Birthday Kisses(9)

I wake up to find my husband and my daughter are in bed with me, the both of them watching me with their matching blue eyes. I blink them into focus, smiling when Willow leans forward, almost falling out of her daddy’s arms, her little fingers trying to grab hold of my lips.

I wrap my fingers around her wrist to stop her, scooting closer so I can drop a kiss on the back of her hand. “Good morning, Willow. Merry Christmas.”

“Happy Birthday to my Birdy,” Crew murmurs, and I swear my heart swells to overflowing. He’s greeted me like this since the first time we spent my birthday together, and I’ve always loved how he makes this day about me first.

“Thank you,” I tell him, letting go of Willow and sitting up so we’re shoulder to shoulder in bed, Willow still in his arms. He’s not wearing a shirt, and watching our daughter drool on his bare pecs shouldn’t be sexy.

But it sort of is. I love seeing him with our child. Loving on her and sweet-talking her and cuddling her close. It’s the sweetest thing.

“We have a present for you.” When I meet his gaze, he smiles.

“What is it?” Anticipation fills me, my breath catching in my throat when he reaches over the side of the bed, and whips out a beautifully wrapped present, holding it out to me while he still clutches Willow, her back to his chest.

“Open it and see.”

I take the present from him and study the beautiful white and gold printed paper, the sparkly gold ribbon wrapped around it. “It’s almost too pretty to open.”

He chuckles. “Just do it, Birdy. You know you want to see what’s inside.”

The box is small, so I can only assume it’s jewelry. Carefully I undo the ribbon before I tear into the thick wrapping paper, revealing a rectangular green box, a color I recognize. I glance up at him to find he’s watching me, and I swear I see a flicker of nervousness in his gaze?

As if he has anything to be nervous about. I will love anything he gives me.

Slowly I open the Van Cleef & Arpels box, sucking in a sharp breath when I see the necklace nestled within.

“Oh my gosh.” I lift my head, my shocked gaze meeting Crew’s. “This is…this is too much.”

“It’s perfect. I saw it and thought of you.”

It’s a diamond and ruby necklace, the stones set in rose gold and formed into the shape of a chain of flowers, each of them unique and delicate. I brush my fingertips across the flowers reverently, tracing one after another, slowly shaking my head.

“It’s beautiful.”

“You’re beautiful. Here.” He hands me Willow, and I set the box beside me on the bed, taking the baby from him while he grabs the jewelry box. “Turn around.”

I do as he says, a startled gasp leaving me when he sets the cool diamonds around my neck, his fingers brushing my nape as he fixes the clasp. I glance down, trying to see the necklace but it’s awkward, especially with Willow squirming in my arms.

“Come on.” Crew climbs out of bed and takes my hand, helping me out. He leads me over to the dresser and we stop in front of the mirror, Crew standing behind me, his arms coming around my waist. “Look at you.”

I stare at my reflection, reaching up to drift my fingers across the stones, Willow flailing her arms and making disgruntled noises. Crew takes her from me and I step closer to the mirror, turning my head left to right, watching the diamonds and rubies sparkle in the light.

“I love it.” I turn to my husband, grinning at him. “It’s gorgeous. I feel classy, even in my pajamas.”

“You’re classy no matter what you’re wearing.” He leans in, dropping a kiss onto my upturned lips. “I love you. Happy Birthday.”

“I love you too.” I pull him in close, resting my forehead against Willow’s before I rest my cheek upon Crew’s chest. “I love the both of you.”

A contented sigh leaves him, and I want to melt at the way he holds us. Like he never wants to let go. And the low timbre of his voice when he murmurs against my temple makes my heart trip over itself. “I’m a lucky man, Birdy.”

My gaze goes to the piece I made for him that’s hanging on our bedroom wall. The 11x14 canvas I purchased at an art supply store and then kissed over and over again with the Chanel lipsticks he bought for me, layer upon layer of different colored kisses, just like the original piece. I promised I would make him his own Million Kisses in His Lifetime, just for him, and I did.

And now he’s gifting me a freaking diamond and ruby necklace that’s probably worth close to half a million dollars for my birthday. This man…

I am keeping him forever.





8





CREW





Wren’s birthday



We’re sitting on the floor by the Christmas tree, the white lights the only ones on in our dimly lit living room. The windows are uncovered but it’s gloomy outside, the clouds in the sky dark and foreboding.

“It’s going to snow,” Wren announced when she first saw them and I had to agree. It’s definitely going to snow, and I’m sure my wife will be happy.

A white Christmas—and her birthday—is her favorite.

She helps Willow open her gifts, her voice soft and melodic as she croons to our daughter. I watch them, my chest aching with the love I have for both of them.