I had barely been able to pull myself together so that I didn’t tip anyone off to the news that was ready to burst out of me. It took every bit of my self-control to pretend as though nothing monumental had changed when I went back out to join my family around the tree. And then when we’d finally left to head back to our house, I pretended to fall asleep right away so that Danny couldn’t ask me any of the questions I’d seen in his gorgeous green eyes over the past few hours.
As soon as I heard our garage door roll up, I yawned and stretched, reaching for the door handle. I should’ve known Danny wouldn’t let me get far, though. His fingers wrapped around my arm before I could jump out of the car. “You’re exhausted. Let me get your door, baby.”
I felt bad about making him worry, but not so much that I blurted out my news. When we decided to move back to my hometown, we’d also agreed that it was time to grow our family. We hadn’t been trying to have a baby for long, but I had already prepared for this moment. There was a stack of pregnancy tests under the sink in the master bathroom, and my plan for how I wanted to share the news with Danny hinged on me taking one before he found out. “Thanks.”
Leaning into his side after he helped me out of the car, I let him lead me into our home and up to our bedroom.
“What’s going on, Delia? I can’t quite put my finger on it, but you seemed off tonight.” Danny scanned my face, his eyes filled with concern.
“I’m fantastic.” I gave his hand a squeeze before stepping out of his hold.
He didn’t seem convinced. “Are you sure?”
I loved my family, but I had resisted the temptation to spill the beans while we all celebrated Christmas Eve together. I wanted to savor this moment, just the two of us. And I wanted to do it right. “Let me grab something from the closet and give me just a few minutes to myself in the bathroom, then you’ll see how sure I am.”
His lips curved into a sexy grin as the worry disappeared from his eyes. “Sure thing, baby. Take your time.”
I gave him a quick peck on the lips before rushing into our walk-in closet to grab the little black and red gift bag I’d hidden in there a week ago. When the bathroom door shut behind me, I dropped the bag onto the counter so I could dig under the sink for one of the pregnancy tests. Then I ripped it open as quietly as possible and raced over to the toilet.
Wanting to be prepared when the time came, I had already read the instructions and knew exactly what I needed to do. I was pretty darn sure what the results were going to be and didn’t want to waste any more time than necessary to share the news with Danny. After setting the test on the counter, I stripped out of my clothes and into the outfit I’d bought for tonight. Once I was changed, I grabbed the test and flung the door open.
I wasn’t surprised to find Danny waiting for me in nothing but the candy cane–patterned boxer briefs I’d given him last year. “Come get your Christmas present.”
His gaze heated as he scanned me from head to toe, my body scantily clad in a Mrs. Claus costume that didn’t leave much to the imagination. “Damn, baby. You really had me going there. Was this what you had on your mind all night?”
“I bought this little outfit planning to wear it for you tonight, but it wasn’t what I was thinking about so hard.” I’d purposely stood with my hands behind my back, and my fingers trembled as I showed him what I was holding.
His eyes widened when he saw the little white stick held tight in my grip. “You’re pregnant?”
“I’m not sure. I didn’t want to look at the results without you,” I whispered.
He took the test from me, but instead of looking down at it, he swept me off my feet and strode over to the bed. Only after he laid me down on the mattress and stretched out next to me did he finally move the little white stick so we could both see the window where two pink lines had appeared. “You’re carrying my baby.”
“I am.” I sniffled, happy tears filling my eyes.
“Looks like you outdid me in the gift department this year.” He scooted down and pressed a gentle kiss to my belly. “Thank you, baby.”