It was Christmas Eve, and the two people curling up beside the fire were anxiously anticipating the next morning, each for very different reasons. Lindsay Monroe took Danny Messer's hand, her golden wedding ring bumping against his, making a soft metallic sound that echoed through the cabin.

"Christmas tomorrow," she whispered. "Did you get me anything?"

"Nope, nothing," Danny replied, grinning that lopsided grin that made her heart skip a beat every time she saw it.

Lindsay smiled and shifted her position slightly, allowing her bare feet to dangle off the edge of the sofa.

"Now, on to a more important subject. What did you get for me?" Danny joked, sliding himself over to put his arm around her.

"Oh, no, was I supposed to get you something?" Lindsay said, feigning a look of innocence.

"Damn right you were!" Danny grinned. He pounced on her and pinned her down to the couch. He knew how ticklish she was.

"Danny!" Lindsay cried through peals of laughter. "Stop! Stop! I give up!"

Danny stopped and sat up. His glasses were crooked and Lindsay reached up to straighten them.

"Thanks," he said, grinning. He just couldn't stop smiling when he was around her. "Well then, what did you get me?"

"It's a surprise," Lindsay said slyly. She had that look on her face that meant she was hiding something big. Danny was sure that she would tell him eventually, but now he was curious.

"C'mon, you can tell me," he said.

"It's a surprise," Lindsay insisted. "You'll see tomorrow."

Danny sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I hate surprises."

"Since when?" Lindsay asked.

"Since always."

"Well, I'm sure you'll love this one."

"I'd better. Waiting is torture," Danny said. He checked his watch. "Eleven forty-five! You'd better get to bed, Montana, or Santa won't bring your presents."

Lindsay smiled and rolled her eyes. She got to her feet and pulled him up.

"Let's go to bed, then," she said.

"I'll just dream about waiting for my surprise," grumbled Danny.

"Then when you wake up, you'll be happy to find that your waiting is over," Lindsay said. She took his hand and pulled him into the bedroom of their holiday cabin.

XXXX

Danny awoke late the next morning. He rubbed his eyes and turned over. Lindsay's side of the bed was empty and cold. How early had she gotten up? Frowning, Danny reached for his glasses and put them on. He got dressed quickly and made his way into the kitchen.

Lindsay was sitting at the table in her red bathrobe surrounded by presents, grinning broadly. The lights of the Christmas tree beside her flickered and danced merrily off the walls.

"What's all this?" Danny grinned, plunking himself down on a chair beside her. He propped his elbow on the table and put his chin in his hand, gazing around himself.

Lindsay tapped the table beside her. Danny hadn't noticed it before. It was a small, white stick, with a small circle on one of the ends. The circle was pink.

Danny's mouth dropped open. He sat back in his chair. Then, slowly, a grin spread across his shocked face until he was positively beaming. They were going to have a baby! Lindsay laughed softly and got up, walking over to him and embracing him.

As Danny's arms closed around his wife, he closed his eyes and inhaled her scent. She smelled like roses and cherries. He loved that smell. "I love you."

"Merry Christmas, Danny." Lindsay murmured. "I love you too."