Page 51 of Daddy's Christmas Rescue
I nodded, but couldn’t speak. My name was on almost all of them. Written in his careful, blocky handwriting. Some were addressed to ‘Holly,’ but some said ‘baby-girl,’ and one even said ‘for the best baker in Maine.’ My face went hot.
He squeezed my shoulders and steered me to the couch, then settled beside me, one arm heavy and warm across my back. I clutched Banjo to my chest and stared at the mountain of gifts.
Biscuit flopped onto the rug and immediately nosed a present wrapped in red. He whined and looked up at Blake, like he knew exactly which one was his.
“Go on,” Blake said, voice low to the dog and Biscuit yapped and tore the paper with his teeth, settling in the corner with his new bone.
Blake chuckled then glanced at me. “You can open yours whenever you want.”
But I hadn't…
His hand came down gentle on the back of my neck. “You’re thinking too hard, sweetheart.”
I swallowed, blinked fast, but the panic didn’t go away. “I’m sorry,” I managed. “I just… I should have gotten you something. For Christmas, I mean. I haven't got any money. I didn’t know we’d be here. I should have…”
My voice trailed off. The shame prickled up my arms. I stared at the pile of presents.
“You did get me something.”
I shook my head, hard. “I didn’t.”
He turned me, slow, so I was facing him. His eyes were still soft, but there was steel under it. “You gave me you. That’s all I ever wanted, baby-girl. You, here, safe, letting me take care of you. There’s nothing better.”
I hesitated, but he nodded to the pile of presents. I reached for the smallest box—a pale blue one with gold stars. My hands shook so bad I nearly dropped it.
He watched me, steady and patient, while I peeled away the tape. Inside was a tiny music box, painted with bunnies and wildflowers. I wound it and it played a soft, tinkly song. My throat got tight.
“It’s beautiful.” I could barely whisper it.
“I thought you’d like it,” he said. “The guy in the store said it’s a lullaby. Good for when you can’t sleep.”
I ran my thumb over the painted bunny. I wanted to say thank you, but the words wouldn’t come out. I just hugged Banjo tighter and reached for the next one.
There was a pink box with coloring books and a whole pack of scented crayons. A set of glittery hair clips shaped like hearts and stars. A hoodie with kittens printed all over it, so soft I wanted to hide my face in it forever. Fluffy slippers with bunny ears. Socks with cupcakes. A mug that said “World’s Best Cookie Maker” in bright letters.
He kept bringing me the boxes, setting them in my lap, never rushing, even when my hands trembled so bad I couldn’t untiethe bows. Every time I looked up, he was right there, eyes soft, like he was soaking in the sight of me unwrapping every single thing.
There were grown-up gifts, too. A warm fleece blanket, deep blue. A cookbook with recipes he’d written notes in, underlining the ones he wanted to try. A scarf, hand-knit, in my favorite color. I pressed it to my face and struggled not to believe I was dreaming.
I’d never had so many presents in my life. Not even close.
The tree glittered. The fire snapped in the hearth. I held Banjo close and just watched the lights, dizzy with it all. I’d never felt so… spoiled. So wanted.
Every time I glanced at Blake, he was looking at me. Like he couldn’t get enough.
He tucked Banjo under my chin and wrapped the blue blanket around my shoulders, then pulled me onto his lap. “You know what I wanted for Christmas?”
I shook my head again, too choked up to even try words.
“This.” He squeezed me. “You. In my arms. That’s it.”
I could barely breathe. His hand rubbed my back, slow and steady, and I clung to him, feeling ridiculous and perfect at the same time. “I think I waited my whole life for you,” I whispered.
He laughed, but it was soft, not mean. “Well I've certainly waited my whole life for you.”
I buried my face in his shoulder. The cinnamon smell from breakfast was still on his shirt. “Are you sure?”
He tipped my chin up, just enough to make me look at him. “Positive. You’re all I want. All I’ve ever wanted.”
