Chapter 20 #2
“Damn it.” He sighs, his head dropping back, and I climb out of bed and pull on my sweatpants and a sweatshirt.
“Fine, let’s go, guys,” he says as he scoops up Gidget and motions to Revis, who is sitting patiently waiting for him.
I follow them downstairs and smile when I see my mother and Aaden’s parents sitting at the kitchen table, already drinking their coffee.
“Good morning. Merry Christmas,” my mother says, beaming. She looks like she’s having a good day. Thank God.
“Good morning. I see you guys have beaten me to the coffee.” I grin.
Aaden’s mother jumps up and rushes to the coffee pot, pouring me a cup like she’s the hostess, even though she’s our guest. “Merry Christmas, dear.” She smiles and kisses my cheek.
“Thank you. Merry Christmas.” I take the cup and sit down next to my mother. Reaching over, I clasp her hand, giving her a warm smile. “Did you sleep well?”
She sighs dreamily. “Better than I have in months. I may be taking that mattress home with me.”
“Shit, it’s cold out there,” Aaden says as he comes back inside, both dogs following him expectantly. He quickly feeds them before pouring himself a cup of coffee. “Where are Olivia and Shane?” he asks, taking a sip.
“Still asleep,” Frank says.
Aaden shakes his head. “Oooh no. They need to get up. It’s Christmas.”
“Here we go.” Frank chuckles. Aaden sets his mug down and takes off, running for the stairs. The four of us laugh as we watch him take the steps two at a time and then barge into his sister’s room with a loud scream.
“I’d hate to be them right now.” My mother laughs.
“Dammit, Aaden. Get the hell off!” Olivia yells.
The screams and noises coming from their room have us cracking up, and I can’t help but think this is what Aaden would be like as a father.
Fun and exciting, yet soft and caring, the way he is with me.
My laughter dies as I fight against the sudden burn in my eyes.
“Put me down!” Olivia screams and giggles. I look up to see her slung over Shane’s shoulder as he carries her playfully down the stairs, Aaden following behind with a huge grin.
“Present time!” Shane announces as they hit the bottom of the stairs. Olivia slaps his shoulder once he sets her back on her feet.
“You’re as bad as my brother,” she teases. Shane pulls her to him and kisses her.
Almost an hour later, we’ve exchanged all of our gifts.
The virtual keyboards and the family photoshoot went over really well.
Aaden’s mother was practically in tears, and she’s excited about the session tomorrow.
I managed to get my friend to come to the house tomorrow to take some pictures.
Oliva and Shane gave us first-class tickets to visit them in New York in the spring with the promise of a shopping trip at all of her favorite stores.
Having never been to New York, I’m more than thrilled.
Beverly and Frank apparently coordinated with them because we received tickets to see ‘Phantom of the Opera’ and ‘Wicked’ on Broadway.
I was surprised when Aaden handed me a small blue Tiffany box.
I argued that Gidget was my gift, but he simply smiled and told me to open it.
My mouth dropped open when the two radiant diamonds sparkled back at me.
I immediately put the carat each stud earrings on.
Aaden was very happy with the liquor cart I gave him for his office, along with a bottle of BenRiach, his favorite whiskey.
My mother and I had a very emotional gift exchange.
She cried when she opened the photo blanket, and in turn, I sobbed like a baby when she gave me a necklace that had a small round silver charm hanging from it.
Inscribed on the front is the phrase, “A Mother’s Love Is Forever.
” On the back is a thumbprint, my mother’s thumbprint.
She told me that way I could always feel her touch.
Oliva and Beverly shed a few tears over that emotional gift as well.
It’s the happiest and saddest Christmas I’ve ever had.
One I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.
***
“The first trimester is very critical in your baby’s development.
The heart, brain, head, spinal cord, bones, muscles, and tissues are developing.
Expectant mothers should refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol as these are toxic to the baby.
Make an appointment with your OB/GYN as soon as possible. ”
I need to call my doctor and set up an appointment.
Scrolling down the page, I sit on the bed reading about my pregnancy while Aaden showers.
My brain is on overload with all the information I’m finding.
The one thing that has me terrified more than anything else is having another miscarriage.
After torturing myself with reading the statistics on a second one, I forced myself to read something that would be more useful.
“Your baby is .4 mm long—the size of an apple seed. The heart is beating as blood begins to pump and the organs develop.”
“Oh my God,” I say softly as I place my hand on my stomach.
“Your little heart is already beating.” My eyes sting with tears.
An overwhelming desire to tell Aaden surges through me, but I’m terrified about what his reaction will be.
I hear the water shut off, and I quickly close my laptop and hurry to rejoin our family downstairs.
As the day turns to night, I manage to hide the fact that I’m not drinking any of the champagne by dumping it all down the drain when no one is looking.
One by one, our family retires for the evening as Christmas comes to an end.
Aaden and I are left sitting in the dark with only the lights from the tree and the soft glow from the fireplace.
“I have something else to give you,” he says as he leans forward to set his glass on the coffee table.
My eyes widen. “Something else? Aaden, you’ve given me way more than you should have already!”
“Get used to it.” He winks. He turns sideways to face me and takes my hand in his. “I want to take you to Belize with me. Next month, after New Year’s.”
A huge smile spreads across my face. “Really?” I ask excitedly.
“And I’m inviting Noah, so I thought you might want to invite Madison.”
“Seriously? Oh my God, I love you!” I squeal as I throw my arms around him and hug him tightly. He laughs as he wraps his arms around me. “I’ll call Madison tomorrow and tell her. She is going to flip.”
“Kind of like you are right now?” Aaden asks with a quiet chuckle.
I pull away but clasp his hand tightly. “I can’t wait to take her bikini shopping.”
Aaden raises his eyebrows, “Hmmm, I can’t wait to see you in a bikini!”
I slap his arm. “You’ve seen me in a bikini.”
“Months ago,” he frowns. “It’s been way too long.
” I giggle as I lay my head back on his shoulder.
I stare at the lights on the tree as a slow sense of dread starts to creep back in.
I need to tell him. I know I do. But I can wait until after Belize, can’t I?
I just need more time with him. I’m not ready for everything to change.
Plus, it might be a long time before I’m ever in a bikini again. I better enjoy it.