54. Alice

ALICE

I give up on my seated position, having eaten my fill, and scoot down the mattress. “That was the perfect amount.”

Michael grunts, setting the serving tray on his nightstand. “If you get hungry later, you can dip into Santa’s share.”

I lift my head to see the four chocolate-covered pretzels, three green grapes, two broken crackers, and the one strawberry left on the plate.

“Such a bounty.” I snicker and drop my head back down.

After our shower, when I regained use of my legs, we stuck with the original plan of pajamas and snacks—only the snacks were in bed.

“All the cookies and milk, I’m sure he’ll enjoy the change up.”

“Uh-huh, sure.” I roll onto my side so I’m facing Michael. “If you want to stay up…” I let my offer linger, hoping he doesn’t take me up on it.

He shakes his head and shifts so he’s lying down facing me. “It’s been a busy few days for both of us, so we might as well catch up on some sleep while we can.”

I place my hand against his bare chest, enjoying the fact that his pajamas consist only of boxer briefs. “Thank you for bringing me on this trip.”

Michael gives his head a little shake. “There’s nothing to thank me for, as you didn’t really have an option to say no.”

I smile. “I still can’t believe this is real. I’ve lain in bed so many nights thinking of you. Imagining what you’d be like.”

It feels weird to admit that to the man himself, the one whose photo sat on my bedside table for years. But his look of smug adoration lets me know that telling him was the right thing to do.

“I can hardly believe it either, future Mrs. Kesso. But it is real. So damn real.”

And then he proves his words by pressing his lips to mine.