“Do you believe everything you read on the internet?” I ask her, finally finishing the frame of the crib. I stand it up and move it to the spot she wants it, beneath the canopy on the wall.
“Well, no.”
I grab the mattress and lift it over the railing. “If you want to breastfeed, go for it. If you want to do the bottle, do that. You wanna try both? Knock yourself out.”
“The crib is perfect,” she breathes, admiring it. She rubs her fingers over the wood finish. “I know she won’t be sleeping here at first, but this … this is the most beautiful nursery I’ve ever seen. It’s perfect for her.”
“She might be a tad bit spoiled,” I admit, looking around the room. It’s a fairy princess wonderland for a little girl.
Thea busies herself with fixing the bedding on the crib, which allows me to start on the glider uninterrupted.
This isn’t how I imagined spending my Christmas Eve, but it’s not so bad.
Seeing everything for her room come together makes it more real.
We’re going to have a baby in a little over a month.
It takes Thea a while to get the bedding just right, so I manage to finish with the glider. I’m opening the box for the bookcase when she collapses on the fluffy rug in the middle of the room, staring up at the chandelier.
“She’s doing somersaults,” she complains, rolling up her shirt again so we can watch her stomach move. “Sweetie,” she scolds, “you’re going to make Mommy pee her pants again if you keep that up.”
I snort and she laughs too, looking over at me. “Hey, handsome, I want to have your babies.”
I shake my head, pulling out the pieces for the bookcase. “I’m pretty sure you’re having one.” I point at her belly.
She smiles, rubbing her stomach. “Lucky me.”
“Really? I think you hated me in the beginning.”
She fights a smile. “I may or may not have contemplated chopping off your dick and feeding it to the dog, but I’ve since forgiven you.”
I bite out a laugh. “Thanks, I think.”
She shrugs, biting her lip. “I won’t lie, I wasn’t happy. I didn’t think I was cut out to be a mom yet, but now …” she pauses, rubbing her stomach absentmindedly. “I’m really excited to meet her. I don’t feel scared. I can do this. Is it going to be hard? Yeah, of course. But I’m ready for the challenge.”
“You’re going to be a great mom,” I tell her honestly. It isn’t the first time I’ve said it, and I’ve meant it every time, but it means more now that she trusts that it’s true.
“You’re going to be an amazing daddy. This little girl is lucky to have you. Truly.” I lean over and kiss her and she smiles. “What was that for?”
“Because I can. Merry Christmas Eve, Thea.”
“Merry Christmas Eve, Xander.”
“It’s Christmas! It’s Christmas! Wake up!” Thea bounces on the bed. “Xander, it’s Christmas!” She shakes my arm.
I yawn, covering my eyes with the crook of my elbow. “What time is it?” I mumble sleepily.
“That’s not important.” She grabs my arm, shaking me. “Get up, get up, please. Let’s open presents.”
I groan and sit up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, and she claps, pleased to have gotten me awake.
I look at the clock and the blinking numbers. “You have to be kidding me,” I groan. It’s only five-thirty in the morning. “I’m going back to bed.” I roll over, hugging the pillow to my chest.
She rubs my bare back. “No, no, get up. I want to open presents.”
“One more hour,” I beg.
“Xander,” she pleads. “Get up.”