Christmas Shopaholic(113)

“Oh, I don’t know,” says Luke, with an easy laugh.

“Go on, Luke, give me a word. Give me a word for Christmas.” I’m half-joking—but half serious too. I suddenly want to hear his word. The word he would choose for me.

As though sensing this, Luke puts down his knife and fork. He turns to me, and his dark eyes lock on to mine for what seems an endless span of time before he says, quietly, “Beloved.”

My face flashes hot and I feel a prickle in my nose. Beloved. That’s his word for me, beloved.

I love my new dress. Of course I do. But this is the present I’ll always remember.

“That’s a good one,” I say, trying to keep my composure. “Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure.” Luke takes his knife and fork back up and resumes eating. “Now you give me a word,” he adds. “Something good, mind.”

I’m silent for a moment, thinking hard. Then I draw a slightly shaky breath and say, “OK. I’ll give you a word.”

“Excellent!” Luke wipes his mouth. “Will I like it?”

“I think you’ll like it,” I say, my heart thumping hard. “I really think you will. Ready?”

I wait until he puts down his knife and fork. I wait until he turns his head to look at me directly. I wait. And wait.

Then I lean forward and whisper gently into his ear, “Pregnant.”