When in the last week had she gone from thinking of them as hers and started thinking of them as theirs? The way he was with them now, it was impossible to think of them any other way. She’d been wrong. Connor accepting her daughters as his own, all of them, was the greatest gift he could ever give her.
And now it was time to open those presents. She’d pouted when he’d sent her to bed right after they got the girls settled for the night, while he stayed up to clean the kitchen, even though it was spotless. She’d fallen asleep before he’d made it to bed.
Entering the family room, she skidded to a stop, unable to do anything but stare. He’d created a winter wonderland right there. No wonder he didn’t want to get up. It must have taken him hours. New ornaments hung on the tree.
Four stockings hung from the mantle of the stone fireplace, though how they stayed in place as stuffed as they were, she had no idea. Shimmering snowflakes hung from the ceiling, and the aroma of vanilla and cinnamon filled the air. More presents now spilled halfway across the room, too numerous for the tree to contain them.
Tears pricked her eyes. Every detail, every glimmer, every scent… it all screamed love and attention. He had done this for her, for them, and she felt a wave of gratitude she couldn’t even put into words.
The babies wouldn’t remember any of this. So, he had done all this for her. She battled the tears gathering in her eyes and lost. Flinging her arms around him, she buried her face in his chest and cried.
“I-I- c-can’t b-believe you d-did all this f-for us. I-It’s the m-most b-beautiful sight I’ve e-ever seen.”
When he lifted her, she wrapped her legs around his waist. He was so much more than she’d ever expected to have in her life. So much more than she deserved.
“Hey now, none of that, babygirl. You deserve more than these boxes could ever hold.”
“B-but I-I didn’t b-buy you anything.” She grabbed his arm so hard he winced. She was a horrible babygirl. She should have ordered some things online or gotten Winnie to pick them up. Instead, he would be sitting there watching everyone else open presents. “I will, though. I promise. I’ll go out tomorrow and find you the bestest present in the world. Better than anything any other Daddy has ever gotten. Ever.”
Keeping one hand under her bottom, the other tilted her face up to him. “What are you talking about? I already have the bestest gifts a Daddy could ever receive. Don’t you shake your head. Look at me. The things you’ve given me are priceless. I have three incredible blessings to care for, and I get to watch them grow into strong, loving women like their mother. I have a house that now feels like a home. And most importantly, I have the gift of your love.” He kissed her forehead and patted her bottom. “Not to mention a Little trouble to keep me on my toes. Just because your gifts don’t come in a box doesn’t mean you didn’t give me something precious.”
Bliss froze. His love wrapped around her like a warm blanket, stronger than any material gift she could have imagined. It made her heart swell so full she thought it might burst.
She tried to find disappointment in his face or hurt hiding in the gold of his eyes. The only thing she found was love and happiness. He’d meant every word he said.
He rubbed the tip of her nose with his own. “Now, are you going to see what Santa brought, or not?”
“Yes!” She hopped down and lifted the stocking with her name embroidered across the top. After plopping on the floor,she pulled out each item inside. He’d filled her stocking with pop-fidget toys, modeling clay, sparkly band bracelets to decorate, LEGO sets, and nail polishes. She felt like Aladdin going through his treasure cave.
Every new discovery made her giggle or squeal or gasp in delight. Her hands were flying, her mind spinning with wonder and amazement, and Connor’s gaze followed her like she was the only person in the world.
Her favorite was a large set of washable Tattoo Pens. Connor looked on, smiling and commenting on what Santa had brought. He even let her draw a tiger on his arm with her new pens.
Just as she pulled the last gift from her stocking, Sadie’s precious voice reminded them they were not alone. Jumping up, she dashed to the girls’ rooms. Even though they still all slept in the shared nursery for now, each had a bedroom to call her own. They all branched off a shared nursery that could be turned into a playroom when they got older.
The twins were standing in their cribs, arms outstretched and waiting. Bliss and Connor each took a twin and made quick order of getting the girls changed. The room filled with giggles, coos, and the rustling of blankets. Bliss’s heart swelled at the sheer chaos and love in front of her.
Sadie did her best to break into a run, while Sophie kept her hand wrapped around Connor’s fingers. He’d already been holding the girls and helping with feeding and changing diapers, but now he dropped all his walls and relaxed with them. He talked with them and fed them. He never rushed them or raised his voice when they made messes. And they adored him.
They all sat on the floor between the fireplace and the Christmas tree like a real family. Connor helped the girls go through their stockings. They were too young to understand what was going on, but she didn’t care. They were laughing and babbling. It was Bliss’s favorite present yet.
“Okay,” Connor said when the twins showed the first sign of growing bored. “Time for Daddy to feed his girls. I don’t suppose anyone is interested in Christmas yogurt and reindeer pancakes.”
Bliss leaped to her feet. “Oh, that sounds yummy, doesn’t it?” The twins caught her excitement and toddled behind Connor to the kitchen, squealing with delight. In her bouncy bed, Nori awoke and joined them at the table, watching her sisters gobble down pancakes while she enjoyed a warm bottle.
The morning sunlight spilled across the kitchen, hitting the steam rising from the pancakes just right. Bliss felt perfectly, like the world was exactly as it should be.
The pancakes were adorable, and Bliss ate until she was stuffed. Turned out, Christmas yogurt was vanilla flavored with colorful sprinkles shaped like Christmas lights.
“Who’s ready to open gifts?” Connor asked after they’d all had reindeer pancakes for breakfast and regathered in the living room.
“Meeee!” Bliss cried out, raising her hands and waving them in the air.
“I’ll be the Christmas elf and hand out the gifts. I know just the one I want to start with.” Connor picked out four matching red boxes held closed by thick white ribbon. “I want you to all open them together.”
Bliss bounced in anticipation, waiting as Connor took turns helping Sophie, Sadie, and Nori open their gifts. Bliss almost melted into a puddle when he pulled out the stuffed animals he’d gotten for each of the girls. He nailed the choices, giving Sophie a purple kitten, Sadie a pink bunny, and Nori a yellow elephant.
She clutched her hands to her chest, eyes wide, as the girls squealed and hugged their new friends. Her heart felt so full it could burst. Connor had thought of every single detail, every perfect little choice.
