Page 71 of All in December
“So maybe next year, we’ll do the gifts before I unwrap you, huh?”
“Probably a smart idea.” He laughs.
The living room is dimly lit by the glow of the tree. It’s quiet and peaceful and homey—exactly how Christmas Eve should feel.
Caleb crouches by the closet, pulling out the hidden stash of wrapped presents he tucked away in there, and we arrange them under the tree in careful little piles, making sure Sam’s name is visible on at least half of them.
“He’s gonna lose his mind,” Caleb says, smiling down at the gifts like he can already hear Sam’s excited shriek.
“He’s going to wake us up at the crack of dawn, isn’t he?” I ask, which earns me a laugh and a look.
“You know it.” Caleb laughs.
I step closer, wrapping my arms around his waist from behind. “Benji is the same way. I’ll go pick them up and bring them here as soon as we’re awake in the morning, so hopefully Sam doesn’t need to wait too long.”
He leans into me, his body soft and warm against mine. “Thank you. This is already the best Christmas ever.”
We stand there for a minute, just looking at the tree, armswrapped around each other until I’m ready to face the cold night.
“I just need to go grab mine from the car. I’ll be right back.”
“I can help, it’ll go quicker, then we can get back into bed sooner,” he says with a smirk.
“Well, come on, then.” I laugh as we each grab presents from the car and bring them in to set them around Caleb’s tree, mixing them with Sam’s gifts.
“Alright,” he says, standing back and taking a photo of the tree. “We should try to sleep before the tiny tornado shows up.”
“True, but we have one more task to do, don’t we?” I say, moving toward the kitchen.
“The cookies.” He laughs.
Two of the cookies we made earlier are sitting out. One chocolate chip and one sugar cookie, and we each take a bite of one, setting them both back on the plate.
“Is Santa duty complete now?” he asks.
“Sure is, let’s go to bed,” I say as I kiss his shoulder. I pull him back down the hall, already picturing the way Sam’s face will light up in the morning. I’m excited to be here for all of this, and every year after that we’re lucky enough to get.
“Merry Christmas, baby,” I whisper once we’re back in bed.
“Merry Christmas.”
CHAPTER 29
Caleb
Nash is still asleep next to me, one arm slung across my waist. I turn my head slightly, watching the way his face softens in sleep. Last night was everything I hoped it would be, and now, waking up with Nash—the person I love—beside me on Christmas day already makes today better than every one before.
From down the hall, I hear the creak of floorboards, and a moment later, there’s a soft knock at my bedroom door before Sam opens the door in his fleece pajamas.
“Hey, buddy,” I whisper.
“Can I come in?” he asks, already stepping forward.
I nod, and he slips into the room, completely unfazed by seeing Nash in my bed. Sam climbs up into the middle of the bed while Nash shifts to make space without waking up fully—his dad instincts kicking in. He murmurs something that sounds vaguely like “mornin’” and drapes an arm over both of us.
“Santa came! I already checked!” Sam smiles brightly. “Are Benji and Emma coming soon?”
I glance at the clock. “Nash is gonna go pick them up in a little bit.”
