“Yes, yes, and yes. You don’t have to wait until the adoption is final. You’re our boy,” Simon answered protectively.
Finally, a broad smile appeared on Tim’s face and Simon relaxed. Holy hell. He hoped he never had to see this child cry ever again, happy tears or not.
“What’s going on in here?” Kara asked curiously as she stepped into the living room.
“You’re going to be my mom,” Timmy chattered excitedly.
Simon’s heart accelerated as his wife looked at him questioningly. He nodded, unable to get anything past the lump in his throat.
Dressed casually like the rest of them, Kara’s body was being lovingly hugged by a worn pair of jeans and Christmas sweatshirt. Her face was flushed from being in the kitchen, and her bright blue eyes were smiling at him.
Mine.
As usual, he wanted her the moment he saw her, but his love went so much deeper than the physical. She was the missing part of his soul, and he was finally whole. Ginny and Tim were a huge bonus, making everything so fucking perfect, it was frightening.
Kara thought he had saved her, but really, she’d been the one to rescue him from a profound loneliness he’d never even acknowledged until he’d met her, a loneliness that no longer existed.
I have a family of my own now.
He grinned at her as Tim threw himself into her arms and hugged her like he never wanted to let go.
Simon understood exactly how the kid felt.
“You’re really going to be my mom?” Timmy questioned enthusiastically.
Kara hefted the boy up and sat down beside Simon, holding Tim on her lap. “I really am. I want to be your mom,” she told the boy softly.
“Then Santa was right. He said not to worry, that you’d be my mom and dad someday. I should have believed in him,” Tim said worriedly.
“Santa said that?” Kara whispered quietly into the boy’s ear, looking startled.
Timmy nodded at her.
Simon looked at his wife and she shot him an alarmed look. He wondered if she was upset because he’d already mentioned adoption to Tim. “What’s the matter?”
Tim gave Kara a final hug and slid off her lap to go organize and play with his Christmas gifts.
Kara smiled at him and shook her head. “Nothing important. I’ll tell you later. But I think I should start believing in Santa.”
“I’m sorry I told Tim without you being here, but he was worried,” Simon told her quietly, keeping his voice down so the child didn’t overhear them.
“It’s okay,” Kara whispered, resting her head against his biceps with a yawn.
“Tired?” he asked with a grin.
“Yes. Somebody has been keeping me up late,” she answered in a sleepy voice.
“Just trying to remind you how much I appreciate your body,” Simon replied. Shit. He already had a boner the size of Texas just from thinking about the night before, and the night before that.
“I’m beyond convinced,” she replied wickedly, turning her head to look at him. “But I might need nightly reminders.”
“Want a nap? I’ll watch the kids.” He didn’t want her to be tired. More convincing was definitely going to happen later that night.
“And miss Christmas?” Kara exclaimed. “No way. Besides, I have one more gift for you.” She dug into the pocket of her jeans and pulled out a plain, white envelope.
Simon’s lips turned up into a broad smile. He already knew what the envelope contained…his heart-wishes. Snatching the envelope up with a covetous glance, he rasped, “How many?”
“Five,” Kara replied. “But I promise you’ll get some every holiday from now on.”
He’d hoped for more, but he’d take whatever he could get. Those tiny pieces of paper were like gold for him. His wife was the sweetest woman in the world, but damn, she could be stubborn sometimes. Those little hearts came in handy. They were his best gift this Christmas.
Simon shoved them into the front pocket of his jeans as Kara took Ginny from his arms. “Time for her nap,” she said in a motherly voice.
Tim ran over and clambered back into Simon’s lap. Kara ruffled his hair and gave him an adoring look.
“I can put Ginny down,” Simon told his wife, wrapping an arm around Tim.
Kara sighed. “I think I’d just like to sit here for a minute and look at the tree.”
“Did you like your gifts?” Simon asked anxiously.
“Yes. Everything was wonderful, but unnecessary. I have everything I need right here with me on this couch.” She reached up and stroked Simon’s cheek.
God, Simon loved it when she said things like that. And Kara wasn’t just saying it. He knew it was coming from her heart.
“Merry Christmas, my love,” Kara said wistfully, her voice quivering with emotion.
“Merry Christmas, baby,” he answered, wrapping an arm around her and pulling her closer him.
Simon knew they’d face challenges in their lives, but right now he knew Kara was right. Everything he needed was right here on this couch, and he was never going to let any of them go.
The family of four sat on the couch for a very long time, savoring the feel of being a family.
After some time had passed, Tim murmured quietly, “I have a mom, dad, and sister now. I won’t be alone anymore.” The boy let out a quiet, contented sigh.
Simon’s arm tightened reflexively around Tim. He didn’t truly know what it was like to be alone because he’d always had his mother and Sam. But he’d known loneliness and emptiness before he’d met Kara, and they were a bitch.
Turning his head, he found his wife watching him quietly, her blue eyes shining with happiness. She was smiling and Simon’s chest started to ache. How had a scarred street kid like him scored a woman as sweet and beautiful as his wife? “I am a lucky bastard,” he rasped.
Kara glanced down at Tim and said in an urgent, harsh whisper, “Simon. Little ears.” She nodded her head at the boy on Simon’s lap.
Timmy grinned at both of them. “Don’t worry. I’ve heard that before, and Simon already told me it’s a bad word. He told me not to say a bunch of other words, too.”
Kara glared at Simon, but her lips were twitching. “Such as?”
Tim looked at her with boyish smile. “How can I tell you if I’m not allowed to say those words?”
“Smart boy,” Simon praised him with a smirk.
Kara shot them both a reproving look. “I can see you two are going to be keeping secrets.” Her gaze landed on Tim. “You’re starting to sound like a miniature Simon already.”