Chapter Thirteen

Trinity

Christmas is such a magical time. People seem kinder, unless they’re stuck in traffic, and the air is filled with love and the scent of cookies.

This year was busy and challenging, but I gained so much. And by “so much,” I mean I gained a circle of beautiful souls who brought love, trials, tribulations, and even made me a mother, a better wife, and friend.

I decided to host a Christmas party at our house this year. I wanted to fill it with fun, laughter, hot chocolate, gingerbread, marshmallows, and send some love to my family and the most important people in my life. They’re the ones who inspire me, support me, and give me the courage to keep going all year round.

We were lucky to have friends who became family, lifelong friends, and new friends join us this year. Clint, Mia and Willie, Luke and Todd, Dave and Felicity, and new friends—well, new to me anyway—Benji and Maddie. Plus, we got to celebrate our beautiful babies’ first Christmas.

I love that we all got to know each other better, support each other, and have more fun together today.

I was lying in bed awake from 5:30am, waiting to hear if the twins stirred. I watched my husband sleeping peacefully next to me. It was getting close to six o’clock, so I was going to head downstairs shortly and start preparing when I heard Stephen's voice.

“Stop being a creeper and watching me sleep,” Stephen said.

“Haha, well if you’re aware of me staring then you aren't sleeping, are you Mister?” I replied.

He reached out to me and pulled me into him, hugging me tenderly.

“Merry Christmas, my love,” Stephen said.

“Merry Christmas, baby,” I replied.

We lay in bed cuddling, something we’ve done for most of our relationship. We start the day just the two of us in the sanctuary of our bed, enjoying each other and feeling thankful to be here together before we get up and face the world as a team.

“Wanna swap presents now, baby, before it gets too hectic today?” Stephen asked.

“Sure, baby,” I replied.

We both got up and fetched our respective presents.

I carefully unwrapped the gift and my jaw dropped the moment it was opened.

“Baby, this is breathtaking, but why?” I asked.

“I know it’s supposed to be an anniversary or special date when you give your wife an eternity ring, but this is a special date to me. It’s our first Christmas as a family, and there will never be another for me. You’ve given me everything I wanted in this life. Merry Christmas, my love,” Stephen said.

I leaned over and kissed my husband, running my hand lovingly down his cheek.

“Merry Christmas, baby. Now open yours,” I said.

I watched as he opened it up and removed it.

“No!!! Are you serious, baby?” Stephen asked.

“You’ve been saying for ages now you wanted to get our babies tattooed on you, so I took one of their photos to your tattooist and had it sketched up and paid for. All you need to do is call and set the appointment and go get inked, baby,” I replied.

“I love you, thank you so much,” Stephen said.

We shared a few moments kissing and holding each other before we heard our babies start to stir over the monitor and got up to get them.

We went into their room and picked them up, giving them big cuddles and wishing them a merry Christmas. We took them down and put them on the ground at the bottom of the stairs to the lounge room and let them race over to under the tree to explore.

Of course, being our kids, they went to the shiny tinsel and baubles on the tree first before exploring the presents. We hugged each other tightly, smiling as we watched them sitting on the present boxes trying to claim ownership of them but still fixated on the tinsel. We went over and sat down with them and showed them how to start ripping the paper and soon we had a mountain of discarded paper growing.

“Livy and Nate, give this one to mommy and give her kisses,” Stephen said.

I smiled as my babies brought over a parcel that Stephen had written out to me from them. I opened it and couldn’t help but smile, as it seemed we had the same idea on a few things.

“Ok, babies, now you give this one to daddy and big huggies and smoochies,” I said.

I watched as they helped their father unwrap his presents from them. He looked up at me, smiling from ear to ear.

“Good minds think alike, babe,” Stephen said.

“And fools never differ,” I replied.

We both laughed and picked up the babies and took them into the kitchen to start getting them fed. I had set the roasts in the oven ready and Stephen was feeding them, so I went into the lounge and started collecting up the rubbish.

We put the kids in their lounge with the gate shut and Christmas cartoons and started getting everything prepared for everyone. After about an hour of getting all the foods out and in the warmers, and the nibbles distributed under the patio, Stephen stocked the bar.

“Baby, why don't you go get showered and dressed while I watch the twins? Then I will, as I have to pop out shortly,” Stephen said.

“Ok, love, I won't be long,” I replied.

I went up, got washed, and came back downstairs and took a seat in the lounge to watch the kids while Stephen went and got dressed.

He was back down in half an hour and gave us all a quick kiss and ran out the door, saying he wouldn't be too long.

By now it was mid-morning and everyone was due to arrive around midday, so I took the twins and took them out to their play gym under the patio while I got everything set up out there.

About 45 minutes later, I heard Stephen's car pull up and not long after, the front door.

“Baby, where are you?” Stephen called.

“Out the back, sweetheart,” I replied.

Stephen came through shortly after and I was concentrating on putting everything out on the table. I didn’t look up at first. However, the moment I heard the twins squealing and start racing to their dad, I looked up.

I had never seen smiles like that on my kids and my heart burst instantly. There stood my husband with a puppy?

“Who is this gorgeous baby?” I asked.

“He's the last Christmas present to you all from me,” Stephen replied.

“Sweetheart! Look at our babies, how happy they are,” I said.

I went over and knelt down next to him, kissing him on the cheek as I wrapped my arm around his waist and he held out the puppy so our kids could have a pat.

“There were two brothers left, so Clint and I got one each for the twins and one for Willie as we couldn't just separate them,” Stephen said.

“You are perfect, you know that. Look at them, baby, how happy they are. Thank you,” I replied.

We watched the twins playing around with the pup for a while in the backyard, just enjoying watching our children.

“So, what do you want to name him?” Stephen asked.

“Hmm, I don't really know yet, you got any ideas?” I replied.

“Let me have a think about it,” Stephen said.

We were there for about thirty minutes before the rest of the gang started to trickle in. Clint, Mia, and Willie were the first to arrive, so we watched the kids exchange presents with them.

Luke and Todd showed up shortly after, followed by Benji and Maddie, and finally Dave and Felicity.

Everyone gathered outside under the patio, catching up and enjoying the company while the kids played in the playpen and the two pups explored the backyard.

After a few drinks, we all moved inside for a delicious roasted lunch, accompanied by plenty of wine, spirits, and laughter.

In that moment, I realized I loved Christmas more than my birthday or any other holiday. It was the usual stuff that made it special—family, friends, the Christmas tree, the food, and the fact that it was perfectly acceptable to pop open a bottle of champagne at ten in the morning.

Everyone came together. We ate, we drank, we opened presents, and we watched Hallmark Christmas movies. But more than that, Christmas gave us a chance to unwind, to forget about work, emails, and the stress of the past few months, and just cozy up with each other in a warm, fuzzy bubble.

As the afternoon turned into evening, we tucked the three kids into the guest room bed for the night. The adults then retreated outside with drinks and a few spliffs being passed around. We played Cards Against Humanity, and I couldn’t help but smile, realizing how lucky I was to have these people in my life, to call them my family.

This year, with all its ups and downs, made me realize the importance of setting aside our phones and busy lives to lean into our family and connections. These people around me were the ones who shaped me, who brought me the most comfort. They had supported me through some tough and challenging times. They deserved my full attention and love in return.

As we said goodbye to our friends, I was reminded of the love that surrounded my family.

Clint said, “Love you guys, Merry Christmas.”

Mia added, “Love you, thanks for having us, Merry Christmas.”

Benji chimed in, “Thanks for having us guys, Merry Christmas. Beautiful meal, Trinity, thank you.”

Maddie said, “Lovely to meet you all, Merry Christmas. Hope to see you soon.”

Todd said, “Love you all, give the babies a kiss from their uncles. Merry Christmas.”

Luke said, “Love you babes, see you brother. Merry Christmas.”

David said, “See you brother, thanks for a great day, Trinity. Merry Christmas.”

Felicity said, “Thanks guys, I had a wonderful day. See you soon, Merry Christmas.”

Stephen said, “Merry Christmas guys. Drive safe and we'll all catch up soon.”

I said, “Love you all, Merry Christmas. Thanks for coming.”

We waved our friends off and then locked up.

Stephen said, “Leave the rest of the clean up, momma. I'll do it tomorrow. You must be exhausted. Let's get some sleep.”

I replied, “The best idea ever, baby. I am ready to pass out.”

My husband scooped me up and carried me upstairs. We quickly stopped by the guest room to move our babies into their cribs.

I whispered, “Sweet dreams, my little angels. I love you.”

Stephen said, “Love you, little pea pods. Sweet dreams.”

We got to our room, changed for bed, and brushed our teeth. As we settled into bed, I turned to my bedside drawer.

I said, “Baby, don't get mad, but I might have one more present I wanted to give you.”

I handed him the last wrapped gift.

Stephen said, “Too much, momma. You didn't have to do this.”

I replied, “I did, baby. You do so much for us, you deserve this. So Merry Christmas, I love you.”

I rested my head on his shoulder, smiling as he unwrapped the last gift. The look he gave me when he saw what was inside was pure love. In that moment, I knew we were complete.

Stephen asked, “You're pregnant?”

I replied, “We are having another baby, daddy.”

He grabbed my face, showering me with kisses as I softly laughed at his excitement.

Stephen said, “I love you, I love you so much. Thank you, baby.”