Page 64 of Blame It On the Lattes

Thirty-Three

Avery

Iwoke up Christmasmorning, snuggled against Sam as we heard Kennedy screeching from her room that it was Christmas morning.

“It’s time to get up,” I said with a soft laugh, patting his arm so he’d release me. “You have about two seconds before she—”

Before I could get my words out, Kennedy came flying into the room and jumped on the bed.

“It’s Christmas! It’s Christmas! Get up! We have to see if Santa came!”

She bounced excitedly as Sam groaned while taking a jab to his side from one of her bounces.

“Alright, sweetie. Give us a few minutes and we’ll be right there. Go ahead and wait in your room, and we’ll come get you.”

“Okay, Mommy!”

She jumped off the bed and went running down the short hall back to her room.

It was weird staying in Sam’s bed last night, but after we’d talked to Kennedy about the changes that were going to happen with Sam and I getting married, she seemed to be okay with everything. It could also be that she was just in a Christmas excited stupor and didn’t process any of what we’d said.

“Are you okay?” I asked, worried she’d hurt him. At least it was on his side and not on his balls.

“Yeah. I’ll live.” He climbed out of bed and stretched his arms above his head, a sliver of abs teasing me in the process.

“Well, that’s good because I didn’t agree to marry you only to have you die before we have our wedding day,” I teased, pulling on my robe. It wasn’t chilly in the house I just really loved how comfy it was.

“Why does she have to wait to go in the living room?” Sam asked, following me down the hallway.

“Because she will be overcome with excitement and open everything before we get in there if not.”

“Gotcha. Good to know.”

I felt his hand on my lower back as we stopped at Kennedy’s door. She was sitting on the floor in front of the pink Christmas tree Sam had given her, putting the star topper on. It had a beautiful assortment of ornaments on it from the advent calendar he’d given her.

“You ready?” I asked, a huge smile crossing my face.

“Yes!”

“Alright. You lead the way. Let’s see if Santa stopped by last night.”

Sam and I had stayed up a few hours after getting Kennedy to bed last night, initially to get the gift from Santa into the living room. That only took a few minutes, and then the rest of the time was spent with Sam pretending to be Santa and having me sit on his lap as I told him exactly what I wanted.

We walked into the living room and Sam turned on the lights right as Kennedy stepped inside. Sitting in front of the tree was the large box with the dollhouse from Santa.

I leaned forward and grinned when I saw how big her eyes and smile were.

“Is that from Santa?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“There’s only one way to find out,” I said, gently giving her a push forward.

---