Chapter 996: Christmas Gifts

Chapter 996: Christmas Gifts



The sun peeked through the heavy curtains, casting soft golden streaks across the bedroom. The air was still, save for the faint chirping of birds outside the window.

Lucy stirred first, her eyes fluttering open to the warmth of the sunlight. For a moment, she lay still, her hand resting on Tom's chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing. Tom lay on his back, one arm draped protectively around her, the other stretched over his head. His features were soft, unguarded in sleep, and Lucy couldn't help but smile as she studied him. The events of the night before felt like a dream, but the ring on her finger sparkled, a visible reminder of the promise they'd made.

She lay still right there as her thoughts floated back to the first morning she had woken up on his bed, right there in this same bedroom.

As she remembered every step that had led them to that very moment, tears pooled in hers. She couldn't believe how lucky she was to have ended up with a man like Tom.

Not wanting to disturb his sleep, she carefully slipped out of his embrace and tiptoed toward the balcony.

Opening the door just enough to peek outside, she saw a light frost dusting the grass and flowers in the garden, the world still cloaked in the quiet of Christmas morning.

She sighed softly as she thought about how this was her first Christmas with Tom, and how special it was. She could only imagine how their next Christmas would be.

She smiled when she thought of them celebrating Christmas with their little one, and a tear slid down her cheeks as she remembered how happy Tom had been and how he had wept when she said she was going to have his kids.

Behind her, Tom reached for her on the bed and when he didn't feel her around, he opened his eyes, "What are you doing away from your Fiancé's side on Christmas morning?" Tom asked, his voice groggy but laced with amusement.

Lucy turned, a giggle escaping her lips. "I didn't want to disturb my fiancé's sleep. And I wanted to see the morning. It's beautiful outside

Tom stretched, his muscles flexing beneath the covers. "Not as beautiful as you, I can tell," he said, his grin lazy but genuine.

Lucy rolled her eyes, though her lips twitched. "You're starting early with the compliments today."

Tom sat up, the covers pooling around his waist. "Get used to it, fiancée. You've signed up for a lifetime of this."

She laughed softly, "Is that what you intend to keep calling me?" She asked as she walked back to the bed and before she could sit beside him, he pulled her to himself so that she was sitting on his thigh.

"For the time being, until it sinks in," he said, and she laughed.

"Merry Christmas," she whispered, leaning in to kiss his cheek.

He caught her face gently, redirecting her lips to his. The kiss was slow, sweet, filled with the warmth of everything spoken and unspoken between them.

When they pulled apart, Tom rested his forehead against hers. "Merry Christmas, Jewel. Our first as an engaged couple. How does it feel?"

"It's our first ever Christmas, not just as an engaged couple," Lucy corrected with a grin. "And it feels perfect. Though I have a feeling today's going to be busy and we won't have a moment to ourselves."

Tom chuckled. "That's Christmas for you. But I think we can survive it." He glanced toward the wall clock. "We should get moving before they come banging on the door."

As if on cue, a loud knock echoed from the hallway.

"Tom! Lucy!" Jade's voice called out. "Breakfast is ready! Mom says no excuses, and you can't be late! You both have twenty minutes."

Tom groaned, flopping back onto the bed. "See? Told you."

Lucy laughed, standing and grabbing her robe. "Well, let's not keep everyone waiting. I'm sure they're excited about unwrapping their gifts and finding out the plans for the family vacation."

Tom reached for her hand, pulling her back down for one last kiss. "Let's go."

Together they quickly freshened up before heading out of their bedroom to join the others. As they made their way down the stairs, the smell of cinnamon, coffee, and fresh pastries wafted from the dining, wrapping around them like a warm hug.

"Here they are," Jade announced with a smug smile.

"Finally!" Janet exclaimed when she saw them. "I was beginning to think you two would never show up."

Lucy smiled apologetically. "We're here now."

"Good," Janet said, turning toward them with a warm smile. "Come, sit. You must be starving after last night's excitement."

As they took their seats, Tom reached for Lucy's hand under the table. She glanced at him, their eyes meeting briefly, and he gave her fingers a gentle squeeze.

"What did Jade say to make you both come down? We asked her to leave you two alone,"

Bryan said as they sat down, and Jade scowled at him.

"Snitches get stitches," she said, and everyone chuckled.

"Coming from a lawyer. Some times I doubt you're a lawyer," Bryan said, and Jade smiled sweetly.

Tom's smile grew wider. "Open it and see," he said, handing her the key.

Everyone moved closer to them to see what it was, since they knew that Tom liked to be extra

when it came to Lucy.

Lucy's heart raced as she inserted the key into a small lock on the box. The lock clicked open,

and Lucy lifted the lid, revealing a stack of documents and a small, leather-bound book.

As Lucy began to read the documents, her eyes widened in shock. "Ace, what is this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper while the Jade and Sonia drew closer to her wanting to see what was on the document.

Tom took a deep breath, his heart full of emotion. "It's the deed to I-Global Fashion Line,"

he explained. "I want you to have it, Jewel. I want you to be the one to run it, to make it your

own."

Everyone gasped in surprise apart from Harry, who was grinning as Lucy turned to look at him for confirmation, "How is this possible?" Lucy asked, unable to believe what she was hearing and seeing.

"It is possible. Tom made it possible for you," Harry assured her.

Lucy's face was a picture of stunned joy. Tears of happiness welled up in her eyes as she looked at Tom. "Why?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Tom's eyes locked onto hers, filled with love and adoration. "Because you're going to be my

wife. I don't want you to have to answer to anyone else. And I told you, I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy, Jewel. I've seen firsthand how you run your department. I

know that this is something that will bring you joy and fulfillment."

"This man," Lucy cried as she embraced him, holding him very tightly.

"Your son is the absolute best," Janet murmured to Evelyn.

"What about your own son?" "You mean me, right?" Lucas and Bryan asked simultaneously, and everyone laughed.

"Yeah. You're all the best sons anyone could ask for," Janet said with a giggle. Neither Tom nor Lucy paid attention to them, as Tom held Lucy close while she wept softly.

Once she pulled back, she gave him a wobbly smile.

"Compared to your gift, I'm not so sure about my gift anymore, or if it's even a gift," she

said, and Tom smiled. "You're more than enough gift already," Tom assured her.

Lucy let out a shaky laugh and shook her head. "I think you'll change your mind when you see

it."

She reached into the side pocket of her cardigan and pulled out a small envelope. "Here," she

said softly, handing it to Tom.

Tom tilted his head, curiosity alight in his eyes. "What's this?"

"Open it and see," Lucy replied, her heart racing as she watched him.

He carefully opened the envelope, pulling out a folded piece of paper. As he unfolded it, his

brows furrowed, and then his eyes widened as he realized what he was holding.

A positive pregnancy test slip.

Tom's breath hitched, his gaze darting between the paper and Lucy. "Jewel... is this-?"

Lucy bit her lip, tears glistening in her eyes as she nodded. "Yes, Ace. You're going to be a

dad."

The room went still as everyone looked at Lucy with shock, including Sonia who had absolutely no idea that Lucy was pregnant.

For a moment, Tom was utterly still, as if trying to comprehend the weight of her words. Then, he crumpled on his knees and broke into tears of joy, his whole body racking with it.