His Christmas Wish by Marquita Valentine Page B

sliced through her happiness.
    “I’m not going to stop you or give you a hard time for going to spend Christmas Day with your parents. They’re family, my family too.” He let go of her, walked to the kitchen counter and grabbed the phone. Holding it out, he said, “Call them and say you’ll be there for Christmas. I’ll spend it with my parents. I’m not going to make you choose between us.”
    Hand trembling, she took the phone. “Let me shower and change first.”
     
     
    Joaquin took a deep breath as she punched in the number on the phone. This was it. His last Plan. He’d had so many in the past week that by now he was probably up to letter X.
    Though he meant what he’d said to Sage, a small part of him wanted to be chosen over them. She picked them over him before, always the good daughter, dutiful and loyal to her parents. So easily made to feel guilty about the smallest of things.
    God he nearly hated them right now.
    “Momma,” Sage said, breaking though his thoughts. “No…No! Let me speak, then you say what you want or hang up.”
    Raising his brows, he leaned against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest.
    “Number one: I’m not signing any papers. So you can tell Uncle Joe to put them through the shredder in Daddy’s office. Number Two and most important: I’d be happy to come over on Christmas Day with my husband. We’re a package deal.”
    Astounded, he had to make himself stay right where he was and not take the phone from her, throw it across the room and march her into their bedroom.
    He watched as his wife’s lower lip trembled and her shoulder shook. “I’m sorry you feel that way, but…” Suddenly, Sage’s eyes flashed. “Stop it. I refuse to be a part of your drama.”
    Would it be too much to start clapping for Sage? He winked at her in encouragement.
    “However, if you and Daddy would like to come over to our house tomorrow, y’all are more than welcome.” Then Sage hung up the phone and gave him a shaky smile.
    He went to her then, arms wide open. She snuggled right up against him, her slender arms holding on tight. “Proud of you, baby.”
    “That’s the first time I’ve ever fussed at my momma.”
    “You did good.” Actually, she was spectacular, but didn’t think she’d want him crowing over her putting Virginia in her place. “Ready to make some of our own Christmas memories?”
    “I think we’re off to a pretty good start.”
    He nuzzled her hair. “You know when I was in the ‘Stan, I saw a falling star one night, then about a dozen more right after it. One of the prettiest things I’d ever seen in my life.”
    “Did you make lots of wishes?”
    “Only one.” He dipped his head, his lips inches from hers.
    “Did it come true?”
    “We’ll see in a minute.” Smiling, he fished her engagement ring out of his pocket and slipped on her finger.
    “I’m never taking this off again.” She smiled at him, her lips trembling. “I love you, Joaquin, with everything inside of me.”
    His heart felt near to bursting right about now. Words he’d longed to hear from her, in person, had finally been said and she meant it. He blew out a steadying breath. “Looks like my wish came true.” He captured her mouth with his and kissed her.

Epilogue
    Christmas Day, One Year Later
     
    “We’re under the mistletoe,” Joaquin said to his wife as she passed him in the living room. He grabbed her, rubbing a hand over her belly and bending to press a kiss to it. A swift kick had him stumbling back and laughing.
    “I don’t think he’s too happy with you getting in the way of his dinner,” Sage laughed.
    “A Morales though and through,” Juan said, raising his glass.
    Joaquin shook his head. “I think she is happy to hear her daddy.”
    After the first miracle Joaquin had received, he hadn’t expected to be blessed with more. But last year, after a bittersweet Christmas due to Sage’s parents not joining them, Charles had shown up on New Year’s