Billy

I bound down the stairs and into the living room where Ainsley has rolls of wrapping paper and tape laid out.

"OK! She's asleep! Operation Santa is a go!" I say excitedly and she laughs, shaking her head at me affectionately.

"Just relax. It's not that big of a deal." She says and I huff at her.

"This is my first Christmas with you guys. This is a big deal. The biggest deal actually. We only have a few hours to create Christmas magic!" I exclaim and Ainsley raises her brows at me.

"You know that Santa isn't actually real, right?" She teases and I scoff at her.

"Santa is as real as you make him. His spirit lives in those of us that carry on his legacy." I say proudly and she gives me a warm smile.

"Alright, Kris Kringle. Come help me wrap this scooter then." She says as I walk towards her.

"And a glove right? You got her a t-ball glove? And a bat?" I ask excitedly and she nods.

"And a hot pink bag for her to carry it all in." She says with a smile and I kiss her before grabbing the tape.

"And what about the present you were responsible for?" She asks with a raised brow and I just chuckle.

"Chad is bringing it in the morning. She's gonna shit herself." I say, practically squealing with glee just thinking about Willow's reaction. Ainsley laughs before cutting a strip of wrapping paper and taping it into place.

"Can't we just use bags?" She asks, exasperated when she cut too small of a piece.

"Absolutely not!" I exclaim. "Ripping the paper is the fun part." I say and she nods.

"You're right. I just hate wrapping." She says, glaring at the blue paper with snowflakes.

"It's alright. I'll wrap. But if I do you don't get any of any of cookies she left out." I say firmly and Ainsley rolls her eyes.

"That's fine. I think I'll live." She says sarcastically as she grabs some hot chocolate and watches me wrap.

"You enjoying the view?" I ask and she nods with a little giggle.

"You look sexy all bent over like that." She says and I chuckle.

"You can unwrap your gift later." I say.

"What'd you get me?" She asks.

"My dick." I say coyly and she tilts her head back to laugh. It's a sound I'll never get tired of.

"Well then I guess I'll take your present back." She says with a shrug.

"What'd you get me? Maybe I don't want it anyway." I tease and she chuckles.

"I guess you'll never know." She responds and I stand, grabbing a box from the hall closet.

"Here you go, angel." I tell her, handing her the gift I got her. She pops open the lid to find the diamond earrings I bought her and her mouth drops.

"Billy! These are beautiful!" She says and I smile at her, kissing her cheek.

"They'll make your eyes sparkle." I tell her and she looks up at me, launching herself at me to plant her lips on mine. She sighs and stands, grabbing a box from under the couch in the other room.

"What is that?" I ask coyly and she narrows her eyes playfully at me.

"Your present." She answers, handing it to me. I open it and my mouth drops in shock.

"No fucking way." I say and she giggles.

"Yes fucking way." She responds and I look up at her.

"How'd you find it?" I ask, pulling out the exact same gaming system I had as a kid, that I've been searching for for years.

"It took a long ass time. I started looking months ago. But one of the antique shops in town got one in and called me right away." She says, watching me melt over this gift.

"And it works?" I ask, pulling out the controller. She nods and smiles.

"I tested it yesterday while you were at work. Donkey Kong is my bitch." She says and I bark out a laugh, hopping off the couch to pull her in my arms.

"You're fucking amazing, angel." I murmur against her lips before deepening the kiss.

"You deserve it, baby." She says back, her eyes turning affectionate.

"Let's finish this up for Willow. I want to go to bed so we can wake up." I say with a wide smile making Ainsley chuckle again.

It takes awhile, and they by no means look great, but we get all of the presents wrapped and around the tree, the stockings stuffed with candy and a new tree ornament for Willow. We sneak quietly up the stairs and check on Willow to make sure she's still asleep before slipping into our room. I still have a hard time believing I actually live here. I get to fall asleep and wake up every day next to Ainsley. She slides into bed next to me and I pull her into my arms, trying to relax but I'm more excited for Willow's Christmas morning than I was for any of my own as a kid.

I fall into a difficult sleep, waking up every few hours to check the clock. Eventually, I hear Willow stir. Our door creaks open and her little feet patter into the room up to our bed. She nudges me and I peek my eyes open, smiling at her messy hair and Christmas pajamas that Ainsley bought her.

"Morning, Pippy." I say and she grins at me.

"It's Christmas!" She says excitedly and I chuckle.

"It sure is, sweet girl. You think Santa came to visit?" I ask and she nods excitedly.

"Can I wake up Mom?" She asks and my smile grows.

"I don't think she'd mind. Just this once." I say and Willow rounds the bed, climbing on top before jumping on Ainsley.

"Wake up, Mom!" She yells until Ainsley groans and rolls over to scowl at me. I just shrug and push out of bed.

"There was no stopping her, angel. She's out of control." I say, grabbing Willow and flying her down the stairs like an airplane.

She giggles the whole time and gasps when we get to the living room, her eyes wide as she takes in the gifts. I turn on the lights on the tree just as Ainsley walks in the room, pulling one of my sweatshirts tighter around her. I smile at her and pull her into my lap as Willow tears through her gifts.

I get a text partway through and kiss Ainsley on the cheek before sneaking out into the garage where Chad is waiting.

"Thanks for this." I say, grabbing Willow's present from him.

"No problem. Can I stay and see the look on her face?" He asks excitedly and I chuckle before nodding.

"Hell yeah. She's gonna be so excited." I say and Chad laughs, following me into the house.

"Pippy! You forgot a present!" I shout and I hear the rustle of paper as she stands up from the floor.

"Where is it?" She shouts to me and I carry it into the room.

"Right here, baby." I say, holding the golden retriever puppy out to her.

Her eyes widen in shock as she takes in the ball of fluff. She walks up to me slowly as if her brain can't process what it's seeing.

"Is it for me?" She asks, her eyes filling with tears as she reaches out to play with the large red bow Chad attached to his collar.

"Yes. He's all yours." Ainsley says, her voice clogged with emotion as a tear slips down Willow's face. She reaches out for the pup and I put him in her arms. She clings to him, sitting on the floor and cradling him in her arms.

"Thank you." Willow says, looking from me to her mom.

"You're welcome, sweet girl." I say, bending down to kiss her head.

"But a puppy is a huge responsibility, Willow." Ainsley says and Willow nods.

"I know. Billy has been teaching me things already." She says and Ainsley looks at me.

"I wasn't going to get her a puppy without discussing it with her first. What is going to be expected of her." I say and Ainsley nods.

"What are you going to name him?" Chad asks, sitting next to Willow and scratching the dog's ear.

"Cooper." Willow says easily and I look at her surprised, but she just shrugs.

"I've wanted a dog for as long as I can remember and I always wanted to name a boy dog Cooper. We can call him Coop for short. Do you need to go potty, Cooper? Do we have treats so I can train him?" She asks.

Apparently those dog whisperer youtube videos really had an effect on her.

We go outside and start the potty training process. I did a lot of research before selecting a breed and this one is smart and great with kids so I'm hoping Cooper catches on quickly.

"I took all week off to hang out with you and train him." I tell Willow and her eyes light up.

"This is the best Christmas ever!" She screams, clapping and cheering when Cooper does his business.

My heart warms at the sight and I have to agree, this is easily the best Christmas I've ever had.