Chapter 156: Chapter 156 - Gift of Snow

Pedro Hernandez

December 25th

New York, 9:00 AM

I've never had a night's sleep as good as the one I've had since Adie and I got back together. We're in New York at our daughter's request, which I could never refuse. We made a deal: she wanted to see snow, and I wanted to see her happy. We both got what we wanted.

Adie sleeps in my arms, with a serene expression that makes me think she's not the same hungry woman I saw in the early morning. Not even the idea that our friends might have heard us bothers her at this moment. The brightness of the room doesn't seem to be a problem for her either. The blinds are open, with a wonderful view of Central Park and the surrounding buildings. Last night it was possible to see the buildings, but the snow started falling very early this morning, and it's all just a fog.

In any case, I'm focused on the woman sleeping peacefully, even as I touch her face in a caress. Her cheeks are flushed, as are her lips. Her hair isn't as tangled as I thought it would be this morning. In fact, it's soft when I twirl it around my index finger. I gently stroke her bare back. Adie is sleeping right on my arm, almost asleep.

The blanket is close to her arms, and I've never been so grateful for that as when the door to our room is almost broken down by an eight-year-old girl with fiery red hair. Abby enters the room skipping, with a beautiful, bright smile.

"It's Christmas! It's Christmas!" she says excitedly before stopping near the bed and looking at us. "Why aren't you wearing sweaters? It's cold, you'll get sick," Abby says as soon as she notices that the blanket doesn't cover my body very well.

I give a nervous smile before pulling some of the blanket to cover my chest.

"Hm… Abby?" Adrielle's voice is sleepy as her head seems to need a moment to process where she is. "Why are you up so early?"

"Because it's Christmas!" Our daughter seems to remember the reason that made her enter our room so excitedly. "Come on, come on. Uncle Vic brought pancakes and toast with honey. And there's Starbucks milkshake!"

Abby leaves our room as quickly as she entered. I can't contain the nasal laugh that escapes me when this little pest runs out the door.

"Why does your daughter have so much energy?" Adie asks, in a whiny tone as she snuggles into my chest.

I grunt a laugh. My right hand caresses the nape of her neck while her legs seem to take over my body like tentacles. I'm almost certain she wants to take me all to herself. If Adie were jealous, she would be quite capable of trying to imprison me with her legs. And I wouldn't complain.

"Are you sure you don't know? “I ask, my lips close to her nose.

Adie keeps her eyes closed, and I’m sure she just wants to stay in bed a little longer. If I weren’t a little more focused and she insisted a little more, I’m fully aware that it could ruin me. I’m always captivated by her charms.

“Aren’t you going to get up and join your daughter for breakfast?” My left hand touches her face, subtly caressing her cheek.

“You know she only remembered the two of us because of the Central Park outing you promised. I hope you’re remembering that we’re going to tell her about the baby’s arrival today.” I could never forget that, mi amor. Adie hides her head in my neck. I can feel her lips on my skin. “You’re showering our daughter with gifts; don’t be surprised if she becomes a spoiled brat when she grows up.”

I give a small smile before bringing my mouth close to her ear.

“And what do you say about her mother being spoiled too?” Whisper. "Let me tell you how she used me during the early morning hours, the bossy way she asked me not to stop, and how she doesn't take "no" for an answer.

Adie pulls her head back, lifting it just enough to look into my eyes. Her green eyes are even more beautiful in the morning.

"You never say "no" to me." She retorts, raising an eyebrow.

I smile slightly before cupping her face to kiss her. Adie places her right hand firmly on the back of my neck, not wanting me to let go. Her mouth meets mine, her tongue entering my mouth without either of us bothering to brush our teeth.

Her two hands are wrapped around my neck, pressing me so hard against her that my body involuntarily moves to be on top of hers.

"Is this your 'Good morning'?" I ask, kissing her as I trail kisses down her jawline.

"I think I'll include good mornings like this in our wedding vows." She replies, as if it were an important observation.

"I think it's extremely important that they're there." I murmur against the skin of her neck.

Our moment is interrupted by an irritating voice and frantic knocking on the door. But the woman beneath me remains unconcerned.

"Hey, you two, don't try to reproduce so soon. If I can't sleep properly at night, you two won't sleep now either!" Jackson's voice is firm.

I chuckle slightly before moving away from Adie. Little do they know this has already happened.

Her expression is one of surprise, as if she hadn't even considered the idea that they could hear us.

"I didn't think so…" Her brow is furrowed and her mouth is slightly open.

"We're not on the yacht, my love. Nor at home," I reply, with a laugh. "Come on, let's take a shower."

♙

After the shower, we get dressed. Adie chose a long, loose white dress. I decided to wear jeans today, with a black shirt and a pair of white sneakers. I don't think my fiancée will be wearing heels anytime soon. I don't blame her for that; her feet must be quite cramped. But she looks stunning in them.

We got a presidential suite, with five bedrooms. One for each couple and two for the children. Abby sleeps in one room, while the boys share another. In the living room, our friends are already gathered. Our children are in a corner, eating their pancakes. Lyla is sitting on the sofa, her legs in her husband's lap for a massage. Jackson and Adrian are reading something on an iPad.

"Finally, huh," Lyla says as soon as she sees the two of us. Her eyes stare at me, half-closed, and her eyebrow furrowed. "What's that little bruise on your neck?"

She knows what it is. And I know very well that she wants one of us to tell her.

"I hope your night was good, because mine was traumatic," Jackson says, lifting his head to look at us. "I'll never travel with you two again. Never again."

"You were the one who suggested we come to New York," Adie retorted, glaring at her brother.

"You guys are so annoying," I commented with a sigh. "The snow outside looks perfect for a stroll in Central Park," I said, pointing to the windowpane.

The snow almost completely covers the park, and I think the kids will love this experience.

"Uh, are we going for a walk?" Abby asked excitedly.

"When are we going?" Austin asked, getting up.

"Can we go now, Uncle Pedro?" Archie also asked, with the same enthusiasm as the other two children.

I gave a small, knowing smile.

"Not without dressing warmly," Adie and Lyla said in unison.