AN: I know I should be working on the other story but I thought I do a Christmas special regarding our favorite couple. I'm not sure if any of you like audiobooks I just recently downloaded this app called pocket fm? And this one story in particular is called Between The Sheets With Mr. Billionaire I just got through episode 59 and I got to say it is pretty addicting. Anyways wishing from my family to yours a Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year.
Love
C
XOXO
The Best Gift
Chapter 1
His dark gray socks stuck out from beneath the tree, toes wriggling to stretch at random. The black sheen of his shoes, cast aside next to a crumpled suit jacket, glowed brilliant from the twinkling lights. Helga bit the inside of her cheek to fight off a giggle. Her husband, the medical tycoon, the former Medical deputy —ever a child at Christmas—was sprawled out on the floor, staring up at her through the branches.
"Arnold, honey. What are you doing? I thought you were working late."
"I finished up." He stuck one arm out and waved me over. "Come here."
Helga shot a glance down the hall. She'd just put the kids to bed and didn't want to wake them. Thankfully, their doors remained closed. She followed the central Butterfly Staircase down, the large tree nestled in the curve, shooting straight up to the second story. Kicking off her shoes beside his, she wriggled beneath the tree.
He looked over at her with a grin. "Hi." Helga couldn't help but smile back, the light dancing emerald in the green of his eyes. "Hi."
One look and he could always make her forget. That he'd missed out, that they'd missed out, on our time together. Again. He turned his attention to the tree and let out a happy sigh. She joined him. He was here now, wasn't he? And Helga knew he'd make the most of it. Like always.
The ornaments shimmered above us, reminding Helga of happy moments, so many memories. They used to do this all the time, back when it was just the two of them, in his three-bedroom penthouse. Even if they could afford presents, they'd always managed a tree.
"Remember the year I worked all Christmas Eve searching for those Nancy Spumoni? Just so the Hyunh's could reunite?"
Helga's hand found his, lacing their fingers. "That was the best gift."
"That one's pretty memorable." Helga wrinkled her nose.
"No big deal I couldn't stand the thought of you moping."
"I say that was a very big deal."
"True." He squeezed my hand. They'd had the same debate for nearly a decade. They used to get both as a compromise. But not anymore. When had they stopped?
"Oh!" He took out his phone, and Helga waited for the inevitable work call to disrupt our moment. It would be over soon. Instead, the sound of music filled the air, the classics tinkling from the tiny speaker. Herbreath released as the notes settled over me. Arnold was home. Arnold was home and he was here.
The tree lights completed a round of their slow fade in rhythm to the music. An old trick from Miriam. Wrap the trunk with fading lights, the rest with standard. The tree will glow. And it did. It always did.
"So." He kissed the top of her hand. "What's the plan for tonight?"
Helga shrugged. "I don't know. I was planning on a bath and being Mrs. Claus without you."
His brow furrowed. "You didn't think I'd be back in time?"
Helga rolled her head, along with her eyes, deliberately in his direction.
"Right." He tipped his chin in defeat. "Why would you."
She snuggled into him, resting hercheek against his chest. "I'm glad you're here though."
"Me too." His arms circled her waist. "You smell like the kids' bubble bath."
"You smell like the hospital."
"Okay." He laughed and shimmied out from the tree, pulling her along by the ankles. "I see how it is."
Helga giggled and gave him a little kick.
Unfazed, he popped her upright and kissed my nose. "Let's go."
"Go where?" She frowned as he hurried me toward our room. It was cold out. "The kids are asleep."
"Call my parents. See if they can come over."
"It's Christmas Eve."
He threw the rest of his suit on the closet floor and started rifling through his jeans. "They can watch It's a Wonderful Life just as easily here. They won't mind. They're always offering."
"I guess," Helga muttered, already dialing.
Stella picked up on the first ring. "Helga? Is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine."
"Oh, good. my son is home then?"
"He is. Um, we were wondering if you and Miles could come by for a little bit?" Helga winced at the high-pitched work voice coming out of her mouth. Cleared her throat. "There's a few last-minute things we need to do. If not, it's okay. I'd hate to inconvenience you."
"We're already on our way." And with that she hung up.
Helga stared at te phone for a second, then back at him. "You texted her earlier, didn't you?"
His favorite green fleece hung around his neck and he shoved his arms into the sleeves with a big smile.
She shook my head. "You could've just told me."
"It's more fun to watch you go all Miss Manners on my mom."
Helga tried to ignore his comment and quickly undressed, forcing herself to also ignore the heap of clothes now piled on the floor. His parents lived less than ten minutes away. And it was early yet. Why had she been so formal? Was it really such a habit now?
"Earth to Helga." Arnold tugged a red fleece over her head, snapping her back to attention. "There. Now we'll even look like Christmas." As an added touch, he plopped a Santa hat on her head, already donning his own, and pulled her back out of the bedroom just as his mother's key turned in the door.
"Right on time, Mom, Dad." Arnold gave her a big hug. "Thanks again."
"Any time." Stella kissed his cheek, then aimed for helga. "Have fun, baby girl."
We backed down the long driveway, the house looming before us like a temple of lights. Helga still couldn't believe they lived in it. We'd bought it on a wing and a prayer, an investment, knowing the area was about to boom. And they'd been right. It had. But then Eloise was born, and big sister Chantal and little Aidan had begged to stay. They didn't want to move. Again. And honestly, neither did they. Plus Arnoldhad landed the promotion and she got pregnant with Heath. . .
His car jolted over the paved of a back road.
"Um, Arnold, can I ask where you're taking me?"
"You can ask." His eyes glinted in mischief.
She laughed as we hit a giant dip in the road. The suspension of his precious Jag was getting thoroughly tested. "Missing the Jeep?"
He grinned at the memory of her former ride. "You know it."
Tiny whispers of snow started to fall as our destination came into view, peeking through the overgrown tree branches. Our old ice skating spot. The white lights strung above, just as they'd been back in Hillwood. All the nights they'd spent, spinning in pond-sized circles, electric thrills pulsing through their mitten-joined hands, came rushing back.
In a flash he was out of the car, had opened my door, and was easing her feet into skates, tightening the laces as he went.
Her voice shook with each tug. "You paid him to stay open."
"Old Man Jones didn't mind."
He wouldn't admit it, but Helga knew he'd been generous.
Old Man Jones, that was. He was always generous.
They waved at him through the window, remembering the days when his wife used to stand by his side waving too. Arnold made quick work of his skates, and we headed straight for the ice, leaving their blade covers near the entrance. For over an hour, they wove trails under the white light of memory, laughing and dancing their way back to them, pushing away the chaos that threatened to consume. Arnold was here. Arnold was here and so was She.
By morning light, Helga was blanket-wrapped on their bedroom floor near the darkened fireplace, well-loved, the smell of bacon filling the air. She sat up quickly. How had he found the energy to start breakfast? And how were the kids still in bed?
Helga brushed her teeth and followed the heavenly scents into the kitchen. Arnold was standing at the stove, and she leaned in, planting a kiss on his lips. "Where are the monkeys?"
"Stockings. Upstairs. I made them wait to come down."
"That must've been a battle."
He wriggled his eyebrows and slid a cup of coffee her way. "Santa's orders."
Helga laughed, nodding toward their voices in the loft. "Now?"
He took a long swallow of coffee and held up his phone, camera ready. "Kids! It's time!"
They raced to the stairs as their footsteps pounded down. Happy cries and the shredding of paper commenced. He was quite proud that their favorite gifts were the new ice skates he'd bought from Old Man Jones on a whim during their evening out.
After a quick clean-up, their bellies full of pancakes, Arnold lay down on the couch, his Santa hat tipped over his eyes. Helga swept her hand across his whiskered cheek, made her way over to the tree, and slid beneath it, watching the slow magic of the fading lights.
Three pair of feet appeared beside me.
"Mommy." Heath's skinny little toes wiggled like his father's.
"Shh, baby. Daddy's sleeping. Come here."
One by one, they joined her beneath the tree. Aidan's blonde mop of curls fluffed into her face, just like his dad's had before he'd started cropping it short. Chantal's big green eyes mirrored mine, content. Helga winked at her and kissed the top of Eloise's head. "Did you guys have a good Christmas?"
"So good." She grinned.
"Me too. Me too," Eloise added.
Heath pulled just a little at one of the branches, watching the ornaments bounce.
Helga lifted her eyebrow at him in warning.
He grinned. "The lights are pretty, Mommy."
"Yes." She smiled. "They are."
"Daddy goes to work tomorrow?"
Helga looked back up to the tree. "Yes. He does."
Heath sniffed.
Chantal kissed the top of his head, mimicking her hold on Aidan. "It's okay. Know why?"
"Why?" His tiny voice came out muffled from beneath her swath of blonde hair.
"'Cause he always comes home, right Mommy?"
Her calm voice caught her, and Helga had to fight back a tear. The wisdom of a child.
"That's right, baby." Helga scooped all four of them tighter into her arms. "Daddy always comes home."
AN: Let me know what you all think.