Discovering Pride (Pride Series) (20 page)

Standing between her legs again, he pulled her closer. He enjoyed the shocked look on her face as he plunged into her. Then, she smiled seductively and wrapped her legs around him and held on.

Christmas morning was always exciting and Lacey’s favorite time of the day. Lacey could hardly remember a Christmas she hadn’t gotten exactly what she wanted or asked for. It was easy when the thing you wanted the most was to watch your loved ones enjoy opening the gifts you had given them.

Everyone had arrived early at Megan and Todd’s house for the celebration. The placed smelled like heaven, spices and evergreen mixed in the air. Since Iian had arrived a few hours earlier and taken care of all the cooking, everything was in place. This had worked out perfectly since Lacey had been busy trying to keep Aaron away from his present.

Now, with the gift safely tucked away in Megan’s wash room, she could she could enjoy and relax before they opened gifts.

Because they were no longer children, it had been decided years ago, to eat Christmas lunch first, then open gifts.

“
When the baby comes along we may have to change some of our traditions.” she said as they sat around the large dining room table enjoying the food. “Kids don’t like waiting until after lunch to open presents.”

“I think we have another year or two before this little one,” he placed his hand over his wife’s growing belly. “will be big enough to really care.”

It was always a pleasure having the family together, it was especially nice because Aaron’s grandfather was there as well.

Dr. Stevens Sr. had always been a part of the town and now he was feeling like he was becoming part of their family.

“I can’t thank you kids enough for inviting me today.” The old man said over his second helping of sweet potatoes. “Best Christmas dinner I’ve had in a long time. Iian, my boy, you sure can cook.”

Just then, a loud noise came from the back laundry room.

“I’ll get that.” Lacey said jumping up and rushing to the back room.

A few minutes later, she came back into the room. The front of her dress was wet and her hair was a mess, but she had a large smile on her face.

“Is everything okay?” Aaron asked, starting to get up.

“Yes! No, don’t get up! Yes, everything is fine.” She sat down with no more explanations. How about we eat dessert after we open the presents?” The eager tone in her voice, almost gave her away.

Half an hour later everyone sat around the living room in various chairs. Piles of discarded wrapping paper lay at their feet.

Megan sat with her feet tucked underneath her on the couch. Todd sat next to her, a large box of baby clothes and toys sat next to them.

Iian sat in a chair playing with his new iPad. Aaron sat on the floor next to Lacey, who had at least a dozen new bright colored pairs of socks scattered around her. Some were from Aaron, but most were from her brothers.

His gifts were spread out on the floor like a child, he enjoyed opening every one of them. But, the one he liked the most was currently chewing on his left shoe lace.

The small brown lab puppy from Lacey, had instantly won his heart. He thought he could never love like this again, not after Jennifer. However, the instant pull he felt, he knew he loved the little girl.

“A home needs a protector.” Lacey sat and watched Aaron’s face. The happiness she saw there, was priceless.

He’d always wanted a dog, someone he could have shared time with, someone who would have loved him, unconditionally. His parents would have never allowed him to have a pet of any kind.

He’d been busy after graduating college, too busy to think about owning any animals then either.

Then, there had been Jennifer. She had made it very clear that owning animals of any kind were a waste of time. She had even sneered at him when he’d talked to her about getting a cat. She had said she was allergic to animals, but now he wondered how many other things she’d lied to him about.

T
he day after Christmas, he realized why his parents never let him own a puppy. How could something so small, leak so much?

Not only did he have to let her out every half hour, but in between outdoor potty breaks, she’d taken to going on the pile of newspapers in the laundry room. However much she peed the play time he experienced with her made it all worth it.

She had quite an attitude, and demanded his attention almost all the time. He was glad that Lacey and Bernard had spent the night again, really glad for her help in watching the little girl throughout the night.

The following morning he had been trying to train her to sit. It’s a simple command; he thought she could handle it. The little dog treats he tried to bribe her with weren’t helping. Every time he said “sit” she would run around in circles and chase her tail instead. He was trying to be patient and was saying “sit” for the hundredth time when Lacey walked in shaking the snow off her hat and gloves. She had walked back home to pick up a change of clothing and her snow boots and a heavy coat.

The weatherman said they were in for more snow and to expect it to last all weekend. However, Lacey had told Aaron that the weatherman was wrong and that the snow was due to stop later tonight. So far, her weather predictions had been spot on, so he believed her.

“Training hard?” she gave a sympathetic look and then laughed when the puppy rushed forward and started jumping up on her legs. “No! Down.” she commanded. “Sit.”

The small dog quickly stopped jumping and promptly sat on her small bottom while her tail thumped vigorously.

“How did you do that?” Shaking his head he frowned at the small puppy. He was sure there was a conspiracy going between the pair.

“She just needs a firm voice.” she bent over and petted the chocolate fur ball. “Do you have a name yet?” The puppy quickly laid down and rolled over onto her back exposing her belly. A trick, no doubt, learned from Bernard.

“Cleo.” Aaron said as he watched the two ladies in his life.

“Cleo?”

“Her name is Cleo, after Cleopatra. She’s small and demanding, but so worth it.” he smiled down at the chocolate mound who had fallen asleep with all four legs in the air while Lacey continued to rub her belly.

“Cleo, what a perfect name.” Lacey picked her up carefully and carried her to the doggie bed by the fireplace.

It was later, just after dinner when the snow slowed enough to let the dogs run around the back yard. They stood watching them from his large and newly built covered deck and laughed as Cleo chased Bernard as he retrieved the ball. Cleo wasn’t interested in the ball, instead she kept latching onto Bernard’s ears.

Despite the extra burden, Bernard would gather the ball and bring it back while Cleo would
retrieve
him. It was all very cute and entertaining.

Aaron had just bent down to pick up the ball for Bernard when a large ball of snow landed on his neck and left shoulder.

As snow started to slide down between his collar sending shivers down his back he heard Lacey giggle. Grabbing
a large handful of snow and retaliated.

After the great snow fight that soaked both humans and dogs, hot chocolate was consumed while they sat by the fire. Their hair was still damp from the battle and they were currently snuggling in warm terrycloth robes. 

One thing he could say about Lacey, she might be small, but she had a really good arm.

“I’m thinking of starting a softball team next spring and you should be the pitcher.”
Reaching over he took hold of her arm and felt her tiny biceps. “How can such a small arm give such a powerful throw?”

“
I grew up with two brothers. I had to know how to throw good because they ran too fast, I could never catch them. So I started throwing things at them to get their attention.”

He realized she was serious and could not stop the chuckle.  Hearing his laughter she soon followed and snuggled closer to his side to feel the laughter shake his whole body.  She thought she was starting to warm up and it had nothing to do with the fire.

A few days later Aaron was a wreak. He was nervous and slightly nauseous. He knew the house was spotless, having spent most of the morning cleaning everything he owned.
 Why did he have so much furniture?
There was a banquette of food spread out on his counter tops and even some warming in the oven.
Thank goodness all the food had been delivered earlier by Iian, courtesy of the Golden Oar, so he did not have to worry about cooking. Cleo was tucked away in her kennel located in his bathroom ensuring she did not get underfoot of his guests.

Lacey, however was running late she should have been here two minutes ago. He continued to pace in front of his front door; it wasn’t like her to be late. He stopped pacing when he heard the back door open and saw her step in, shaking the snow from her coat.

“I decided to walk over, since your driveway will soon be a parking lot.” She took her coat into his laundry room and hung it on the hook just inside the door. Removing her purple galoshes, she replaced them with the heels she had tucked into her overnight bag.

“
I think I should have bought more beer. Should I have bought more beer? Or maybe gotten more champagne?” He was now pacing in his kitchen.
Why had he agreed to a party?