It was a relief for both of them that the pregnancy was back on track.
“Because I love you.”
He enjoyed seeing her blush.
“I love you, too.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him into her.
“This is going to be a great Christmas with you,” he whispered.
“And baby.” Zoe winked.
“And baby.” He rested his hand on her belly.
The baby kicked.
He grinned.
Not planned, but it was the best thing that could have happened to have Zoe and their baby in his life.
He couldn’t wait to meet their baby girl and start really being a dad.
Wednesday 25thDecember, Christmas Day
Zoe couldn’t believe she’d kept her wood carving a secret over the last few weeks. And now, there was going to be a big reveal. Helen and Leanne had taken over the kitchen, the roast was on, and the smell was making her hungry even though she’d only had breakfast not that long ago.
They all sat in the lounge room, Kate and Helen, and her parents Leanne and Robert. After a discussion with Max last night, they’d gone out and chosen a small branch from the ghost gum outside and brought it inside to decorate as their Christmas tree. Zoe had purchased a string of led lights and strung them between the leaves, and they spent a little time adding a few baubles. It was simple, perfect, and reflected them. Zoe felt that this was the start of a new tradition and teared up knowing that next year they would have a little girl with them to share this joy.
“How long until the food is ready,” asked Robert.
“You’ve just had breakfast. You can’t be hungry already,” answered Leanne.
“It’s Christmas… I’ll be hungry all day,” he grinned broadly.
“I want to give you my gifts first,” said Zoe. She was glad that this time with both sides of the family together, there had been no sign of any augments starting.
She got up and handed out the presents she’d wrapped yesterday in secret. Finally, she’d found a hobby. The wood carving was turning out to be a good way for her to keep active, but also to relax. It had been a push to finish before Christmas, but she’d managed to make something for everyone.
“Wow! They’re heavy,” said her mom.
“I made them myself.” She handed the last one to Max, her belly a flutter of nerves. He was about to find out what she’d been hiding from him for the previous few weeks. She sat next to him on the arm of the single lounge chair he was sitting in.
“You’re very clever to make your own gifts,” said Helen.
“Go on, open them,” said Zoe, holding her breath at the sound of Christmas paper ripping.
“Wow,” said Robert. He turned a small bowl over in his hand.
“For your loose change, Dad,” said Zoe. She had to keep the designs simple while she learned her skills.
“You made this?” asked Helen, while she held up a large wooden cutting board made from two types of wood, pine and jarrah. That was something else Zoe had learned in the last few weeks, the type of wood that was in the shed Max’s grandpa had found.
“I don’t believe it,” said her mom, holding up a similar wooden cutting board. “I don’t know that you should be doing thi—”
“Leanne, I think our daughter has done an amazing job,” interrupted Robert.
“But she could’ve hurt herself.”
“She hasn’t,” said her dad sternly.
