Page 50 of A Not So Merry Ex-Mas

“Are you happy?” Noelle whispers, as she turns her face to the palm of my hand and kisses it.

“I think I understand why Brian looked the way he did in that photo.” She bursts out laughing and I can’t help but join her.

She leans her head against my shoulder and I take in a deep breath, the familiar smell of lavender and citrus calming my nerves. I’ve wanted a family forever…with Noelle. And here I am getting everything I’ve ever hoped for.

“Seriously, though, are you okay?” She cups my face and tilts my chin to her so she can see what emotions are in my eyes. “I can’t tell if you’re excited or panicked.”

I pull her in closer to me and tuck my head in her shoulder. “I am excited. And maybe just a little panicked. But mostly excited.”

I feel her cheek as it lifts against my forehead and I smile. A feeling of warmth spreading through my entire body.

Jingle Bellssoftly plays in the background and Noelle laughs.

“Mel knows something is up and is dying to find out what it is.” She giggles.

I pull away from her and she looks at me with a raised eyebrow.

“You told me first?” My voice is husky and a bit wobbly. Tears burn the back of my eyes.

“Cole,” she cups my face and kisses me with such tenderness and love that my entire body feels like jelly. “Mel is my best friend, but you are my best friendandmy husband. This is yours to hear first.”

She runs a thumb across my cheek and tears well in her eyes as she looks at me.

“I love you, Bug,” my voice cracks, and Noelle grins. I put my hand over Noelle’s stomach and whisper. “I love you too, baby bug.”

She puts her hand over mine as tears stream down her face. I look up at her and just stare at my beautiful wife.

She leans in and gives me a kiss filled with promises of futures to come. “I love youso very much.”

I roll my eyes as I think of my gift to her. It feels so small now.

“What was that for?” She looks at me confused.

“Huh?”

“You rolled your eyes when I told you I loved you,” her eyebrows knit together and confusion lines her face.

“I know,” I say without thinking. “Wait! No. I didn't mean anything by it.”

She sits up and crosses her arms while looking pointedly at me.

I move her off of me and her eyes nearly pop out of her head. I walk out of the room and come back with a small box wrapped with a red ribbon and hand it to her.

I know I’m acting like a child, but I was so excited to give her this gift, and now I feel like no matter what I do I can’t top hers.

I mean how do I give her something like she’s given me?

“Open it,” I nod my head at her.

I watch her as complete and utter confusion is written all over face.

“Wait!” She freezes and I take the box back. I don’t want to be throwing a temper tantrum when she’s opening this present. “Let me try this again.”

I take the box from her and go back into the kitchen, this time coming out wearing a smile.

“Wow, you really are in shock.” She shakes her head and giggles at me. I smile and hand over the present.

I watch her open it. She looks at me, then looks back at the ornament. She pulls it out and holds it in front of me. I can only imagine that the look on her face mirrors mine when I first read the words written on the mug.

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