Page 92 of Permanently Pucked

Nathan is struggling to get over the baby gate. He looks exhausted. He hasn’t slept much at all in the two days since we brought Isabel home from the hospital. He gets up to help me with diaper changes and to keep me company when I’m nursing throughout the night but I also secretly think he’s afraid if he sleeps he’ll miss too much. Or maybe that if he sleeps he’ll wake up and this will have all been a dream.

I understand and appreciate him, but I wish he would sleep. He looks more than a little grumpy. Crew’s gift from last night isn’t helping. Crew gave us all silly Christmas T-shirts and matching red plaid pajama pants to wear while we eat breakfast and open presents this morning.

I think it’s adorable.

Nathan does not.

My T-shirt, which I am happily wearing, says "Christmas Cookie." Michael’s says "Daddy Claus." The one Crew got for himself reads "Christmas Crew" and Isabel’s red onesie says "Best. Gift. Ever." which we all absolutely agree on.

Nathan’s shirt says, "Christmas Grinch."

Which Crew finds hilarious.

"It’s a gift," Crew says, coming into the living room wearing his pajamas and carrying a glass of orange juice. "You can’t reject a gift. It’s rude."

Nathan still hasn’t made it over the baby gate. He’s been trying to undo the latch. He rattles it in irritation then sighs and climbs over it, using the railing for support.

"Are you okay, Nathan?" I ask in a soft voice. "You don’t have to wear the shirt."

"Yes, he does," Crew protests.

Michael gives Crew a look.

Crew immediately relents. "She’s right, Nate. You don’t have to wear it. I was just trying to have some fun."

Now Nathan looks sheepish. He comes over and kisses the top of my head. "I’m wonderful. Seriously. This is the best Christmas I’ve ever had in my entire life. I’m just a little tired."

I unlatch Isabel and lift her to gently pat her back. Nathan immediately reaches out. "Can I take her?"

"Of course."

We do the transfer and he rests her against his chest, closing his eyes briefly and sighing. Tears spring up in my eyes. Seeing Nathan as a father is beautiful.

Michael has cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. Our gas fireplace is pumping out heat and our Christmas tree is tall and proud, twinkling merrily. Snow is gently drifting down onto our street and it’s picture perfect. It’s a Hallmark movie. If Hallmark movies had poly romances in them.

Nathan is gently swaying. "I love the shirt," he tells Crew. "And I’m not even mad that I’m wearing the matching pants with you and Michael."

Crew lets out a laugh. "That almost killed you, didn’t it?"

"Really close to death here. But if I’m going out, this is the way to do it."

Michael sees the tears in my eyes and he gives me a soft smile, bending over so we’re eye level. "Do you need anything?"

That makes me sniffle, my throat tight. I reach for the tea he made me. "No. I have everything I could ever want."

"Me too." He gives me a light kiss before standing back up. "I should shovel the driveway before it gets too deep. Everyone’s coming over at two, right?"

I nod. "Yes. The whole family. Even my parents. They’re excited to meet Isabel."

The McNeills will be here, Val, Michael’s parents and siblings and his nieces and nephews. He was worried it would be too much for me, but I’m looking forward to seeing everyone and letting the whole extended family see the baby, without us having to leave our house. Everyone is bringing a potluck dish, which is a foreign concept to Nathan, who wanted to cater it, but I prefer the love that comes with the whole family pitching in.

"Let me shovel," Crew says. "I haven’t worked out in five days. I’ll do a quick pass and then we can eat, right? I’m going to destroy those cinnamon rolls."

That makes me smile. Crew is always thinking about his stomach.

"I need some coffee. Badly." Nathan turns to Michael. "Here, your turn."

"Isabel needs to nurse on the other side," I tell him.

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