Emilie's Christmas Love by Lavene James & Lavene Joyce

Author:Lavene, James & Lavene, Joyce [Lavene, James]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Mystery
Publisher: J. Lavene
Published: 2012-11-12T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Emilie woke up late the next morning. Two children were still pressed against her. Her right side was slightly damp where Amber's diaper had leaked.

This was the reality of having a small child, she reminded herself, struggling to free herself from their embrace.

"Good morning," Nick greeted her, helping her by taking Amber's limp body from that side of the bed.

"Good morning," Emilie returned, her hand going immediately to her hair. It felt like it was standing up on top of her head. "I guess I slept late."

Amber was awake and clinging to Nick. She was smiling up into his face.

"That's what happens when you get up at night with kids," he told her. "I found that out a long time ago. I bought a much louder, more persistent, alarm clock."

Emilie gazed at him, forgetting for a moment her resolve of the night before. He was dressed in a dark flannel shirt and jeans. His hair was still damp from the shower and he was freshly shaved. There was the hint of a dimple in one lean cheek that echoed Amber's twin dimples.

"I suppose it was a big adjustment to make from single, to single parent."

"It was," he agreed without hesitation. "They're a big responsibility when you're used to only thinking for yourself. It changes your whole life."

"But you did it." She wished she could make him understand that she would gladly take on that responsibility. "You're not sorry, are you?"

"Not at all." He kissed Amber's pretty curls. "I'm going to change this wet diaper." He eyed her right side. "That's one of the hazards of sleeping with them. It's a pretty funky feeling, huh?"

She nodded, not wanting to move the damp side of her body. "I'll get Adam up and send him in to get dressed."

"Thanks," he said. Thanks for everything, Emilie. The kids are always going to remember this Christmas."

She smiled, but didn't trust herself to speak. She waited until he walked out of her room to shake Adam gently and call his name.

"Hi," he said as though he'd been awake the whole time.

"No more nightmares?" she asked.

"No. I dreamed about getting a bike for Christmas."

"That's pretty good."

"What do you want?"

"What do I want?" she repeated.

"For Christmas. You must want something.”

Emilie considered all of the things she wanted—Amber, Adam's happiness, a house full of life and laughter, Nick—

She stopped her rambling thoughts there and considered Adam's question. "I'd like to have someone draw me a picture that I could hang on my wall right there." She pointed to an empty space near her dresser.

"A picture of what?" he eagerly asked.

"I don't know. Something colorful."

"Maybe flowers or a rainbow," he suggested.

"Adam?" Nick called from the next room.

"Coming," Adam answered. "I have to go and get dressed. Are we going to look for the Christmas tree today?"

"As soon as we eat breakfast,” she replied with a smile.

She stripped down her bed, shivering in the chill dampness of her nightgown. Funky wasn't an adequate feeling for waking up wet. If she

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