He barked out a laugh and shook his head. “You’re cute. As much as I want to, we have Christmas to celebrate, and the man of the hour is hiding in here.”
“It’s my turn. No, you wait.” My mom’s voice carried through the hallway, and soon enough, she was there. “Hi, oh, Connor, give him to me. Don’t let Suzie hold him.”
Suzie was my mom’s neighbor. She had made us about ten casseroles after I gave birth and declared herself a mix of grandmother and godmother.
“Here he is.” Connor passed him off to my mom, who immediately kissed him a thousand times.
“I’m going to sit in the recliner, but you two take a minute alone. I’ll hold the boy.”
I frowned, her comment a little weird, but then Connor wiped his hands on his jeans—a clear sign of nerves.
“Is there a reason we need a moment alone?” I asked.
“I mean, I could do wicked things within five minutes if you dared me.” He flashed a smile before his face returned to normal. “But no, I asked your mom for a few minutes with you.”
He pulled me out of the rocker and ran his hands over my shoulders and arms, squeezing my hands at the end.
“God, you’re beautiful. And strong. And incredible. Seeingyou become a mom has been one of my favorite things ever, Laney. I’m in awe of you.”
“Are you trying to make me cry?” Tears definitely fell now. “I’m an emotional mess today.”
“That’s okay.” He cupped my face, wiping my tears before he kissed me. “I love you, our life, our boy, all of it.”
“I do too.” I wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug, the ache in my chest lessening. It was weird how I loved him even more than I had last year.
People told me that our marriage would change after having a child, but we went through the hard part before learning we were even pregnant. Connor recently wrapped up his time in the city. He remained on as a consultant for an entire year, helping them transition to a new CEO. They paid him well and kept the option open for more work in the future if needed. That spun an idea for Connor to start a consulting business—entirely remote. When he wasn’t doing that, he helped our town. While the salary wasn’t what we were used to, he was adjusting to his new role as director of economic growth. The chamber created the role and the alliance, and appointed him after he convinced them of the growth plan.
He was home by five every night. He never missed a meal. We had laughed, and cried, and celebrated more in the last year than we had in our entire relationship.
Petra left the company despite her promotion and split her time between Connor’s office and the high school. And yes, she and Matt were officially together now. So much had changed in twelve months.
I didn’t feel like I was in second place anymore. Slowly, andvery intentionally, I trusted him that things would be different. Connor had come to every doctor’s appointment and stayed home if I had a rough day—and there were a few. Pregnancy was not easy for me.
Our condo in the city still held so many good memories, and we’d spent a few nights with Sam there already, but Cherrywood was home for us. We just put it on the market and were going to use some of those funds to invest in Cherrywood.
This house, this town, this village of people loving us. It was more than I had ever hoped for.
“I want to tell you about your gift.” He kissed my forehead before smiling again. Sometimes Connor just stared at me and smiled a soft, gentle smile, and it made my insides turn to squish. I hoped he never stopped that.
“My gift? I thought we agreed no gifts, Connor.” I hadn’t gotten him anything. “We talked about this!”
“Yeah, that’s on me.”
“You don’t look that apologetic.”
“’Cause I’m not.” He winked and took a breath. “I hired a photographer for the whole day. You might know him.”
“Is it Newt?” I asked, breathless. I still owned my own photography business, but I had taken half a year off for maternity leave. I’d go back on my own terms.
He nodded. “I want a new tradition to document our holidays with our family. We spent too many holidays alone, without the smells of food and noise of laughter. While I know you take great photos, today isn’t about you working. I want to capture the moments when you smile at Sam, or your mom hogging him, or your dad singing at the top of his lungs as hecooks. I want all of it. I want to show Sam these photos and remind him of the people who love him.”
Damn. I cried again.
“Happy tears, right?” he asked.
I nodded before a sob burst out.
“I love it. I love it so much I’m crying!”
