A/N #1: It's Christmas! (finally) This chapter is dedicated to my friend, emilycares, for her many kindnesses to me.
Chapter 23
"Wyatt Logan, if you weren't already wrapped around my sister's cute little finger, I would get on my knees and beg you to be my boyfriend," Amy sighed as she swallowed the last bite of roast chicken with dumplings that Wyatt had prepared for supper, "and then you could cook for me every night." Lucy grinned as Wyatt's face reddened at her sister's effusive compliment, and the women laughed when Jamie piped up,"No, Miss Amy, you are a nice lady but my Daddy has a girlfriend, it's Miss Lucy, so there's no room for you in Daddy's bed 'cause me and Miss Lucy sleep in it, right Daddy?" And now Wyatt's face was crimson as he tried to shush the five-year-old as Lucy and Amy giggled helplessly at his embarrassment.
Clearing his throat, Wyatt ignored the vastly-amused Preston sisters before gently scolding his son, "James Wyatt Logan, that's quite enough," while an abashed Jamie mumbled, "Yes, sir." "Why don't you take Miss Amy in the front room to look at the Christmas tree while we get the dishes cleared away?" Wyatt suggested. The little boy's face brightened as he abruptly stood and grabbing Amy's hand, tugged her out of her chair while Lucy watched with a fond smile. "Those two together are trouble," she decided, and Wyatt nodded wryly in agreement as he started carrying dishes to the sink.
It was December 22, and Christmas break started tomorrow for Jamie and Lucy, while Wyatt would be on vacation until December 27. Well aware her sister would likely be spending most, if not all, of her time off with the Logans, Amy had accepted an invitation from friends to go skiing over the holidays at a resort just north of Los Angeles. She was leaving very early tomorrow morning and would be gone five days, so Wyatt and Lucy had invited Amy over this evening for supper and to exchange gifts. As he stood at the sink rinsing dishes off, Wyatt felt Lucy's slender arms wrap around his chest, and hugging him gently, she laid her cheek against his broad back, and murmured, "Thank you, love, for making my sister part of your family, especially for Christmas."
Drying his hands on the dishtowel, Wyatt turned and stealing a quick kiss, responded, "Lucy, of course. Just in case I haven't made myself absolutely clear, you are a very important part of the Logan family now, and Amy's your sister, so it was a no-brainer. Besides, I think it makes Jamie very happy to have an honorary "aunt," he firmly assured Lucy, to her startled delight. "Well, I like the way you think, Master Sergeant," she breathed against his lips before pressing a soft kiss on his mouth. "Oh, no, Miss Amy, don't look, Daddy is kissing Miss Lucy on her mouth again," and the couple turned around in time to see Amy clap her hands over Jamie's eyes as she scolded, "Jeez, are you guys trying to permanently scar the kid?" and merely grinned when Lucy stuck her tongue out at her sister.
"Is it time for presents yet?" Jamie beseeched with a hopeful expression. Unable to deny his small son any further, Wyatt confirmed, "Yeah, buddy, I think we've put you off long enough," and shook his head when the little boy threw his arms around Lucy's waist and ordered, "Miss Lucy! Hurry up before Daddy changes his mind!" and scampered into the other room to plop down in front of the brightly-lit Christmas tree and wait as patiently as he was able. Wyatt rolled his eyes at his son's exuberant anticipation, and taking Lucy's hand, they settled on the sofa while Amy knelt down beside Jamie.
"Jamie, why don't you give Amy her gift from you?" Lucy prompted, and he eagerly handed over a small gift bag, giggling when she shook the bag in dramatic fashion and tried to guess what was inside, each guess sillier than the one before. "Amy, we don't have all night," her exasperated sister warned, and Wyatt snorted softly in amusement when the younger woman called Lucy a "killjoy." Ignoring the fierce glare Lucy directed at her, Amy carefully pulled the tissue paper-covered gift out of the bag and unwrapping the square, flat object, exclaimed in pleasure at the obviously hand-made picture frame containing a photo of herself as a smiling toddler on Santa's lap. Unable to contain his excitement, Jamie declared, "Miss Amy, that little girl is you with Santa Claus! Miss Lucy got the picture and helped me make the frame for you. Do you like it?" and Lucy was pleased to see the look of wonder on her sister's face as she gently traced the picture with her fingertip. "Oh, Luce, I love it, and Jamie, this is the most beautiful picture frame I have ever seen," and reaching out, pulled the little boy onto her lap and gave him a big hug and kiss.
Wyatt didn't know it yet, but all the students in Lucy's class had industriously made picture frames for their parents as Christmas gifts. Lucy had saved back enough materials so that Jamie could make a second frame outside the classroom for Amy. After the glitter debacle a few weeks ago, she had decided to go with having the children glue tiny foam Christmas-themed cutouts around a cardboard picture frame. The boys and girls fell in love with the spongy, brightly-colored scraps of foam shaped like snowmen, stockings, candy canes, stars, bells, trees, and more, and after she had put each child's name and the date on the back of the frame, she had given the kindergarteners a small pile of the foam cutouts and let them decorate the frames however they wished.
The students were as excited with the results as she was (and best of all–no glitter involved). The frame for Wyatt held a picture of Jamie that Lucy had taken on her phone and was presently hidden away until Christmas morning. "Luce, I haven't seen this picture in years, was it in one of Mom's photo albums?" Amy mused, cuddling Jamie on her lap. "Yeah, I had forgotten about the album with all the Christmas pictures in it until I recalled how much I disliked sitting on Santa's lap," and she blushed when Wyatt leaned in and whispered behind her ear, "There's only one man's lap you should be sitting on, Lucy Preston."
"Knock it off you two, there are children present," Amy ordered before tickling Jamie to make him laugh, "And now I have something for you, little Logan," and after the child scooted off her lap, she pulled two packages from under the tree and handed them to him. "Daddy, can I open the presents from Miss Amy now?" and at his father's consent, tore open the wrapping paper to reveal a Cat in the Hat book, "There's No Place Like Space" and a Spiderman edition of Chutes and Ladders. The adults winced at his ear-piercing shriek of delight, "Daddy, Miss Lucy, look! A new book and a Spiderman game! He's my favorite! Can we play right now, please, please?" and the Preston sisters hid their smiles at the mutinous look on Jamie's face when Wyatt replied, "Maybe later, son, after all the presents are open, okay? Now what do you tell Miss Amy?" he admonished. Jamie threw his chubby arms around Amy's neck and thanked her profusely as Lucy set a small stack of gifts on the floor beside her sister.
Lucy was surprised when after handing her several presents, Amy said, "And now something for big Logan," and gave Wyatt an envelope with a tiny red bow on one corner. Raising a dark eyebrow, Wyatt asked, "What's this?" With a twinkle in her eye, she responded, "Just a little something from me in appreciation for how happy you have made my big sister," and when he started to protest, cheekily ordered, "Just open the damn envelope, Wyatt," and the sisters smirked at each other when he quickly replied, "Yes, Ma'am." Wyatt opened the small envelope to find a Gap gift card, and at his quizzical expression, Amy explained, "My sister tells me you're a big fan of their button-front jeans, although it seems to me they would take a lot of extra time to remove, especially when you're in a hurry," and at Lucy's faintly scandalized gasp, shrugged, "Just sayin'..."
"You Preston sisters are going to be the death of me," Wyatt grumbled goodnaturedly as he thanked Amy. Content to watch while Lucy and Amy opened their gifts to each other, Jamie had climbed into his dad's lap and struggled to stay awake. Lucy was slightly taken aback at her sister's odd reaction to receiving the Starbucks gift card, especially when she was told it had actually been Wyatt's suggestion. Once the women finished unwrapping and admiring everything, the little boy blinked open drowsy blue eyes when Wyatt stood to take him upstairs to bed. "But I'm not sleepy," he objected with a big yawn, much to the adults' amusement. "Miss Lucy, will you please read my new book to me?" Jamie asked, and offered a dimpled grin when Lucy nodded and Amy leaned down to kiss his cheek and tell him goodnight. "Merry Christmas, Miss Amy," he answered, and tugging on Wyatt's arm, said, "I'm ready now, Daddy," and after Amy hugged Wyatt, he took Jamie's hand and said, "C'mon, buddy, let's get your pajamas on and teeth brushed and then Miss Lucy will read you the new book," and he led his son upstairs.
Watching them leave the room, Amy confessed, "Lucy, I swear you are such a lucky woman to have a great guy like Wyatt in your life. I would probably be jealous except I'm so not ready to settle down yet," and with one of her typical lightning-fast mood changes, asked somewhat anxiously, "Hey, are you sure you're okay with us not being together on Christmas Day?" and looked quite relieved when Lucy assured her it was fine, adding, "I guess that maybe, it's sort of my fault..." but her sibling interrupted, "It is absolutely not your fault, Luce, that you met an amazing man who wants to share Christmas with you, and I'm just so happy about that," and gave her a crushing hug. "Well, I better go, gotta get up super early in the morning, and of course, haven't finished packing, plus you have a new bedtime story to read, 'Miss' Lucy," she winked.
Lucy helped Amy carry her gifts out to her car, and after exchanging "I love you's" and one last hug and promising to talk on Christmas Day, her sister drove away as Lucy watched. "I guess things really are changing," she thought wistfully. After she shut and locked the front door, Lucy quickly gathered up all the wrapping paper debris and put her gifts from Amy under the tree near the back before heading upstairs. She paused just outside Jamie's doorway when she heard the little boy ask, "Daddy, if I'm a good boy, will Santa Claus bring me what I want for Christmas?" "When did you see Santa, buddy?" Wyatt asked curiously. "He was at school today for our Christmas party. All my friends talked to him, and I was kind of scared, but Miss Lucy told me when she was little, she was afraid of Santa, too, and she holded my hand when I said 'hi' to him." Wyatt smiled, "That was very nice of her. Did you tell him what you wanted, Jamie?" The child nodded solemnly, "I whispered it in his ear, Daddy, and he said he would try. Is it okay to tell you, Daddy?"
Lucy peeked around the doorway in time to see Wyatt's nod. "I asked him if Miss Lucy could be my Mommy forever and ever. Was that okay, Daddy?" Lucy swallowed hard at the sudden lump in her throat when she walked into the room just as Wyatt pulled his son against his chest. "Hey, guys, are we ready for that story?" and she somehow managed not to tear up when two of the three people she loved most in the whole world looked at her with big smiles. Jamie drifted off to sleep less than half way through the new book, and Lucy carefully tucked him in and after placing a gentle kiss on his soft cheek and making sure the Spiderman night light was on, she walked down the hallway to Wyatt's room.
He was already in bed, covers pooled carelessly around his lap, leaving his chest uncovered. Without speaking, Lucy stood beside the dresser as she shed her clothes and quickly slipped one of Wyatt's tee shirts over her head. She noticed his interested stare as the shirt slid over her bare skin and tried not to blush when his low voice broke the silence. "I haven't quite figured out yet why you even bother to put anything on when you come to bed since it ends up on the floor anyway," he mused thoughtfully. "If you don't quit looking at me and saying things like that, Wyatt Logan, you might not get much sleep tonight," a breathless Lucy warned. "Is that a promise, sweet Lucy?" he husked as she padded across the room, and crawling slowly up the bed, straddled his legs as she bent down to thoroughly kiss away the smile on his firm, warm lips.
Wyatt's large hands clasped her waist loosely as she leisurely tormented and teased his mouth, pleased when he groaned and tightened his grip on her. A few heated moments later, he had apparently reached his limits when without warning, he rolled Lucy beneath him, smiling wickedly at her surprised gasp. "You seem to be wearing too many clothes," Wyatt observed mildly, and whisked his shirt up and off of her in a heartbeat before making a big show of tossing the shirt on the floor with a satisfied expression. And some time later, a very pleasantly sated Lucy had to admit, the man definitely knew what he was talking about.
Friday passed quickly as Wyatt and Lucy worked on wrapping gifts and getting everything ready for the next day at the Baumgardners. Over breakfast, Wyatt had explained that while he and Jamie always celebrated Christmas Day quietly by themselves, they spent Christmas Eve afternoon and early evening with Bam, Julie, and the girls for dinner and gifts, along with Julie's parents, Bob and Ruth. Usually, Ruth would prepare an enormous pan of lasagna, while Julie and Wyatt contributed the rest of the meal, and after everyone finished eating, they would exchange presents. This year, Lucy and Wyatt decided on nice gift certificates for Bob and Ruth and Bam and Julie to their favorite restaurants, and Lucy chose Moana dolls for the girls from Jamie.
Very early the next morning, Lucy was awakened by a small hand gently patting her cheek. "Miss Lucy, are you awake?" a clearly upset Jamie whispered. Since Wyatt was still asleep, one arm wrapped possessively around her, Lucy softly cleared her throat and lifting up the covers, invited the little boy into the bed to snuggle. "What's wrong, sweetie," she asked in a muted voice, "Can't sleep? Did you have a bad dream?" Curled against her, he nodded and sighed, and Lucy kissed the top of his blond head and rubbed his back comfortingly. "Do you want to tell me about it?" and her heart broke a little at his reply. "In my bad dream, you went away, Miss Lucy, just like my first Mommy, and I missed you, and it made me sad," blinking teary blue eyes at her. "Oh, Jamie, no, I love you very much, and I promise I will never leave you," and he hiccuped and nestling his face beside her neck, said, "I love you, too, Miss Lucy." She held him closer and kept rubbing his back until they both fell asleep, unaware that a pensive Wyatt had woke up and heard their whispered conversation.
A couple hours later, after a quick breakfast, Wyatt made a last-minute trip to the grocery store for a fresh loaf of Italian bread and a good bottle of wine to take to Bam and Julie's, leaving Lucy and Jamie to start making M&M cookies from a recipe she found online. She lifted her little helper to his favorite spot on the kitchen counter where he liked to swing his short legs back and forth as he watched her mix up the cookie dough, all the while chattering non-stop. "Can I put in the M&M's now, Miss Lucy? Why are the M&M's red and green? Did you know that Santa Claus is married? His wife's name is Mrs. Claus. Does Santa have kids? Are the elves his kids? Elves make toys, did you know that, Miss Lucy?"
Standing in the doorway unnoticed, Wyatt was struck by how right all this was. Lucy and his child busy baking cookies, all the fun they'd had Christmas shopping, and once he realized how insanely good she was at gift wrapping, he had gladly turned it all over to her. Wyatt knew that he'd done his best with past Christmases for Jamie, but Lucy had just seamlessly blended in, and so far, had made their holiday so much better. "Wyatt Logan, you better not be thinking of sneaking up on me," Lucy warned in that sexy, 'don't mess with me' school teacher voice that always did it for him. "Lucy Preston, I swear, you must have eyes in the back of your head," he half-heartedly complained before swooping in and nibbling on her neck. "Stop that, Daddy," his son scolded, "We're making Christmas cookies with M&M's." Wyatt's smart-ass reply was cut short when Lucy turned her head unexpectedly and snagged a kiss.
"Now, behave yourself so we can get these cookies all made, or we'll be late," Lucy admonished, and grinned when Wyatt crisply saluted, "Yes, Ma'am," before swatting her bottom and laughing at her surprised yelp. Once Jamie had painstakingly added the M&M's to the cookie dough, Wyatt took him upstairs for a bath while Lucy finished baking the cookies. Less than two hours later, Lucy came downstairs dressed in slim black pants, her favorite ivory sweater, and a red and black tartan scarf draped around her neck. She finished fastening her gold hoop earrings as Wyatt came back inside from carrying the bread, wine, and cookies out to the Jeep. "Jamie, sweetie, can you help me get the presents for the girls from under the tree?" and she smiled at his eager expression, thinking how adorable the little guy looked. His dad had dressed the five-year-old in an outfit similar to his own: khakis, white tee shirts, and pullover sweaters, dark red for Wyatt and red argyle for Jamie, and over that, Wyatt wore his black leather jacket. "You Logan men look very handsome," she complimented.
"Why, thank you, Miss Preston, and as usual, you look beautiful," Wyatt answered with a swift kiss as Jamie picked up the gifts that Lucy had thoughtfully wrapped in Moana paper. "Miss Lucy, I found the presents for Annie and Sadie," he exclaimed. "Here, Jamie, let me take those while you get your coat on," Wyatt instructed. Lucy helped him with his coat before donning her tan suede jacket, and grabbing her bag, followed father and son out the door.
Since Bob and Ruth's Cadillac was already sitting in the Baumgardners' driveway, Wyatt parked on the street in front of the house. As they got out of the Jeep, Lucy casually warned Jamie not to tell the girls what was inside the wrapped gifts. He nodded solemnly, and Wyatt handed him the bread to carry while he and Lucy took the rest. The festively-decorated front door opened as they walked up the driveway, and Wyatt was amused when Sadie ran straight to Lucy and nearly knocked her over as she threw her arms around Lucy's legs. "Easy there, Sadie bug, you don't want Miss Lucy to fall down," he gently warned as the toddler turned big green eyes to frown at her Uncle Wy.
Luckily, Julie had followed her daughters outside and took the container of cookies from her friend while scolding her youngest, "Sadie Jane, be careful now," as Lucy bent down to pick up the little girl, who, like her sister, was wearing a pretty plaid dress. "Miss Lucy, guess what? Santa Claus is getting us toys 'cause me and Annie are good girls," she blurted out, wrapping her arms around Lucy's neck. "I guess Santa has a different definition of 'good' than I do," her mother said tartly, as Wyatt and Lucy both chuckled at Sadie's puzzled expression.
Once inside, they cheerily greeted Bam, who was sporting a Santa hat, and his father-in-law, and put the gifts they brought under the tall, beautifully-lit tree while Julie and Ruth finished putting the meal together. Once they were all gathered around the table, Bob gave the blessing, and then everyone enjoyed Ruth's delicious lasagna amidst plenty of lively conversation. Unable to eat another bite, Wyatt sighed and placed his napkin on the table before putting his arm around Lucy. Looking around the table, he acknowledged to himself what a difference a year makes. Last Christmas, he and his son were living by themselves and doing just fine, or so he'd thought, until a sweet, beautiful, amazing woman had come into their lives and turned everything upside down in the best way possible.
Wyatt reflected that he was a lucky man. He was content with his military career, had good friends and a wonderful, happy, healthy child, and then there was the woman sitting beside him, his second chance at love that he hadn't thought he deserved. Leaning into Lucy, he breathed against her ear, "Are you having a good time?" and when she surprised him by pressing a soft kiss on his lips, as he might have expected, Bam just had to bust his chops, while Jamie and Annie hid their eyes and Sadie shook her small finger at them, "No kissing at supper, Uncle Wy, Mama says!" while the adults laughed. "All right, who's ready to open some presents?" Julie asked as the little ones shrieked in anticipation, and she sent the men into the front room with Jamie and the girls so she, Ruth, and Lucy could clear the table.
A short while later, there was wrapping paper and ribbons all over the place as everyone ripped into their gifts. Annie and Sadie were very excited about their Moana dolls, and the restaurant gift certificates were a definite hit. Jamie was thrilled to receive a stuffed Maui from Uncle Bam, Aunt Julie, and the girls, and a large bucket of classic Lego bricks from Bob and Ruth, while Wyatt and Lucy were stunned by their gift. Bam and Julie and her parents had gone together and gotten them a romantic weekend package at the 1906 Lodge at Coronado Beach across the San Diego Bay, and Julie also volunteered to keep Jamie when they went. When Wyatt started to protest it was too much, a pleased Lucy put her hand on his arm and smiled and thanked the two couples for their thoughtful, generous gift. At the glowing look on her face, Wyatt knew when he'd been bested, and added, sheepishly, "Yeah, what she said," as Julie and Ruth grinned knowingly.
Once the mess was cleaned up, they all enjoyed a variety of Christmas desserts before Wyatt and Lucy decided it was time to head home. There was still quite a bit to do before tomorrow morning, and Wyatt knew from experience it would take some time to get his over-stimulated son settled down for the night. The next few minutes were chaotic as handshakes, hugs and kisses, and "Merry Christmas" wishes were exchanged before they gathered up Jamie, the gifts, and a good-sized container of Christmas cookies that Julie insisted they take home. Christmas music filled the Jeep on the ride home. Lucy and Jamie sang enthusiastically, and Wyatt's deep voice blended with theirs. Once everything had been carried inside, Jamie immediately wanted to get the milk and cookies ready for Santa, and Wyatt promised he could after he brushed his teeth and changed into his pajamas.
Jamie took off like a shot up the steps, and Lucy offered to supervise while Wyatt got everything ready. A few minutes later, just as he walked out of the kitchen with the Santa plate of cookies and glass of milk, Wyatt was amused to see his son nearly dragging Lucy down the steps as fast as his little legs could carry him. The rosy-cheeked five-year-old looked adorable in the special Christmas pajamas Lucy had got at the mall, and when Wyatt raised a quizzical eyebrow at their hasty reappearance, Lucy shrugged and declared, "Your son was extremely motivated." He smiled at the child's excitement, especially when Jamie took Lucy's hand and instructed his dad where to put the milk and cookies so Santa would be sure to find them.
"Daddy? Where's the sugar for Rudolph and his reindeer friends?" the little boy asked anxiously. "Oops! Almost forgot, good job, buddy," and Jamie beamed. Wyatt hurried into the kitchen and poured a little pile of white sugar on a small plate, and held back a grin when his son told him, "Good job, Daddy," as he set the plate of sugar beside the cookies and milk. Lucy took a picture of Jamie in his new pajamas standing proudly in front of the tree, and then it was time for the little guy to get in bed. As Wyatt had predicted, Jamie was pretty keyed up, but after three stories and a sweet hug for Lucy, the child finally closed his eyes.
Shutting his door carefully, Lucy met Wyatt coming out of his room with a large Toys R Us bag full of festively-wrapped gifts. The couple quietly walked downstairs, and Wyatt handed Jamie's presents to Lucy, asking her to put the "Santa" gifts in the front. After she was satisfied with their placement, Lucy looked up at Wyatt and casually asked, "Can I go get my gifts for you to put under the tree?" and giggled when he looked horrified and responded, "Was I supposed to get you something for Christmas?" Throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him fervently, she warned Wyatt, "Ha, ha, funny. You better be kidding," before racing upstairs to retrieve some neatly-wrapped packages that she carefully placed under the tree. In the meantime, Wyatt had hidden hers in the closet by the front door and tucked the boxes under the tree behind some of Jamie's. One of his gifts to Lucy, however, was upstairs in his room, and he could hardly wait for her to open it.
As casually as he could manage, Wyatt suggested they should probably go to bed soon since Jamie usually woke early on Christmas Day. Lucy agreed, and willingly followed him upstairs. He stopped suddenly just inside his door and asked, "Lucy, do you hear that?" and at her uncertain glance, said, "Sounded like Jamie. Could you check and see if he's asleep or not?" and when she obediently turned and went back down the hall, Wyatt hastily grabbed the pretty gift for Lucy that he had hidden in the very back of his closet a week ago. Shedding his clothes in record time, he dove under the covers and placed the package on his lap just as she came through the door. "No, the little guy's sound asleep," Lucy cheerfully reported, and was heading toward the dresser when Wyatt loudly, purposefully cleared his throat. Her dark eyes widened when she noticed the large pink and white box that Wyatt was holding carefully.
As Lucy slowly approached the bed, he took a deep breath and explained in a rush of words, "I thought it might be better if you didn't open this particular gift in front of Jamie," and Lucy blushed prettily at the intent expression on his face. She sat on the bed and taking the present from Wyatt, meticulously unwrapped the gift, acutely aware of his dark blue gaze on her, and lifting the lid, pulled away the pale pink tissue paper to reveal a pool of shimmering dark red satin. "Oh," Lucy breathed, as she lifted the lingerie from the box, "Oh, Wyatt, it's so pretty, I love it." She stood and held the long slip against her, and Wyatt smiled in satisfaction at her obvious pleasure. "There's more," he said helpfully, nudging the box towards her, and after she exclaimed over the matching long kimono, he was relieved when she turned and took her gifts into the bathroom.
Already aroused, he waited impatiently for her, and was rewarded just minutes later when the door opened, and there she was. Climbing out of bed to face her, his heart thumped almost painfully in his chest as he tried to catch his breath. She was just radiant in the red satin, all glowing, creamy skin and dark, wavy hair and bright eyes (he had been right, the color was perfect on her). Lucy smiled shyly at him, and once she was standing in front of him, trembled when he patiently took his time undoing the belt of the kimono before ever-so-gently drawing it from her slim shoulders and carefully draping it over a chair.
Lucy felt like her skin was on fire. The gorgeous slip clung sensuously to her bare body, and she held her breath and shivered as Wyatt tenderly traced a finger down her shoulder. He bent down to delicately kiss her lips as he pulled her tightly against his chest, and she moaned softly as his tongue traced her bottom lip before his firm mouth took possession of hers for several slow, seemingly endless moments. Lucy lost all sense of time once he swept her into his arms and reverently placed her on the bed before carefully removing the lingerie. A long while later, she woke suddenly to find Wyatt asleep behind her, his warm breath drifting across the back of her neck and his arm snugly holding her against him.
"God bless Victoria's Secret," she thought contentedly, and made a mental note to thank her sister after Wyatt bashfully confessed Amy might have helped him choose her gift (best damn sister in the whole universe). Lucy rolled over to watch Wyatt slumbering peacefully, and absently wondered if her heart might burst from all the intense feelings she had for this man. She must have dozed off because it felt like just seconds later, Wyatt was lovingly kissing her awake, "Merry Christmas, Lucy, I know it's pretty early, but I have a feeling a certain five-year-old will be awake soon, and um, neither one of us is wearing any clothes..." Lucy felt a wicked smile bloom on her lips at his faintly apologetic expression. "Okay, Daddy, I guess my appreciation for your amazing gift will have to wait," she teased before throwing back the covers and oh-so-slowly getting her naked self out of bed to retrieve the red satin slip and kimono. Wyatt inhaled sharply at the sight of her, "Oh, sweetheart, there will be payback for this little demonstration," he promised in a painfully husky voice. "Counting on it, Master Sergeant," she sassed before losing her nerve and running into the bathroom and hastily closing the door.
Fortunately, the little boy must have been tired from yesterday's excitement because Wyatt and Lucy were already dressed and drinking coffee in the front room when a still-drowsy Jamie peeked around the corner, and blue eyes opening wide, gasped in delight at the lit Christmas tree with a big pile of presents in front of it. "Is it Christmas now, Daddy?" he asked hopefully, and Lucy, who was videoing him with her phone, got a lump in her throat at the look of awe on the child's face. Glancing quickly at Wyatt, she could tell he was a little emotional as well. "Yeah, son, it's finally Christmas, and I think Santa was here," he answered solemnly. At his dad's words, Jamie turned to look at the snack they had left out for Santa the night before, and gasped in wonder at the plate full of crumbs and half-empty glass of milk.
"Daddy, look," Jamie instructed as he peered closely in amazement at the plate of sugar, "I can see Rudolph's nose print!" he exclaimed. Last night, Lucy thought it was cute when Wyatt showed her how he would carefully put his thumb in the sugar to simulate a reindeer nose print before breaking one of the M&M cookies into pieces and putting the rest back, along with most of the milk. He sheepishly admitted the first year he and Jamie put out goodies for Santa, he had made the rookie mistake of eating and drinking everything and had a stomachache all Christmas Day. Lucy didn't laugh, though, because it was a sweet story.
"Okay, buddy, why don't you sit here, and let's see what Santa brought," and his son hurriedly sat and eagerly started shredding wrapping paper. "Oh, look, Daddy, it's Legos! I love Legos! Miss Lucy, look what Santa Claus got me," and within minutes, Jamie had demolished the stack of presents, exclaiming joyfully over everything, especially the Hot Wheels racetrack. Wyatt grinned when he noticed the quick thumbs up Lucy gave him, and taking the phone from her, motioned for her to sit on the floor with Jamie while he opened her gifts. Lucy was relieved when he seemed excited to open the books and games she chose for him, and when he immediately hugged the Spider-Man plush to his chest, Wyatt's warm, approving look made her heart skip a beat. After the little boy threw his arms around her neck and kissed her cheek to thank her, way deep down, Lucy vaguely wondered if this sensation was what being a Mommy was like, because that was how she felt at this very moment.
Once Jamie had opened all his gifts and was busy looking at one of his new books, Wyatt tugged Lucy to her feet and guided her to the sofa while he gathered up their gifts to each other and joined her. When she suggested that they open the gifts from Jamie next, Wyatt nodded and told his son, "Hey, Miss Lucy is going to open your present right now," and the child jumped up and squeezed himself in beside her. "Open it fast, Miss Lucy, okay?" he requested as she smiled. When she unwrapped the hot pink apron proclaiming, "Best Cookie Baker Ever," she glanced up to see a smug look on Wyatt's face. "Later," she silently promised him, even as she sweetly thanked the five-year-old.
"Okay, Jamie, now Daddy has to open your presents," and as expected, Wyatt loved the picture frame made especially for him, and Lucy smiled gently when he got a little choked up at the mug from his son that read, "Daddy is My Hero." Wyatt swallowed hard before pulling the child against him and kissing the top of his head, "Thank you, son, I love it," and Lucy might have discreetly wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. "Welcome, Daddy," Jamie chirped before sitting back down in front of the tree to examine one of his new Lego sets. Returning Lucy's tender gaze, Wyatt took a deep breath and handed her a gift to unwrap, "You first," and was gratified by her sincere pleasure at the book he had chosen for her. "Oh, Wyatt, thank you! Is this where we had lunch a few weeks ago?" and at his nod, very briefly flipped through the pages before setting it aside and handing Wyatt a gift. To his surprise, he discovered she had also chosen a book for him, one about the history of Camp Pendleton. Lucy shrugged in dismay, but Wyatt quickly assured her that he actually did enjoy reading when he had the time.
Lucy shot him an amused glance when she opened the next box that contained the sleep pants and tee shirt set from Victoria's Secret. "Let me guess, this set is for me, and the set I'm wearing is for you?" and laughed delightedly at Wyatt's astonished expression. "That's exactly what your sister said," he marveled as Lucy leaned in to kiss him, "It's perfect, thank you." She watched closely as he unwrapped her next gift to him, a couple of fleece-lined plaid flannel shirts from L.L. Bean. "Thank you, Lucy, these are really nice, and I do like flannel shirts," he said with a sly grin. When Lucy started to tear the paper on her last gift, Wyatt put his hand on her arm and asked if she wouldn't mind opening it last. Mystified, she agreed, and watched while he picked up his last present, and Lucy was pleased at his reaction to the Fossil watch she selected for him. "Wow! Lucy, this is just beautiful," an impressed Wyatt admired the sleek dark grey stainless steel watch as she explained all the neat features it had. "Thank you, sweetheart, it's the nicest watch I've ever owned, and I'll wear it with pride," and she smiled happily at his satisfying response.
Carefully setting the watch aside, Wyatt handed Lucy the last present, watching her intently as she quickly ripped the paper off the box. She snapped open the jeweler's case and gasped at the exquisite necklace inside. It was two dainty interlocking hearts of white gold suspended from a slender chain. One heart was slightly larger than the other, and both were trimmed along one side with pale pink diamond chips. Wyatt moved closer, and putting his hand on her cheek, looked deeply into her dark eyes, and murmured, "The two hearts are supposed to represent me and Jamie, and I guess I'm trying to say that our hearts belong to you, Lucy Preston," and he frowned slightly as tears welled up in her eyes and slid down her cheeks as she gazed mutely at him.
"Lucy, sweetheart, don't you like the necklace? I can get you a different one," Wyatt offered and grunted when she threw herself at him and silently cried against his neck. He patted her back uncertainly until she leaned away slightly and wiping her eyes, insisted that he would absolutely not get her a different necklace because it was the most perfect gift she had ever gotten and she loved it and loved him and this was the best Christmas ever, before fiercely kissing him and then crying a little more. "Well, that was definitely an even better reaction than I hoped for," a bemused Wyatt decided as he helped fasten the necklace for Lucy, and when she whispered in his ear that she intended to very properly thank him for his very thoughtful gifts later when Jamie took his nap, Wyatt couldn't help picking up his new watch and thinking it would come in mighty handy for keeping track of the long hours until his son's nap time.
A/N #2: Well, this wee beastie of a chapter took nearly a week to write and ended up being much longer than I planned, but I felt like I had built up a lot of anticipation for their first Christmas together, and really wanted to deliver the goods. Also want to note that all of their Christmas gifts are real, from real retailers (thanks, Google), except for Lucy's apron and one slight detail on her necklace. (It was so much fun to spend imaginary money, LOL!) My deepest thanks to all the readers who follow and favorite this series, especially those who leave such nice reviews. The support and encouragement shown for all my stories is very much appreciated :))