Page 1 of Even More Christmas Magic and Romance (Holiday Hiccups #3)

One

“NO, NO, NO! I refuse to have our baby born on Christmas day!” After I voiced my protest, I was thankful no one heard me yelling at the mirror.

My caring husband, Stanley, was in the garage, out of earshot.

So was our little dog, Ben. As for my outburst, it was a reasonable reaction to my worry.

After I got out of the shower and saw my very pregnant body, I had a sudden attack of guilt.

What if I had our baby on Christmas day?

Ever since I was a kid, I was sure anyone who was born on the twenty-fifth of December was cheated. It wasn’t fair that they had to share their special day with what I consider the most glittery, outstanding holiday of the year.

So why didn’t Stanley and I do a better job of planning the birth of our child?

The only answer I can offer is that love got in the way.

I can lose all ability to think things through when I’m in Stanley’s arms. As time passes, I’m more in love with him than ever.

So maybe love is the reason we might end up with a baby born on Christmas.

This situation wouldn’t have happened to the rational, level-headed person I’d once been.

That Gloria meticulously arranged everything beforehand, down to the last canape served at a party.

That Gloria is long gone. The new me has adopted a more flexible way of handling life.

I’ve also been rash. I’ve said things and acted out my feelings without much thought.

During the last two holiday seasons, I allowed my emotions to run amok.

The result of such behavior was very unpleasant for me and my family.

Since then, I’ve worked on finding a better way to handle my feelings.

Besides, I can’t make life all about me anymore.

A baby needs someone who’s in charge of themselves.

As I got dressed, I smiled at the thought of being a sweet mother.

The wonderful feeling helped my guilt to fade.

I put on a roomy, white sweater and maternity jeans thinking about my due date.

It’s the twenty-eighth of December. That means there’s every chance I could sail past Christmas with the baby still waiting in the wings.

I know there’s a better chance of that happening if I set up certain, firm rules for myself. No matter what happens around me, I have to remain peaceful and free of stress. In the past, I could quickly flounder if I was triggered in some way. However, I’ve been practicing control for months.

Of course those first weeks of pregnancy were a bit of a nightmare.

But eventually, I did learn how to navigate my difficult mood swings.

Happily, Stanley and my family all survived with a minimum of damage.

Now, my determination is stronger than ever.

From now on, I won’t even allow myself to yell at the mirror.

Thanksgiving is only a day away and a big family dinner is in the making. I’m looking forward to demonstrating the more mature me during all the festivities.