"Sorry, what?" I say, blinking rapidly and focusing on his face.
"Why do you look like you're up to something?" he says, leaning to the side and peering over my shoulder.
"Well I thought," I say slowly. "Since we did it last year, maybe we could keep the tradition alive, and include Erin when she's old enough."
God, I hope you're still around for that.
He gasps dramatically when it finally clicks.
"Blanket fort," he says, excitedly throwing his hands up. "Hell yes."
Giggling, I shimmy to the top of the couch, pulling the Christmas quilt Granny made for me up over my head. I feel the bed sink beneath Jack's weight beside me, the quilt whipping away from my face to reveal a downright radiant Jack grinning down at me.
This Christmas couldn't be more different than last year. I feel like I could burst from all the joy, it somehow swelling impossibly larger in my chest as I take in the man laying next to me.
"Hey, Jack?" I ask.
"Hey, pretty girl?" he mimics back.
"I—" I start, but then pause, trying to find the right words to express exactly what he means to me. I stare helplessly, my lips parting slightly in the hopes that it'll come to me if I just open my mouth.
His gaze drops to my mouth for a second before coming back to my eyes, the reflection from the lights shimmering against the gray pools looking intently at me.
"I—" I start again, words still failing me.
"Hey," he hums, scooting closer and intertwining our legs beneath the quilt. "We don't need to talk about this tonight. We can just enjoy the beautiful day we had. A perfect first Christmas with Little One."
"Okay," I whisper, stroking his cheek. "But we will talk about it?"
"Of course we will, pretty girl," he says, covering my hand with his. "Whenever you're ready. I'm not going anywhere."
"Will you be ready?" I ask nervously. "Are we talking about the same thing here?"
"I have no doubt that we are," he asks leaning forward until his forehead rests against mine. "And I've been ready, Abby. For longer than I should admit. I'll never stop being ready for this."
"Okay," I whisper, wiggling down until my head is tucked beneath his chin.
"Okay," he repeats, holding me tight against him until we both fall asleep.
Chapter 46
Jack
Nine Months
"Well, well," Granny cries happily when I come through the front door. "If it isn't my favorite grandson come to see his Granny!"
"I'm your only grandson," I say, stooping down to kiss her on the cheek.
I take a seat in the chair next to hers, rocking it slowly back and forth absentmindedly.
"Can I ask you something, Granny?"
"What's on your mind, sweet pea?"
"How come you never got remarried?" I ask tentatively. "After Granddad. Weren't you ever lonely?"
"Well," she begins. "Your Granddaddy was larger than life. And so was his son. Once he was gone, I didn't have time for anything but raising your father. That was a full-time job in and of itself."
