94. Kendall
Kendall
Iroll over to find a mishmash of bodies and limbs, both animal and human, tangled together in our king sized bed.
Kai is lightly snoring with Stella pressed against his front.
When we first adopted her, we tried to have her sleep in the crate.
We quickly found out allowing her to sleep in our bed is better for her and especially Kai.
Akio appears to be happily squished between me and Stella, his head now resting underneath my chin.
He lets out soft little snores that mirror his father’s.
How did I get this lucky?
I slip out of bed quietly, trying not to disturb anyone.
“Where you going?” Kai whispers without opening his eyes. He’s adorable in the morning. His shirtless upper body and husky morning voice makes it difficult not to kick everyone out of this bed and keep him all to myself.
“I’m just going to start some coffee. You guys sleep a little longer, okay?” I say, rubbing his hand.
“Okay,” he murmurs, wrapping his arm around Stella. I pad to the kitchen in my pink fluffy slippers and glance at the clock on our coffee maker. It’s only 6:15. But it’s also Christmas morning and there’s still more work to be done before everyone wakes up.
I make up my coffee with cream and sugar and stare at our massive ten-foot Christmas tree.
It’s adorned in multicolored lights, silver and white balls, and a mismatch of homemade and store bought ornaments.
A tiny red Akio handprint on thick paper that’s framed by green popsicle sticks.
A four inch metal hockey stick with the Bucks inscribed on it.
Along with countless other trinkets that hang on the long evergreen branches.
After I finish stuffing Akio and Stella’s stockings, light a candle, and put the remaining presents under the tree, I stop to admire the view from our penthouse apartment.
It looks cold outside, but the sky is clear.
Violet skies bleed into dark blue against the backdrop of the city.
Weather reports for the last week have been promising a white Christmas, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
The street below is relatively quiet, only a few cars zipping by here and there.
A bus stops to pick up a handful of people.
Some look like they’re headed to work, others have their hands filled with presents.
The skyline of apartments and industrial buildings shine and twinkle with lights in the distance while Christmas music plays softly in the background.
I sip my coffee and fold my arms across my chest while I listen to Nat King Cole wax poetic about chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
I hum along to the lyrics, a feeling of peace settling over me.
I can honestly say that a year ago, I didn’t think I’d be here. Living with Kai. Raising our son together. Planning a wedding. But I am so incredibly grateful that this is where we ended up.
While I get lost in the beauty of our home and the gratitude that fills my heart, I sense Kai walk up behind me.
His strong arms curl around my middle and he rests his head against mine, his chin in the hollow of my neck.
There’s something about him hugging me from behind that makes my knees weak. I think it always will.
“Merry Christmas, Ken. I love you so much,” he says, kissing my cheek.
“Merry Christmas, Kai, I love you,” I reply, turning around and kissing him on the lips. I bring my hands to his face and smooth my thumbs over his cheek. “I love this life we’re building together.”
He brushes a kiss to my forehead and holds me tight against his chest. “Me too,” he whispers.
He no sooner finishes speaking and Akio and Stella come racing into the room.
They are nothing but pure joy, excitement, and love.
Akio collides with my legs and almost sends me toppling over while he shouts, “It’s Christmas!
It’s Christmas!” And Stella begins jumping on Kai, barking happily with her massive paws on his chest. I run my fingers through Akio’s hair and tip his tiny chin up to look at me.
“Okay okay, Merry Christmas! Who wants to open presents?” I shout as I gather him in my arms and spin him around. Kai takes him out of my arms and plants him on his shoulders while they circle the living room chanting, “Let’s open presents!”
Three hours later, the Christmas morning adrenaline has faded and we’re all on the tail end of a sugar high after having cookies for breakfast. We decide to get comfy and pile on the couch together.
Akio falls asleep on Kai’s chest, my head rests in Kai’s lap, while Stella is snuggled up at my feet.
There are half torn boxes, opened presents, toys, clothes and Spider-Man wrapping paper everywhere.
We watch the remaining twenty minutes of A Christmas Story on TBS while we struggle to keep our eyes open.
And right when the credits begin to roll, big white fluffy snowflakes start falling outside.