Page 49 of A Not So Merry Ex-Mas

The fire roars to life, and I watch the flames grab the air. Heat lulls me into a sense of peace that’s been a constant companion for the last twelve months. The constant pop from the kitchen tells me that my wife is making popcorn for the dreaded garland.

This past year has flown by, and I can’t believe it’s Christmas again. Noelle and I are alone in the cabin. Mike and Mel are spending this year with their parents for Micah’s first Christmas.

Noelle was right, and Mel was indeed pregnant, almost six months along, when they told us about theirbaby secret. Waiting until the second trimester to tell anyone was the smart thing to do, especially considering their past disappointments.

I waited as long as possible to ask Noelle to marry me, which was all of 60 days. Even though I was ready to hop on a plane and do a quiet destination wedding, heck, the courthouse would’ve been fine, Noelle wanted Mel by her side.

Mel, on the other hand, wasn’t willing to wear a bridesmaid gown at eight months pregnant, so we waited. Having Mike, Mel, and baby Micah there was the perfect addition, and I wouldn’t have changed it for the world.

I add another log to the fire just as Noelle leaves the kitchen.

“I’ve got the popcorn.” She chirps happily, carrying a bowl and some Twizzlers. I might have groaned except for the smile on her face that made my breath catch. I swear this woman gets more beautiful every day. Her skin is radiant. “What, no complaining?”

“You want popcorn garland, Bug, you get popcorn garland.” I stand up and take a seat on the couch.

The smile she beams my way is worth the torture I’ll endure for the next unknown amount of hours threading popcorn. So is the kiss she leans in to giveme. Next year, we can talk about something other than popcorn, but this year, she can have whatever she wants.

“Where are you going?” I ask when she heads back into the kitchen.

“Getting the hot chocolate,” The glint in her eyes has me smiling back at her. “I couldn’t carry itandthe popcorn.”

I nod, pick up the bowl she just put down, and throw a handful of buttery goodness in my mouth.

“Cole Nichols!” She scowls at me, holding two mugs as she walks back to the couch. “If you eat any more of that popcorn, we won’t have enough for the tree.”

“A man can hope,” I mumble.

“What did you say?”

“Sorry, honey.” She glowers at my use of the nickname as she hands me my cup. But I can tell she’s pressing her lips together to keep a smile from breaking free.

“Here! Drink this and keep your hands off the popcorn.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I give her a two-finger salute and lift the mug to my lips. I stop it before the lip touches my mouth.

I read the words in front of me multiple times before looking up at Noelle. Her eyes are shiny, and she nods at me.

I look back to the mug and read the words one more time.New to this Dad thing.

“Is this a mug Mel got Mike?” My brows pull together, still struggling to grasp the meaning of the words I’m reading.

Noelle’s laughter rings through the cabin. She sits beside me on the couch and hugs my arm, leaning into me.

“Cole,” she turns my face toward her and presses her lips to mine before saying. “You’re going to be a dad.”

“How is this possible?”

“Dear.” Her eyes widen and a smirk lines her lips. “Please don’t tell me I need to explain to you about the birds and the bees.”

I chuckle and roll my eyes at her. “Okay, I guess I stepped in that one.”

“You could say that.” Her smile is so bright and her eyes are gleaming, making my stomach flutter.

“Are you pregnant?” Shock rolling off of me in waves. She gently wraps her hands around my face and kisses me. I wrap my arms around her waist and pullher on my lap as she giggles. “As much as I enjoy that, it doesn’t answer my question.”

“Yes.” She whispers against my lips. “I’m pregnant.”

I cup her cheeks with my hands as a smile stretches my face so far I swear my cheeks are going to crack. My chest feels as if a firework just went off and I can’t fully comprehend how my life has changed in a three hundred and sixty-five day period.

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