THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO DESPINANY. Sweetheart, you have been literally my biggest supporter this year. I am humbled by you and your generosity. Thank you for blessing me. I wish I could bring a surprise to your house this year. But know that my heart is with you this Christmas!

*****

ELIA

He stayed right on the tail of her beast until they were almost at the door of the cave, then suddenly he pounced, growling good-naturedly, and rolling, coming up to his feet back in human form, arms outstretched to block her entry into the cave.

Elia shifted back immediately, wondering what was going on.

"What's—

"

"I have a surprise for you,

" he said quietly, pulling her into his arms.

"I just need a second. Can you stand here just for a minute, while I get rid of Aymora and check something?

"

Elia smiled.

"I suppose. You sneaky male you.

"

He winked and kissed her quickly, then disappeared into the cave. Elia couldn't resist listening keenly to see if she could get a hint about his surprise. But all he heard was Reth greeting Aymora and ushering her out.

Aymora appeared in the doorway, beaming, but barely slowed as she hugged Elia.

"Thank you, Aymora—

"

"Don't be silly!

" she said, pulling out of Elia's arms and walking out of the cave, grinning over her shoulder.

"Have a wonderful night. Let me know if you need any more help. I'll take that girl off your hands any time.

"

"Thank you! I…

" But Aymora was already in her beast, running for the trees.

What was going on? Could she go in now that Aymora had left? She was tempted, but suspected that Reth wanted some time. And she did love surprises—happy ones—so she decided to be good and wait impatiently for the couple of minutes that it took Reth to open the door into the cave and come to take her hand.

"Close your eyes,

" he said, smiling like a boy.

She did as he asked, promising herself she wouldn't peek until he told her that she could. He led her in the door—she noticed he put the bar across before they moved deeper into the Great Room.

"Don't open them yet!

" Reth warned as he pulled her not, towards the dining room or the tunnel to the bedchambers, but between couches and chairs until they stood somewhere near the fireplace, she thought.

The fire must have been lit. She could hear it pop and crackle, and it was very warm in the room, especially with her furs on. But the only thing she had on underneath was the lingerie and she wasn't sure—until Reth took her shoulders, turned her to face the side of the cave, then started on her buttons.

Elia's stomach fizzed and she smiled. Keeping her eyes closed, she reached to find his jacket and begin unbuttoning it.

"Oh?

" he said, his voice deep and pleased.

"You did say you had a surprise,

" she said.

"I think at this point, that's hardly a surprise anymore,

" he chuckled, pushing her jacket off her shoulders so she was forced to let his go to let it slide off her arms. But she found him again quickly and didn't miss that his breath was coming faster.

But he wasn't finished, unbuttoning her leathers and sliding those off too, making her hold onto his back while he stroked down her legs to get them off her feet.

She was slightly chilly now with nothing on but the thin cotton. But Reth hummed in his throat and stroked up the back of her thighs as he straightened.

"Just one more second,

" he said, his voice husky. She heard the clink of his belt and the knew he was undressing too, which was wonderful. Her stomach bubbled with desire, even as her curiosity was piqued. What had he planned?

Then the clink and thud of his leathers hitting the nearby couch was immediately followed by warm hands sliding up the sides of her thighs, to her waist, gripping the thin fabric.

Reaching for him, she found naked skin and shivered as he dropped his chin to her ear.

"I love you Elia, more every day, I swear. None of this has happened today the way I planned, but I love it anyway. Time with you, time loving you…. I just want you to know that I think of you. Even when I'm busy. Even when I'm tired. I think of you. And I hope… I hope this will make you smile.

"

Her heart melted. She wanted to open her eyes, to look into his. But then he kissed her neck and she shivered.

"I love you too, Reth,

" she whispered.

"Can I look at you now? Please?

"

His lips brushing her neck again, then he straightened.

"Yes,

" he breathed.

Elia had to blink a couple of times to clear her sight. Her first view was just his naked chest—a lovely view, but hardly a surprise. She smiled up at him and took a moment just to appreciate the sheer beauty of him—the wide, strong jaw always darkened with stubble, his piercing eyes that never seemed to leave her face for more than a few seconds. His strong nose and high cheekbones… those lines that she followed with her tongue sometimes, from his jaw to the hollow between his collarbones that framed the wide, flat plains of his chest... He was purely beautiful. Handsome. Stunning, really. She still couldn't quite believe that he loved her, found her just as fascinating and sexy as she found him.

But he did. He'd proven it. His love was all the gift she needed, she realized. Because the rest was really just icing on the cake.

She opened her mouth to tell him that, but just as she did, he whispered,

"Merry Christmas, Elia,

" the stepped back to reveal that the glowing light behind him wasn't only from the fire.

Elia's mouth dropped open as a beautiful Christmas tree was revealed. The deep, silver-green tree was placed in a heavy barrel a few feet to the right of the fireplace and covered in beautiful, warm glowing lights that twinkled and danced.

"Reth!

" Elia gasped.

"How did you know?

"

Christmas was really the only thing she'd missed from her former life. She'd talked to him about perhaps making a small reflection of the holiday for Elreth when she was old enough to understand what was going on. Maybe a family gift exchange. Maybe a tree.

He'd been so confused by the idea of cutting a tree down to bring inside, only for it to die, she'd given up on the idea. Recognizing that it hardly matched the Anima culture and lifestyle. But he'd done it. Her big, beautiful mate had gone and done it anyway.

And the lights… She'd described for him how she'd always loved Christmas because everywhere she went there were tiny, twinkling lights and even though she didn't know why, they always made her feel… joy.

"Reth! Thank you!

" she sobbed, finally tearing her eyes away from the tree and back to him.

"Wait, you haven't seen the best part yet,

" he said, grinning and pulling her forward towards it.

"I got help from everyone, and they've all left little messages, look.

"

He leaned down to a small wooden box that had been tied to the end of one of the branches, pulling it from the twine used to secure it and handing it to her.

With trembling fingers, Elia opened it to find a piece of paper inside. When she unfolded it a looping hand had written a message.

"Merry Christmas, Elia.

I am so glad the Creator brought

us together. I pray the coming year

is fruitful and full of love. – Jayah.

"

Elia covered her mouth and swallowed back tears.

"There's lots of them. From all of us,

" Reth said, pointing out the boxes scattered all over the tree.

"And several from me,

" he said, with a smug grin.

"So anytime you're feeling sad or tired or… or anything. You can just come open a box and find out how someone loves you,

" he finished quietly.

Elia shook her head, dumfounded.

"But… I didn't get you anything!

"

Reth boomed a laugh and pulled her into his chest.

"Christmas is about giving, right?

" he whispered, his eyes twinkling. Elia nodded.

"So let me give to you, Love,

" he said, stroking her chin with his thumb.

"Merry Christmas, Elia.

"

"Oh, Reth… Merry Christmas. This is going to be the best one yet!

"

They embraced and she sagged into his chest, overwhelmed with happiness and joy and humbled by his love. When he dropped his chin to rest it on her shoulder, she turned her head and took his mouth, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him in close.

"I love you, Reth. I love you. So much. Thank you. Thank you!

"

"Thank you for loving me,

" he said gruffly, then kissed her again.

They held each other for a moment and Elia couldn't stop fighting tears. Stupid pregnancy.

But eventually they did pull apart and Reth gazed down at her, combing the hair back from her temples.

"I wish there was something I could give you,

" she said, her hands on his chest, leaning into him.

"I wish there was a way to show you how much this means to me.

"

He raised an eyebrow and gave that lopsided smile that she loved.

"Well, if it's gratitude you want to show…

" he purred, walking right up until they were pressed together.

Elia smiled.

"Yes. Of course.

"

He had his hands at her waist and walked her slowly backwards.

"There is one thing you could let me give you that's all for me,

" he said and waggled his eyebrows again.

Elia laughed, but then she came up against the wall of the cave with a little gasp.

Reth kept smiling, kept watching her, waiting for her signal.

She put her fingers in his hair, then curled a handful it around her wrist and pulled him down.

"Yes please,

" she whispered.

"Over and over and over again. Never stop giving yourself to me, Reth. Please. Ever.

"

Huffing the mating call, he leaned down, pinning her to the wall, and taking her mouth, stealing her breath with the heat of his kiss.

Her skin pebbled as he kissed his way down her neck.

She shivered when he nipped her ear.

And when, a few minutes later, he lifted her so she could wrap her legs around his waist, took her weight in his hands, and pressed into her, Elia cried his name.

Over, and over, and over again.

*****

MERRY CHRISTMAS! I hope you enjoyed my little surprise. Thank you for being such an important and encouraging part of my life this year.. I pray your week is full of love. God bless you today and every day!