Page 12 of A Trident Christmas Baby

CHAPTER FIVE

The following day, Alex woke slowly, the morning light streaming through the partially open blinds of her bedroom. She blinked a few times, stretching lazily beneath the covers, her hand instinctively resting on the gentle curve of her pregnant belly.

The first sensation she felt was that little ache in her back. It was the same one she felt the day before. It was also a reminder of the little life growing inside her. She rubbed her eyes, the events of the previous night flashing in her mind.

A sudden chuckle bubbled up from her chest as the memory of those events came rushing back. God, she was actually dying to see the camera footage. She would have to pull it up once she got downstairs.

“Oh, baby,” she murmured softly, addressing the little one nestled inside her.“You wouldn’t believe it. Your Aunt Tenley had to rescue me after I fell into the bushes.” She laughed again, her voice warm with affection.

Her fingers brushed against her belly in soothing circles. “Aunt Tenley is absolutely crazy, you know. She is the kind of crazy that makes life fun, though. She’s going to spoil you rotten, mark my words. She’s the one who’ll sneak you extra dessert when I’m not looking.And she’ll definitely teach you all the embarrassing dance moves that will make you a hit or a disaster at family weddings. But don’t tell her I said that.”

Right at that moment, the baby gave her a good kick, making her smile.

Alex’s eyes shifted to the picture of her and Ace sitting on the nightstand. It was taken at their wedding earlier that year. Ace was such a handsome man.

A wave of longing swept over her. She missed him fiercely. She missed his laugh, his steady presence, the way he would kiss her forehead and promise that everything would be okay.

Her chest felt heavy as she blinked against the sting of unshed tears. “Oh, Ace,” she whispered. “I wish you were here right now,” Her voice wavered, and she quickly shook her head, forcing a deep breath. “No crying today, Alex. Not when there’s cookies to bake.”

Beside her, Zuma stirred, his floppy ears twitching as he let out a contented sigh. His tail thumped against the mattress, and Alex smiled at him. She scratched him behind the ears. “You’re awake, huh? Guess that means I’ll have to get up soon to let you out.”

As if hearing what she said, the baby shifted, pressing directly on her bladder. Alex’s eyes widened in mock horror as she felt an urgent need to relieve herself. “Okay, okay, I get it,” she exclaimed, throwing the covers off.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed and groaned softly. Exhaustion weighed her limbs, but she pushed herself upright, steadying herself with one hand on the nightstand. “Come on, Alex. You’ve got this,” she muttered, channeling a pep talk for herself.

Her feet hit the floor, and exhaustion hit her like a wave.Every muscle in her body seemed to protest as she stood. “Alright,” she said to herself, “time to suck it up, buttercup. Tenley and Bailey will be here soon, and we’ve got a ton of cookies to bake.”

Alex shuffled into the bathroom, muttering to herself as her baby’s earlier kick to the bladder reminded her why morning pit stops were no longer optional. “Alright, kiddo, you win. I’mhere.” She flipped on the light and sighed as the cool tiles met her bare feet.

After finishing her business, she decided a quick shower would help wake her up. The warm spray worked wonders, easing the stiffness in her back and shoulders. “This,” she said aloud to no one in particular, “is the best part of the morning.” Well, it is second best because coffee holds the crown. However, lately, she’d been limiting her caffeine intake.

Once out of the shower, she toweled off and slipped into a pair of black yoga pants and a green tank top that stretched over her belly. For warmth and comfort, she grabbed one of Ace’s oversized US Navy sweatshirts from the closet.The soft gray fabric hung loosely on her petite frame, the sleeves falling well past her fingertips. She rolled them up, smiling faintly as she caught a faint trace of Ace’s scent. “Perfect,” she murmured. She knew she’d probably overheat later and end up in just the tank top, but for now, having a piece of Ace with her felt right.

Walking back into the bedroom, she noticed Zuma still sprawled lazily across the bed. His head rested on one of Ace’s pillows, and his soulful eyes tracked her every move. “You’re living the dream, aren’t you?” she teased. “Come on, big guy. Time to start the day.”

Zuma’s tail thumped once in acknowledgment, but he didn’t seem to be in a big hurry. Instead, he stretched dramatically, legs extending as if to say,Do I have to?

“Really?” Alex put her hands on her hips, trying to look stern but failing. “You’re not the one growing a human, mister.” Zuma yawned, slowly rolled onto his side, and then, with another exaggerated stretch, finally slid off the bed. His movements were comically slow, each step deliberate, as if he were auditioning for the role of “most reluctant dog ever.”

Alex laughed. “You’re so dramatic but so cute,” she told him as he followed her out of the room and down the stairs.

She opened the back door and let Zuma out to take care of his business. He trotted into the yard. His ears perked as he sniffed around for the perfect spot. Alex shook her head fondly.

She pulled her phone out and scrolled to her favorite radio station, the one that played Christmas music twenty-four-seven this time of year. The opening notes ofIt’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Yearfilled the kitchen, and Alex couldn’t help but hum along as she moved around the room getting things ready for when Tenley and Bailey got there.

Despite the early morning fatigue, she felt good now. She walked over to the small tree in the corner of the kitchen and turned on the lights, which added a festive glow to the room.

Singing to the music, she began pulling out all the ingredients to make cookies. Knowing that the kids, Alejandra and Sienna, were coming too, she set up a spot on the island for them to decorate the cookies. She had an assortment of sprinkles and icing.

Her mind buzzed with excitement as she thought about how the day would be full of laughter, chaos, and cookies.

For now, though, she basked in the peace of the moment, singing softly along with the music as she went about getting everything ready. Life was never perfect, but right now, it was pretty close. The only thing that would make it better was for Ace to walk through the door.

About an hour later, the sound of car doors slamming jolted Alex from her focus in the kitchen. She wiped her hands on her apron just as the front door opened, and a chorus of giggles and cheerful voices filled the house.

“We’re here!” Tenley called out, leading the charge with her daughter, Alejandra, bouncing in beside her. Bailey followed, holding Sienna’s hand. The six-year-old wore a sparkly pink tiara perched proudly on her head, a princess ready for her baking debut.

“Hey, ladies!” Alex greeted warmly, bending slightly to hug Tenley and Bailey before crouching down to hug the girls. “Are you two ready to bake some cookies?”

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