Page 19 of My Omega's Miracle

“I got lucky,” I said. “Pretty sure I just ran out there and chopped down the first one I saw.”

“That’s okay. It’s perfect.”

He was right. It was perfect because it was ours, because we had been able to decorate it together.

“Are you ready for your Christmas gift?” I asked.

“It’s too soon. And when did you get me a gift?” He turned and looked at me, his brow furrowed. “We have to wait till Solstice or Christmas Day.”

“I want to give it to you now,” I said. “Before we go home, before all the things that will distract of from each other. I think it’s fitting.” I selfishly wanted this moment for just the two of us. Soon we’d be thrust back into pack life and the next few months would be busy. I’d be learning how to be Alpha, and Noel would be learning how to be Alpha Mate. It would be a lot.

“If you insist, I suppose I won’t say no, but that doesn’t mean you get your gift now, mostly because I don’t have any money. I wasn’t able to get you a gift.”

I sensed the sadness in his voice. I tilted his chin up and kissed his lips. “You are my gift this year. I managed to find this while you were distracted talking to the man who made the chainsaw carvings. You were so engrossed in that conversation that I snuck back to a little something I had found at another booth.”

He melted into my arms. I gently lifted him and got up so I could grab the small box that was placed underneath the tree. I sat down next to him and put it in his hands. He stared at it for a long time. An array of emotions flashed over his face.

“It’s so beautiful,” he said.

“The gift’s inside the box, mate,” I teased.

He slapped at my arm playfully. “I know that! I just... I can’t remember the last time I got a gift. I’m going to savor it. I almost don’t want to open it because then the experience will be over. I just want to sit here and enjoy everything about this.”

“Savor it,” I said with a smile. “You deserve it. I have a lifetime of gifts to give you. This is just one of many.”

He unwrapped the wrapping paper ever so slowly, not allowing any ripping to happen. When the box was finally exposed, he lifted off the cover, carefully taking out the tissue paper until the ornament inside was revealed. It was a simple round bulb of blown glass, with a cabin not unlike the one we were in painted on the side. In the window sat a decorated tree.

He sucked in a breath, his eyes shining with unshed tears. “It’s beautiful. It looks like our cabin!”

“It’s a good commemorative view of our first Solstice together,” I said. “Of how we met. Next year, we’ll have another one to add to it, something that signifies that year. By the time we’re old and gray, we’ll have a whole tree of ornaments.”

A sob escaped his lips. He put the ornament back in the box, covered it with the tissue paper, then set it down carefully and launched himself into my arms.

“I love it so much. I love you, Garrick. This is everything I could have ever dreamed of. I always wanted a collection of ornaments that were just mine. Ones that I would cherish forever.”

“I love you, too,” I said, holding him close. “You’re everything I could have ever hoped for, and more. I love you, mate.”

Chapter 14

Noel

Nearly everything was packed up and put away. The owner of the cabin had said that he liked the decorations and that we could leave them where they were. He had another couple coming to rent the cabin after us, and he wanted to keep it up, so we didn’t have to take it all down and put it away. That saved us a lot of time and heartache. I couldn’t imagine having to put away all of the beautiful decorations.

I had used up as much of the food as we could and now packed any leftovers in the cooler, as well as the tons of baked goods I had put together. There were separate plates for various people: Garrick’s parents and his three Betas, along with the little trinkets we had picked up at the festival. My makeshift bag was of little use, so I put my things in Garrick’s bag.

There was something so domestic about sharing luggage. Like we were well and truly immersed in each other’s world that keeping our items separate didn’t make any sense.

“Are you about ready?” Garrick asked. He came up the stairs and stood next to me. He chuckled when he saw the suitcase lying open on the bed. “I don’t think my suitcase has ever been this organized. You know, when we get home, we’re just tossing all this in the washer?”

“I know, but it’s organized this way. I’ve got lights and darks separated.”

He kissed my temple. “Thank you. That’s very smart. Do we need anything else from up here? I can carry it all down and put it in the truck for you.”

Garrick was insistent that he do all the heavy lifting. Not because he didn’t think I was capable, but because he liked to take care of me. I saw it in his eyes every time he did any little thing for me. Yesterday I’d needed him to grab a pan from a high shelf and his eyes had lit up in delight at being useful to me.

I looked around the space. There was a lot I would miss about this place. Especially the bed where we had shared our first heat. Garrick had already mentioned coming up here again. It could be our place where we vacationed.

“I think we have everything.”

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