Page 68 of Bear Creek Christmas
Knox’s belly laugh shook both Levi and the bed.
“We’re mates now and can do anything we please, even if my bear thinks it’s weird.”
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In the afternoon, Leviset up a facetime call with his family. Though they’d celebrated only a month ago, they still gathered on Christmas Day to share a meal and play games. Greetings flew back and forth, and then Levi asked Erin how she was feeling.
“The morning sickness is better, and I saw my doctor. She says everything looks good so far.”
Knox threw out a question of his own.
“Boy or girl?”
A grinning Todd answered this one.
“We won’t know until next month when she gets an ultrasound. Even then, they can’t always tell. We haven’t decided if we want to know or be surprised.”
Levi thought this might be a good time for an important announcement of his own.
“I want you all to know that as of yesterday, Knox and I are officially mates.”
Peggy burst into happy tears, Jett threw a fist in the air, Erin and Todd offered wide smiles, and Rachel pointed her finger at the screen.
“It’s about time! I’d have kicked your butt if Knox got away.”
Levi’s father seemed very pleased and wanted to know if they intended to get married. Knox shrugged and looked at his mate.
“We, uh, haven’t talked about it yet, dad. If we do, it probably wouldn’t be until summer.”
Knox kissed the side of his head, and Levi continued.
“Hey, let me show you what Knox made me for Christmas.”
They walked to the new study and did a three-sixty of the room amid oohs and ahhs. Jett piped up.
“Awesome! Did he make all of that?”
“He sure did. My mate is very talented, as you can see.”
For only the second time in Levi’s memory, Knox blushed. After returning to the living room and showing them the decorated cabin, Peggy asked about the weather.
“According to the news, the storm is hitting you pretty hard right now. Are you boys all right?”
Levi opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He wasn’t ready to talk about the crash yet, so Knox answered instead.
“Yeah, it’s pretty bad out there, but we have what we need. We’re both safe.”
Off-camera, Levi mouthed a silent “thank you” and then wished everyone a Merry Christmas before ending the call. They sat down on the couch, and Knox squeezed his hand.
“We don’t need to talk about the accident again until the storm is over. This is your break, so what else would you like to do?”
The remainder of the day was a pleasant mix of movies, meals, and laughter. At Levi’s request, they made love in front of the fireplace, with the room lit up by Christmas lights. In the afterglow, Levi’s scent changed, and Knox asked him what was wrong.
“I feel bad about your presents. I mean, you spent tons of money and time to make me a beautiful office, which I love, but you didn’t get anything.”
Knox leaned up on one arm to look down at Levi’s face. Warm firelight cast flickering shadows across his handsome features, flooding Knox’s heart with love so intense he nearly burst.
“Wrong, mate. You’re the one thing I wanted most, and no gift in the world is more precious. As long as I have you, nothing else matters.”
