Chapter 19 Cooke
COOKE
I wake to the best feeling ever. Gretchen, warm and soft, curled up beside me. Her head is pillowed on my chest, and every exhale tickles across my skin. She stirs as I tuck the covers in closer around us.
“Good morning.” I can't resist kissing her on the forehead. “It's officially Christmas Eve.”
She smiles up at me and taps her fingers against my lips. “Merry almost Christmas.”
“What do you have planned for this Christmas Eve?” I'm reluctant to leave this bed. I'd be happy to stay here forever, exactly like this. I run my fingers through her hair, enjoying the smooth glide of her silky strands.
She hums, the sound vibrating into my chest. “Breakfast. Then Gavin and I would finish decorating. Start making food for tomorrow. Make sure I have extra boxed stuffing. Can't forget that.”
My heart warms, and she snuggles a little closer, pressing a kiss to my hand. “Then put the presents under the tree, make some cookies, and go to bed early.”
“Early?” I ask, envisioning everything else easily. “I'd have thought you'd be the type to wait up, watching for Santa.”
“Not this year,” she says, twining her fingers with mine. “I already got more than I could have expected.”
“This sounds like an excellent plan.”
She nods, then stills. “Except that Gavin isn't here. He's still at his friend's house.”
“Well, you and I can have breakfast, finish the decorating, and get any groceries you need. Then, when Gavin comes home, there's plenty of time for cookies before bed.”
“You'd help me with that?” she asks, her voice giving a little shake. Enough to let me know she wasn't sure what I'd actually say.
“Gretchen, sweetheart, I'll do whatever you want.”