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I move slowly toward her and trapping her with my body, I slide my hands around her midriff. “For the record, if I have already gotten you pregnant, I’ll be so damn happy, and won’t mind celebrating in the naked kinda way. If I haven’t yet, then we’ll practice until you are pregnant, and then we’ll continue to celebrate.” I kiss the curve of her neck and head toward the bedroom.
I’m so in love with that woman I can’t wait to make her my wife. I have every intention of asking her to marry me on Christmas, and it’s killing me, making all these plans with her but not mentioning marriage.
I’m not even afraid she’ll refuse because I know, with every breath in my body, she won’t. I just want to make our first Christmas together extra special, so I’ll wait. Even if it kills me.
79
Charlotte
Christmas eve, and Tanner along with his father have gone for last minute supplies into town. I opted to stay here and bake, and I already have Snickerdoodles and chocolate chip cookies cooling. I’ve just pulled the last tray of gingerbread from the oven and now the house has an amazing smell from the baking. Luckily I didn’t burn anything, which was good luck on my part. I have a habit of burning more cookies than I’ve actually made edible. On this occasion though, I have my cousin Sofia to thank for her guidance and tips. I don’t know why I’ve never asked her sooner.
Anyway, the strong scent of gingerbread is in the air, so I pour myself a fresh coffee, place a warm chocolate chip cookie onto a plate and make myself comfortable in the living room, sitting directly to the side of the window.
I love looking out with this view of the large barn to the side that is currently lit by the bright sun in the sky. It’s still freezing cold outside, and there is several feet of snow on the ground, but everything looks so quiet.
The trees are sprinkled with snow, and the holly bush that is directly in front of the window looks really pretty. There’s one particular Snow Bunting bird, sometimes known as a Snowflake that perches on the windowsill outside. It just sits there watching me, and the moment I move, it flies off. The black, grey, and white bird is beautiful, and it’s become a habit of mine to look for it. It hasn’t appeared today as of yet; or I missed it while I was baking.
I bite into my cookie, closing my eyes in delight to savor the flavor bursting on my tongue. The main one being melted chocolate. It’s gone in seconds and while I’m washing it down with sips of coffee, I debate moving to get another, but decide against it. For now, anyway.
After last night, I can’t help wondering if I’m
already pregnant. My hand automatically goes to my stomach as I imagine being swollen with Tanner’s child. A smile curves my lips as my imagination runs away, thinking about how sexy Tanner will look with our child cradled in his arms.
The feelings he brings out in me remind me of the emotions my sister, Sirena, had once tried to explain to me when she fell in love with Garret so quickly…and while I’m thinking about family, my parents come to mind.
They know I’m safe and where I want to be, but I’ve yet to talk to them. I’m not even sure why I’m so hesitant. My parents are amazing and I’ve always been able to talk to them about anything. I’m wondering whether it’s because here with Tanner, I’m so happy and we’re in a world of our own really. But talking to my family back home makes the decision I’ve made to move here even more difficult, and I really don’t want to announce that over the phone on Christmas.
It’s something I’ll tell them when I’m home before the New Year. Hopefully my mom won’t push for answers, when I call her tomorrow. She always knows when we’re holding something back from her. She does it with Dad, although he’s had more experience at hiding things than we have.
Finishing my cup of coffee, I notice the small bird has appeared but it doesn’t stay today, and that’s because it’s disturbed by Tanner’s truck coming to a sudden stop out front. It skidded some with how quickly he must have hit the brakes.
I frown as I get up from the chair and head toward the front door. As soon as I put my hand on the smooth handle the door opens, slamming so hard, I end up on my ass on the floor completely stunned.
“Fuck,” Tanner curses and placing the shopping to the floor, reaches out, tugging me back to my feet. “What the hell! Why are you standing behind the door? Shit.” He tugs me into his arms and I feel whatever anger he came in with, slowly drain out of him. His face is buried in my neck and then I feel his lips there. “I’m sorry. This is my fault.”
“If you hadn’t been angry then it would have hurt less. I was standing behind the door, which you weren’t to know. My head and bottom hurt, but otherwise, I’m okay.”
“We’ll ice your head or something.” He lets me go and picks the sacks of shopping up from the floor.
Hearing shuffling at the door, I quickly step away and smile when Derek walks through just as loaded up as Tanner. His eyes widen when he looks at me. He drops his load, and tilts my face up to his to have a closer look. “What happened? That looks nasty.”
“It’s that bad?”
“You’re going to have one hell of a bruise when it’s done.”
I sigh.
“It’s my fault. I slammed in to the house, not knowing she was behind the door.” Tanner winces moving toward us. “I knocked her down.” He reaches out and caresses the side of my face. “I feel sick that I did that to you.”
Wrapping my arms around his neck, his hands drop to my waist, and I hold his gaze. “It was an accident, Tanner. I honestly don’t blame you. I saw you come into the yard quickly, and wondered what was wrong… Please don’t worry.”
He picks me up and carries me into the kitchen. Placing me on the countertop, he tenderly kisses my sore forehead. “Do you need anything for the pain?”
I shake my head and wince. “I was going to say no, but on second thought…”
Tanner kisses my cheek before turning and rooting through a top cupboard. “We only have Tylenol. Is that okay?”
“That’s fine.”
