Page 117 of Dr. Bad Boy

“Merry Christmas,” I add, kissing her again. “Merry Christmas,love.”

Now that’s an endearment I could get used to.

“Most definitely,” she says, her eyes twinkling as she tugs me closer to the presents.

Buying her presents had been a challenge. I didn’t want to get her more clothes and shoes and underwear, although all of those are good. But they’re now tied to scenes for me, and until this morning, I wasn’t sure where we stood on that front.

I should have just asked her, although I don’t think I’ll ever forget that Christmas fuck as long as I live, so maybe this way was good, too.

Her presents for me have been sitting on my coffee table for two days now. Other people might find that tempting. I just found it a good source of intel for my last minute Christmas Eve shopping yesterday. She got me three gifts, one small, one medium, one large. The medium one looks pretty much like a book. Not sure on the other two, but logic suggests that if a book is given full weight as a wrapped gift, the other two might be commensurate in value.

On the other hand, I’ve already been proven an idiot once this morning, so I might have no clue.

Regardless, I followed that lead and bought her three gifts as well: small, medium, and large.

“How do you want to do this?” I sit down on the floor next to the coffee table and spread my legs. She sits in front of me and I wrap my arms around her. “Alternate or do you want to open yours first?”

She laughs. “No and no. You go first.”

“I don’t like that plan,” I protest. I’m eager for her to open her gifts now.

“Tough.” She grins and hands me the medium one, that I’m pretty sure is a book.

I rip the glossy paper, and it’s actually three books.

Three Dr. Suess books.

I laugh and lift the cover on the first one,Oh The Places You’ll Go. Inside she’s written an inscription.

Max,

I almost got you a different travel book, but given how our lives are about to change, this one seemed most appropriate. Let’s teach the little one to love adventures as much as we do.

Love, Violet

Christmas 2016

I move the books to one hand so I can cup the back of her neck with the other, pulling her close for a kiss. “Thank you,” I whisper. I mean that for a hell of a lot more than the book, but it’s a good place to start.

“Keep reading,” she whispers against my mouth, and I ease back.

The next one isHow the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Max,

Welcome to Whoville.

Love, Violet

Christmas 2016

I swallow hard at that. I haven’t read the book in years, but I’m pretty sure I know what that means. No matter what, Violet’s going to make sure I celebrate Christmas. That it’s a happy day, and a simple day.

I clear my throat. “Wow. That’s…”

“Too dorky?”

“No. It’s perfect.”

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