Page 86 of Christmas with the Elkin Billionaires

Turning over, she snuggled in his arms and drifted off to sleep.

This is what it must be like to be excited for Christmas.

22

GABE

It was, without a doubt, the best Christmas morning of Gabe’s life.

He came awake all at once, his arm still slung over Anna, and breathed in her essence. Definitely the best Christmas ever.

She stirred underneath his arm and swiped her hair out of her face, then turned and stretched. “Merry Christmas,” she whispered.

“Merry Christmas,” he said. This was the best Christmas in his memory. Her body next to his was the most incredible gift. They lay together, savoring the silence for several minutes.

“What do we do now?”

“It’s still early,” he murmured, preferring to stay in bed with Anna. Thirty minutes later, they headed for the bathroom. A long, leisurely shower with Anna was the perfect way to start the morning. He washed her hair and soaped every inch of her skin like it was another gift. In fact, it was his third gift of the morning. First had been waking up next to her, second had been what they did after, and third...the shower.

They walked hand-in-hand to the elevator, and Anna took a deep breath. “How’s my hair?”

“Perfect.” He kissed her on the temple.

“You didn’t look.”

“I don’t have to look to know it’s perfect.” The elevator whisked them upward and he took both Anna’s hands and spun her around. “There—now I’ve looked, and you’re gorgeous.”

She pressed a kiss to his jawline and then it was time to go in. Anna’s wide smile sparked something like childhood excitement in him—pure and fresh.

Tana and Chase were there along with Lindsey. Jonas and his grandmother sat opposite, and they all got up to greet one another. For once, Gabe didn’t have to focus on whether they were judging him. He just settled next to Anna until it was time to head into the dining room for breakfast. Gabe might have moved away from home, but these old habits hadn’t left. He knew the rhythm of the holiday with his family, and it was comforting in a way it hadn’t been in years.

The staff came out with serving platters piled high with fluffy pancakes and sausages and crispy bacon. Another tray was decorated with a fan of fruits. Fresh-made muffins. Gravy. It was an embarrassment of riches, and Gabe saw it through Anna’s eyes for the first time. This was when all the high standards and expectations came together to make something lovely—a breakfast table with laughter and helpfulness and rules for everyone to follow. Those weren’t always a bad thing, he realized. They were meant to give everyone a framework so they could relax.

And the framework had relaxed, too. Grandmother didn’t lean forward as often to scan everyone’s plates and guide the conversation. She enjoyed it while they served to the left, passed to the right, and waited for everyone’s plate to be filled before they started. Gabe caught himself watching his grandmother carefully, appreciating the matriarch of the family with a deeper understanding.

After breakfast, they took turns freshening up and then gathered in the living room for a Christmas photograph.

Gabe put his hand on the small of Anna’s back as the photographer set up her tripod and helped everyone into what she considered the proper placement. She was a tall woman with jet-black hair and a full smile. Gabe liked her instantly, especially when she took the time to compliment the silver-and-white decorations used to turn the room into a winter wonderland. His grandmother beamed with pride. Gabe looked around and finally understood so much about his life and his family. For so many years, it had faded into the background for him. But not today. Never again.

“Are you sure I should be here?” Anna whispered, her eyes darting up to his. “I can step out if you’d rather have the photos without me.”

“I’m completely sure. If I’m supposed to be here, then so are you.” It hit him like a flash, like a bolt of lightning. He wanted her by his side forever. Not a single thing in the world could keep him away from her now that he had her back.

The photographer raised a hand. “And let’s all look this way, natural smiles, no need to overdo it. Just imagine you’re enjoying a relaxing Christmas morning with your family.”

All of them laughed, all except Jonas. His brother was acting odd, and Gabe made a mental note to ask him what was wrong when they had a chance.

The shutter clicked away, capturing family memories. Normally, Gabe would have been irritated with this kind of exercise and with Jonas’s insistence on making his gift take center stage. But Anna had shown him something different. She’d shown him that these kinds of gestures were meant to be thoughtful—and not in a competitive way. They were for the future versions of themselves who would have to take family photos with members missing. Gabe’s heart squeezed.

“And we’re good,” the photographer said, lowering her camera. “Would you like couple’s photos?”

“Yes,” Jonas said, his voice firm, brooking no opposition. Was it for the benefit of those in the room who might object, or the benefit of the photographer and issuing orders in Jonas’s typical abrupt fashion?

“Anna and Gabe first,” Tana said, pushing them front and center.

Whatever was wrong with Jonas would have to wait.

It was Christmas and Gabe had every reason to be joyful. Pulling Anna into his arms, as easily as he’d done anything in his life, he kissed her. Chasewhoopedat the sight, the clicking of the camera alerting him that the kiss would be solidly documented. Anna put her arms around his waist and posed again. It was soeasy.He’d suffered through a hundred corporate photoshoots, but this wasnothinglike that. He couldn’t keep the smile off his face, and he couldn’t keep his eyes off Anna. She was his kind of lovely.

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