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“It’s because of the bon bons that he put me in the bath.”
“Okay, now you’re sounding like a true crazy person, Mum. What in the heck is going on over there?”
She tells me what happened and then says, “As for the air con, it’s still not working. King is still trying to get it fixed, but I’ve accepted my fate and fully expect to be sweating my ass off for days.”
“Right, so I should dress appropriately. Good to know. That’s all I was texting for. You may return to your Zen mission.”
We end the call and I choose a dress to wear to the barbecue. I then pull my hair up into a messy bun to keep it off my shoulders.
Fury has taken Noah to his mother’s house and should be home soon. The three of us had a great time this morning opening presents and having Christmas breakfast together. And celebrating my birthday. They spoiled me with yummy food and lots of love; I haven’t felt this special on my birthday since I was a kid and Mum spoiled me.
As I head into the laundry to set a load of washing to wash this afternoon, a text comes through.
* * *
King: You got any bon bons at your place?
Me: I have three spare ones.
King: Bring them with you today.
Me: You having trouble finding enough?
King: Yeah.
Me: Well at least Mum is all Zen-like in her bath. Good job. She’s been crazy for days.
* * *
He doesn’t send any more texts; I figure he’s got a mission and a half ahead of him trying to source bon bons on Christmas Day. I can’t wait to find out if he pulls it off, but then again, this is King; the man can pull miracles out of his ass when it comes to making Mum happy.
I’m drawn from my thoughts when I hear the garage door open and Fury’s ute drive in. My belly does flips at the thought of being alone with him.
I hurry out to the garage but come to a stop just outside it when I hear the sound of a dog and then Fury saying, “Shh, you’re supposed to be a surprise, little one.”
My heart melts at what he says.
The last time he was home, we hung out with some of my work friends at a picnic in a park and one of them had a dog with them. The dog took to Fury, and I loved watching him play with it. Later that night, as we were falling asleep, I’d told him how much I’d love a dog. The man never forgets anything I tell him.
The door to the garage opens and Fury comes into view. He’s holding the cutest little white French bulldog in his arms and I melt some more. Watching Fury with his son is an ovary explosion in the making; I’m pretty sure watching him with this dog is going to be the same.
His face breaks out in a smile before he looks down at the puppy and says, “This is your mummy.” And then, looking back up at me, he says, “Merry Christmas, baby,” before handing the dog to me.
I take the puppy from him, surprised and excited all in one. “You bought me a dog?”
He moves closer so he can kiss me. “Well, she’s both of ours so long as you don’t decide to stop test driving me. And if you do, then she’s all yours. But since we both know I’m never letting you go, you have to share her with me.”
“Oh my God! We have a dog!” I bend my face so I can kiss her, and she gets all excited, licking me and wiggling in my arms. When I’ve got my fill of her, I pull Fury in for another kiss. “Thank you! This really is the best birthday and Christmas ever.”
“You take her inside. I’ve just gotta get her food and toys out of the car. And you need to think of a name for her.”
I smile, already knowing her name.
When I don’t say anything, he prods me, “You already have one, don’t you?”
My smile grows. “Grace.”
Ever since the time four years ago when he told me to give myself some grace, I’ve never forgotten his advice and have often repeated it to myself in times of need. And sometimes we say it to each other now. It’s definitely one of our things, and the name is perfect for our first baby together.
