“You have made all of my dreams come true, Sophie. I love you so much.”
“I love you too,” I grin slyly and lean in to whisper. “You’re going to be a daddy.”
The expression on his face shifts, and he picks me up, spinning me around and causing me to squeal. I wrap my legs around his waist and bring one hand to cradle my face and kiss me, deepening it and letting our tongues tangle together. He walks me to the island, where he gently sits me down and then drops to his knees.
“Callum!” I squeal, giggling at the feral look on his face. He lifts my dress up, and I lift my hips so he can pull my panties down my legs. “What about dinner?”
He grins wolfishly up at me and spreads my thighs.
“I got my dinner right here..."
???
December
“Oh, it’s gorgeous,” I gasp from the kitchen as Callum andTess carry in our Christmas tree. I waddle into the living room to get a better look at it as they expertly maneuver it into the stand Callum put there earlier. Tall and full, just as I had instructed, since our tall ceilings and my tall husband are able to accommodate it.
Plot lifts his head from his spot on the couch, before sighing and snuggling back into his spot, enjoying the warmth from the fire Callum lit earlier. He’s a little more lethargic these days, but still very attached to me, especially during my pregnancy. He would sleep, cuddled against my growing belly, purring loudly as if trying to soothe the baby.
I wasn’t able to go with Callum and Tess, since I am on strict bed rest by Dr. Ramirez, who doesn’t want to take any chances so close to my due date—Christmas Day.
We are still planning a vaginal birth, although the baby seems to take after Callum in height and weight, so the doctors want us prepared in case a C-section becomes necessary. At this point, I simply want to hold my baby in my arms, watch them sleep on Callum’s chest, and have my entire family cuddled on the couch watching movies.
Once the tree is secured in the stand, Callum immediately comes to me. One large hand cups my cheek, and his other hand instinctively settles on my belly, rubbing in small, soothing circles. His eyes scan mine with concern. “How are you feeling, baby?”
“Tired, sore, hungry—oh!”
Tess is already there, handing me a full tin of Christmas Cookies they bought fromThirteen Elmsbefore heading upstairs to see Tonya. Her girlfriend has been painting the nursery for the last two hours.
“Just tired and sore then,” I clarify around a mouthful of cookie, making Callum smile. Then I notice melting flakes on Callum’s jacket. “Oh, is it snowing?”
“Just started,” Callum says, placing a hand on my back—always needs a hand on me, especially now—and guides us over to our big window in the living room. The snow softly falls, blanketing the ground in white. The glow of our Christmas lights combined with the neighbors’ makes our entire street look like something out of a movie.
Callum stands behind me and slides his hands to the base of my belly, lifting gently to relieve the pressure. The instant relief makes me sigh. Callum presses a kiss to my head. He hates that I’m so uncomfortable all the time now. I’ll only do this once, though, so I want to soak up every wonderful and uncomfortable minute of being pregnant.
“Better, sweet girl?” he murmurs, his cheek brushing mine.
“Much.”
I sink into his embrace as we stand there for a long, quiet moment, watching the snowfall while Christmas music hums from the kitchen speakers and Tonya’s laughter floats down from upstairs.
We bask in the peaceful silence, soaking up these last moments as a family of two. Callum’s thumb rubs against my belly, and I lay my hands over his, smiling softly and so full of love I could burst.
“Almost done!” Tonya shouts from upstairs.
As always, Callum is behind me as we head up the stairs, taking most of my weight and guiding me patiently. I avoid the stairs as much as possible these days, and if Callum is not home, Tess is always nearby to fetch anything I need. Her and Tonya moved into my apartment after I moved in with Callum.
When we walk into the nursery, I gasp.
The calming sage-green walls glow softly under the warm lamps, and above the crib, Tonya has painted a mural. Twoweeks ago, she and Callum painted the entire room and hung shelves that now hold photos, books, and tiny stuffed animals.
But today, armed with new brushes and paint, Tonya said she wanted to add something special.
“Tonya, it’s beautiful..."
“Just a little gift from the Aunt Ts,” Tonya grins proudly, causing Tess to snort and roll her eyes. Callum and I shake our heads as Tonya gestures between her and Tess, “Get it? Aunties, Aunt Ts... Bueller? Bueller?”
“Yes, very good, babe,” Tess says, walking over and soothing the pout from her girlfriend’s face, pecking a kiss to her lips. “You’re very clever—”
