December
"Aren't you going to open it?" I asked, and Leah gave me a soft smile and nodded.
I watched as she gently tore the paper off. My palms were sweaty, so I rubbed them against the flannel of my pants nervously.
A little gasp fell from her lips as she snapped the lid of the box open, and I smiled.
"Oh, Edward," she whispered and quickly moved until she was in my lap, straddling me with her arms around my neck. "It's beautiful," Leah said quietly before kissing me in thanks.
"You like it?" I took her arms from around my neck and removed the necklace from the box.
"It's perfect." She ran her finger over the intricate tree studded with our birthstones: mine, hers, the baby's, and then the black and white photo that hung behind the tree on a thin silver chain. It was just the sonogram, the only picture of our baby we had.
"We can exchange this one for a real picture once the baby gets here," I told her, trying not to laugh as tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.
"I can't wait," she said against my lips. "Will you help me put it on?"
She pulled her hair away from her neck while I linked the chain on her. I cupped her cheeks and gently drew her into a kiss.
"Merry Christmas, beautiful."
"Our last Christmas with just us." She smiled, but I could see the little bit of sadness in her eyes. Next year things would be different. Next year there would be three of us celebrating. We'd be buried in paper and toys and giggles from our son or daughter.
Next year would be even more perfect.
"I can't wait," I repeated her words. She nodded, and I knew she felt the same.