An old-fashioned bear with soft fur and jointed limbs and a little vest with a red kerchief.
I stare, completely flummoxed, because that is not what I wrapped. And yet there it is, the bear from my dream. And peeking out from the pocket, tucked in front of the kerchief, is the gold pocket watch.
“Nikki,” he says, as he looks at the bear, touching it reverentially and smiling with what I can only assume are happy memories. “This is incredible.”
He pulls out the watch and opens the case, then reaches for my hand when he sees the engraving:
N & D 4ever, inside a delicately drawn heart.
“It’s perfect. All of it. The watch, the bear…” He trails off, looking away as his lips curve down into a soft frown, and I don’t say a word, because I’m certain that I know what he’s thinking.
I see it in his eyes when he turns back to me, and I know what he’s going to say before the words leave his lips. “Baby, did we—”
“I think so,” I answer, my voice a whisper. A chill tingles down my spine. “I don’t know how, but—”
“The party. The movies? The walk down Hollywood Boulevard? But that was a dream.” He meets my eyes. “Wasn’t it?”
I press my fingers to his lips. I don’t have an answer. And I say the only thing I can think of, giving him the only explanation I have. “Merry Christmas, husband.”
He glances at the lunchbox. “I just don’t understand—” He shakes it off and starts again. “It’s not the most extravagant present ever.”
“It’s perfect,” I say. “You know it’s perfect. Besides. I already have everything I need.”
I hook my arms around him, and let him pull me closer, so that I am warm and comfortable in his lap.
“So do I,” he murmurs. “I have you.”
As he kisses me, I think how true that is, and how we have each other, wholly and completely.
And soon we’ll have a house full of friends and family, laughter and fun.
Yeah, I think, as I snuggle close. We really do have everything.
And it is most definitely the merriest of Christmases.