Page 19 of The More the Merrier

"We haven't watched all the good ones, Daddy! We still haven't watchedPolar Express,The Grinch that Stole Christmas,Home AloneorA Christmas Story, and we have to watchNoelleagain, too, since I fell asleep the first time."

"Oh, do we? Is that the plan, then? Christmas movies from now until bedtime?" I'd never admit it, but it sounded like a pretty good plan to me.

Noelle bit her lip and twitched her nose as she looked around the room, considering. "Ummm…no… You guys can watch news or sports or something boring that I don't like. I need to wrap presents. The Christmas tree looks naked without any presents underneath it."

"Oh. Well. We certainly can't have a naked-looking Christmas tree, now can we?" I teased.

"Nuh-uh!" Noelle replied earnestly. "We can't."

"Okay, then. You go wrap presents and when you're done we can watchNoelleagain since you missed it the first time."

Noelle skipped as she carried her dishes to the kitchen, kissed us both on the cheek, and skipped down the hallway. "I'm locking the bedroom door," she called out. "Don't try to come in and peek!"

"We won't," I promised, carrying mine and Liam's dishes into the kitchen and loading them into the dishwasher.

I straightened to find Liam standing behind me. "I came to see if you needed help."

"It was three bowls, three spoons and a pot. I got it." Stepping closer and closing the space between us, I leaned my forehead against his.

"How are you, babyboy? You seem to be in a much better mood today. I like it."

A slow, wide, Cheshire cat grin spread across his face. "Funny how a good orgasm or two will do that for you." He looped his arms around my waist and pulled me closer. "No, but seriously. Thank you for pulling me out of my funk and making me talk to you. All the gunk and crap is still there in the back of my mind, but knowing that you and Noelle have my back really helps and means the world to me."

"We always have your back, babyboy, always." I paused. " Speaking of Noelle, are we sure she isn't just in there searching for presents we've bought, trying to sneak a peek?"

"Have you even bought any presents?" Liam retorted. It was no secret that I was a notoriously last-minute shopper.

I shrugged. "A few small ones here and there. Nothing earth shattering.”

"And you hid them in the bedroom?"

"Yeah, where else?"

"I don't know… like just about anywhere else." He snorted. "Amateur."

"Maybe I should just go check on her…"

Liam laughed. "Yup. Go."

I hurried to the bedroom and knocked on the door. "Can I come in?"

"I guess so." She sounded annoyed.

I opened the door and found her sitting on the floor surrounded by rolls of wrapping paper, spools of ribbon, and stacks of boxes.

"Did you buy out the stores?" I joked.

Noelle rolled her eyes. "It's not that much. I just like spoiling you guys."

"I see that. I just came to check. You haven't been in here snooping, have you?"

She gasped as she realized why I was asking. "Daddy! You already did your shopping? You didn't wait until the last minute?" There was a thoughtful pause. "That's probably good, because who knows when it's gonna be safe to get through and I doubt they are delivering anything in this weather."

"Yeah…" Crap. I hadn't thought about that. "I only got a few things. And just for you. I haven't gotten Liam anything yet."

"Oh no!" Her upset was genuine. "Do you need some stuff? I can let you have some of the stuff I got him. I did maybe over-shop a little bit."

"Oh, just a tiny bit?" I teased, leaning down to kiss her on the cheek. "Thank you for that, but I'm okay. I'll just have to get creative this year."

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