A Seagrove Christmas (South Carolina Sunsets #6) - Rachel Hanna Page 0,43
saw those first glimmers coming through the blinds in his bedroom, he would hightail it downstairs to see what Santa Claus had brought him.
“Good morning,” Dawson said, sliding his arms around her as she poured her first cup of coffee.
The house was pretty quiet. Lucy had gone home to see relatives a couple of days before, and Tina hadn’t come downstairs yet either.
“Good morning, my handsome husband,” she said, running her fingers through the wavy locks of hair around his ears. She loved when he let his hair grow just a bit longer than normal.
“Are you ready to see your present today?”
“Yes! I am more than ready to find out about this big surprise you’ve got hiding out in the barn. Shall we go right now?”
“No! Not until Tina and Dylan can go with us. I want them to see just how talented I am!”
She laughed. “I know you’re joking, but you are so talented.”
“No need to flatter me. I already made your present.”
“Care for a cup of coffee?”
“Of course. I’ll pour it.”
They each got a cup of coffee in the large stoneware mugs she had found at the local thrift shop, and they sat down at the table.
“I bet in about five minutes we’re going to hear very excited feet running down the stairs toward the Christmas tree. I can’t believe how late we were up last night getting everything ready.”
Dawson laughed. “I imagine it’s been a long time since you had to stuff Christmas stockings and put out presents from Santa.”
“And it was your first time. How did you like it?”
He smiled and nodded. “I could get really used to that.”
“You know, as the years go on, the presents get more expensive. And smaller. Before long, you’ll look under that tree and think you haven’t bought anything, but you’ll have spent twice as much!”
“Let’s not think about Dylan being a teenager just yet. We have a few good years where our son is still going to want toys and fun things.”
As if on cue, they heard Dylan running down the stairs and then squealing with delight when he saw all of his presents lined up under the tree. Tina was right behind him, but obviously trying to stay out of his way.
Like a Tasmanian devil, he ran around the Christmas tree, picking things up, yelling with delight and ripping open every cardboard box. Within a few minutes, it looked like a tornado had gone through the living room, packaging material and tissue paper covering up any of the visible pieces of the floor.
“I guess you like your gifts?” Dawson finally said.
Dylan ran over and hugged him and Julie. “I love them! But I love what Santa gave me most of all!”
That was one of the worst parts of being a parent, Julie thought. Not getting any of the credit for all of those presents that Santa Claus brought.
They sat together, Dawson and Julie drinking coffee while Tina enjoyed an herbal tea. They watched as Dylan enjoyed his first Christmas as a Lancaster. He dumped his stocking on the floor and started munching on candy, with Tina reminding him that stomach aches are not fun.
“I guess I should give Dawson his Christmas present,” Julie said, smiling.
Dawson rubbed his hands together. “Oh yeah? Is it a new Ferrari? A trip to Hawaii?”
She tilted her head to the side. “I don’t think you’ve looked at our bank account lately.”
“I try not to look,” Dawson joked.
A few moments later, she walked over and handed him a box. “I hope you like it.”
He opened the box and got very excited. “This is that new toolbox I said I wanted!”
“How that thing was so expensive I will never understand,” Julie whispered to Tina.
“Thanks, honey!”
“You’re welcome. I expect you to build many more things using that toolbox.”
“You know I will!” Dawson said, laughing.
“And, I didn’t forget you, Tina,” Julie said, walking over to the Christmas tree and picking up a gift bag.
“What? I didn’t expect you to get me anything. And I didn’t get you anything…”
She handed it to her. “I didn’t want you to get me anything. But we wanted to do something nice for you this holiday season.”
“You guys have been more than nice to me. In fact, no one has ever done what you have done for me. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”
“You’re not asking. Now, open it.”
Julie sat down and waited for her to dig down into the gift bag.
Tina pulled a box out of the bag and opened it