“They aren’t strangers. I know everyone here,” my mother-in-law boasted proudly. “It’s a tradition. Everyone chips in for the food, and we hang out there for hours. Kids play, someone dresses as Santa. It’s amazing.”
“It really is. This place celebrates Christmas together, not in their houses alone. Too bad there isn’t snow for a snowball fight.” Laney sipped her coffee, her hazel eyes glowing. “That’s always fun.”
“Not sure you can this year, anyway.” I bumped my hip against hers. “Gotta protect my baby.”
She rolled her eyes.
“This is gonna be a long nine months.”
“I know. I’m already stressing.”
I got the women to laugh, like I meant to, and rubbed my hand down Laney’s spine.
“Can I steal you away for twenty minutes?” I whispered into her ear.
Goose bumps spilled down her neck. I’d never tire of her body’s reaction to me.
“Of course.” She smiled up at me, mischief on her face. “For something naughty?”
“No. For something nice.” I chuckled again. I’d laughed more the last week than I had in the last year.
She winked and moved to help her mom pull some pots and pans from the dishwasher. Laney’s dad had instructed them to bring ten sheet pans to the hardware store when they were ready.
“How can I help today?” Petra asked, setting her mug on the counter with a hesitant smile.
“Oh, hon, we always need servers. Want to help at the store?”
“Serving food?”
“Yeah. Just plop some potatoes or eggs on people’s plates. Super easy. We need adults manning the food though, ’cause the youths go wild.”
“Yeah, I can do that.” She nodded. “Thank you for letting me crash your morning. It was so kind of you.” She said the words to Laney’s mom, but her gaze was on my wife. “Unexpectedly kind.”
“Nonsense. The more the merrier. Laney, I’m gonna load the car. You stop helping.”
“I am totally capable of lifting a pan, Mom. My goodness.” Laney rolled her eyes but plopped down onto the stool instead of lifting the dishes. My wife was stubborn and hated being helpless, but it was nice to see everyone cater to her. “This is ridiculous.”
“It’s us loving you,” I said.
“Love me less.”
“Not possible.”
She scoffed, but I noticed the twinkle in her eye. While her mom and Petra loaded the car, I went over the plan in my head. I couldn’t fuck this up. I’d been worrying, trying to get all the details perfect, to the point that Laney noticed I had seemed tired this morning.
It wasn’t every day that I was going to propose again to my wife.
Everyone prepared for the lunch, and Petra offered to drive Laney’s mom there, which was appreciated because I wanted time alone with my wife. They walked out, and when the door shut, I wiped my palms on my pants. They were sweatier than they should be.
“This might be my favorite Christmas ever.” Laney twirled in the living room with her eyes closed, her hand reaching out to me. “Kiss me, Connor.”
I tugged her to me, taking my time studying all her features. Her inky eyelashes, the freckles, the perfect cheekbones and full lips.
“Gladly, wife.”
Her arms came around my neck as I kissed her, slowly. She tasted like coffee and smelled like heaven. Her body pressed against mine, her heat surrounding me, and I gripped her lower back, pulling her closer to me. She moaned, the little sound my favorite thing in the world.
“I love you,” she whispered, her lips brushing mine. “Merry Christmas, Connor.”
