Aidan was definitely happy about sex being reestablished between us. After that night, he took me at any chance that he could: the stairs, the library, his desk in his office, our bedroom, our shower, the closet; any and everywhere that he could.
While Aidan still wasn't thrilled that I associated with Loreley, he had become more cordial toward her when they crossed paths. I was thankful he was at least attempting to be pleasant. Loreley and I had truly found a common ground that didn't involve anything that dealt with family other than talking about the twins.
Soon December had arrived and everyone was preparing for Christmas. Viola and I had been out shopping for the past three weeks; getting gifts for the children's homes, as well as decorations and celebratory foods. It was so much fun knowing that everything we bought would be going to the children, some of which who had never experienced Christmas. We had even hired an actor to dress as Santa and visit the homes. I was excited to take the twins with us on that visit.
I had also gone shopping with Elora, Celia and Phoebe. Shopping with Dixon, however, had been the most interesting experience.
"Dixon, as much as Celia loves you, and cars, I do not think that she wants a model car." I tried not to laugh at his suggestion.
"It's only part of the gift, Lilli." He rolled his eyes.
"Um, Dixon..?"
"Trust me, okay?"
"I still think that she won't want to put that together as much as you think." I smiled and rubbed his arm.
"Listen, this BMW is her favorite and I intend to put it together for her." He beamed.
"Oh Dixon...that's romantic...sort of."
"Well, it's the next stop that adds the big wow factor." He smiled with a cocky swagger to his step.
"And that stop would be...?" I pressed, standing by his side as the cashier handed him back his card and the bag with the model car.
"Tiffany's of course."
"Oh my God, Dixon! Really?"
I was jumping up and down, so excited that I might faint. Happy to have the stroller to hold onto, I grabbed it for balance.
"Yep! My baby is getting some awesome diamond earrings!"
I froze. Dixon kept walking.
"Earrings?" I questioned, rushing to catch up with him on the crowded street.
He nodded eagerly and then took the stroller to get us across the street to Tiffany’s. As we entered the store, he continued on.
"I'm going to put the earrings inside the car, like on the steering wheel or something, so she sees them after she opens the car."
"Dixon, that's really sweet." I forced enthusiasm. Honestly, I was disappointed it wasn't a ring.
"What can I say? I am just a big pile of sweetness!" Chuckling, he looked down over the selection of earrings.
I sighed louder than intended. He looked up from the jewelry case.
"Alright, what is going on over there?" He asked, after pointing to a pair of half carat earrings.
"Nothing." I smiled.
He smirked.
"Will that be all, sir?" The attendant asked, stuffing the earrings into the signature Tiffany's box.
"Actually, I will need one more thing..." He hesitated.
I looked up and could tell he was watching me from the corner of his eye. "I'll need to see something in a diamond engagement ring."
"Dixon!" I shouted, smacking him in the arm. "Damn you." I hissed.
He was laughing wildly.
"Oh, shit, Lil, you should've seen your face...too damn funny." He kept chuckling.
"That was so not funny, you jerk." I laughed then realized everyone was staring at us.
"Yes it was." He grabbed the stroller and pushed it down to where the attendant waited to show him rings. "Now, help me pick out a ring for my future wife." He grinned.
I wrapped my arm in his as we headed to the counter of engagement rings.
Christmas Eve was spent at Viola's with the family. The twins were now four months old and starting to really show their personalities. Walsh was the loud one where Livy was quiet and shy. Livy really didn't care for men. Only Aidan could hold her without her fussing. Other than that, men seemed to trigger something in her.
Abby was fully pregnant and quite tired. Everyone watched her closely, waiting for any sign that she was in labor. Liam was surprisingly more watchful of her than anyone else. Viola stated that he was the same way when she was pregnant with Maggie. Something just kicks in and he can't help but be attentive to pregnant women.
Little Jimmy was seven months old and already quite the handful. He babbled a lot and even rocked on his hands and knees as if he were going to crawl at any moment. Jimmy had also discovered that he loved Aidan's hair. He had been whining on the floor and Aidan picked him up. Before anyone knew what was going on, Aidan was yelping and Jimmy was giggling loudly with fistfuls of Aidan's hair.
"Oh, Aidan...I'm so sorry." Elora hurried and took Jimmy away, loosening his hands from his hair first.
James was laughing.
"What's wrong, Aidan? My son kicking your ass already?"