Page 50 of Heart of a Hero

I slowly slid out of the bed and went to rinse off. Then I used a warm, damp rag to clean Nora. She didn’t even stir. While she slept soundly, I went to retrieve my phone. Christmas Eve was only two days away. No, correction. It was after midnight, so it was nowoneday away. While I’d bought things for Taylor while Nora had been with me, it had been difficult to shop for my girlfriend. Couldn’t exactly buy her presents while she was with me.

Instead, I’d had to sneak in some short shopping trips whenever I left to buy groceries or go to work. I’d stashed them in the toolbox bolted to the bed of my truck, and now was my chance to retrieve them.

I slipped on a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt before silently going down to the truck. I hauled the bags from the toolbox, then carried them upstairs. A quick peek at Nora showed she still slept. Getting the wrapping paper, tape, and ribbons from the closet was harder than I’d thought, as every rustle made me freeze, worried I’d woken her.

Finally, I managed to get everything to the living room where I sat on the floor and wrapped things as quickly as I could. I’d noticed her ears were pierced, even though she didn’t have earrings to wear. So that had been the first thing I’d purchased, along with a sterling silver bracelet. She also had a soft floral perfume, and a gray purse to open on Christmas morning.

Akira had let me know one of the times she babysat Taylor, she’d taken her shopping. My soon-to-be daughter had not only bought a pair of gloves for her mom, but also picked out a gift for me. It had warmed my heart hearing that, and I’d nearly gone out to buy every toy in town for her. Thankfully, I’d come to my senses.

Looking over at the tree, I saw all the brightly wrapped gifts below. There was also a dollhouse in my closet that we’d put out from Santa. I had no idea if that’s what she’d actually wanted, but Nora assured me she’d asked for one all year long.

It was the first time this place had felt truly like a home. And I knew I had Nora and Taylor to thank for it. If I hadn’t offered them a place to stay the night of their apartment fire, then I may have never fallen in love with Nora. What if she’d been alone when Rex went after her? The thought of any harm coming to her or Taylor made me want to punch something, or someone.

With the wrapping paper put away once more, I stripped off my clothes and climbed into bed beside Nora. I breathed her in, kissed the top of her head, and closed my eyes. It had been one hell of a day.

Chapter Sixteen

Dawson

I parked the truck in front of my parents’ house, its festive lights twinkling like stars against the darkening sky. It hadn’t been decorated like this when I’d been here before, which meant Dad had likely done this for Taylor. Nora smiled at me as I cut the engine, her brown eyes warm with anticipation.

“Ready?” I asked, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

“Let’s do this,” she replied.

We climbed out into the frosty air, our boots crunching on the freshly fallen snow. Our weather had taken an unexpected turn. Snow in this part of the state hardly ever happened. But it looked like we were getting a white Christmas this year.

I helped Taylor out of her car seat, the little girl bouncing with excitement. I kept an eye on her, making sure she didn’t slip and fall.

“We’re gonna see Grandma and Grandpa!” she exclaimed, her cheeks rosy from the cold.

I chuckled, ruffling her blonde curls. “That’s right, sweetheart. Just don’t be too disappointed in the Christmas tree. They use a fake one that’s seen better days.”

For whatever reason, now that all of us were grown up, Mom only put one up on Christmas Eve morning and by Christmas night it was usually packed away again. Except this year, she’d had a certain little girl ask if she could help decorate. I had a feeling the tree would be going up a lot earlier in the years to come.

We made our way up the front walk, Taylor skipping between us and swinging our hands. My heart swelled with love for my little family. After everything Nora and Taylor had been through, they deserved all the joy and magic of Christmas.

The front door swung open before we even reached the porch, warm light spilling out into the night.

“There’s my beautiful granddaughter!” Mom exclaimed, her face splitting into a radiant smile. She knelt down and opened her arms wide.

“Grandma!” Taylor squealed, releasing our hands and launching herself into Mom’s embrace. Mom laughed and peppered her face with kisses, making the little girl giggle.

Rising to her feet with Taylor on her hip, Mom turned her vibrant blue gaze to Nora and me. “Come here, you two,” she said, reaching out to pull us each into a fierce one-armed hug. “Merry Christmas! I’m so glad y’all could make it.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Mom,” I said, kissing her cheek. The scent of warm vanilla and cinnamon enveloped me, transporting me back to childhood Christmases filled with laughter and love. Of course, I knew it wasn’t from something she’d baked. It was most likely an air freshener of some sort.

Mom ushered us inside, closing the door against the biting chill. “Everyone’s in the living room,” she said, setting Taylor on her feet. “Go on in and make yourselves at home.”

As we rounded the corner, the massive Christmas tree came into view, glittering with what had to be hundreds of twinkling lights and glinting ornaments. Garlands of evergreen draped across the mantel, and the sweet smell of sugar cookies wafted from the kitchen.

Wait. Sugar cookies? I eyed my mother. Since when did she know how to bake? And where did the monster of a tree come from? She usually put up a five-foot fake one. It was the same one she’d had for years, and it had started to look a little ragged.

Nora paused beside me, her eyes wide as she took it all in. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed, slipping her hand into mine.

I lifted her fingers to my lips, brushing a kiss across her knuckles. “Not as beautiful as you,” I murmured, my heart so full it felt near to bursting. Nora ducked her head, color blooming on her cheeks. My compliments still made her blush. It was adorable as hell.

“Daddy, can we open presents now?” Taylor tugged on my other hand, practically vibrating with impatience. “Can we, can we, pleeeease?”

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