“That was before I really knew you.”

He laughed aloud. “It’s Christmas. Be nice to me.”

Lina openly watched them. Katie was leaning into Phil’s side as she once again began watching the movie. They were healed, or well on their way. Six months earlier, Katie would never have stayed in the chair with him, but now she was curled against him.

“I’m not a fan of this movie,” Phil called out to Logan. “We should be watching It’s a Wonderful Life or A Christmas Story.”

“Boring,” Katie said. “This is the first tradition of Logan’s I like.”

“You have to watch it a few times to appreciate it,” Logan said. “Everyone thinks it’s dumb the first time.”

“It is dumb,” Phil said dryly.

“Dad! Shh.” Katie elbowed him in his side. “You can’t talk through the whole movie!”

It was almost 2:00 a.m. before the kids were in their bedrooms and Lina and Phil were able to bring the gifts up from the basement where they were stowed away.

“You outdid yourself,” Phil said as he admired the large assortment of wrapped packages beneath the Christmas tree. “It will take them half the day to open those.”

“It’s no more than normal. And some are for you.”

“I’m teasing you. It’s late. I’m going to set the alarm and head downstairs.”

“Okay.” She touched his hand. “Thanks.”

“Good night.” He leaned in and brushed his lips over her cheek. “Sleep well.”

“Good night.” The warmth of his lips lingered on her cheek as she watched him leave the room. She took a final look at the Christmas tree before making her way upstairs.

Lina turned in to Phil’s warm body, her hands sliding over his chest as she slipped her leg between his. She was dreaming, and she didn’t want to wake up because it felt too good. She began running her lips along his jaw, her tongue darting out to taste him. Never had a dream felt so real. She could even smell him. Her whole body stilled and her eyes opened.

She wasn’t dreaming. “What are you doing here?” She scrambled back from him, barely able to make out his features in the darkened room.

“You came to me.”

“What?” She sat up, clutching the sheet against her chest as she looked around. She was in the basement. “Oh my God. I can’t believe this.”

She felt the mattress shift and then Phil’s warm hand sliding up her arm. “Look at me.”

“No.”

“Lina.” He clasped her shoulder, pushing her back down on the bed. “Look at me.”

She was naked. She’d fallen asleep in a nightgown, but she’d obviously removed it before climbing into his bed. She felt his hand slide over her hip to her stomach. “Don’t.”