his hand as he places her on the piano stool. Andy wants in on the action, and monkey crawls his way over, begging Lex to lift him. He does with ease. If anyone has a piece of Lex’s heart, it’s Andy.
“Any requests?” Emily asks.
“Yeah, I have one…” Adriana speaks up.
A hush falls over the room.
Andrew automatically moves to Adriana placing his arm around her.
“I’m okay, Dad. Elijah is here, I can feel him.”
Adriana looks at Lex. He knows his sister well enough and turns around and starts playing. She starts singing as she moves her way over to Andy.
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
‘Round yon virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
I can’t help it as a tear slides down my face. Eric and Emma move my way and link their arms with mine.
We continue to sing until the clock strikes midnight. We make our way throughout the room, hugging each other and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. As I reach Lex and a sleepy Amelia, I whisper in his ear for him to follow me down the hall. He hands Amelia over to Kate who takes her with open arms, and I watch as Lex’s face lights up. The dirty bastard probably thinks I’m going to give him a hand job or something.
“Close your eyes,” I request, excitedly.
“Will you be naked when I open them?” He shuts his eyes.
“Yeah, sure… with my dad here, you psychopath. Okay… you can open them.”
I watch his reaction as he stands in our guest room, admiring the shiny new drum set which sits in the middle of the floor.
“Are you kidding me? I always wanted a drum set!” He has the biggest smile on his face, running over to the seat and settling himself in. He grabs the sticks and does a beat, much to my surprise since he doesn’t play. This man is a fucking musical prodigy.
“I know… I remember, Alex.”
His eyes met mine, and I’m surprised he doesn’t recoil when I call him that.
“You called me Alex,” he whispers.
“There’s a huge part of me that still sees him in you. If you look close enough, he’s still there.”
“Charlotte, I… don’t know what to say to that.”
“You do, but you don’t have to say it.”
“You miss him?” I can hear the trepidation in his voice like a lost little boy finding his way home.
“I don’t need to miss him. I’ve been staring at him for the past two years.”
It’s hard to explain what I see, almost like a burden has been lifted from his shoulders.
He finds himself again.
He finds his true identity.
“Thank you, baby, I love it, and I love you.” He stands and walks back over to me, leaning in to kiss my lips.
“You want your present now?” he asks enthusiastically.
I nod. He pulls a long black velvet box out of his pocket. Lex has a massive thing for jewelry, so I’m not surprised that he spoils me again. I carefully open the box, but much to my shock, I find a pregnancy stick sitting inside.
“What’s this?” I ask, barely able to get my words out.
“You’re pregnant.”
The words don’t register. I’m what?
“Read my lips, Charlotte. You’re pregnant.”
I’m astounded. The test is new, so I haven’t actually done one. How on earth would he think I’m pregnant?
“I know you so well, Charlotte. I’ve studied every inch of your body over the years. The slightest change, and I can see it. You’re pregnant. I promise you with all of me that you are carrying another baby inside of you.”
Without a word, I pull him to our nearest bathroom and close the door behind us. I’m not late, at least I don’t think I am. I’m not nauseous. Nothing at all has changed.
I pee on the stick as he watches me with an amused look on his face. I carefully place it on the countertop and wait. “Are you sure about this?” I ask, nervous.
“Never been so sure about anything in my life.”
It’s time. I walk over with nerves of steel and open my eyes, the two blue lines staring me in the face.
“Holy shit, I’m pregnant!” I jump into his arms as he swings me around. “This is the best Christmas present ever!” With the biggest grin on his face, he kisses me deeply, and I wrap my arms around his neck.
“Can we tell everyone tonight, please?” he begs.
I nod. That’s what family is for, to celebrate the good times and to