I Saw Mommy…
Chili had always loved this time of year, when the lights from Christmas trees she spotted through windows were lit up so brightly that it made your eyes widen and rid them of the sleep-filled state you wanted to succumb to. But as she decorated her own tree for all those to admire when they came for the Christmas party, her neck was suddenly decorated with open-mouthed kisses and she let out a little sound that fell somewhere between a squeak that could have come from a mouse and a moan filled with pleasure. And then the sensation of a beard – what was that about!? – filled her senses, so Chili turned her head to see what was in store; resisting the urge to laugh hysterically at her husband's attire. "You wanted me to be spontaneous, so here I am," he told her. "Ho, ho, ho."

"Babe, when I said spontaneous, I meant for you and me, not for the kids. But it works. Come here, my handsome husband," she whispered, reaching out for him. Will went straight into her arms, pursuing her lips with his own in a kiss that started out tender but quickly grew into one filled with all of the passion he had in him to take her right here & now.

Harper Leigh Halstead, named because of one of her father's favorite authors, heard noises from downstairs and rubbed her eyes with her tiny fists. Climbing out of her day bed, the toddler made her way across the floor covered in wooden slats and stopped at the door to reach up & tug at the doorknob. Her tiny feet carry her down the stairs as she uses her bottom to scoot carefully over each step and, once on the last step, Harper makes her way toward the doorway where she could see the shadows on the wall. Her tiny eyes – a bright, vibrant blue – widened when she carefully peeks around the wall to see her mother kissing none other than the myth himself. Why is Mommy…?

It couldn't be true. Harper knew she had to be seeing things. But when she closes then opens her eyes once more, the sight before her is still there. Turning to head back upstairs, the toddler nearly collides with her twin brother Garrett. "Shh. We gots to be quiet. Mama sleepin'," Harper said in a hushed tone.

Garrett pokes his head around his sister. "That not sleepin'," he said in the same hushed tone she had spoken in.

"You two are supposed to be in bed," their mother's stern tone said from behind Harper.

"We're too excited to sleep, Mama," they said in unison.

"That's too bad. Back to bed with you two," Chili said, gesturing for them to go back up the stairs.

Just before she disappeared, she turns to look over her shoulder in a brief manner and sent her husband a wink. We're going to have quite the story to tell tomorrow, they each thought to themselves.