Clearly, Tim was pleased with Kara’s comment because his grin got even bigger.
Simon could tell Kara was about to start laughing because she was having a hard time keeping her “disapproving mother” expression on her face.
Tim shrugged, mimicking the expression of nonchalance that Simon had perfected over his years in business. “It’s a guy thing,” Tim told Kara solemnly.
Even Simon had to admit that Tim did a perfect imitation of him when he was being an asshole. Damn. It was good to have a little more testosterone around the house.
Giving up, Kara burst into laughter, and Simon’s smirk turned into a chuckle as Tim looked at them both curiously, wondering what they were laughing about.
“It’s a man and wife thing,” Simon told him, laughter still ringing in his deep, happy tone. “You’ll understand it someday when you’re older.”
Ginny started to fuss, and Kara let her little girl slide down to the floor, Tim already on his feet to catch his new sister protectively.
“Tim,” Ginny squealed happily. “Tim. Tim. Tim.” She toddled after her new brother as he took her near the tree to play with their gifts.
“They already look so much like siblings,” Kara said wistfully.
Simon glanced over to his wife and pulled her easily into his lap. “They are,” he answered simply. The two children had bonded almost immediately, blood related or not.
Kara drew a palm down Simon’s rough jaw. “Thank you for talking to him about being adopted. I think he needed to know. He’s been so afraid.” She sighed and wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck. “You make me so happy.”
Simon’s heart began to race as he looked into Kara’s eyes and saw the woman who had changed his whole existence, the woman who made his future look better than it ever had before. “I know how to make you a lot…happier.” And yeah, it involved a bed…or maybe just a wall, or even the shower.
“Show me later,” Kara whispered to him seductively. “Right now, just kiss me.”
“Mine,” Simon growled as he wrapped a hand around the back of her neck and brought her lips close to his. “And you can count on being shown everything later.”
He stayed just like that for a brief moment, their eyes locked together, Kara’s warm breath caressing his mouth. “Merry Christmas, Simon,” Kara whispered softly.
Simon shuddered and covered her mouth with his, unable to have Kara so close and not kiss her.
The rest of their private party came later that night, the two of them celebrating the merriest Christmas they’d ever had.