Page 58 of Pregnant by the Texan
“Not now. You’ll never be left out of anything with me.”
“I think you’re speeding. I’d hate for the new acting mayor to get pulled over the first few hours I have the job.”
“I want to get home to be alone with you,” he said as he slowed.
In minutes they reached her town house. “My trunk is filled with Christmas gifts. I’m not carrying them in tonight. I’ll get them in the morning,” he said.
“I have to go shopping tomorrow. I’ve been so busy I haven’t gotten all my presents and I don’t have any for you yet. I really didn’t expect to be with you Christmas.”
“But now you will be if I can talk you into it. How disappointed will your sister be if you don’t come this year and we spend Christmas here, just the two of us?”
“With three kids, she won’t care. We can go sometime during the holidays. We can call her.”
“We sure can, but later. I have other plans when I close the door.”
“Do you really?” she teased.
He parked where she directed him to and came around to open her door. As soon as they stepped into her entryway, Aaron closed the door behind him and turned to pull her into his embrace, giving a kiss that was filled with love and longing.
* * *
Later Stella lay in his arms while he toyed with her hair. The covers were pulled up under her arms.
Aaron stretched out his arm to pick up his phone and get a calendar. “Let’s set a date now.”
“Aaron,” she said, trailing her fingers along his jaw, “since I just accepted the job of acting mayor, I feel a responsibility for Royal. I’ll have to live here until I’m no longer acting mayor.”
“I’m here all the time anyway. I’ll work from here and go to Dallas when I feel I need to. We can build a house here if you want. Remember, that is my business.”
“Whatever you’d like. When my job ends, I don’t mind moving to Dallas.”
“We’ll work it all out. I just want to be with you.”
“Our honeymoon may have to come after baby is here,” she said.
“Baby is here,” he echoed. “Stella, I’ve told you before and I’ll tell you again—I’m overjoyed about the baby. I lost Blake and he was one of the big loves of my life. I have a second chance here to be a dad. I’m thrilled and I hope you are.”
“I am. Do you particularly want another little boy?”
“No, I don’t care,” he said, and she smiled, relieved and happy that he didn’t have his heart set on having a boy.
“Just a baby. I can’t tell you.” His voice had gotten deep and she realized he was emotional about the baby he’d lost. She hugged him and rose up to kiss him, tasting a salty tear. His hurt caused her heart to ache. “Aaron, I’m so glad about this baby. And we can have more.”
He pulled her down to kiss her hard. When he released her, she saw he had a better grip on his emotions. “For a tough, military-type guy, you’re very tenderhearted,” she said.
“I am thrilled beyond words to be a dad. That’s why I got those necklaces for you. I love you, Stella.”
“I love you,” she responded.
“Now let’s set a date for a wedding. How about a wedding between Christmas and New Year’s? That’s a quiet time. January won’t be.”
“You’re right. I’d say a very quiet wedding after Christmas. Can you do that, Mr. Nichols?”
“I can. Want to fly to Dallas next week to get a wedding dress from Cecilia? That’ll be a Christmas present to you.”
She smiled. “Your love is my Christmas present. Your love, your baby, this fabulous ring. Aaron, I love you with all my heart. I give you my love for Christmas.” Joy filled her while she looked into his brown eyes.
“Merry, merry Christmas, darling,” he said as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to kiss her.
