HAPPY FOREVER AFTER

“You didn’t answer my question about Christmas,” Emma said. “I asked how you celebrate it. Do you go to your mom’s”

He smiled, then sat beside her. “I don’t really celebrate Christmas, Emma. I mean, I like the way everyone seems to be in a good mood, I like the decorations and all that stuff. It’s nice. But I don’t really… Celebrate… It’s just another normal day for me. I visit my mom though.. For a few days”.

“Wow,” Emma said. “I think that’s a bit weird. Didn’t you celebrate Christmas at home when you were little?”

“Oh we did,” Daniel replied. “My parents loved it. Always got us presents. I liked it but I wasn’t.. You know, crazy about it. I just… I guess as I grew older I just… I dunno…”

Emma laughed. “I understand. You don’t have to explain further. I love Christmas. It’s my favorite time of the year. My mom used to decorate the house, buy presents for my sister and I. Even after my dad left, she tried so hard to make sure we were happy… And we were. I continued the tradition… Even when I was in college and when I moved out here”

“So… if you weren’t here with me, what would you do for Christmas in your apartment?” Daniel asked, leaning closer, a smile on his face.

Emma laughed. “Ermm… The normal stuff. Sometimes we stayed at my apartment, sometimes at Karen’s, one time at Frank’s. We buy a tree, even if it’s a small one and decorate it, we decorate the apartment too..

Not excessively though, we buy each other presents and put them under the tree, we do almost everything. But everything is different this year, you know, I’m here… Pregnant, Karen’s with Frank, Monica would probably be with Tom and I don’t think I can go to my mom’s this year. I’m going to miss it. I really can’t wait to meet this little guy” she said as she slid her hands over her stomach, then turned to look back at him. “I can’t believe you don’t do anything special.”

“Do you want us to do all that… Now that you are here?” Daniel asked softly, staring at her.

“No…. I mean, it would be nice, but It’s your house” Emma said. “I can’t decide if we should… And even if we decided to, I can’t help you put all the decorations up because of the baby”

“I know that,” Daniel said. “But I’m asking you. Would you like us to do it?”.

“Yes… It would be nice” she said. “I mean if it’s okay with you and you have the time. I don’t want to bother you”.

“Nice” he breathed. “I like nice”.

He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. Emma froze at his touch.

“You should get some rest now,” he said softly.

Emma nodded. Even though she was tired, the day had been so…perfect…that she hated to bring it to an end.

Spending the time with Daniel had been bittersweet, a throwback to happier times when things had been… She sighed. She had to stop with the endless string of memories.

She struggled to get out of the ultrasoft couch and laughed when she realized she was well and truly stuck. Daniel smiled and stood up, then reached down to help her to her feet and she finally managed to stand.

For a long moment she stood in front of him, her gaze stroking softly over the chiseled lines of his face. It was the first time she had allowed herself to stare unguardedly at him since she moved in.

“Good night, Daniel,” she whispered softly.

He looked as though he wanted to kiss her and for a moment she wondered how she would react if he did. But finally he said, “Good night, Emma. Sleep well.”

She turned to go into her bedroom, little twinges of regret nagging her the entire way.

———————————–

Three days before Christmas, Emma was surprised when she walked into the living room and saw two people putting up decorations.

“Hi” she greeted them, clearly surprised.

Daniel sat on the couch, fumbling with a box filled with decorations. He looked up and smiled when he saw her.

“Hey” he said.

“What are you doing?” Emma asked as she sat beside him.

He smiled. “Ermm.. Putting up decorations. You said you liked them, remember? I know it’s a bit late, but.. you know, better late than never, right?” he asked grinning.

Emma smiled. Sometimes he could be just so… Sweet. “Yeah… I know. But why didn’t you tell me about all these? I would have helped. I like doing this” Emma said as she reached out and picked up a ribbon.

“I didn’t want to bother you.. And I don’t think this is something you should be doing right now… I would have done it myself without help… But i don’t know how to” he said.

Emma laughed. “Fine,” she said. “But you are going to let me help with the tree. I can sit while I do it. You can handle the top of the tree.”

“Alright,” Daniel said.

Hours later, after decorating the tree, and they had both showered and eaten. Emma sank into the couch.

“It’s so beautiful,” she said, looking around. “Thank you so much for doing this, Daniel. I really appreciate this”.

“You are welcome,” he replied. “I’m glad we did it, it was kinda fun. I should thank you too. It’s been a while since I let myself do something like this… I feel like I’m home”.

He knelt in front of her, slipping her shoes off to inspect her feet for swelling. He began massaging the souls, moving up to the instep and arch. A moan of absolute pleasure escaped her lips.

“Feel good?” he asked.

“Oh my God, does it.” Emma said.

He continued his ministrations, watching her silently. Her hand crept to her rounded belly and she smiled as the baby rolled beneath her fingers.

“Is the baby moving?” Daniel asked.

She nodded and he stopped rubbing her feet. He stood, his eyes followed her hand, watching closely as her hand moved over her tummy.

“Can I…?” he asked.

The yearning in his face was as strong as she had ever seen it. But this time it wasn’t her body he wanted. Well, not exactly.

“Do you want to feel?” she asked, She stood up too, watching him. But for some reason, he hesitated. So she gently took his hand and guided it to where she could feel the baby kicking. He jerked in surprise as her stomach bumped beneath his palm, and his expression was akin to awe.

“That’s incredible. Doesn’t it hurt?” he asked.

Chuckling, she said, “No. It isn’t always comfortable, but it’s certainly not painful.”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.