Page 145 of Toxic Salvation
“Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
When I look up, Kovan is leaning against the doorframe, watching us, face soft and dreamy.
Luka rushes off to find Pavel and Osip while I walk into Kovan’s arms. He kisses me thoroughly enough that Waylen starts clearing his throat dramatically.
“I think we’re making my brother uncomfortable,” I murmur against Kovan’s mouth.
“He’s a big boy. He can handle it.” Kovan grins wickedly. “I plan on kissing you exactly that way several more times today. It is Christmas, after all. And you’re the one present I can’t wait to unwrap.”
I step back just as another contraction starts building. I can’t hide labor pains when I’m pressed against him, and I’m not ready to turn our Christmas morning into a medical emergency. Not yet.
I just want this happiness to last a little bit longer.
Luka drags us all into the living room. The tree is practically buried under presents. We all sit on the carpet—except Mom,who takes the armchair—and start unwrapping gift after gift while torn paper accumulates around us.
I was so focused on finding perfect gifts for everyone that I forgot Christmas is about givingandreceiving. Pavel hands me a beautifully wrapped box with a shy smile. Osip’s grin is pure mischief when he presents his gift to me. And Kovan’s expression is downright sinful as he watches me unwrap his.
Pavel’s gift is an elegant watch. Kovan gives me diamond earrings. And Osip—God help him—gives me red lingerie that makes Kovan’s face turn scarlet.
Kovan chases Osip out of the room, threatening him with the didgeridoo Pavel gave him. Waylen and Pavel follow with their phones out, eager to document the chaos.
But Luka stays with me, clutching the star encyclopedia I bought him. I keep fingering the locket around my neck—his gift to me.
“Thank you for this,” I tell him, touching the small, oval pendant. It has his picture on one side.
“I left the other side empty,” he explains. “When the baby’s born, you can add his picture.”
“You thought of this yourself?”
He nods proudly. “Papa helped me buy it, but the idea was mine.”
“It’s my favorite gift ever.”
His gray eyes go wide. “Really? Even better than the diamonds?”
“Even better than the diamonds.”
He rests his chin on my shoulder. “Do you think the baby will like me?”
“Are you kidding? He’s going to love you. You’re going to be the best big brother.”
“I can’t wait to meet him.”
Another contraction starts as I hug him, and I hide my smile. It almost feels like the baby is responding:I can’t wait to meet you, too.
I’ve been secretly timing the pains. They’re getting closer together, but I still have a little while before I need to worry Kovan with the news. We have Christmas dinner to get through first.
I manage to make it all the way to the dining room before a contraction hits hard enough to double me over. I grab the edge of my chair, breathing through the pain.
Everyone freezes.
“Are you okay?” Osip asks, reaching for me.
“Get your hands off my woman,” Kovan growls, shoving Osip aside. “After that gift you gave her, you’re lucky you stillhavehands.”
“Hey, that gift was as much for you as it was for Vesper,” Osip says, completely unrepentant.
Kovan takes Osip’s place. His palm is warm on my back. “You okay?”
