Page 82 of Follow the Play

Baker hits the switch next to the gas fireplace in the living room, and the room lights up in a warm glow. After turning off the overhead light, he sits next to me on the couch and pulls me into his arms.

“Today was perfect,” I whisper into his embrace, my voice melting into the warmth between us as the firelight dances across the wall.

“It was. The kids enjoyed it.”

“You mean the big kids, right?” I ask him. “We all had a blast.”

“We did,” he says, leaning in to kiss my temple. “I haven’t dressed up for Halloween since college.”

“I don’t think I have either.” My eyes glance around the room. “Where do you put your Christmas tree?”

“What?” He chuckles.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to change the subject, but it’s that time of year, and I was just curious where you put it.”

“Well, since Cam was born, I pay a company to come in and set up a tree, and I usually have them put it in that corner.” He nods to the right of the fireplace. “They come and take it down after the first of the year. Before that, it was just me, and I didn’t bother with putting one up.”

“What?” I sit up to face him. “Really? That makes me sad.” I can just picture a single, lonely Baker in this big house without a tree.

Reaching out, he tucks my hair behind my ear. “Don’t be sad, baby. I was in my condo all alone and gone so much with the team. Then Cam was born, and I bought this place. I knew I needed it for him, both the house and the tree, but I was exhausted all the time, so it was easier to hire it done.”

“So, you don’t own a tree?”

“Nope.”

“Decorations?”

“No again,” he replies.

“Some of my favorite memories are decorating for Christmas with my parents. We’d put on Christmas music, bake cookies, and put out all the decorations, including the tree.”

“Yeah, we did, too. My mom always had a Christmas movie playing on the TV.”

“Yes! You have to have the Christmas movies.”

He smiles softly. “We should do that. I think Cam would love it.”

“Really?”

He chuckles. “Yes, really.”

“Can I help?” I ask, bouncing in my seat.

“Baby, I said we. We should do that for Cam. That’s you and me.”

“When?” I ask.

“You have my card. Buy whatever you think we need, and we’ll pick a few nights or a weekend when I’m home and we’ll get started.”

“Eeep! This is going to be so much fun. I know my mom has some Christmas cookie cutters I can borrow.”

“Just buy us some.” He rests his palm against my cheek. “We’re making traditions, right? We’re going to need them again.”

Leaning forward, I press my lips to his. “You just made my entire year,” I tell him. “Camden is going to love this.”

“I think my girl is going to love it, too.” He grins.

I shrug unapologetically. “Maybe.” I wink before settling back against his chest. “My grandparents—my dad's parents and my mom’s parents—have passed. They’d come over and spend the night on Christmas Eve, then be there to open presents Christmas morning. I was an only child, so I was spoiled. By Santa, of course.” I smirk.