Page 44 of Merry with a Single Dad

“I think this is it,” I said in awe.

All eyes were on Gigi as we watched her belly contract.

This was it. The first puppy was coming.

We all held our breath. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched. Celine and I clasped hands as the first small, wet bundle appeared.

“Oh!” Celine and I said in unison.

Elodie and Savannah sank down beside us.

My heart leaped, and tears stung my eyes. The first puppy, no bigger than the palm of my hand, was here.

Gigi’s motherly instincts kicked in. She turned to the tiny puppy, cleaning it with careful strokes of her tongue.

For the next couple of hours, we watched and monitored Gigi and each new puppy. A little after two o’clock, the ninth puppy was born.

Precious little bundles, all nestled up against her warm belly, nursed quietly. Their tiny bodies rose and fell with each breath. Gigi closed her eyes, finally able to relax after hours of strenuous work.

“That was so amazing,” I said. Overcome with the miracle of birth, I covered my face with my hands and cried.

Chris, oblivious to why I was so emotional, held me in his arms. “They’re doing great. You were incredible,” he whispered. His smooth, gentle strokes calmed me, and I couldn’t help but hug him tighter.

After a few moments of comfort and ensuring my emotions wouldn’t overrule my head at this moment, I turned in his arms. “Hudson is going to be so excited.”

“He probably won’t even care about presents,” Chris said.

“Celine. Elodie,” I whispered, scooting out of his arms. “Let’s get you some blankets and get you comfortable.”

“Do you want to take the couch?” Savannah asked. “I can sleep on the floor.”

“Oh, no. Thank you. That’s so sweet of you to offer,” Celine said. “But I’m not leaving her side.”

Once Gigi, her puppies, Celine, Elodie, and Savannah, were tucked into their respective beds, Chris and I slunk back to his bedroom.

We collapsed, exhausted from all the work and excitement of playing Santa and delivering puppies.

“Em?” Chris whispered just as I was about to drift off to sleep.

“Hm?” I murmured.

He cupped my face and pressed his lips to mine. “Merry Christmas, baby.”

My eyes fluttered open. Under the moonlight that filtered in through the window, I could see his eyes.

“I love you,” he said.

“I love you too,” I whispered. “Merry Christmas.”

I turned over and scooted into the crook of his body.

When his hand covered my stomach, I almost yelped. But I held it in, settling into his embrace. A perfect fit. I covered his hand with mine and closed my eyes. I already loved the baby growing inside me more than life itself.

“Puppies!” Hudson shouted as he jumped between us on the bed.

His wide eyes were filled with excitement as he stared at us.

“Aren’t they cute?” I asked.

---