and sucking.
I feel it straight to my pussy, and the need is too great to hold off. I lower over him, taking him in, deep, deep, deeper.
“Ah… fuck yes, Elena.” He lies back, his face full of pleasure as I rock over him. Luca is a man who likes to be in control, but he has no qualms about giving in to my touch, letting me lead.
Right now, the world beyond these walls ceases to exist. Here, under the Christmas tree with a warm fire crackling beside us, there's only Luca and me. There’s only us.
“Baby…” He rolls us, his body covering mine, and I wrap myself around him, holding tight to what I thought I'd lost forever.
"I love you,” I say as he moves with me, like he’s a part of me.
“Ti amo, Tesoro mio.” I love you, my treasure.
Finally, everything is exactly as it should be. I don’t pretend to think life will be without its challenges, but I’m certain that our love will sustain us through every hardship that comes our way.
Before, the world broke us apart, but it won’t happen again. That I know for sure.
LUCA
CHRISTMAS MORNING
I wake before the sun, my eyes adjusting to the darkness of the bedroom. Elena's warm body curls against mine, her breathing steady.
For a moment, I simply lie there, savoring the weight of her head on my chest, the simple miracle of this Christmas morning.
For too many years, I came home for Christmas, waking alone, celebrating with my family and then La Corona, but always ignored by Elena.
The thought still cuts, but the pain dulls with Elena's body pressed against mine.
Down the hall, the kids sleep in their rooms. The idea of being a father still staggers me sometimes.
