Epilogue - Holly #2
"I'm a royal artist," she declares, striking a pose with her zebra tucked under one arm. "I paint pictures for the whole kingdom!"
Denton catches my eye over her head, his expression so full of love it makes my heart ache. We share a smile as Tabby discovers the stack of books.
"So many stories!" She runs her fingers over the colorful covers, examining each one with serious concentration. "Will you read them to me, Holly? All of them? PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE!
“Of course, sweet pea. I can’t wait to read all of them with you.”
“Ooh, I’ve got one more present for you.” I stand up and walk to our bedroom.
I grab the large wrapped box from where I'd hidden it in the closet and head back to the living room.
"Wow, that's a big one," Tabby says, swaying back and forth as her princess cape flutters behind her.
"It's for both you and Daddy," I say, setting the heavy box down on the floor. “From me.”
I glance over at Denton and he looks at me with curiosity, his eyebrows raised in silent question.
"For us?" Denton moves closer, eyeing the large box wrapped in shimmering silver paper with a giant red bow.
"Yep," I say, feeling suddenly nervous. My heart flutters in my chest as I gesture for them to open it. "Go ahead, open it together."
Tabby doesn't need to be told twice. She drops to her knees beside the box, fingers already working at the tape. Denton joins her, helping to tear away the wrapping paper.
Tabby pries open the cardboard box. "Pajamas!" she squeals, plunging her hands into the tissue paper. "Christmas reindeer pajamas for ALL OF US!"
She pulls out the largest set first—pants and a matching long-sleeved top covered in dancing reindeer wearing tiny Santa hats. The reindeer are prancing across the fabric, some with their front legs high in the air, others with their heads thrown back in what looks like reindeer laughter.
"These are for you, Daddy!" She thrusts them toward Denton, who takes them with a surprised smile.
"Matching Christmas pajamas?" he asks, his eyes finding mine with amused curiosity.
Before I can respond, Tabby is already digging through the box again. "And these are for you, Holly!" She hands me the next set—identical to Denton's but smaller.
"I thought we could start a family tradition," I explain, nerves kicking in again as I run my fingers over the soft fleece. "Christmas morning pajamas."
"And these are MINE!" Tabby announces, hugging her child-sized set to her chest. She starts to put the box aside but pauses, her brow furrowing. "Wait..." She reaches in again, her small hand pulling out a tiny one-piece sleeper with feet, covered in the exact same dancing reindeer pattern.
Tabby holds the tiny sleeper up, looking puzzled. She turns it around in her hands, examining it. "Is it for one of my dolls?"
I glance at Denton and understanding dawns across his face. His eyes widen, mouth slightly parting as the realization hits him. I smile at him and he gives me the hugest smile back, his eyes suddenly shining with tears.
"Who is this one for, Holly?" Tabby says, still turning the tiny garment in her hands.
My heart pounds as I take a deep breath. "It's for your little brother or sister, Tabby."
Her face lights up and she screams with joy, jumping to her feet. "I'm going to have a little brother or sister??" She bounces up and down, practically jumping. "REALLY? REALLY REALLY?"
"Really really," I confirm, laughing as tears spring to my eyes.
Denton is beside me in an instant, pulling me into his arms. "Holly," he whispers against my hair, his voice thick with emotion. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I just found out two days ago," I explain, leaning back to look at his face. "I wanted it to be a Christmas surprise."
His eyes are full of emotion and love. "Best Christmas gift ever."
Tabby flings herself at both of us, her small arms stretching wide to encompass us in a group hug. Denton pulls us both close, his strong arms enveloping us completely.
"A baby! A real baby!" she exclaims, her voice muffled against my pajama top. "When is the baby coming? Tomorrow? Next week?"
I laugh, stroking her messy hair. "Not quite that fast, sweet pea. The baby won't be here until the fall. Around September."
She pulls back slightly, her face scrunched in calculation. "But that's forever from now!"
"It gives us plenty of time to get ready," Denton says, his voice still thick with emotion. His hand finds its way to my stomach, resting there with such tenderness it makes my heart ache. "Time to prepare the nursery and pick out baby things."
"And I can help!" Tabby declares. "I can teach the baby all about art and zebras and cookies and bikes!"
"You're going to be the best big sister ever," I tell her, feeling tears well up again.
Denton's arm tightens around me, and I lean into his solid warmth. The weight of his hand on my stomach feels right, like it was always meant to be there. I cover his hand with mine, our fingers interlacing over the tiny life growing inside me.