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“And since you mentioned our ‘wee lass’, here’s your first present.” I hand him a flat rectangular-shaped gift.
“Wow, is it a football?” No sooner does he say this than his face falls. “God, I’m not even a dad yet, and already I’ve started on the dad jokes. Sorry!”
He tears off the wrapping paper. “Ha! Perfect. A Bear Called Paddington. I’ll read this to the bairn.” He flicks through some pages. “Thank you.”
“Can I open my second present now?”
“Fire away.”
Like the cuddly toy, the second parcel feels soft. Opening it, I discover . . . Christmas jammies!
I can’t hold back a laugh.
Aidan raises an eyebrow. “Are they okay? Since we both liked your fluffy pink ones, I thought you might appreciate some Christmas PJs. I’m sorry if it’s a rubbish present. See, I’m new to relationships, so—”
“Whoa! Calm down, Aidan! You’re taking this whole present-exchange thing way too seriously. It’s just a bit of fun, and anyway, I love them. If you open your gift, you’ll see why I found it funny.”
I hand him it. He tears it open, and . . .
“Ha! Christmas PJs. Great minds think alike, eh? These are brilliant.” He holds them up. They’re red and white with a Fair Isle pattern. “So . . . no kinky gifts, then?”
“Nope, sorry. I was just teasing. Anyway, get sex off your brain for a moment. I know I set a two-present limit, but . . . I have actually got you a third gift.”
“You’re showing me up! I only got you two—as we agreed.”
“Well, this is a different kind of present.”
Taking Aidan’s hand, I place it at the side of my bump. We wait, then . . .
“I felt her!” Aidan meets my gaze, his eyes filling with wonder. “I felt our wee girl.”
I first experienced her fluttery movements a couple of weeks ago. Although it’s a slightly surreal sensation, whenever it occurs, I’m reassured she’s growing strong.
He keeps his hand in place and laughs when she kicks again. “Wow! Does she do that a lot?”
“Yes, usually when I’m trying to sleep.”
Chuckling, Aidan leaves his hand on me, marvelling at this first contact with his child, acting like he could do this all night. I’m touched, and yet . . . David did impose a time limit.
“I may not have got you a kinky gift, but why don’t you try your new jammies on?”
He glances up, his lips curling into a playful smile. “Oh, you’d like to see me in them, would you?”
“Mm-hmm. I would.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
AIDAN
I emerge from the spare room. “Well? Do you approve?” I hold out my arms, showing off my new Christmas pyjamas.
Grace has been waiting for me by the crackling stove. “Hmm . . . I need to take a closer look. Come over here.”
I walk over and stand before her. Her skin is dewy and fresh, the dancing flames of the fire catching it beautifully. I swear she’s even more attractive now than when I was with her in London. Am I just imagining it, or is this the “pregnancy glow” I’ve heard about?
Grace rises and wordlessly circles me, scrutinising me from head to toe. She takes her time, going around twice.
“Well, they look fine, but how do they feel?” She catches her lower lip between her teeth, deep in thought.
