Chapter 5.

Lexa stood in front of her mirror trying to settle on an outfit. So far she had gone through at least five outfits, none of them looking quite right on her. As she looked over her reflection, trying to decide if the sixth outfit was what she wanted, when tears began to form in her eyes and she started to cry.

Jesse walked into the bed room to get a computer disc from his dresser. When he saw Lexa crying all thoughts of the computer discs were gone. He crossed the room and pulled her into his arms. “Lexa, what’s the matter?”

Lexa pulled back from him and wiped the tears from her eyes. “None of my clothes fit right, not even the maternity clothes you bought me.”

Jesse tried not to smile as he gently kissed her. “You don’t have to cry over it, Lexa. We’ll go buy you some more clothes this afternoon.”

“But, I’ve worked hard to stay in shape for years, and now in just a few months I’ve gained so much weight.” She laid her head back against his chest.

“Every woman gains weight when they’re pregnant, and I promise I’ll help you get back in shape after the baby gets here.” Jesse said trying to comfort Lexa, refusing to believe they wouldn’t have the time after the baby was born to get her back into fighting shape.

Lexa snuggled closer against him. “If it’s not bad enough I’m getting fat, I also have to be emotional too.”

“You know if you’d relax you might actually start to enjoy being pregnant.”

“You are one crazy guy.” Lexa leaned up and kissed him. “No woman in her right mind would enjoy these nine months of hell.”

“Lexa, why don’t we just try to focus on the good? We’re going to be having a healthy baby boy in a few months.”

“I know we’re having a baby in a few months. Remember we got into this to keep me from dying.”

“I know why we got in this, but it’s gone so much farther than that. I’m looking forward to raising our son with you.”

“And what if you have to raise our son without me?”

“I don’t want to raise our child alone, but if I have to I will. I don’t know what to do to prove to you that I want to take care of you and our son.”

Lexa nodded and put her arms around him as she closed her eyes and laid her head on his chest. “Let’s go shopping now and maybe later we’ll have a little fun.”

“Whatever you want to do. We can go out and get the Christmas tree and then buy your clothes.”

“Then let’s go.”

A couple of hours later.

Lexa tramped through the snow, looking over the trees in the small lot.

“Jess, exactly how do you choose a tree?” she called over her shoulder.

“I don’t really know either.” Jesse admitted. He walked up behind Lexa and put his arms around her. “We had one of our servants who did it every year.”

A small red-haired woman walked over to them. “You two need some help choosing a tree?”

“Considering my wife and I have no idea of what we are doing, help would be great.” Jesse gave the woman a warm smile and pulled Lexa closer to him.

“I’ve been doing it for twenty years.” the girl laughed. “This year my fiancé and I are holding Christmas at our place for the first time. My name’s Ammara by the way.”

“Lexa and Jesse Kilmartin.’ Lexa answered slowly. “It’s our first real Christmas together.”

Ammara looked over one of the trees and then spotted one a few feet away. “I think I’ve found a good one. My mother says you don’t really appreciate the holiday season until you have kids of your own. I think she just wants to have grandchildren, I’m the oldest child, so she’s hounding me about speeding things up.”

“Don’t rush it. Lexa right now, does not recommend pregnancy.” Jesse laughed. “Our son is due in May.”

“Congratulations.” Ammara leaned in and sniffed the tree’s branches. “If it’s the right height this one is perfect. Seven foot high blue spruce. It’s nice and full. The lights and ornaments won’t fall off it.”

“You like it Lexa?”

“If the girl says it’s good, I’ll take it. You just figure out how to pay for it.”

“Right. I think next year we’ll get an artificial tree so I don’t have to look like an idiot. Ammara, how does the paying process work?”

“You two are really clueless about this aren’t you?” Ammara laughed. “I’ll go get a worker. They will bundle up the tree and take it out to your car for you. You can just give them the money.” she walked off to find a worker.

“Give them the money and take the tree home so we can go get those new clothes I was promised.’ Lexa turned around and gently kissed Jesse.

‘You do realize we will have to go buy lights and decorations so we can decorate the tree.”

“Well none of us have any experience with decorating for the holidays so I’d guess we’d have a lot of things to buy. We can go simple this year, and maybe just use one or two colors in the entire tree trimming scheme. Next year the tree will be covered with ‘Baby’s first Christmas’ ornaments.”

“It will be cute. Think of all the presents we’ll get to buy him.” Jesse quickly kissed Lexa and rubbed her arms. ‘We will have a great time this year and next year.”

Lexa snuggled into his arms and closed her eyes. “I hope that next year Christmas is as good. I want to be around to see our son’s first Christmas.”

“Don’t worry, Lexa. You’ll be here for every Christmas he has growing up and hopefully we’ll get to enjoy a few with our grandchildren too.’

“I can’t imagine us ever being old enough for grandkids.” Lexa laughed slightly as she tried to picture it. ‘No way would I want to get that old.”

Jesse laughed and rested his chin on her head. ‘Let’s just get through this year.”

“Jesse, Lexa, I’ve got you the guy to pay.’ Ammara called as she walked up with a teenaged boy.

“Thanks, Ammara.” Lexa smiled softly. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas to you too.’ Ammara answered as she turned and walked away.

Two hours later.

Jesse made a final adjustment to the tree stand and then disentangled himself from the branches. “Are you satisfied?”

“It looks perfect.” Lexa stepped out of the den into the kitchen. A few minutes later she returned with two cups of hot chocolate. She handed one to Jesse and gave him a quick kiss. “We’ll have to run out and buy decorations.”

“Go make a list of all the things you want, or at least the colors, so we don’t have to argue through the store.” he walked over to the sofa and sat down. Lexa followed him and he pulled her onto his lap.

“This will be the most interesting Christmas we’ve ever had.” Lexa sighed slightly, but stayed settled in Jesse’s arms. “I’m not sure what to think of all the changes that have happened over the last few months.”

“Life is about changes, Lexa. You just have to learn to take the good with the bad.” Jesse set his cup of hot chocolate on the coffee table and pulled Lexa close in his arms. “You are going to be a great mother for our baby.”

She smiled and then got up. “We’d better go on out and finish getting this house decorated for Christmas. I don’t want to be doing it all at the last minute.”

“I’ll go put the mugs in the dishwasher while you get ready to go back out. I want you to be bundled up warm.”

“You can be so over protective sometimes.” Lexa laughed. “You’d better bundle up too. Wouldn’t want my husband to get sick.”

Jesse pulled her to him for a quick kiss, and then took the mugs to the kitchen.

One hour later.

Jesse and Lexa walked out of the maternity store each carrying several bags. Lexa had managed to find several nice pieces to wear, including one dress that was cut in a way that flattered her blossoming figure and was a deep hunter green that would be perfect for the holidays.

“I’ll take the bags out to the car while you look for some decorating stuff.” Jesse volunteered as he took Lexa’s bags from her. “We’ll meet back here in ten minutes.”

“Ten minutes.” Lexa agreed. She gave him a quick kiss and the last of her shopping bags.

As Jesse headed for the car Lexa chose a store to search for decorations in. after looking in the store for a few minutes she was disappointed to find that they did not have any Christmas decorations for sale. She was headed out the store when a display caught her eye.

Set up as if two people were in the middle of a game was a chess set, almost identical to the one they had lost along with the rest of Sanctuary. She reached out her hand and ran finger across the smooth board. A quick search of the display revealed the price.

With a slight smile she paid for one and had it gift wrapped. She was just stepping out of the store when she spotted Jesse.

“Jess!” she called.

His eyes scanned the crowed till he found her, then he quickly made his way over to her. “You find anything that you like yet?”

“I got one present taken care of, but they didn’t have any decorations.” She leaned in and lightly kissed him. “Let’s go try another store.”

“I’m starting to think that buying these decorations is going to take as long as putting them up will.”

“You and Bren are going to be climbing up on the roof so you can put up some icicle lights.”

“I’m not going up on the roof.” Jesse argued. “I don’t care if we’re the only house in the neighborhood that doesn’t have a set of those lights. There’s no way you can get me to chance breaking my neck for something that stupid.”

Lexa’s eyes darkened and then filled with tears. She turned away from him and briskly walked away.

Jesse sighed and began to follow her. “Lexa! Lexa, wait up a minute.” he caught to her and grabbed her wrist. Carefully he pulled her to him. “What’s wrong Lexa?”

“What’s wrong is that you don’t really care.” Lexa snapped. “I ask for one simple thing and you call it stupid. I can’t help it. That was the one thing Leo and I always said we would do when we got places of our own, we’d go all out for Christmas.”

Jesse struggled to keep from laughing. “Alright, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how important those lights were to you. If that’s what you want I’ll put some up.”

Lexa’s expression softened and she began to laugh. “The lights aren’t all that important. I’d much rather have you safely inside the house than outside trying to put lights on the roof.” She gave him a quick kiss.” Now lets find a store where we can get a few ornaments for the tree and maybe a few other things.”

Late that night.

Jesse and Lexa fell into bed trying to get used to the strange reflection of the Christmas lights they had spontaneously set up in the bed room.

Lexa snuggled into Jesse’s arms and laid her head on his chest as she closed her eyes. He wrapped a strong arm around her and gently kissed the top of her head.

“The decorations look really good, Jess.” she said softly. A chill ran through her body and she pulled the blankets up tight around her.

Jesse instinctively tightened his hold on her. “I’m glad that you are pleased with your house. We’ll have to invite Brennan and Shalimar over to see it.”

“They’d better see it soon because this time next year our son will be getting into everything.”

“I won’t be able to leave my laptop lying around anymore. The kid might accidentally erase all the files.”

Lexa laughed softly. “Only your kid would try to mess with a computer that soon.”

“And he’ll probably be hell to argue with, just like you are.”

“Jess,” Lexa whispered. “I’m really glad you’re the one I’m having this baby with.”

“I’m glad you’re letting me be a part of this. I really do want to be with my son as he grows up.”

“You’re going to have to be there. I already told Shal that I’m going to let you handle giving ‘the talk’ when that time comes.”

Jesse laughed and pulled Lexa tight against him. “Life couldn’t get much better than this. What do you want for Christmas?”

“Nothing I got what I want,” Lexa sighed softly as she relaxed in his arms. Soon they were both asleep.

A couple of days later.

Lexa and Shalimar sat in Lexa’s kitchen wrapping Christmas presents.

“Have you got any more tape?” Shalimar asked as she put a bow on one package.”

“There should be some in the room Jesse has set up as an office.” Lexa tentatively cut a piece of wrapping paper.

“Is his office going to be turned into the nursery?” Shalimar got up and quickly ran upstairs to get the tape.

When the feral returned Lexa took a roll of tape and started to carefully work on the present. “My bedroom is being turned into a nursery. It’s closer to Jesse’s room and it already set up perfectly to be turned into a nursery.”

“Have you chosen your furniture yet?”

“The baby’s not due till May. I think Jesse and I have a little time before we have to worry about furniture.”

“You’re going to want things all nicely set up well before hand. What if you go into labor a couple of weeks early and the nursery isn’t ready when you come home?”

“I’ll have Jess get to work after the holidays are over.”

“If you need to you can call me and Bren in to help you out.”

“Thanks for the offer. Jesse will need the help.”

Christmas Morning.

Lexa woke up early and made her way down to the kitchen. She dug around in the cabinets until she managed to find the can of coffee and the coffee filters. She quickly set up the coffee maker to make a full pot and then went to work fixing a platter of scrambled eggs and another one of pancakes.

Jesse came downstairs a few minutes later. He was surprised to catch the scent of coffee as he walked into the kitchen. He walked over to where Lexa was cooking and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

“Morning, Jess.” she said as she turned around and quickly kissed him. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas to you too, baby.” the phone rang and he went to answer it.

Lexa watched him as he talked to Shalimar for a minute. She lost track of her cooking till she smelled that one of the pancakes had burned. Quickly recovering, she threw away the burned pancake and started on another.

“Shal and Bren are coming over in about twenty minutes. You run upstairs and get dressed while I finish cooking breakfast.”

“Thanks, Jess.” She stepped away from the stove and let him take her place. “Your coffee should be ready, and I think you will be able to start drinking it around here again, I’m not getting sick from the strong smell anymore.”

Jesse laughed as he watched her leave the room.

Almost an hour later.

The group was gathered in front of the tree, opening their presents.

Lexa opened a box, only to find it filled with several small jewelry boxes. Opening them up she found a pair of diamond earrings, a delicate silver chain with a sapphire pendant, a gold chain with a ruby pendant, and a gold and silver twist chain with a locket that was engraved with the image of a mother holding a baby. “They’re gorgeous, Jess.” she whispered and softly kissed him.

“This one is for Jesse, from his wife.” Shalimar said as she handed him a heavy package.

Jesse carefully opened the paper and was shocked for a minute when he saw what was inside. “You found another chess set.”

“I figured we could play again, maybe even teach the kid to play when he’s old enough.” Lexa said as she picked up a small box and looked at the tag. “Shal, this one is for you from Bren.”

Shalimar took the box and carefully opened it. Her eyes widened when she saw what was inside, and for a moment the room fell silent.

Brennan pulled her to him and pulled the contents of the box out. “Will you marry me, Shal?”

“Yes, I’ll marry you.” She leaned in and kissed him before she let him put the diamond ring on her finger. “I love you, Brennan Mulwray.”

“I love you too, Shalimar.” Brennan answered. “You’d better thank your brother for helping me pick that one out. I searched all over for one and I couldn’t find anything that was deserving of being worn by you.”

Shalimar managed to pull herself away from Brennan long enough to hug Jesse.

Later that night.

Lexa laid in the bed waiting for Jesse to finish closing out his computer. When he finally set the computer aside she laid her head on his chest and pressed close to him. “Jesse, there is one more thing I want to do to night.”

“And what is this last thing you want to do?”

She leaned up and kissed him. “I want to tell you something.” she kissed him again before she said anything else. “I love you.” she whispered.

“I love you too.” he whispered back. “That’s the first time you’ve ever said that.”

“First time you’ve ever said it too.” Lexa kissed him softly. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while, but I wanted the first time I said it to mean something.”

Jesse smiled as he caressed her face with the back of his hand. “That was the same thing I was thinking. You must be reading my mind.”

“Or you’re reading mine.”

Jesse pulled her in for another kiss. Soon they were lost in love and passion.