Page 3 of A Very Montgomery Christmas

“I thought we did everything. You didn’t need to get me anything. I promise. I love you guys so much.”

I swallowed hard and nearly started crying just then. But I knew that if I did, we wouldn’t stop, and we’d be late for dinner.

“You are the best Christmas gift, birthday gift, 4th of July gift, any gift a dad could ask for,” I said as I tucked a curl behind her ear.

“Okay, great, now I’m crying,” Arden said, and she wrapped her arms around Jasper as her favorite dog licked her chin. “Seriously you guys are so cute.”

“We try,” I said dryly.

“Now, Lake, your surprise is right at eye level. Do you see it?”

Lake looked around, her eyes wide, and she shook her head. “Is that a new ornament? Is it for Jasper? I don’t get it.”

I met Arden’s gaze, and she rolled her eyes. “I knew you would make it complicated,” she said. “We should have just wrapped the thing.”

“But I liked the ornament,” I said dryly, and I pulled it off the tree before handing it to Lake.

It was a little snow globe with a tiny dog bone inside.

“What’s this?” She asked, holding the ornament with care. “It’s so pretty. I love it. Is the ornament for me and the tree?”

I met Arden’s gaze, and I couldn’t help but give her a wobbly smile. “It’s part of it,” I whispered.

“Is it for Jasper too? Because of the dog bone.”

She let him sniff it, and I winced, afraid that he was going to break it. Not that Jasper wasn’t the most careful dog I had ever met, but things happened. But both were so careful and reverent with each other that I shouldn’t have been worried.

“It’s for the family, but it means that there will be one more family member in our tiny little Montgomery family.”

She froze, her eyes wide before she looked between the three of us. “You mean I’m getting a brother or sister?”

“Liam, you need to stop being the writer and just put it all out there,” Arden said softly, and she moved to hold our daughter close.

“Yes, one day we’re going to do our best to get you a baby brother or sister. We’ve already talked about that, remember?”

“I remember. And I’ve always wanted a brother or sister. I’m okay with that. Even if she comes from your belly.”

Arden kissed our daughter again, and I swallowed hard. “You are the greatest treasure we could ever imagine having. And I love you very much, and one day if we are blessed, you will have a brother or sister. However, for now, remember what we talked about with Jasper?”

Lake froze, and her eyes widened. “We’re getting Jasper a brother or sister?”

“Yes,” Arden said, laughing.

Lake looked at me and started bouncing on Arden’s lap. My wife winced, but she didn’t say anything. It didn’t matter what happened just then, not with the joy radiating off of Lake’s face.

“What does that mean? Is this ornament for them?”

I nodded. “We are getting another puppy, just like Jasper, but you are going to help us pick them out.”

Lake moved her gaze between us. “But I thought he was supposed to help Mom. Isn’t he supposed to be trained to be able to get along with Mom first? I’ll love whatever puppy you bring. I promise.”

That did it. I wiped my face as Arden openly wept. “I love you so much,” Arden whispered.

Lake looked confused between us. “Why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?”

“You did nothing wrong,” Arden said softly. “And yes, because he or she will be for me, we’re going to do our best to make sure that we make the right connection, but all of these puppies are trained to help with medical alerts, like what I need. But you will help me make the final decision because they’re going to be part of our family. Not just mine.”

“I’ll help. I promise. Jasper, you’re going to have a brother or sister!” She carefully handed me the ornament before flinging her arms around Jasper. Jasper barked in glee once, lifted his chin, and the two of them began dancing around the living room. Jasper looked like a puppy himself, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

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