The Most Precious of All (A Christmas Story)

Chapter 3 - Blessings

Georgie smiled as soon as she woke up.  Roberts's arms were around her.  He'd given her the Christmas gift she'd wanted most of all.  Feeling his chest rise and fall slightly under her head let her know he was still asleep.  Under the warm blankets, it was comforting to hear his slow, steady heartbeats and feel his body resting against her. 

She opened her eyes to look at the Christmas tree.  It was beautiful with the early morning light glinting off the glass ornaments.  She felt Robert stirring and gave him a squeeze to let him know she was awake.  He made a growling noise that rumbled through his chest and pulled her tighter to him.  She couldn't help giggling as she felt it tickle her ear. 

"Happy Christmas, Georgie," he said, opening his eyes and smiling at her.

"It is a happy Christmas," she replied, grinning.  It still seemed a funny thing to say instead of 'Merry Christmas'. 

"Did ya sleep well?"

"Yes," she said with an ever bigger grin. "Very, very well.  And did you sleep well?"

"Never better.  Uh, you didn't wake me up last night," he said.  There was a hint of doubt in his eyes. 

"That's because I didn't have a nightmare last night.  I slept straight through." 

"You did?" he said. 

The relief that she hadn't said her family visited her was evident in his voice and she felt a pang of sadness.  Not wanting to dwell on it, she was quick to add, "No dreams of any kind.  It's the first time, Robert."

"That's fantastic, Georgie!" he exclaimed, and gave her a tight hug.  "It means you're getting better."

"Well, it's a small step at least," she replied cautiously. 

"But it's a good sign!"  She'd experienced enough setbacks adjusting to her new life to be wary of getting too optimistic, but he looked so happy, she couldn't argue with him. 

"Let's open presents!" he suggested excitedly. 

"Anxious to see what you got?" she teased.

"Of course," he replied, his eyes twinkling.

Once they'd folded the bed back into a couch and she'd put on her robe, they sat on the floor in front of the tree. 

"Who should go first?" Robert asked.

"You!" Georgie said, no longer able to wait to see his reaction to his gift.

"Hmm, I wonder which one I should open first?" he asked with a sly smile.  She handed him his wrapped scarf, grinning widely.  "Right!" he said, taking it.

He took his time, carefully breaking off each piece of tape before he opened the paper.  "Would you look at that!" he exclaimed in an exaggerated way.  "It's a scarf!" 

"Stop being so funny!" Georgie said, giving his shoulder a push.

"I love it, Georgie," he said more seriously as he examined it.  "Really.  I can't wait to wear it and show it off to everyone." 

She took it from him and wrapped it around his neck a few times before tying it in a loose knot.  The soft natural brown wool set off his brown eyes and light brown curls perfectly, just like she'd hoped.  He looked so beautiful, she had to kiss him.

"I get Christmas kisses too?" he asked softly.

"Yep," she said, giving him one more quick kiss. 

"You're next," he said, and reached behind the big wrapped keyboard.  Pulling out a small wrapped package, he held it out to her on the palm of his hand, with a knowing smile.