Disclaimer: No mistletoe was harmed during the writing of this story, and I don't own HSM or its characters. Thank you Disney for allowing us to play with them them:)
Chad carefully put the bow on the box and put the box on Taylor's half of the desk in their den. He rubbed his hands together and smiled to himself. He had always loved Christmas because of the big surprises he would find under the tree. But another reason to celebrate inadvertently started with his mother's strange placement of mistletoe and he had carried on her tradition in his own way. It was never in an obvious place like a doorway or entrance but in various other places throughout his childhood home. Yesterday when he took the kids for a visit he saw it placed over the big screen TV his dad often watched games on and it looked like half the berries were already gone.
Ugh, now was not the time to think of his parents love life. Chad was hoping that his placement of the magical little sprigs this year would lead to as playful a time as when he and Taylor first got married.
"Finally." Chad muttered to himself as he packed his shaving kit into the carry on bag he and Taylor would be taking for their trip. He was excited to finally be going on his honeymoon with his beautiful new wife. It had to be postponed because Taylor had clinical tests and finals the following two weeks after their wedding. Having the ceremony over Thanksgiving weekend was kind of crazy. Taylor refused to have a party in the middle of her testing period of her first semester in nursing school. Thankfully the hellish test period ended today. In five hours he and Taylor would be cruising the Pacific on their way to the Mexican Riviera. Fourteen days of fun, sun and Taylor in a bikini. This was going to be the best Christmas ever!
Taylor walked into their town house to find her new husband grinning stupidly into space. Chad looked like a little kid on Christmas morning and she couldn't help but grin herself. She finished her last clinical practical forty-five minutes ago and was so glad it was done she wanted to do back flips. Instead she walked over to Chad and passionately kissed him out of his daze. "I'm home sweet husband. Penny for your thoughts."
"If I showed you what I was thinking about we'd miss our flight." Chad said pulling her close and kissing her temple letting his hands really tell her what was on his mind.
Taylor let out a groan "I know you're right, but are you sure we can't sneak in a quickie?" she asked hopefully.
"Nothing would make me more happy than to follow-up on that suggestion but we should really be walking out the door right now." Chad said looking at his watch and going to the closet for his own coat. "However, if you still feel like jumping me once we're up in the air you can cross off joining the mile high club on your 'Things to do before I'm thirty list'."
That earned him a smack on the arm but all she did was give him a smile and grab her rolling suitcase. There was something to be said for her husband's imagination and her penchant for keeping old lists. Chad grabbed his own duffle and carry on and followed her out the door with a smile of his own. That sly little smile always meant good things.
Several hours later...
"Here's our stateroom." Taylor said as she put her room key into the electronic reader. As she opened the door she felt herself being swept off her feet. Chad carried her over the threshold laughing as Taylor giggled. "You're really getting into the honeymoon spirit aren't you?"
"Well its all your fault, newest and loudest member of the mile high club." Chad said laughing putting her back on her feet.
"Who knew that orgasms felt so good at high altitude or that you were so masterful in small spaces." she said keeping her arms around his neck.
"Something about your body inspires me." he said letting his hands roam wherever. "I think we pissed off the flight attendant."
"Psshh. She's just mad cause she wanted to be doing what we were doing." she said with a grin and a peck on his lips. Taylor went out to the balcony and pulled him with her. They were leaving out of San Diego and the warm breeze blowing their hair was the complete opposite of the New Mexico cold they were in just a few hours earlier. "It feels good to finally be here." She said as she put her head on his shoulder. "Remind me to thank your mom and dad for looking after mama while we're away."
"Hey, its what families that really love each other do Tay. I really love your mom. She's the reason that I have you. I will be forever grateful for the gift of you."
"I love you Chad." was all she could say feeling so overwhelmed. How had God blessed her to be married to such a beautiful man.
"And I love you." Chad said as he turned her to face him. He moved her curled hair behind her ear and stroked the side of her face with his thumb. "No matter what life may throw at us you should keep that as close to your heart as possible." he said rubbing his nose against hers.
"So now that we've gotten the sappy moment of the day out of the way its time for some fun." Chad said smiling going to grab their bags from the doorway and proceeded to start unpacking. Taylor followed suit and put her bag on the bed to start unpacking and stopped dead when she opened it. She started chuckling as she pulled her clothes out. Chad was watching her from the closet where he was hanging up his shirts with a grin. "Mr. Danforth would you like to explain why there's a sprig of mistletoe pinned to every piece of clothing that I packed." This explained his silly grin earlier that day.
"Well Mrs. Danforth, I figured you, me and mistletoe always equaled magic. This is my version of my mom's tradition of hanging the stuff in weird places. Do you know of the tradition of the mistletoe?" Taylor shook her head. "Well. the correct mistletoe etiquette is for the man to remove one berry when he kisses a woman. When all the berries are gone, there's no more kissing permitted underneath that plant. One legend states that a couple who kisses underneath mistletoe will have good luck, but a couple neglecting to perform the ritual will have bad luck. Specifically, it is believed that a couple kissing under the mistletoe ensure themselves of marriage and a long, happy life, while an unmarried woman not kissed under the mistletoe will remain single for another year. You don't have to worry about that cause we took care of that last year. However you seem to think that some bad mojo has been following you around. I figure I've gathered enough mistletoe to take us through the new year."
Taylor couldn't help herself from laughing. Since last year's kiss had led to them not only to getting back together but engaged she couldn't refute the following of tradition. "So how is this supposed to work?"
"Everyday you take the sprig off your dress or blouse and pin it to your hat or visor. Then I get to kiss you until all the berries are gone. We get to start today. Check your coat pocket." Chad instructed.
Taylor went and searched the pockets of the coat that she carried on to the boat and pulled out a tiny sprig. "You've really thought of this haven't you?"
"Like I told you earlier, you inspire me. Besides being loving, smart and beautiful you're an amazing kisser. I can't think of anything I want more for Christmas than an excuse to make out with my wife."
"Soo, what are you waiting for?" Taylor asked waving the tiny branch at him while backing up to the bed. "These berries won't get rid of themselves."
Taylor let out a squeal as Chad quickly moved and caught her about the waist. All laughing died away as he gave her soft kisses all over her face and down her neck and slowly made his way toward the ticklish spot behind her ear. Taylor gasped as he tenderly nuzzled the spot before Chad finally let his lips find their home on to hers. With no need to rush they took their time in this first of many Christmas kisses.
That trip had been so much fun. Chad didn't have any idea before then that Taylor enjoyed a good game of sexy dress up. He loved when he discovered something new about her. Like back in high school when he found out what a great dancer she was during the summer at Lava Springs. Six years of marriage and three babies later and he was even more fascinated with Taylor. She was an amazing wife and a phenomenal mother. How she managed being a charge nurse on top of that still held him in wonder. He finished wrapping all of his gifts and was hiding them away when he heard his 5 year old daughter calling out for him.
"Daddy, where's mommy?" Lacy came into the den in her pajamas holding MingMing the Wonder-pet under one arm.
"She went out to take care of a few things." Chad said to the other love of his life. "What do you need Lala?" he asked picking her up and sitting down in his barker lounger.
"I want a Christmas story." Lacy said snuggling comfortably into her dad's lap.
"The one about baby Jesus?" he asked.
"No the one about you and mommy." she said flashing him that adorable smile.
"Who said there was a Christmas story about mommy and me?"
"Gramma and Pops." Chad couldn't help but laugh out loud. His mom loved to take credit for getting Taylor and him back together with an assist from Gabriella.
"When did they tell you this story?" he asked ruffling her soft dark curls so much like his own.
"At their house." she said toying with MingMing's fur. "Tell me daddy. Please?"
"Ok,okay. I'll tell you about the Christmas after you were born." Chad said reclining the lounger and readjusting Lacy on his lap to snuggle closer. As he told his baby girl the edited version of that time he let his thoughts run free.
Chad slept like a rock. No, more like someone had hit him over the head. Until recently he slept like a newborn baby cuddling against her mother's bosom. Baby. Baby crying. He sat up like someone rising from the dead. Chad took a look at the clock. 2:41 am. Not even a full 2 hours since her last feed and she was up again.
"Tay, baby's crying." he said shaking her shoulder. Tay mumbled something unintelligible and pulled the six week old from her co-sleeper bassinet and put her in position to nurse. When all he heard was suckling and gulps he got up to go get Taylor a glass of water.
He wished she would let him help more with the feeds. But all the talk of nipple confusion and engorgement sort of freaked him out so he just let Taylor have her way. Making sure to get ice for the glass he took that and a bottle of water back into their bedroom and set it down on the night stand. Chad sat down facing her on the bed. Taylor was sitting up now trying to burp their daughter before switching her to the other breast. Looking at her feeding their baby was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. It was also very erotic. Without even thinking about it he felt himself grow hard as he reached out to touch the upper swell of her unoccupied breast and started to stroke it softly.
"Chad?"
"Hmm?"
"You know what happens when you do that right?"
He smiled a happy smile. "Mmmh, yea. Screaming orgasm."
"Well, after six weeks of abstaining that sounds delicious but I don't have my check-up until the morning." Taylor said with a note of frustration in her own voice.
"Sorry." Chad said pulling his hand away. "You guys just look so beautiful. I was actually dreaming about this moment." he said softly reaching out a hand to touch the head of his curly headed daughter.
Taylor let out a sigh. She was letting the lack of sleep get to her. She didn't mean to snap at him. "Thank you for getting up with me and for the water."
"Thank you for our beautiful daughter." He said reaching up to stroke Taylor's cheek. When Chad saw that the baby had gone back to sleep, he took her from Taylor and settled her back into the bassinet. He still couldn't believe that she was finally here. Chad Danforth was somebody's father.
When Taylor found out that she was pregnant a month after they had come back from their honeymoon they were both nervously excited. Taylor was nervous. Chad was excited. A little piece of him and Taylor growing inside of her. Taylor lamented about the new changes of her pregnant body, but Chad couldn't get over how gorgeous she looked. He didn't even think that was possible. The rounder her belly got the more he wanted her. Even when Lacy was two weeks overdue and all Taylor could do was shuffle from here to there, she still had that glow.
"Chad honey come back to bed. You have to report to your shift in a few hours." Taylor said sleepily. Chad went back over to the bed and crawled in beside her. Nuzzling her neck through her hair and pulling her close they spooned together. Taylor snuggled in closer when she felt Chad' s hard on pressing against her backside. "Hold that thought sweet husband. The wait is almost over."
Later on that day...
"Honey, baby girl, I'm home." Chad announced as he came through the door later the same day. He tried to hurry up and stash the bags from the toy store in the extra hall closet. Chad thought that he loved Christmas before, but nothing prepared him for the excitement of shopping for his own kid. There was no need to rush since there was no response coming from any other part of the house. Taylor's truck was in the driveway so they had to be home. Chad moved towards the master bedroom and came to a dead stop. Taylor was draped across their bed wearing his favorite purple baby doll nightie, asleep. Chad couldn't help but laugh to himself. He caught eye of the sprig of mistletoe attached to his side of the head board and smiled. Taylor had beat him to the punch this year. He went to look in the bassinet and saw that Lacy wasn't there.
"Tay?" Chad called her name in a half panic.
"Chad." Taylor moaned in response which made Chad grit his teeth in frustration. There would be time for that once he found out where his child was.
"Tay the baby's gone." He said shaking her.
"What?" She said sitting straight up before jumping off the bed and running down the hall to the nursery. Chad followed her confused until he saw her standing over Lacy's crib pulling a blanket over their sleeping daughter. Taylor looked back at him and rolled her eyes before shooing him out the room. Once they were in the hallway she smacked his arm.
"You nearly gave me a heart attack Chad!" she half whispered walking back down the hallway to their room. "I got an A+ plus at my six week checkup today. Your little girl finally decided to cooperate with mommy after I nursed her. So I figured I would surprise you and put her down for her nap in her own room. We could have our room back, at least for a couple of hours. Aww man I fell asleep!" Taylor rambled as she paced in their room.
"Tay?"
"Yes?" she answered pausing mid pace.
"I love you. Now take a deep breath. I'm sorry I scared you. You know I didn't mean to." Chad said taking her by the shoulders and pulling her into a hug. Taylor let her arms go around his waist hugging him back. "Love you too." she mumbled into his shoulder. Chad's eyes drifted back over to their bed and that magical sprig.
"You got me mistletoe?" he asked softly.
"Mmh yeah. It hadn't made an appearance yet and Christmas is three weeks away." she said letting her hands drift up his back and settle around his neck.
"It hadn't made an appearance cause your doctor hadn't given you clearance yet. You and I cannot stop at one chaste kiss when mistletoe is involved. Things have been hard enough around here without that kind of temptation hanging over my head." Chad replied with a small laugh. "The branch is kind of tiny this year though isn't it?"
"Well that's not the only one hanging around. There's more in other places." Taylor said with a sly smile.
"Really? Where? How many?" Chad asked excitedly looking around.
"I'll only tell you there are twelve. You'll find out where if you look closely enough and if I unexpectedly jump you from out of nowhere." she said with a huge grin.
"Wow little wife. You've managed to surprise me again. How'd you have time to arrange all of this anyway?" He asked knowing she was just as sleep deprived as he was.
"Your mom brought some over when I mentioned that we didn't have any. Everything else came together over six weeks of watching you take care of me and Lacy without complaint. I consider a helpful husband doing the small things foreplay. Watching you empty and take out the diaper pail makes me kinda hot." she explained leading him over to sit on the bed. She rearranged the pillows so that they could sit back against the headboard.
"Really?" Chad asked looking at her dubiously.
"Oh yeah. Torrence kept warning me to get ready to do all the work. She said her husband Kevin barely changed a diaper and was completely against her breast feeding. You weren't like that at all. You jumped right in helping with diapers and encouraging me when Lacy had a hard time latching on. Even letting me get in a nap while you looked after a very awake baby. You surprised me. That is so sexy to me."
Chad looked at his wife amazed. It was great to know that he wasn't the only one getting turned on over the last month and a half watching her be a great mom. "I love you both and being able to take care of you is an honor." he said kissing the side of her head.
"Well, its now time for your handsome reward Mr. Danforth." She said as she straddled his lap. "We have to make up for six weeks."
"When you put it that way..." Taylor cut him off pressing her lips to his burying her hands in those glorious curls. Chad let his own hands wander as he pulled her in closer. What could be a better early Christmas gift than a sleeping baby and a creatively horny wife. Nothing, Chad thought.
Speaking of sleeping babies Lacy had fallen asleep on him during the story. She hadn't slept through the night for another four months but her mom and dad had fun finding all the mistletoe during her naps that Christmas.
Meanwhile Taylor let out a huge sigh as she pulled her truck into the driveway. Be it ever so humble. It felt so good to finally be home. She got out of her truck but left her bags and packages in the car just in case her babies were still up. There wasn't a sound coming from anywhere as she let herself into the house. Taylor wandered over to the boys' room and went in to kiss them when she saw they were asleep. Seeing a light on in the den she moved toward there shedding her coat, hat and gloves on the hall bench before going in.
There sleeping in the Chad's barker lounger laid her heart and soul. Chad and Lacy were comfortably curled up in the recliner. It looked like everyone was asleep. She was about to go put her coat back on and gather her packages from the car when Chad called out to her.
"Hey gorgeous. Where you going?" Chad asked just loud enough for her to hear without waking Lacy.
"Back to the car for my bags and things. I thought you were sleep." Taylor said going over to the recliner.
"Not sleep just thinking about you, mistletoe and the Christmas after Lacy was born." he said grinning at her. "My old lady keeps it hot."
"Hey, if you want me to keep it hot you better watch who you calling old." she said picking her daughter and MingMing up from her Chad's lap. As she was leaving to take Lacy to her room Chad called out again.
"I'd like to see you in here when you're all done." he said keeping his voice neutral.
Taylor smiled to herself. If he was thinking about the Christmas after Lacy's birth Chad definitely had something up his sleeve. She went and tucked her baby girl in for the night and then went to retrieve all her things from the truck. After she stashed away her purchases she kicked off her shoes, took the headband out of her hair and walked back into the den. Taylor took a look around before going over to Chad's chair.
"Would that large branch of mistletoe over the recliner and rather large box on my desk be the reason you wanted to see me?"
"Your powers of observation are strong tonight. Which one do you want to know about first?" he asked reaching for and stroking her hand.
"The large branch is obvious. I'm not sure how we're going to finish it all by new years with three kids, but I'm up to the challenge." she said now looking over at the box.
"You forget that there's a lock on the door and the recliner goes all the way back." he said with a smirk "Go on and get your gift." Chad said as he nudged her toward the desk. Taylor went and grabbed the box and went back to the recliner to snuggle in next to Chad before opening it. Nestled in the tissue paper of the box was lingerie. Not just any old lingerie. Custom made lingerie and from the lookof the embroidered lace very expensive. However, that wasn't even the novel part. The novelty was the tiny embroidered mistletoe sewn on to the collection of bras and panties. It was gorgeous but had her twisting the logic behind the gift.
"Did you give me this to tell me you don't get enough action during the year?" she asked giving him a side eye.
"No. Are you kidding me? When other husbands talk about their wives not being intimate I thank my lucky mistletoe that isn't a problem in our case. I got these for you cause I like it when you walk around me half naked." Taylor nudged him but smiled. "Seriously, I had these made for you in celebration of the little sprig that brought us back together. You were made for me Taylor and I was made for you. Life wouldn't be nearly as sweet if you weren't my wife. Some of the better memories I have of us together happen to involve a poisonous, parasitic plant." Chad said with a smile.
Taylor looked at him thoughtfully draping her thighs over his lap. "This isn't how I pictured my life at this age but nobody could be more happily surprised than me. You're the love of my life Chad and part of me thinks that we were always meant to be. You've fulfilled a dream in me I didn't even realize I had, a family of my own full of joy and love. I love you for that Chad." she said running her hands through his curls.
"I love you too Tay." was all Chad could get out before Taylor brought his mouth down to hers.
A/N: I hope that you enjoyed this fluffy piece of holiday magic. I personally enjoyed writing it. I'd love to know what you think. Hate, love, meh...let me know:)