I look down at the gift in my lap and slide the shiny ribbon through my fingers. Whatever is in here, I know I’ll love it. Somehow, it will be perfectly me, because these men pay attention to us and what we like and don’t like. And even thoughI know it will be an amazing present, I also know that I don’tneedwhat’s in this box. But someone else might.
I peek over at Lucy, who’s already looking at me. I drop my eyes to my gift and then back up to her, and she nods. We’re thinking the same thing. When I raise my gaze to some of my other sisters-in-law, they’re all looking around, too. Kind of like the men in this family, we girls have bonded so much over the past couple of years that we often know what the other is thinking before anyone says anything.
One by one, we all check in with each other without saying a word before I finally speak.
“Can we take our gifts to a local shelter?” I ask.
Beau stills under me, then tilts his head so he can get a better look at my face as he studies me. “You want to give your Christmas presents away?”
A soft smile spreads over my lips. “I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we’re already incredibly blessed. We have more than we could ever imagine, and even though I know we would love everything you got for us, we know there are people whoneedthis stuff. Everyone deserves to have a nice Christmas.”
13
WOLF AND LUCY
Wolf
Lucy nods and looks up at me, studying my expression. Knowing my girl, she’s trying to check on me. Gauge how I’m doing with all of this. Even though my feelings toward Christmas have changed since we met, she still worries about me. These girls might be Littles, but they still get protective over us as we do them. It’s comforting in more ways than I could even try to explain. Especially since I know my wife would burn down this world for me, like I would for her.
“Emma’s right. We already have every single thing we need, and it’s all sitting in this room right now.” Lucy slides her fingers into my beard and smiles. “Besides, you’re always going to be my favorite Christmas present of all, and I’ve already got you.”
Fuck.
This woman.
This Little girl.
She’s the reason my heart beats.
Why I have the will to live.
So damn sweet and kind and beautiful.
And all mine.
I glance up at Pop, and he smiles.
“Ho, ho, ho,” he bellows, “I think that’s a great idea.”
All the girls start wiggling and clapping with excitement.
“I know we were supposed to be in Little Space for this entire trip, but maybe we could make an exception for a few hours?” Addie asks.
Knox kisses her temple. “You girls are amazing. And I think you’re going to make some people’s Christmas really special this year.”
Lucy beams at me, and my throat grows tight.
Sometimes, I think about what my life would be like if I hadn’t gone back to that construction site on that snowy night. The thought of what could have happened to my girl makes me sick to my stomach.
“I love you, little wolf.”
She cups my face between her hands and pulls me toward her for a kiss. “I love you more, Daddy.”
“Not possible. Not even a little bit. But I’m so fucking glad you love me.”
Lucy
This man will never understandthat the love I have for him is endless.
