A Different Christmas (University Park #5) (15 page)

On Tuesday after practice, I rushed home to see if Lexi’s present had arrived. She had no idea it was coming and I couldn’t wait to see the look on her face. I’d been shopping around for the perfect gift and when I passed a music store at the mall, I knew exactly what our house was missing.

“Lexi, I’m home,” I announced as I entered through the garage door in the kitchen. A sweet aroma filled the air and I recognized it immediately. Mimi had started baking holiday sweets, getting ready for Christmas. It reminded me of when I was young, waiting for Santa to arrive. Being in New Orleans brought back some very sweet memories, and I was ready to make some new ones with my own family.

“Oh my God!” Lexi met me halfway between the kitchen and the living room, throwing her arms around my neck. “I love it!” Her eyes swelled with tears. “I can’t believe you bought it for me — for us.”

“It came.” I smiled and embraced her.

“Yes, about an hour ago.” She led me into the formal dining area. Sitting in front of the French doors was a black, baby grand piano. Very similar to the one Lexi used to play at her dorm.

“Merry Christmas, baby.”

“Thank you, Raven.” Her face radiated with a bright glow. “I’ve been dying to play.” She glided her hand along the sleek black wood, admiring it. “It’s so pretty.”

“I’ve missed hearing you play.” I did a visual inspection, making sure it was the correct one I’d purchased.

Lexi sat on the bench and pressed her fingers on the keys. A melody of Christmas music sounded, filling the house with a festive tone. “I’ll be able to play for us on Christmas,” she squealed, and then changed the tune to a lullaby. “I can also play for the twins.”

I approached her from behind, kissing her cheek. “You’re such an awesome mother.”

“Thank you.” She stopped playing and turned to face me. “And you’re a terrific father. You know exactly what to do. I don’t even have to tell you.”

I laughed. “It just comes naturally, what can I say?” I hitched my shoulders and then relaxed them.

“Don’t stop. Whatever you’re doing.” She reached up and touched my face. “You’ve been working so hard to provide for us and help me, I couldn’t ask for more.”

“I told you, I’d do whatever it takes to prove I can be the husband you need and the father our children deserve.”

Her eyes filled once more with unshed tears. “You’re doing it and more.” Her mouth parted and for a second, I thought she was going to tell me what I’d been praying to hear. Instead, our attention turned to a crying baby. “Nevara.” Lexi sighed. “She’s been so fussy today.”

“Let me try to rock her to sleep.” I signaled for her to stay at the piano.

“Thanks. Your mom’s been trying for the past thirty minutes. I gave up after an hour.” A look of defeat covered her tired eyes. Lexi and Mimi had been taking turns throughout the night feeding Jonah. Surprisingly, Nevara slept a solid six hours once she went to sleep before wanting another bottle. Not Jonah. Our boy could eat and eat.

I walked into the nursery to see my grandmother rocking my baby girl. “She doesn’t want to go to sleep?”

“No.” Mimi looked just as defeated as Lexi. “She’s fighting it.”

“Let me try.” I gathered Nevara into my arms and brought her close to my chest. I swayed from side to side, soothing her. “Daddy’s here, baby girl. No need to cry.” At that moment, all crying ceased. Her tiny lips stopped trembling and her eyes opened as she tried to focus on me.

“Amazing. When she hears your voice, she stops crying.” Mimi eased out of the chair and I sat down.

“I guess she wants me to rock her.” I nestled her tiny frame in the crook of my arm.

Mimi cocked a brow. “You have that magic touch. The one a daddy can only give.” Her knowing look turned into a big smile. “I’m proud of you, Raven. You’ve really grown up. You’re not the same man you were nine months ago.”

“No, I’m not.” Hearing that made me feel warm inside. I’d been working so hard to change for the better. It was nice to see my grandmother approved of my efforts, and most of all, Lexi.

“I hope Lexi appreciates everything you’ve done and sees the new Raven.”

Glancing at her, I said, “She does.”

“I’m happy for you. You both deserve a lifetime of happiness.” She rubbed my shoulder, her touch comforting. “I knew if you stayed the course God would reward you.”

My throat tightened with thickness. “You’re always right, Mimi.”

She released a soft laugh. “I don’t know about always, but I’ve learned over the years.”

“I appreciate your wisdom and advice.”

“Anytime.” She yawned. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to bed before Jonah wakes up for his next feeding. Lexi was feeling really tired…well, until the piano arrived.”

We stayed silent for a few seconds, catching the ending of
A
White Christmas.
“She’s an excellent player. I’ll have to introduce her to the church choir once the twins are a little older.”

“She’d like that.”

“You did well, Raven. Lexi’s a great mother and she loves the babies.”

“She really is a special person.”

“That, she is.” Mimi yawned once more and then smiled. “Goodnight.”

“Night.”

She closed the door and I continued to rock Nevara until she was sound asleep. Appraising the delicate features of my daughter, I still couldn’t believe I was a father — not to one, but two children. How did I get so lucky? It seemed surreal to look at the baby in my arms, knowing she was part of my flesh. Truly amazing. I placed a soft kiss on her forehead before laying her inside the crib. Things had truly changed and for the best.

***

A cold front moved through New Orleans on Christmas morning, bringing near frigid temperatures. It made it seem more like the holidays, but it had the town in a frenzy. It reminded me of last year when Lexi and I were iced in and the stores were raided like a zombie apocalypse was underway. Mimi had gone to the store the day before, so we were stocked with everything we needed.

We had a full house, just like Thanksgiving. My aunts and uncles, along with my cousins, showed up with food and presents. My mom and Mimi made a delicious Christmas dinner with ham, mashed potatoes, and all the fixings. The desserts were divine, made with a French and Cajun flair no one could beat. The recipes had been in my family for decades. Next year would be even better when the twins were older.

Lexi played the piano for us and we sang a couple Christmas songs. Everyone loved it and agreed she was an excellent pianist. Mimi played a few more songs while Lexi and I fed the twins. I loved helping her as much as possible and spending time with our babies. They wouldn’t stay small for long and I wanted to cherish every minute with them.

Later that evening, we had two surprise phone calls. Shawn called us first, followed by Josh. We Skyped so they could see the twins. They were excited for us, and Josh apologized for being an ass and asked if he and Shelby could come visit for New Years. We told him we couldn’t wait to see them and welcomed them to stay with us.

Everyone left around eight with the exception of Mimi and my mom. They insisted on taking care of the twins while Lexi and I spent some quality time together. We sat by the fireplace, talking and drinking hot chocolate. It was nice to have some alone time with her and I was anxiously counting down the weeks until we could have sex. She admitted she was doing the same. Knowing we had the same agenda made it more tolerable somehow.

“I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but I didn’t give you a present for Christmas.” Lexi gripped her mug tightly as she released a soft sigh.

I placed my arm around her, giving her a comforting hug. “To be honest, I didn’t. You’ve given me two beautiful gifts already. What more could I ask for?”

“Funny you should say that.” She placed her cup on the coffee table and reached for my hand. “Come with me. I want to play a song for you.”

“Really?” I hopped up, anxious to enjoy one of our favorite pastimes together.

She giggled. “You did buy the piano for me. The least I can do is play you a song.”

“Just one?”

She sat down and patted the space next to her. “We’ll see.”

“Okay.” I slid in next to her and the memories flooded my mind, making my heart skip a beat. I shook my head. She was the only woman who could do that to me
.
“Kind of like old times, huh?”

“Yep.” Her lips pursed and she tucked her head. A glow radiated from her and she was trying hard not to smile. I had no idea what she had planned, but I was game for whatever she wanted to do. “Okay…um, I haven’t had much time to practice this song, so if I mess up, I’m sorry.”

“Lexi.” I caressed her delicate hand, placing a kiss on her palm. “It doesn’t matter to me. You should know that by now. Besides, you just gave birth to twins. You really should be in bed resting.”

“Trust me. I’ve been resting. Mimi’s been doing everything and so has your mom.”

“I’ll make sure and thank them.” It was good to know I could rely on my family to help when I couldn’t be here.

She nodded and her eyes glossed over.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Her voice squeaked. “Just give me a minute…stupid hormones.” She wiped under eyes and then reached behind a songbook, retrieving a piece of sheet music.

“Meghan Trainor and John Legend?” I released a low chuckle, recalling the first time I heard her playing a John Legend song. This woman knew how to capture my heart.

“Any chance you know the words?” She positioned the papers in front of us.

“I think I’ve heard it on the radio enough times to get by.”

“Don’t be shy, okay?” She elbowed me.

“No shyness here, baby.”

We laughed and then she placed her fingers on the keys. She took a deep breath and exhaled. I wasn’t sure why her hands were trembling. I’d heard her sing and play enough times.

It took her a few seconds before she started playing the song. Once her fingers started moving, she began singing. A sweet melody filled the air — a sweetness that could only come from her. Her voice wrapped around my heart, filling it with an insurmountable amount of love; love I felt through each stroke on the piano.

When she reached the chorus, she turned to me, connecting our gazes. Without faltering, she poured her heart and soul into each word. It touched me deep inside, shaking me to the core. Lexi was doing more than singing to me — she was telling me something. Something I’d been waiting to hear for months.

The song transitioned to the male vocal part and I picked up immediately where she left off. I did my best not to mess up. Telling her I felt the same way. Tears dripped from her eyes, but that didn’t stop her from joining me at the right time. With our hearts connected, we filled each other with the right words — words that said exactly what we wanted from each other for the rest of our lives.

We were going to love each other like we could lose each other tomorrow. We’d hold each other every chance we got, and never take each another for granted, because who knew what tomorrow would bring.

We ended the song in a perfect rhythm. My heart was thundering in my ears and my stomach was in knots. It was worse than being on the field with seconds left on the clock and the ball in my hand. I didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but I had an idea what was coming next.

“Wow. Lexi. That was intense. Beautiful.” I cupped her check. “Just like you.”

“Thank you. I wasn’t sure I could get it right, but I guess I did.”

“You did more than get it right, baby. You nailed it.”

She smiled. “You did great yourself.”

“Not as good as you.” I placed a soft a kiss on her lips. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She pulled away slowly. “I have something else for you.”

“You’re full of surprises tonight.”

She winked and then went to the Christmas tree. Reaching behind it, she retrieved a small box. My heart about leaped out of my chest and I felt like a girl about to get proposed to. Sitting next to me, she inhaled a deep breath and then exhaled.

“Raven,” she tucked her hair behind her ear and looked up at me, “we’ve been through hell and back and it’s been a rough ride. But it’s been worth it. You’ve been worth it.” Her voice squeaked, but she managed to keep the tears back. “And I know I can’t ever be without you. I need you — our children need you. Over the past several months, you’ve proven to me you deserve to have my heart.” She popped open the box, showing me a wedding band crafted in a thick black tungsten carbide. Tears seeped from my eyes; there was no holding them back. I loved Lexi so much, and I was completely overwhelmed.

“I’m willing to give it to you for good, if you want it. So, I guess what I’m saying is, will you marry me, Raven? Will you promise to be there for me, for us, for our children, no matter what happens? Will you be my happily ever after?”

I gathered her in my arms and stared right into the center of her big, brown eyes. “I would love to be your husband, Lexi. And I promise to love you no matter what life throws at us. I will be here for our children and you. I will give you that happily ever after until God takes me from this earth.”

Her lips trembled, but curled into a huge smile. “I love you so much.”

I wiped her tears with the pads of my fingers. “And I love you, Lexi Ann Davenport. You’ve made this the best Christmas ever.”

“I’d have to agree that in New Orleans, it’s definitely been
a different Christmas
.”

The End

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