Riley
One Year Later
"Hand me that next strand," Holly called from her perch on the stepladder, her breath coming out in white puffs in the cold December air.
I passed up the lights, my hands lingering on her hips to steady her.
Even at six months pregnant, she insisted on helping with this year's memorial display.
After winning the competition, we'd decided to create something new—a tribute to Edith herself, with lights arranged in the shape of a heart surrounded by twinkling stars, each one representing a life she'd touched through her letters and kindness.
"Careful," I said, watching as she stretched to reach the higher branches. "You're carrying precious cargo."
"I'm pregnant, not made of glass," she said, but she was smiling. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold, her auburn hair escaping from under her knit hat, and she'd never looked more beautiful.
We'd been working on Edith's memorial for hours. It was meaningful work, but the December chill was starting to bite through our coats.
"That's enough for today," I decided, seeing her shiver. "We can finish tomorrow."
"Are you sure? We still have—"
"Holly." I lifted her down from the ladder, my hands spanning her expanded waist. "It's freezing, and you need to stay warm."
She leaned into me, her belly pressing against my stomach. "I suppose we could go inside and warm up."
Something in her tone made me look at her more closely. Her green eyes were dancing with mischief, and there was a flush in her cheeks that had nothing to do with the cold.
"Is that an invitation, Mrs. Knapp?"
"Maybe," she said, rising on her toes to brush her lips against mine despite her rounded belly between us. "I seem to remember you being very good at warming me up."
Heat shot through me despite the frigid air. Pregnancy had made Holly even more beautiful, more sensual. Her breasts were fuller, her curves more pronounced, and the way she looked at me like I was the only man in the world still took my breath away.
"Inside," I said roughly. "Now."
We made it through the front door before I had her pressed against the wall, my mouth finding hers in a kiss that was hungry and desperate. She moaned against my lips, her hands fisting in my jacket.
"Riley," she breathed when we broke apart. "I need you."
"You have me," I said, already working at the buttons of her coat. "Always."
My hands were reverent as they skimmed over her changed body. I could see the swell of her breasts, the proud curve of her belly carrying our child.
"You're so fucking beautiful," I murmured, pressing kisses along her neck.
"I feel huge," she said with a laugh that turned into a gasp as I kissed her neck.
"You feel perfect." I dropped to my knees in front of her, my hands framing her belly. "You're carrying our baby, Holly. You've never been more gorgeous."
I pressed a soft kiss to her rounded stomach, feeling our child move beneath my lips.
"Bedroom," Holly said, her voice thick with desire. "I want you to show me how beautiful you think I am."
I swept her up in my arms, carrying her to our bedroom. She was heavier now, but I loved the weight of her, the solid reality of our future together.
We undressed quickly, hands urgent despite the reverence I felt for her changed body.
When she was naked, I stepped back to look at her.
She was glowing with that radiance pregnant women were supposed to have.
Her skin was luminous, her hair thick and shiny, and the curve of her belly was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.
"How do you want me?" I asked, my hand resting on her belly.
"From behind," she said, her cheeks flushing deeper. "I want to feel you deep inside me."
Heat flooded through me at her words. I helped her onto the bed, positioning her on her hands and knees, a pillow supporting her belly.
"Like this?" I asked, my hands smoothing over the curve of her ass, up her spine.
"Yes," she breathed. "Perfect."
I kissed my way down her back, my hands exploring every new curve pregnancy had given her. When I reached between her legs, she was already wet and ready for me.
"God, Holly. You're so wet." I stroked her gently, feeling her tremble beneath my touch. "Is this all for me?"
"All for you," she gasped, pushing back against my hand. "Please, Riley. I need you inside me."
I positioned myself behind her, the head of my cock pressing against her pussy. I entered her slowly, both of us groaning at the sensation. From this angle, I could go deeper, fill her completely while being mindful of her condition.
"Fuck," I breathed when I was fully seated inside her. "You feel incredible."
I began to thrust, slow and deep at first, my hands gripping her hips to steady her. The angle was perfect—I could hit that spot inside her that made her cry out, while my hands roamed over her back, her sides, cupping her full breasts.
"Harder," she gasped, pushing back to meet my thrusts.
I increased my pace, driving into her with more force. The sound of skin slapping against skin filled the room, mixed with our moans and gasps.
"Is this what you want?" I growled, one hand tangling in her hair, the other gripping her hip. "You want me to fuck you hard?"
"Yes," she cried out, her body trembling beneath me. "God, yes. Just like that."
I could feel her tightening around me, her inner muscles fluttering as she climbed toward her peak. I reached around to find her clit, rubbing tight circles as I continued to thrust deep inside her.
"Come for me," I commanded, my voice rough with desire. "I want to feel you come on my cock."
She shattered with a scream of my name, her body convulsing around me. The sensation was overwhelming—her tight heat gripping me rhythmically as waves of pleasure crashed over her.
"That's it," I groaned, my own control slipping. "So fucking beautiful when you come."
I thrust a few more times before my own climax hit, pleasure ripping through me as I emptied myself inside her. I was careful not to collapse on top of her, instead pulling her back against my chest as we both shook from the intensity.
I helped her settle on her side, spooning behind her with my hand resting on her belly where our daughter was growing. Our baby moved beneath my palm, a gentle flutter that never failed to amaze me.
"Think she knows?" Holly asked softly.
"Knows what?"
"How much we love each other. How much we already love her."
"I think she knows," I said, pressing a kiss to Holly's temple. "She's got the best mama in the world."
"And the best daddy." Holly smiled, her eyes drifting closed. "Edith would have loved this. Being a great-grandmother."
"She's watching over all of us," I said. "Making sure we're happy."
Outside, the beginnings of Edith's memorial display twinkled in the darkness—a heart of lights surrounded by stars, a testament to a woman who'd connected hearts across the miles and brought love home.
Inside, wrapped in each other's arms with our child growing between us, I finally understood what Edith had known all along.
Some Christmas miracles happen in an instant and last forever.
THE END