Page 10 of Connected By Christmas
“He is awfully cute,” he says, adjusting the red beanie on his head. “Let’s get you inside and warmed up. You’ve got to be getting cold.” He takes my hand and leads me up the stairs and into the house.
Warm air blasts me in the face, feeling like heaven against my cold skin. Noah helps me out of my jacket and boots before taking his off.
“Why don’t you warm up in a bath while I get dinner started?”
“I’m not going to say no to that. I not only look like that snowman outside, I feel like him too,” I giggle.
Chuckling, he kisses the tip of my red nose before gently swatting my padded butt as I walk toward the bedroom.
I’m up to my chin in bubbles when Noah walks in carrying a mug.
“Thawed out yet?” He sets the coffee cup on the small table next to me. “I made you some peppermint tea.”
“I’m finally feeling my toes again,” I laugh, reaching for the tea and taking a sip. “Mmmm. Thank you.” The warm peppermint slides down my throat, warming and cooling it at the same time. I feel his eyes on me as I swallow another sip.
“You’re welcome. I made some for me, too. Someone has gotten me very fond of the taste of peppermint lately,” his eyes sparkle at the candy cane memory.
“It’s become my favorite, too.” I smile against the rim of the mug before taking another drink and setting it down. I reach for my sponge, and Noah’s hand covers mine.
“Let me,” he says softly, taking the sponge and sitting on the stool behind the clawfoot tub. He squeezes some body wash on it, and I sit up, exposing my back to him. His hands work their magic as he glides over my skin and massages my neck and shoulders, putting me in a deep, relaxed state.
“That feels so good,” I moan when he kneads my muscles and moves down both arms, giving my hands special attention before letting them go. He lifts the stool and sets it down opposite me.
“Give me your foot.” His low voice seeps through me, warming my insides as I lean back and close my eyes. He holds my ankle and places it between his legs, pressing his fingers into the soles of my feet.
“Oh God,” I moan as he rubs every ache I had in my feet away. Even though he does this all the time for me, especially since I’ve been pregnant, it still takes me by surprise with how amazing it feels.
“Feel good?” He whispers. I open my eyes and find him watching me with a look that has my heart thudding against my chest.
I nod my head and can’t stop myself from pressing my heel further into him. He’s hard against my sole, and I bite my lip to stop my grin.
“Such a naughty girl,” he clicks his tongue, shaking his head. “I wonder if Santa knows how naughty you’ve been.”
“I’m sure he has a pretty good idea,” I smile and move my foot against him again, causing him to strain even more against his pants.
“I’m positive he does,” he chuckles. He grabs the razor from the side of the tub and dips it into the water. Gliding it across the lather on my legs, I watch my husband carefully shave each leg for me. He knows I’ve been struggling lately the bigger my belly gets. His loving touch has me blinking back the tears as my love for this man consumes me.
“You spoil me too much,” I say softly, watching him dip the razor in the tub before continuing.
“I like spoiling you,” he murmurs, gliding his hand up my smooth skin before gently lowering it into the water and standing up. “Let me help you out.” He takes my hands, so I don’t fall and covers me in a fluffy white towel before the cool air gets to me. I can’t stop the tears that form in my eyes as I feel his hands lovingly dry me off.
“Hey, don’t cry,” he says when he notices me blinking them back. His thumb brushes one away, and I lean into his touch.
“I can’t help it. I just love you so much, and it overtakes my emotions sometimes. It’s happy tears, I swear.” I smile and brush a hand across my cheek.
“I love you too.” He softly kisses my lips before wrapping his arms around me. I lie against his chest and close my eyes to the sound I love most in this world…the steady beat of his heart. “You make me so happy, Em. Doing these little things for you will never be enough to thank you for all that you have given me…for all that you are still giving me.” He places his hand on our daughter, and I cover it with mine.
“You’ve given me so much more, Noah. More than I ever thought was possible for someone to feel,” I whisper against his chest. He kisses my hair, and we stand there holding each other,soaking up every last bit of love that is swirling heavily around us.
No matter how old I am, I still always feel that excitement on Christmas Eve, just like I did when I was a kid waiting on Santa. When we woke up the next day, we spent the day in town exploring the downtown shops before coming home and FaceTiming Noah’s family.
We exchanged gifts and had our Christmas dinner with them before we came here, but tonight is their traditional Christmas Eve party with the Lanes. His parents, Sage and Jax, have been best friends with Matt and Maya Lane since before he was born. Noah and his younger sister, Bella, grew up with their kids, Maverick and Sophia.
It wasn’t until our wedding that Bella and Maverick came head to head with their feelings for each other. They are engaged now and getting married this May. I knew right away when I met them that there was more than a friendship vibe going on, but it took Noah by surprise when his best friend told him he was in love with his younger sister. He now wonders why he didn’t seethe signs before because it’s clearly obvious how deep their love runs.
I watch Noah return from the bedroom and can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. He’s matching me with the red plaid flannel bottoms and fitted long-sleeve black tee. I saw the sleep sets at one of the local stores in town and knew I had to have them.
“Now it feels officially like Christmas Eve with new holiday pj’s on.” He sits beside me on the couch and grins at our twin look. He’s holding a small package in his hands, and I eye it curiously.
