Silent Night by Natasha Preston

Oakley
     
     
    I woke early – at six in the morning – and
smiled. Today was Christmas , and it wouldn’t be long before Everleigh would be up and
bouncing off the walls. She was always the same – vibrating with
excitement and extra loud.
    This year was also special because it was
Bentley’s first Christmas. He was only six months old and wouldn’t
have a clue what was
going on. But I was sure he’d enjoy the lights, new toys to chew,
and having the attention of all of his family at once.
    Cole slept peacefully beside me. Like every
morning when I was the first one up I took a minute to drink him
in. I would never, ever get over how lucky I was to have him.
    Cole forgave me for leaving him
for four years. He was the most incredible man , and I was honoured to call him
my husband. Of course, he said the exact same thing about me
because he was obviously a delusional fool.
    I brushed his brown hair,
letting my fingers glide to the back of his head. Slowly, two
perfect blue eyes opened and stared back at me.
    “Good morning,” he whispered, pulling me
closer. “Merry Christmas.”
    “Merry Christmas.”
    We curled around each
other , and I
closed my eyes. I’d loved Cole for a very long time now, but he
still gave me butterflies and made my heart race. I didn’t ever
want that to end.
    “How long do you think we have?” he asked,
sliding his hand down my naked back.
    “Probably about thirty seconds.”
    Everleigh was five and an early
riser. I didn’t mind because being woken by my little girl jumping
all over me was the best way to get up. Bentley was a lazy baby and
usually only woke when he heard his big sister.
    “Damn, what I had planned would definitely
take longer than thirty seconds. Although I can probably work
something with that.”
    I snuggled closer, my face
pressed against his hard muscles and soft skin. It sounded very
tempting , but
too many times he’d got me all worked up then we’d have to stop
because a little voice was calling us. Spending Christmas sexually
frustrated didn’t sound appealing.
    Laughing, I said, “We can do that tonight. A
lot.”
    After everything I’d been
through as a child I never expected to want anyone to touch me but when I was with
Cole he made every touch special. He made me feel safe, loved, and
like the woman I never thought I’d get to be. He gave me back what
I thought they’d robbed.
    “I love you, Cole,” I murmured against his
skin. The words didn’t seem nearly enough for what I felt for
him.
    “I love you, too, baby.”
    “ Mummy,” Everleigh called,
waking Bent ley at the same time. His baby babble was the sweetest
thing.
    Sighing softly, I kissed Cole’s chest and got
up. “We didn’t even get thirty seconds.”
    Cole rolled onto his back, put his hands
behind his head and raised his eyebrow as he watched me get
dressed. “Later.”
    Definitely, definitely later.
    “ I’m coming,
Everleigh ,” I said, giving Cole one last longing look.
    My heart swelled as I left our room and set
eyes on our perfect daughter. Her big blue eyes lit up when she saw
me. Blonde ringlets fell down her back.
    She bounced up and down on her bed, pointing
to the full stocking hanging on her wall. “He’s been!”
    “I can see. Merry Christmas,” I said, opening
my arms for a hug. She bound off the bed and tackled my legs. “I’m
just going to get Bentley up, why don’t you go and see Daddy.”
    “Okay!” she shouted and took off.
    “ Bentley,” I whispered,
leaving her room pushing his door open. He always had a big smile
whenever he saw me or Cole. Or his grandparents and Uncle Jasper.
He’d pulled himself up , so he was sitting in his cot.
    Reaching over I picked him up and kissed his
head. “Happy first Christmas, baby boy. Let’s go see Daddy and your
big sister,” I said, taking him back to my room.
    I couldn’t help laughing as I saw Everleigh
jumping on our bed with her legs either side of Cole. He’d tensed
up in case she fell onto