LUNA
The minute I stepped inside our kitchen, I knew something was off with Beck. Penelope, true to form, launched herself at me with pure canine glee. I couldn't take her to Wild Heart today - which meant we'd spent a ghastly 10 hours apart. But as I was being lavishly greeted by my dog, my boyfriend was shifting on his feet with pink cheeks and a nervous expression.
"Mr. Mason," I said, smiling up at him from the ground. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," he said gruffly. "How was your day, sweetheart?"
I stood up, narrowed my eyes at my favorite face in the world. When I tugged on the ends of his beard, he cracked a smile. Pulled me in for a big kiss.
"That's better," I said. "Now tell me what happened. Did something go wrong at Lucky Dog?"
"No, nothing like that." He stepped back, looked down at Penelope. "You know, it's just that Christmas is coming."
I did know. We'd spent the weekend wrapping our palm trees with twinkle lights.
"What about it?" I cocked my head.
"I haven't really had a Christmas with a family before," he said.
Sometimes I loved Beck Mason so much my heart threatened to burst. I tipped up and brushed another kiss across his lips. This one deeper, with more meaning. "It's an honor to spend this first Christmas with you. My soulmate."
Beck swiped his thumb across my cheek. "It's an honor to be here with you."
I gave him another kiss. Then another and another, until he was finally laughing.
"Then why do you look so nervous right now?" I teased.
He rubbed the back of his neck, blew out a breath. "It's just that...I went a bit overboard."
"In what way?"
With a sigh, he crooked his finger and led me down the hall to one of the guest bedrooms. "In my defense, I've never had the chance to do this for my own dog." Then he opened the door and revealed what was easily 40 different toys for Penelope.
"Do you think it's too much for Christmas?" he asked somberly.
"Beck." My hand flew to my mouth. He was too good. "I think..." I started to giggle. "I think it's just enough. In fact, I wouldn't mind adding more."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah," I said. "I'll move my morning meeting. We can go shopping for Penelope tomorrow. Doesn't the world's best dog deserve all the toys? And don't all the dogs at Lucky Dog deserve Christmas gifts too?"
His eyes were warm. "I think they'd love that."
I looked at the room, overflowing with toys. Even though I was happy to shop for Penelope with Beck tomorrow, we'd still have so much left over.
"So, the Wild Heart Foundation is working with a new nonprofit," I told Beck. "They help people care for their pets after fleeing a natural disaster. Make sure they have enough food and bedding and toys so that they feel safe. They help their owners feel safe too." I nodded my head at the abundance in that room. "I know most of these are for Pen...but I think she'd share with some friends who are in a tough spot."
Beck's crooked grin lit me up like a Christmas tree. "I went overboard, didn't I?"
I laughed. "No, I'm just saying..."
Beck pulled me in for a hug, kissing the top of my head. "I guess our dog doesn't need to open all of these."
"Oh, you were going to have her open them?"
"Of course." He looked down at me with bemusement. "She can use her paws, can't she?"
"You know, I'd heard rumors from the beginning that Grumpy Beck Mason was really a big softie. And now you're letting our dog unwrap her own presents on Christmas."
He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. Kissed the tip of my nose. "Tomorrow, we'll buy as many toys as we can. For Lucky Dog. For the people that nonprofit is helping. And anyone else who needs a little help."
"I like that," I said softly.
"I haven't gotten your gifts yet," he admitted.
But I shook my head. "Don't. No gifts necessary. On Christmas, the only gifts I ever want is to spend more time with you."
Beck reached down and scooped me up, and began walking to our bedroom. "Then we'll always have a happy Christmas."