Chapter 19
LEAH
Only one more day, and it will be Christmas Eve.
Aaden has been busy with work, and I have been decorating the house and planning meals for the coming holiday.
I want to cook an impressive meal for Christmas Eve as well as breakfast for Christmas morning.
I’m excited, even though I’m still a little nervous.
Aaden’s parents and sister will be here tomorrow, and I want everything to be perfect.
He keeps telling me they’re going to love me, but I’m still feeling the pressure.
I decorated the fireplace mantel with a lighted garland, stockings, and a Santa Claus’ from around the world that I found at an antique store.
The same lighted garland is wrapped around the banister going all the way up the stairs.
Outside there are two three-foot Christmas trees lit up with white lights on either side of the front door and garland going around the door frame.
Aaden teased me, saying, “This is the most festive my house has ever been.”
I’m sitting at the table with wrapping paper laid out across it, trying to finish my wrapping.
I’m done with Aaden’s sister and her husband’s gifts and my mother’s photo blanket.
The gift certificate for his parent’s family portrait is inside a red envelope and already placed under the tree.
I’m wrapping the last of the gifts I bought for Aaden and Madison.
I need to hide Aaden’s because I’ve already caught him snooping.
I smile. He is such a child at Christmas.
Yawning, I glance at the clock and frown.
Geez, it’s only nine o’clock, and I’m exhausted.
I pick up the wrapping paper and ribbons and put them back in the closet.
After making sure everything is cleaned up, I climb the stairs and make my way to the office at the end of the hall, where I find Aaden still hard at work.
“Hey, beautiful, what’s up?” he asks as I peek inside.
“I just wanted to let you know I’m headed to bed,” I say, petting Revis on the head as I walk past him.
Aaden looks at his watch and frowns. “This early? Are you feeling alright?”
I smile as I move behind him and slide my hands around his neck. “I’m fine, just sleepy. I’ve been busy all week.” I kiss his cheek and nuzzle my nose into his neck.
“You want company?” he asks with his cocky grin. I roll my eyes and kiss his cheek.
“No, you finish your work,” I say through a yawn as I walk to the door. “Night, baby. Love you.”
“Love you, too. Good night.”
God, I never get tired of hearing that. I turn and blow him a kiss. Revis follows me to the bedroom, leaving Aaden alone to finish his work.
***
I wake up feeling just as tired as I did when I went to bed last night.
I must have had a restless sleep. I roll over and look at the clock.
Holy crap! Ten thirty? I kick off the covers, climb out of bed, and twist my hair up before heading downstairs.
I find Aaden sitting on the couch reading over the morning paper.
“Well, good morning, sleepyhead.” He smiles as he sets his coffee mug on the coffee table.
“Why did you let me sleep so late?” I ask as I flop down next to him.
He leans over and presses a kiss to my lips.
“You’ve been working so hard to make everything perfect for my family.
The least I could do is let you sleep in.
Plus, you looked too pretty to wake.” I smile as he kisses me again.
“You must have been really tired, too. You were snoring when I came in last night.”
I pull away from him with a little shove. “I do not snore!” I protest as I stand and head for the kitchen. I’m in desperate need of some caffeine.
He follows me, laughing. “Well, you did last night. I thought there was a chain saw convention in my house.” I turn to look at him, my mouth hanging open as he imitates cutting down a tree, noises and all. I bite my lip with an embarrassed smile and turn away, quickly reaching for a mug.
“I need coffee before I deal with you.” He laughs even harder as he walks up behind me, wraps his arms around my waist, and kisses the side of my neck.
“I have to run out for a bit. I’ll be back in about an hour.” I set the mug down hard as panic hits me. I spin around to face him, wide-eyed.
“What? But your parents will be here in three hours. I need help,” I complain.
He kisses my nose as he pulls away and heads for the garage. “I’ll be less than an hour, and then I’m all yours.”
I put my hands on my hips. “But I….” He winks and heads out the door. Seriously? He better have a damn good reason.
After drinking my coffee, I head upstairs, shower, and blow-dry my hair.
The million things I have to do surge through my head, and Aaden left me here alone to handle it all.
Asshole! As I head back into the bedroom and walk toward the dresser, the entire room fades into black spots.
The whole room tilts, and I reach out and grab the bed, feeling off-balance and lightheaded.
I sit down on the bed, moving slowly because I’m afraid I’m going to pass out.
What the heck? I take a few deep breaths, and slowly, the dizziness clears.
I guess I should have eaten something along with my coffee.
A soft knock on the door has me turning to see Aaden peek his head inside. I look at him, confused as to why he would be knocking. He has a huge grin as he pushes the door open and steps inside.
“This couldn’t wait until Christmas,” he says as he walks in, cradling the smallest pug puppy I’ve ever seen. My mouth drops open.
“Oh my God.” I cry as I rush over and take the sweet puppy into my arms. She makes whimpering sounds as I kiss the top of her head.
She has a small pink collar on with a tag that says “Gidget.” Tears pool in my eyes as I look up at Aaden.
He remembered. Okay, my heart just exploded!
I bury my nose into Gidget’s neck and sniff as I manage a weak, “Thank you.”
He smiles as he pets the top of Gidget’s head.
“I wasn’t expecting such an emotional reaction.
” I lean into his chest and bury my face against him as he wraps an arm around me.
“This is the best thing you could have given me.” I sniff again.
As we stand there hugging, a loud whining comes from beside us.
I look down to find Revis. I laugh and move back to the bed.
“Look, Revis, you have a new baby sister!” I say as I sit down and hold the puppy up for him to sniff.
Aaden sits beside me, his arm going back around my waist. Gidget makes loud puppy noises as she tries pawing at Revis, wanting to play.
Revis barks and wags his tail. I set the puppy on the floor and watch as the two of them play with each other.
Gidget tries to jump at Revis, and Revis jabs her with his nose.
“Looks like they’re friends already.” Aaden grins.
I look up at him as I wipe my cheeks. “You’re amazing, you know that? No wonder I love you.”
He leans in and softly kisses my lips.
***
When the doorbell rings at five o’clock, Aaden runs to it with a huge smile on his face.
My heart pounds as I slowly make my way toward him and his family.
I’m so nervous that I feel like I could throw up.
A woman’s soft voice drifts into the room a moment before an attractive older blonde woman steps inside and throws her arms around Aaden’s neck.
She’s well-dressed in a light blue suit and cream-colored heels.
“Mom.” Aaden smiles widely as he pulls her into a hug.
“Merry Christmas, honey.” She beams as she leans back and cups his face. “Just as handsome as ever.”
An older man steps in behind her. “Aaden, Merry Christmas!” his voice booms. Aaden grasps his hand, and they embrace in a quick one-armed hug.
He’s wearing khaki pants and a dark gray sweater.
He hands Aaden a few packages and leans down to pick up a suitcase.
They turn and look at me as they step further into the room.
I smile nervously as they approach. A younger woman steps through the doorway behind them and throws her arms around Aaden’s neck.
“Merry Christmas, little brother.” She grins.
She’s strikingly beautiful with long dirty-blonde hair and the same aqua blue eyes as Aaden.
She’s tall and thin with a very refined appearance.
Dark skinny jeans hug her hips, while brown ankle boots and a beige coat that is tied at her waist complete the look.
“Hey, Liv. I’ve missed you,” Aaden says as he squeezes her tiny frame.
He reaches out and shakes the hand of a handsome dark-haired man who’s now standing behind Olivia.
Her husband, I assume. “Hey, Shane, how are you?” Aaden asks politely.
Shane smiles as he greets him. His parents have removed their coats and are smiling at me, waiting to be introduced.
I’m standing there like an idiot with my hands knotted together nervously in front of me.
Finally, Aaden walks over and takes their coats from them.
“Mom, Dad,” he beams as he looks at me, “this is Leah.”
His mother approaches me, her hands stretched out in front of her, and she takes my hands as soon as she’s within reach. “It’s good to meet you, Leah.” She smiles warmly. “Aaden has told us so much about you.”
“It’s nice to meet you, too, Mrs. Stone,” I say shyly.
“Please, call me Beverly.” She grins as she pulls me into a gentle hug. I awkwardly hug her back.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, young lady,” Aaden’s father says, coming over and standing next to his wife.
Beverly releases me, and I reach over to shake his waiting hand. “The pleasure is mine, Dr. Stone.”
“Frank, please.” He smiles.
Aaden joins me and places his hand on my lower back. “And this is my sister, Liv, and her husband, Shane.”
“Nice to meet you.” Shane smiles.