‘But I can let you unwrap me upstairs if you like,’ she teased and saw Marc blush. ‘I might be able to deck your halls as they say.’
Marc jumped up and pulled her up, put his hands around her waist and pulled her to him, close. ‘Oh you’re very punny,’ he said and without another word he led her upstairs.
37
Early Christmas morning, Christa woke in Marc’s arms. The sky was dark still, though she could hear birds singing outside, and she moved in closer to him. He stirred then kissed her and pulled her to him.
‘Good morning,’ he said and before she could answer they were tangled up together again.
Later, they woke again to the sounds of the twins yelling.
‘Santa’s been,’ said Ethan.
‘Dad is Santa, you big baby,’ yelled Seth and Christa looked at Marc and made a sad face.
‘When did you stop believing in Santa?’ he asked her.
‘I don’t think I ever did to be honest,’ she admitted.
‘Me neither, otherwise Santa was an arsehole who totally forgot about us and that would be too hard to take as a kid.’
Christa kissed him. ‘We should go and see the kids,’ she said, but Marc pulled her close.
‘One more kiss,’ he said and she kissed him and then jumped from bed and pulled on his robe that was on the chair.
She went to the window and pulled back the curtains and squealed.
‘Oh it’s snowed; like proper snowed. God it’s so beautiful. Come and see,’ she said and Marc pulled on sweat pants and a top and stood behind her and wrapped her arms around her.
‘Okay, that’s pretty awesome,’ he said and he kissed her head.
‘Do the boys know yet?’ she asked and then she heard the boys yell.
‘Dad, Dad, it’s snowed.’
‘Better get going,’ he said.
‘Wait, I’ll go to my room and come from there,’ she said picking up her bag.
‘Why?’ Marc frowned.
‘Because they don’t know I’m in here with you,’ she said. ‘We can’t force us upon them. They need time to adjust.’
Marc snorted. ‘Put on some clothes. I want to show you something downstairs.’
Christa showered quickly, dressed in the nice pants and a pretty lace-pattern woollen jumper and boots. She put on a slick of pink lipstick and walked into the hallway where Marc was waiting.
‘You look amazing,’ he said. ‘Black suits you, so does pink.’
She touched his face. ‘I could wear a potato sack and you would say that it was made for me.’
He took her by the hand and led her down the stairs.
‘The boys are dressed and outside in the snow,’ he said. ‘They’re making a snowman.’
‘Oh that’s so cute,’ she said. ‘Let’s go and help them.’
‘Yes, but before we join them, I want to show you something.’
