"Merry Christmas, Mama," a nurse says hours later, laying the baby on my chest. "Your baby girl is perfect."
"Alaric," I sob, staring in awe at the tiny baby squirming on my chest. She lets out a wail and then nuzzles her face against the side of my breast and settles down. "She's so beautiful."
"She is beautiful," he rasps from beside me, clinging to my hand.
She has a head of dark hair and the cutest little nose. She's so small, smaller than her brothers were. But she's perfect. Tearsslip down my cheeks, dripping into my hair as I run my free hand down her soft head.
"Hi, baby," I say. "I'm your mama."
"Fuck," Alaric chokes.
I turn my face up to him, laughing and crying at the same time. His eyes are bright with moisture as he stares at me and our daughter. I've never felt his love as acutely as I do in this moment. It blazes from him, shining as bright as the sun.
"You're perfect," he whispers, leaning down to kiss me gently. "Both of you are absolutely perfect."
I don't doubt him. I never do.
"What are you going to name her?" the nurse asks.
"Noelle," I whisper, glancing at Alaric.
He grins at me, running his hand across our daughter's head. "December and Noelle, my angels."
Chasing Christmas
Nichole Rose
Copyright © 2022-2023 by Nichole Rose
All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
Originally Published as Kaiden and Laura in Hollywood Humbug.
Contents
Epigraph
About the Book
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine