Page 155 of One Good Puck
I lean up and kiss him. “I know you could have. But what you got her was perfect. I don’t want my kid to be a spoiled brat with a million gifts,” I joke.
His mouth slants up in a smile. He sips his coffee and slides his arm around me, hugging me tight.
“I just want this Christmas to be special for her. And you.”
My heart slingshots around my chest. “It’s already the most amazing Christmas because we get to spend it with you, Gavin.”
He drops a soft kiss to my lips. For a quiet moment, we just stand there and hold each other while gazing at the Christmas tree that’s covered in pretty ornaments and sparkling white lights. Early morning sunlight filters in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the whole house in a soft glow. My heart feels so full, like it’s about to burst.
I never thought I’d have this. I never thought I’d have a partner to share these special moments with. But now I do.
Just then, we hear soft footsteps from down the hall. Emma appears in her pink pajamas. When she sees the gifts under the tree, her eyes go wide.
“Wow! Are all those for me?”
Gavin smiles. “They sure are, kiddo.”
She runs over to the two of us and hugs us.
“Merry Christmas, honey,” I say to her, kissing the top of her head.
“Merry Christmas!” she says excitedly. “Can I open my presents?”
“Soon, honey. We’re going to wait for Sophie, Xander, and his mom to come over first, remember?”
Shenods.
“Gavin, are you gonna make pancakes with chocolate chips for breakfast?” she asks.
“I sure am, kiddo.”
An hour later, we’re sitting by the tree with Sophie, Xander, and his mom Jeannette, opening gifts.
Emma tears the wrapping paper off a large box. When she pulls out a pair of white figure skates, she squeals.
“My own ice skates!”
Gavin grins. “And you get to take lessons too.”
Her jaw drops. “I do?”
He and I both nod.
She hops up from the couch and runs over to Gavin and hugs him. “Thank you thank you thank you! This is the best gift ever! I love you!”
I gasp softly at hearing Emma say she loves Gavin.Oh, my heart.
When I look at Gavin, his eyes are teary. He wraps his arms around her, hugging her back. “Love you too, kiddo.”
Sophie sniffles and smiles as she watches Emma hug her dad.
Emma moves to hug me. “Thanks, Mom.”
“It was all Gavin’s idea. He was so excited to give those to you,” I say.
Emma walks over to the tree and grabs a small gift-wrapped box. She hands it to Gavin.
“Merry Christmas!” She beams.
