In the Heart of Paradise by Jamie McGillen

Author:Jamie McGillen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jamie McGillen

Chapter Fifteen

A Christmas Poem

Anna

* * *

On the morning of Christmas Eve, Anna woke in a festive mood. She rolled over, as much as her growing belly would allow, and peered over at her husband. He was still snoring softly, so she rose and dressed in the chilly light of dawn.

There was not yet any snow on the ground, which was disappointing but no matter. They would fill the day with baking and music and family. The growing Gallagher clan would boast six people, a dog, a cat, and a baby by springtime.

She admired their own evergreen tree that Ben had chopped down and that they had adorned with strings of popcorn and cranberries. Even though it was a tradition she’d always enjoyed around yuletide, it now reminded her of their wedding. The bells, and firepits, and eggnog—it had been such a beautifully festive way to become man and wife. She would cherish the memory always.

They would not light the candles on their tree today but save them for Christmas morning. Tonight, they would light the candles at the Gallagher home and watch them twinkle into the night until the wax became so low that it would be safer to blow them out.

Below the tree, a few small wrapped presents rested snugly, nearly hidden among the thick evergreen boughs. She inhaled sharply, enjoying the crisp smell that reminded her of being outdoors.

“Merry Christmas Eve,” Ben said in a deep voice from the stairs.

She turned to greet with him with a grin. “And to you. I can’t wait to see what you have wrapped up down here.”

“I’m eager for you to receive them,” he said, taking her into his arms. “Open this one right now. It’s something I wrote for our baby.”

He reached under the tree and pulled out a crisp envelope with a wax seal.

“That’s my mountain seal,” Anna said with a smile.

“Do you mind? I thought you’d like that little touch.”

“I love it.” She took the letter in her hands and broke the seal with care. “Would you read it to me?”

He nodded graciously as she handed him the folded paper. “This is what I imagine it will be like—showing the beautiful world to our son or daughter. We’ll take him camping and hiking and climbing the mountain one day. We’ll get to see the forest through his eyes. Can you remember the first time you went camping? Anyway, here it is.”

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