I rest my forehead against his. “Me too. It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it?”
His arms tighten around me. “It is. But God, Greg… a baby. Our baby. I can’t even begin to wrap my mind around it. I can’t believe Madi was here just a moment ago giving us such a precious gift.”
“I know. It’s amazing.”
He smiles, that crooked smile that never fails to make my knees weak. “We’re going to be dads.”
I capture his lips in a kiss, pouring all the love and joy I feel into the gentle press of my mouth against his. He responds by melting his body into mine, deepening the kiss. When we finally break apart, I’m breathless.
Cam rests his forehead against mine. “This is turning out to be the best Christmas ever, isn’t it?”
“I’m still in shock, but the very best kind. Damn, how I love you and how damn much I love my sister.”
We stand there for a long moment, just holding each other until finally I glance at the clock on the mantel. “We should probably start getting ready if we’re going to drop the gifts off at your parents’ on the way to Madi’s.”
Cam nods, pressing a quick kiss to my forehead before stepping back. “You’re right. Let’s get this place tidied up and get on our way.”
It doesn’t take long. We stuff our torn wrapping paper into trash bags, then collect the gifts we wrapped for Michael and Marnie from under the tree, plus those for Madi and her family.
Cam holds out my coat. “Ready to go?”
I nod, a grin spreading across my face. “Sure am. Let’s do this.”
Hand in hand, we head out into the crisp air of a snowy Christmas Day, my heart full of love. I’m the luckiest man in the world. With Cam by my side and the promise of a child on the horizon, the future has never looked brighter.
EPILOGUE
2 years later
Cam
I lock up forthe night, a smile already tugging at my lips. Turning up the collar of my coat against the crisp December breeze, I head down Main Street. Colorful lights twinkle from the shop windows and wreaths adorn every lamppost. The few locals I pass offer their hands in a wave, but I’m focused on one thing only—getting home.
A few snowflakes drift in the air, and I pick up the pace. The buildings thin out, stores replaced by houses. Another few blocks and I pass the school, then another block and our small cottage appears in view. We’ve been slowly fixing up the house over the past few years. We prioritized the kitchen and bathroom, but now, with Dad’s help, we’ve added a glass enclosed sunroom at the back and an extra bedroom. The fence and gate at the front is new, and I can’t wait for spring to see our carefully planned garden come into bloom.
The warm glow from the windows beckons me inside and I bound up the steps. As soon as I open the front door, I’m hitwith the scent of the pine Christmas tree and the fragrance of a casserole. The sound of Greg singing greets me, and I smile, so glad to be home. After shedding my coat and scarf in the entryway, and toeing off my boots, I pad down the hall, drawn to the happy sounds coming from the kitchen. Peeking around the corner, I see Greg gently swaying back and forth singing “Count on Me” by Bruno Mars.
Our daughter Gemma is cradled in his arms.
He looks up and sees me, blue eyes crinkling as a radiant smile spreads across his face. In that moment, all the worries and stresses of the day melt away. Crossing the kitchen, I slide my arms around his waist from behind, pressing a tender kiss to his cheek before resting my chin on his shoulder. Together, we look down at Gemma, her rosebud lips parted, her blue eyes drooping as she nestles against Greg’s chest.
“How’s my favorite girl doing?” I ask, gently stroking Gemma’s silky cheek with the pad of my thumb. She’s an angel, and my heart melts just looking at her.
“Someone was missing her daddy,” Greg replies softly, turning his head to brush a kiss against my temple. “But I think she’s happy now that you’re home.”
I hum in contentment, feeling like my heart might burst with the sheer depth of my love for them. Moving in front of Greg, and mindful not to jostle the now sleeping Gemma, I lean in to capture his lips in a slow, deep kiss. He sighs, shifting Gemma to one arm, freeing the other to slide around my neck and melting against me.
Eventually we part. “That was one hell of a hello,” he says a little breathlessly.
I chuckle as we break apart, glad I still have that effect on him. “There’s more where that came from. After dinner—”
“Daddy!”
We turn toward the doorway just as Tommy comes barreling into the kitchen, his cheeks flushed and his eyes sparkling as he holds out a drawing.
“Daddy, Papa, guess what?” He’s practically vibrating with energy. “I finished my Christmas present for Aunt Madi!”
“Did you now?” I say, grinning at our son’s excitement. “I bet she’s going to love it, buddy.”
