Page 77 of The Alien Who Saved Christmas
“Yeah, but this is a little bit fancier than a silver locket.”
“The sentiment behind the gift is the same, I believe. We both want our wives to know they make our hearts goboom.”
She pressed her lips together, trying not to cry. “Thank you, Xane.” She wrapped her arms around him in a hug. “It’s the best present I ever got.”
He held her tight. “You’re welcome, Sadie Malone.”
“It’s ‘Sadie 1,’ now.” She corrected, running a hand over his horns and enjoying his shudder of pleasure. “I’ve decided to take my husband’s last name. Or I guessnumber. It kind of makes me sound like a pop star.”
Xane’s smile grew into a grin.
She gave a lofty shrug, like it was no big deal. “I’ll mostly just go by ‘princess,’ of course. Princess Sadie of Rtaharion. Her Royal Highness, Sadie. Sadie, the Great and Powerful. The One and Only…” She broke off with a laugh, as Xane rolled her onto her back, covering her with his body.
“Sadie 1, Xane’s permanent wife.” He finished for her.
“Yeah, that sounds good, too.”
“It sounds perfect.”
“Well, Ididmention we were close to sexual perfection, so that tracks.” She gave a teasing shrug. “We’re just awesome at being married.”
“Thank you for choosing me as your husband.” He whispered and bent his head to kiss her. “It is the best giftIever received.”
Sadie laid a palm against his cheek and met his beautiful eyes. “Merry Christmas, big guy.”
Epilogue
Deck the halls for human women,
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
Make one happy, then you’re winnin’,
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
From “Deck the Halls for Human Women”
A Christmas Carol for Non-Earthlings by Sadie1
Six Months Later
“I have examined my heart.” Xane told his wife. “I completed the analysis long ago, but I waited to tell you my findings, so you would know I undertook the endeavor in earnest.”
It was a warm night, but a breeze blew through the window, cooling off the interior of the bedroom. The distant sounds of music and celebration drifted from the castle, but Xane preferred the quiet of his own land.
With the credits Sadie had won at that casino (and the shocking amount of money that recordings of her strange Christmas carols generated), they were the wealthiest people on the planet. Her music was spreading around the universe so quickly he’d even heard a Tibollu humming about “Holly Jolly Quasars.” And Tibollus didn’t have tongues, vocal chords, or ears.
With all the extra income, Sadie and Xane had hired plenty of help for the ranch. The animals were thriving, and they’d added some crops, which reminded Sadie of her grandsire’s farm.
As he feared, they had not been able to plant “birds,” though. No species he consulted with could get him the proper seeds. But Sadie assured him the fields of blue wheat were just as satisfying as her grandsire’s turkey crops. Xane had to agree that the ranch was all he’d dreamed it would be. He found working on their land quite fulfilling and peaceful.
His sleepy wife was sprawled over his chest. He found that evenmorefulfilling and peaceful. He wanted to tell her everything that was in his heart.
Sadie didn’t seem interested in an analysis of his feelings, though. “Hmmm?” She got out, in drowsy unconcern. She was tousled and flushed from their lovemaking. No one had ever been more beautiful.
They lay together on the bed, two of his arms wrapped around her naked body, while his other two hands played with her remarkable brown hair.
They had had a busy day, as Sadie led the Rtaharions through their very first 4thof July celebration. The festivities related to Sadie’s “fourth favorite holiday” made little sense to Xane, but he’d enjoyed the meat cooked over an open fire and the fireworks displays that the armory had put on. And hereallyenjoyed making his wife happy. She adored holidays and was always coming up with some new one the Rtaharions had to add to the calendar. All day, she’d run around merrily coercing the kingdom to celebrate.
