I hung up the phone and continued my venture of watching another damn recipe fail as I added the exact same measurements and ingredients into the bowl, which only resulted in the exact same mess I had before. Frustrated, I walked out of the kitchen and looked out the front window.
I had already re-arranged the furniture in preparation for Zach, Dad, and Drew to get the tree in the morning. I seriously couldn't wait to have everyone here in the house once again. I looked around and quickly straightened the blanket that lay across the back of the couch and fluffed up two of the pillows before wandering back into the kitchen to dump yet another messy mixture of what were to be cookies in the garbage. I placed everything into my new dishwasher we'd had installed and went upstairs to get changed before everyone arrived.
I had just stepped foot into our bedroom when my cell phone rang. I frowned, glancing down at the screen, a soft smile coming to my lips.Finally, I thought. I had been waiting patiently all day for this call.
* * *
Drewand I lay in bed. Everyone was all tucked in and probably asleep by now, after a long day of festivities. Surprisingly, my first Christmas dinner had turned out perfectly, with a little help from Mom, and after we had eaten we had gone downtown to the ski lodge. Zach, Drew, and Ann Marie took in the slopes, while Mom, Dad, and I sat in the lodge.
"Did you have a good Christmas?" Drew asked, running his fingers through my hair as my head rested on his chest.
"I did. Even better knowing that you won't have to travel any longer for work." I kissed his shoulder and scooted over in the bed so my body was against his.
Drew had finally finalized everything at the firm he was at and had been given the go ahead to start hiring at this firm here. The first person he asked was Zach. He had agreed to join him in the new year. Ann Marie was so giddy with excitement that she started looking right away for a house in the area.
He pulled me in tighter yet, and I let out a large sigh. "What are you thinking about?"
"I just can't believe it’s been a year. So much has changed. Last year at this time I had packed my bags and was getting ready to board a plane and never hear you out."
"Aren't you glad you got off that plane?" His lips grazed mine.
"I am. I so am."
"So am I." Drew shifted his body down beside mine and pulled me into him, allowing my head to rest flat on his shoulder as his hand cupped my cheek and he kissed me deeply.
"And now look. We are living in my parents’ house, you're about to open and lead a law firm, and my brother is going to join you."
"I know. It’s somewhat unbelievable, to be honest."
"I agree." I rested my hand on his abs and let out a large yawn.
"And all because you got off that plane," Drew whispered, kissing me once again.
"Oh, I also wanted to talk to you about perhaps remodeling one of the spare bedrooms in the spring."
"Oh, sweetie, I don't need a home office. I won't be working like I was back in New York. There just won't be enough work, and if there is, I honestly don't need to bring it home with me."
"I wasn't thinking of an office."
"Oh, did you need something to do with photography? I mean we can always make the basement into a photo studio for you if you need. I mean you do have all the equipment. Perhaps a new backdrop would be something you would like. That way you can work from home."
"I wasn't thinking of that either, Drew."
"Well then, what would we remodel a room for?"
"A nursery," I said, propping myself up on my elbow and looking down into his eyes, a smile on my lips.
He studied my face, and I could see the beginnings of a smile on his lips. "For real, baby?"
"For real."
He rolled me over onto my back and met my lips, kissing me hard. "Two of the best Christmases in a row—the first one getting you, the second you are giving me the greatest gift I could ever ask for. I love you, Alexa. Merry Christmas, baby."
"Merry Christmas."