Page 81 of Take Me Home for Christmas

I shook my head. “Of course not.” When he sent me a questioning look, I shrugged. “Just open it.”

He tore it open to reveal…a snow globe, similar to the one Brax had given me six years ago that sat on my desk at work and that I fondly looked at a hundred times a day. It inspired me and reminded me of who I aspired to be. The inside of this one, however, was a completely different scene. It held a family. A man and a woman, and two little children, all bundled in winter coats, building a snowman. And a golden retriever frolicking in the snow.

“We don’t have a dog,” he said slowly.

“Not yet,” I said with a smile. “Keep going.” I made a rolling motion with my hands.

Frowning, he looked from me to the globe, studying it carefully. He lifted his head and met my eyes. “…or a second child.”

“That’s correct.” I nodded sagely. “But in about eight months, we will.”

It was the big thrills of my life to watch his eyes grew wide and the truth dawn. “No way.”

“Yes, way.”

He moved fast, so fast, I’m not sure how he carefully set down the globe and tackled me on the bed. “Dr. D’Angelo-Hughes, congratulations.” He gave me a loving gaze, his eyes full of happiness. The exact same happiness that was overflowing in my heart.

“It’s going to get a little busier around here,” I said. “You okay with that?”

“I love being insanely busy and having no sleep and working twenty-four seven. It reminds me of our residency days.”

He shook his head incredulously, and then he kissed me tenderly. I wrapped my arms around his neck, felt the familiar silkiness of his thick hair, and pulled him in closer. His lips were soft and so familiar, moving over mine in a way that sent warmth flooding through me, making me breathless and dizzy. Still.

“Thank you for giving me your love. Every day is like Christmas with you,” he said.

“You make me my best self,” I said. “You helped me find my true destiny.”

“I’m glad mine’s with you.” He kissed me. “Love you.”

“Love you too. Merry Christmas.”

Then we headed out to tell the fam our news.

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