The ring on my finger binds me to them even more.
Zebb and I had a small family affair wedding in June under a canopy at the park near Lake Michigan. Then we went to our backyard for a catered meal. We didn’t have a maid of honor or a best man. We had Tam stand up for both of us.
Zebb gave me the ultimate wedding present: him.
+ + +
When the day finally ends—we close promptly at six every evening—I head home to Zebb and Tam who are making dinner. Every corner of the house drips with holiday decorations and cheer. Love fills this home, making the holidays all that more special.
Later, Tam is nestled in bed, and Zebb and I are alone in our room, and this is the moment I’ve anticipated all day.
“I bought a present for my husband,” I begin, calling from our bathroom. “And I think he should open it tonight.”
“Your husband, huh?” A cocky grin fills his voice, acknowledging that he likes the label.
I round the bathroom entrance. “Have you been a good man this year?”
Zebb is sitting on the edge of our bed, his jaw dropping. He swallows as his eyes roam up my body, then he’s vigorously shaking his head. “Nope. Naughty. Very naughty.”
I’m wearing the sexy Santa outfit from last year with one little addition. I approach Zebb and stand before him, swiping my hands through his hair as his fingers coast up my thighs, teasing me until his hands flatten and his palms skim under the sheer panels. His hand catches on something and he pauses.
“What’s this?” He pulls back one side of the lingerie and notices the red ribbon tied around my waist.
“Unwrap me,” I whisper, still combing through his hair. Zebb pulls the ribbon, and the bow comes undone. He leans forward and kisses me near my belly button.
“Merry Christmas to me,” he softly chuckles, thinking I’m the present.
And I am, but so is something else.
I lower my hand to my belly and cup his scruff-covered jaw with my other hand. Gently prodding him to look up at me, I tip my chin to imply my stomach.
“Merry Christmas, Zebb.”
He stares at me, then glances down at my hand over my stomach. “Is this . . .” He looks up at me.
“A Christmas miracle.”
Zebb stares up at me, eyes softening. We’d talked about his guilt over losing Mary and his fear it could happen again. We hadn’t planned to have any children other than Tam. She’s a handful in a good way.
But stranger things have happened.
“I’m pregnant.” Suddenly, I’m worried Zebb won’t be as happy as I am. I took a test a week ago and confirmed the results with a doctor two days ago. Holding in this secret has been almost impossible, but I wanted to be certain. I wanted to give him the only physical present I could think of to give him.
Zebb leans forward and kisses my belly again. Then he wraps his arms around me and tugs me to him, laying his cheek on my stomach. I continue to comb through his hair, loving this man.
“This is the best gift. Thank you.”
Cupping his jaw, I tug his face, so he looks up at me. “You’re the best gift.”
Zebb shakes his head, and softly chuckles. “I’m going to appreciate the fuck out of you.”
Then, he’s dragging me over him on our bed and we unwrap the rest of our gift to one another.
Our love.
+ + +