Chapter 9

A year later on Christmas Eve, the house that Mark and Rose had made their home glowed warmly with Christmas lights and the Christmas tree shining bright in front of the large window overlooking the porch. Snow dusted the roof, and the fireplace inside crackled, filling the living room with a cozy glow. Mark sat on the couch, staring at the letter in his hands from Continental Wrestling Association offering him a contract.

He had been working hard and knew this was another step in the right direction for his career. But instead of elation, he felt a bittersweet twinge in his chest. The road ahead would be long, demanding, and would pull him away from the home he had built with Rose more.

Rose entered the room quietly, carrying two steaming mugs of hot cocoa. She paused when she saw him, the firelight reflecting in his deep, thoughtful eyes.

"Why do you look so worried? I thought you were excited to go to CWA?" she asked, handing him a mug before sitting beside him.

He sighed, setting the letter down. "I am excited, but I can't help worrying about what this will mean for us. For you. You're going to be alone more."

Rose placed a hand on his knee, squeezing gently. "We've been through so much already, Mark. We'll get through this too. I believe in you. I believe in us. When I can't travel with you, the bakery expanding keeps me busy. I also have an excellent brother in law that checks in on me regularly," Mark smiled at her, his heart swelling with gratitude. No matter what life threw at him, Rose's unwavering love and support always grounded him. "Besides I have a Christmas Eve surprise gift that might make you feel better," she added, her voice turning playful, "I have a feeling my surprise is going to make you never forget this Christmas."

Mark raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Last Christmas we got married hard to believe your surprise can top that. What are you up to now?" he asked as she left the room then returned holding a gift behind her back.

Rose bit her lip, a nervous but excited glint in her eyes. She reached behind her and pulled out a small box wrapped in festive paper.

"Open it, I promise it will make you feel better," she urged, placing it in his hands.

Mark carefully tore away the wrapping and opened the box. Inside was a tiny pair of baby booties, soft and white, with a tag that read: Coming Soon Baby Calaway, June 1989.

His breath caught as he looked up at Rose, who was watching him anxiously, her blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

"You mean…?" he started, his voice barely above a whisper.

She nodded, a tear slipping down her cheek. "We're going to have a baby, Mark."

For a moment, he was speechless, his mind racing with emotions—joy, shock, and overwhelming love. Then, a grin broke across his face, and he pulled Rose into his arms, holding her tightly.

"We're going to have a baby," he repeated, his voice filled with wonder.

Rose laughed softly, burying her face in his chest. "I wasn't sure how you'd feel with everything happening, but I couldn't wait to tell you. I found out yesterday it's been hard to not let the news slip."

Mark pulled back slightly, cupping her face in his hands. "Rose, this is the best news I could've ever gotten. I don't care how tough the road ahead is—this is everything I've ever wanted. We are going to have a little one," he ran his fingers along her stomach. "I'm going to be a Dad. This time next year he or she will be here."

Tears filled her eyes again, but this time they were tears of pure happiness. "I love you, Mark."

"I love you too, Rose. More than anything," he said, leaning down to kiss her gently.

They sat together for a while, wrapped in each other's arms, dreaming about their future.

Later that night, as they cuddled by their Christmas tree, Mark reached for the snowflake ornaments they had matched two years earlier. He held them in his hands, marveling at how far they had come since that fateful Christmas.

"This was only the beginning," he murmured, hanging the ornaments back on the tree.

Rose leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. "And now, we're starting a whole new chapter."

"We are going to have a family," Mark happily sighed resting a hand protectively over her stomach. Rose kissed him softly melting into him as they enjoyed their Christmas eve together. They knew the years ahead would be tough—balancing his career and their growing family—but as they sat there together, surrounded by the magic of Christmas, they felt ready to face anything.