Merry Christmas to my Valenfield followers. :)
And To All A Good Night...
Jill slipped back into bed, shivering slightly as she pulled the blankets around her. The big black dog plopped his head on the edge of the bed and looked at her longingly.
"All right," she whispered, "Go ahead, but at the bottom."
The dog immediately jumped up, nuzzled against her a moment, then settled himself at the foot of the bed. He dropped down like his legs suddenly stopped working with a long suffering sigh and closed his eyes. Unable to help it, she chuckled softly and shook her head. Working her way around the dog, careful not to disturb him, she snuggled up next to Chris.
He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close and kissed the side of her neck as she slid in. "What are you still doing awake?" The question was sleepy.
"Louie wanted out again." She pressed against him, happy to have the warmth of his body against her.
His hand tightened at her waist and he gave her a half smile. "Better you than me." Just as she moved in to give him payback for that last comment, he cracked an eye open at her. "Don't even think about it. Keep those icicles you call toes to yourself."
Laughing at his yelp as she pressed her cold toes against his leg she dropped her head down to his shoulder.
"If I weren't so content right now I'd make you pay for that," Chris said into her hair.
She knew the feeling all too well. This had been the best Christmas she could remember. Family and friends had arrived for dinner, including Claire who was now asleep in the guest room. There had been laughter and and happiness filling their home. Honestly, she almost hadn't wanted the evening to come to a close.
With a content sigh, she snuggled as close as she could get, half draped over him, her head fitting perfectly against the spot where his neck met his shoulder. "I'm sure you'll think of something later."
He reached over, wrapping both arms around her. "I can think of something now." By the feel of it, he was now completely awake.
Unable to stop it, she grinned into his neck. "Not in front of the dog."
A soft grunt escaped Chris' lips as he lifted his head enough to see the dog curled up at the end of the bed. Seeing his master look at him, Louie's tail thumped against the grey comforter. "We could make him leave." As if understanding the words, the rambunctious black dog stood and moved to Jill's half of the bed, flopping down with a dramatic sigh and putting his head on the pillow.
Letting go of Jill long enough to scratch the dog's side he shook his head and closed his eyes. "Guess I should be happy he was all snuggled up with Claire earlier then huh?"
"Maybe," she teased. "I didn't think a man of your age would be able to perform that many times in one night."
"A man my – don't make me show you how well I perform woman, you should know that by now."
She couldn't stop the laugh even if she'd wanted to. "I do know."
It was true, she was tempted. But right this second she wanted to revel in the feeling of being next to him and wrap her contentment around herself. Bringing herself up just a little she looked at him.
"I love you."
The smile he gave her was worth more than any of the gifts she had gotten that day. "I love you more than anything." Louie shifted to bump against them and sighed. "Except the dog."
Laughter bubbled up and she kissed him. "I can live with that."
"I hope so, cause I have no intentions of letting you go." Once again he wrapped both arms around her and held her close. Kissing her forehead he dropped his head back to his pillow and closed his eyes.
"Good night Jill."
"Good night Chris."
Another sigh.
"Good night Louie," they said together.
