Evans reaches for my hand as we walk. It is a beautiful morning at Central Park. It’s freezing, but the sun doesn't make it as bad.
Christmas morning.
Evans has been coming with me every day on my morning walks. I’ve been doing it for months now and can only hope that it helps me when I go into labor.
It’s my favorite part of the day. I love walking around the park, holding Evan’s hand like a normal couple. I’m glad that no one seems to be following us around. Caroline was right—maybe they weren't interested in us. That makes me happy. We could actually have a more normal life than I thought.
I turn to look at Evans remembering last night. It wasn't like anything I had ever experienced. It was even better than the first time, and I never thought that would ever be possible.
Evans turns to look at me and smiles. "What?"
Believe it or not, he takes walks in suits, too. He looks all fancy and I'm in my pajama pants. I honestly don't know what he sees in me.
I smile. "Nothing. I love you."
He smiles, flashing his white teeth at me. "I love you."
I rest my head on his shoulder. "What are we going to call him?" I ask, placing my palm on my belly. He's been kicking a lot for the past couple of days. It's like he senses that it's almost time to come out.
"Do you have any names in mind?"
"Not exactly." I have too many. "Do you?" I ask, looking up at him.
"Well, I wanted to name him after me, but Caroline pretty much killed my dream," he says, making me laugh.
"Did you really?" I ask after I stop.
He shakes his head. "No. I don't really mind. Whatever you want to call him."
"I have too many names in my head. Why don't you tell me a name and I'll tell you if I like it?"
"Uh, Richard?"
I shake my head. "No."
“Peter"
I shake my head again. "The player in high school is always named Peter," I joke.
He chuckles. "What about…Alfred?
I look up at him. "I like it."
"Should we stop or...?"
I laugh at the confused expression on his face. "Yeah, I think we should."
We went around the park one more time before walking back to the condo. Bellina is already gone by then. There is breakfast on the stove. Evans begins to serve us while I go to my room and into my closet to grab the wrapped box.
"What’s that?" Evans asks me when I get back to the kitchen.
I sit next to him. "I got you a gift," I say, handing it to him. "It's nothing expensive, but it's from the bottom of my heart."
He leans over and kisses me. "Thank you."
"Open it first."
He looks at me suspiciously and then begins to unwrap it. I want to laugh at his look of confusion when he sees what's inside. He shakes his head with a smile as he takes them out. "Jeans?" he asks me, holding the pair of jeans in his hands.
"I noticed you don't own a single pair. Thought you might need some."
"Really?" He chuckles. "It didn't occur to you that maybe it was because I simply don't like wearing them?"
"Why not? You look good wearing anything...or nothing."
He actually looks embarrassed. "I'm flattered, Damien. Thank you. I'll treasure them in my closet."
I laugh then kiss his cheek. "Merry Christmas."
"I got something for you too."
"What?" I ask, but he's already walking down the hall. He takes a while, so I begin eating, suddenly really hungry. Evans comes back with two gifts. One of them is in a bag and the other in a small box.
I smile as I reach for the bag. "What is it?"
He chuckles. "Open it."
I take out the tissue paper and am thrilled when I discover a beautiful blue sweater. The buttons are made out of diamonds and it is really soft against my skin. I remember him complimenting the color blue on me. "I love it." I kiss his lips. "Thank you."
He hands me the small box. I think I know what it is, but at the same time, I know Evans. It can't be a ring...
I grab the red box and pull it open.
I feel my eyes get wide when I see what's inside. "It's..." I grab it with my fingers. "A key," I finished.
Evans smiles. "Yes."
I look up at him. "It's not another car, right?"
"No."
"What is it for?" I ask him.
"The key to our new house," he says softly.
"A house?" I repeat. "You got me a house for Christmas?" He nods. "But I only got you a pair of jeans," I say sadly.
He laughs as he reaches over and puts a strand of hair behind my ear. "And they are the best gift I've ever gotten because they came from you."