Chapter Sixteen
Emily
Chris and I had just crawled into bed when my phone rang.
“Emily! Hello? Oh my! I think Gigi’s going into labor.” Celine’s voice was frantic on the other end of the line.
I sat up and turned on the bedside lamp. My stomach tightened in nervous excitement as I thought about the baby growing inside me.
Looking at Chris, I almost blurted out the news.
“It’s okay, Gigi,” Elodie said.
“In two hundred feet, turn left,” an automated voice interrupted.
“Celine, are you driving?”
“Yes. I thought I was ready for this. But I-I’m on my way to your house.”
“Okay. Okay.” I signaled to Chris and hopped out of bed.
Wrapping myself into my robe, I listened as Celine continued. “I don’t know what to do. I thought I did. But, oh! My poor baby!” A stream of flawless French poured from her mouth as she talked to Gigi and Elodie.
Thankfully, Savannah was in a deep sleep as I walked past her in the living room. I stared out the front window, anxiously awaiting Gigi’s arrival. My knees knocked together, and my hands started sweating. Unable to process the anxiety rushing through me, I made my way to the kitchen table.
Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t hear Chris come up behind me and practically jumped out of my skin when he said, “What’s going on?”
“Gigi. Celine’s on her way,” I whispered. “She’s in labor.”
He ran his hand through his hair, eyes wide open, staring at me like I’d just spoken a foreign language.
“Babe,” I said. “It’s going to be fine. We’ll just . . . Crap.”
“Yeah,” Chris whispered. “I checked on the dogs. They’re sound asleep with Hudson.”
“Should we wake him up?”
“No. If we do, he’ll see everything, and I’ll never get him back to bed.”
“Good point.” I sighed. “I guess?—”
“What’s going on?” Savannah asked, surprising us both.
“Uh, Gigi’s in labor. Celine’s on her way now,” I said.
“Really? I’m going to see puppies being born?” The anticipation in her voice awakened my own excitement.
“I’m a nervous wreck,” I admitted. “Um . . . I guess we can—” I looked to the corner of the living room where Gigi’s bed used to be.
“What do you need?” Savannah asked.
“Blankets. Towels. Do you have a heating pad?” I said, walking as if I’d forgotten where everything was.
“Blankets and towels, yes. Heating pad, no,” Chris said.
I clutched my stomach, out of sorts and thinking that in eight months, I’d be going into labor.
I started to follow Chris, but the sound of car doors shutting outside caught my attention. Savannah and I rushed to the front door.
Almost laughing at Celine’s haphazard parking job, I stood aside to allow her and Elodie to walk inside, their arms overflowing with blankets and towels. In a state of disorientation, Gigi whined and looked at me with wide eyes full of emotion.
“I know, honey,” I crooned. “Come on. Let’s get you comfortable over here,” I said, leading the way to her old spot in the living room.
Celine made quick introductions since I hadn’t met Elodie yet. Dressed in satin jammies, they looked chic and ready to take on the world. It didn’t surprise me that even in the most unexpected situation, Celine looked just as elegant as she would if she were sitting in a French café sipping an espresso.
We hurried to get Gigi comfortable, huddling around, but careful to give her the space she needed. She dropped onto the big blankets, panting heavily and looking at us with what I could only imagine was part uncertainty, part fear.
Chris swept into the room. “Here.” One look at all the blankets and towels laid out, he chuckled and tossed his stack to the floor.
“Thank you, Chris,” Celine said, kissing him on each cheek. “You’re a good pup grandpa.”
We all chuckled, careful not to startle Gigi.
Gigi’s body trembled with the effort of labor.
“My sweet, precious,” Celine whispered as she crouched on the floor with her baby girl. She spoke softly, resting her hand gently on Gigi’s head. “You’re going to be just fine. You’re doing so good.”
I carefully checked Gigi over. The rhythmic tightening of her muscles took my breath away. It was amazing to feel her body working instinctively to bring her puppies into the world.
“We’re right here, Gigi,” I crooned, stroking her soft fur.
She released a small whimper as another contraction started.
“I wish there was something I could do for her,” Celine said.
“I guess there’s no epidurals for dogs,” Chris said.
Savannah smacked his arm.
“What? I’m just saying.”
“Chris.” I shook my head.
“Sorry.”
My heart squeezed in sympathy for Gigi and Celine. We all felt helpless, knowing there wasn’t much we could do.
Gigi tried to move, then whimpered. She dug her paws into the blanket and breathed hard.
“I think this is it,” I said in awe.
All eyes were on Gigi as we watched her belly contract.
This was it. The first puppy was coming.
We all held our breath. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched. Celine and I clasped hands as the first small, wet bundle appeared.
“Oh!” Celine and I said in unison.
Elodie and Savannah sank down beside us.
My heart leaped, and tears stung my eyes. The first puppy, no bigger than the palm of my hand, was here.
Gigi’s motherly instincts kicked in. She turned to the tiny puppy, cleaning it with careful strokes of her tongue.
For the next couple of hours, we watched and monitored Gigi and each new puppy. A little after two o’clock, the ninth puppy was born.
Precious little bundles, all nestled up against her warm belly, nursed quietly. Their tiny bodies rose and fell with each breath. Gigi closed her eyes, finally able to relax after hours of strenuous work.
“That was so amazing,” I said. Overcome with the miracle of birth, I covered my face with my hands and cried.
Chris, oblivious to why I was so emotional, held me in his arms. “They’re doing great. You were incredible,” he whispered. His smooth, gentle strokes calmed me, and I couldn’t help but hug him tighter.
After a few moments of comfort and ensuring my emotions wouldn’t overrule my head at this moment, I turned in his arms. “Hudson is going to be so excited.”
“He probably won’t even care about presents,” Chris said.
“Celine. Elodie,” I whispered, scooting out of his arms. “Let’s get you some blankets and get you comfortable.”
“Do you want to take the couch?” Savannah asked. “I can sleep on the floor.”
“Oh, no. Thank you. That’s so sweet of you to offer,” Celine said. “But I’m not leaving her side.”
Once Gigi, her puppies, Celine, Elodie, and Savannah, were tucked into their respective beds, Chris and I slunk back to his bedroom.
We collapsed, exhausted from all the work and excitement of playing Santa and delivering puppies.
“Em?” Chris whispered just as I was about to drift off to sleep.
“Hm?” I murmured.
He cupped my face and pressed his lips to mine. “Merry Christmas, baby.”
My eyes fluttered open. Under the moonlight that filtered in through the window, I could see his eyes.
“I love you,” he said.
“I love you too,” I whispered. “Merry Christmas.”
I turned over and scooted into the crook of his body.
When his hand covered my stomach, I almost yelped. But I held it in, settling into his embrace. A perfect fit. I covered his hand with mine and closed my eyes. I already loved the baby growing inside me more than life itself.
“Puppies!” Hudson shouted as he jumped between us on the bed.
His wide eyes were filled with excitement as he stared at us.
“Aren’t they cute?” I asked.
“Come on,” Hudson begged.
“Okay, okay,” Chris said, snagging Hudson to him.
Hudson wriggled and giggled. “Dad!”
“Merry Christmas, Hudson,” he said, smacking his cheek with a big kiss.
“Merry Christmas, Dad,” he said before wiggling away. He stood at the end of the bed, practically jumping with joy.
When I got to the end of the bed, Hudson hugged me. “Merry Christmas, Emmy,” he said.
“Merry Christmas, sweetie,” I said, holding him tight for a moment. Christmas morning was always special with my grandma. It was always bittersweet after losing her, but I always felt her presence with me. This year, everything was different. I knew she’d always be with me, and now, with Chris and Hudson, I was making new memories and traditions.
I sucked down my emotions. I knew things would change with having Hudson in my life. But I wasn’t prepared for the happiness and thrill of celebrating Christmas with him. Although he wasn’t mine by blood, Hudson filled my heart with a kind of love that changed me forever.
Chris and I followed Hudson as he ran to the living room.
The sight before me stole my breath.
I saw the living room last night when we set everything up, but a new wave of happiness and completeness rushed through me when I saw Chris’s parents, Savannah, Hudson, our dogs, Gigi, and her puppies all gathered around the Christmas tree.
“Where’s Celine and Elodie?” I asked.
“They went back home for a little while,” Savannah said. “I invited them to join us for dinner. They’ll be back later.”
“Okay,” I said. “I guess—” My eyes filled with tears at all the emotions flowing through me.
“Honey,” Courtney said. “What’s wrong?”
I swiped the tears away as she hugged me. “I’m just so happy.”
“Oh, sweetie,” she hummed in her motherly tone. “We’re so happy too. Merry Christmas. You are the gift I’ve been waiting for. Thank you for making my son so incredibly happy.” She gave me a quick squeeze and cupped my face in her warm hands.
“Oh!” I whimpered as new tears sprung from my eyes.
She hugged me again, rocking me as I clung to her.
“Looks like Santa’s been here,” Sam cut in, his eyes twinkling with a bit of mischief.
Thankful he broke the ice and got the attention off me, we all watched as Hudson followed Santa’s footsteps.
There was no talk or questioning Santa’s existence. Whether he believed or not, Chris had one more year to enjoy making magic for his son.
“Alright,” Chris called, “are we ready to open presents?” His voice was filled with that signature dad enthusiasm for watching his kid open his gifts.
Hudson didn’t need to be told twice. He dashed over to the tree, his fingers already tugging a giant box toward him. “It’s for me!”
His excitement was contagious as he helped pass the presents around.
Happy sounds of crinkling paper, merry laughter, and the occasional gasp of surprise filled the room as we opened gift after gift. Before long, the final gift was delivered to Hudson. He couldn’t believe Santa remembered the new gaming console he put at the top of his list.
Chris whispered something to Hudson. His eyes lit up, and he smiled so big at me before diving under the tree.
When he squirmed his way back out, he held a box in his hand. “It’s for Emmy,” he said, sharing a look with his dad. “I helped wrap it for you.”
“You did a very good job,” I said, taking the box from him. It was wrapped in silver paper and red ribbon.
I pulled the ribbon away, carefully tore into the paper, and set the small square box on my lap.
Hudson was practically jumping up and down as I lifted the lid.
Inside was another square-shaped box.
I pulled it out and lifted the lid.
A small velvet box sat inside. Tilting the box upside down, the velvet box dropped into my hand.
I lifted the lid and gasped. My eyes went wide at the beautiful diamond solitaire sparkling up at me.
When I lifted my head, Chris and Hudson were side by side, both perched on one knee.
Chris nudged Hudson.
“Emmy, will you marry us?” Hudson asked.
You could have heard a pin drop.
Chris smiled at me as my eyes pinged back and forth between him and Hudson.
“Emily,” Chris started, his voice filled with the kind of sentiment that fluttered in my heart. “You changed my life in ways I never expected. You’ve made me a better man, a better father . . . and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“Oh, my God.” Tears spilled over my cheeks as my hand flew to my mouth. “Yes,” I whispered, barely recognizing my own voice. “Yes, of course I’ll marry you.”
Chris and Hudson high-fived, and then Chris pulled me into his arms for a kiss.
“I love you,” he whispered against my lips.
“Wait. Wait, wait,” I muttered. “I need to tell you something.”
Chris’s eyes went wide, part fear, part excitement at my saying yes.
I wriggled out of his arms and dashed to the bedroom. Rushing back, I felt like Hudson, filled with so much excitement and joy.
“It’s not wrapped. And I know you might—well, we haven’t exactly talked about this. But—” I shoved the pregnancy stick into his hand.
Chris looked at it like it was something from a galaxy far, far away.
“You’re pregnant?” he whispered.
Happy gasps sounded from around the room.
“You’re pregnant?” he asked again, lifting his face to meet my eyes.
I nodded.
Tears sprang to his eyes, and he quickly wiped at them.
“God, I love you,” he said. Once again, he yanked me into his tight embrace. This kiss was filled with a frantic kind of passion that should be saved for the bedroom.
When Sam cleared his throat, we broke apart like two guilty teenagers.
Chris and I couldn’t fight our smiles as he pulled my ring, still tucked into its box, from my hand.
My eyes leaked again as he slipped it onto my finger.
“We’re getting married!” I exclaimed.
“We’re having a baby!” Chris yelled.
All at once, we were caught in a group hug as Hudson, Sam, Courtney, and Savannah locked arms around us. Refusing to be left out, Moose, Rufus, and Luke nudged their way into the inner circle.
My heart swelled from the magic and family that surrounded me.
I would never forget the happiest Christmas of my life. Everything was perfect. More than perfect. Today was full of love—real, true, and forever.
And for a moment, surrounded by family, by all the joy and laughter, I knew I was exactly where I was always meant to be.