Christmas with Lady Nicole and Sir Todd

If you’re here for the query letter blogfest, my entry is here.

"Twelfth Night" by David Teniers the Younger

This post is part of Christine Danek's Crazy Holiday Blogfest. Enjoy! :)

The castle had never looked more festive. Holly, ivy, and mistletoe dotted nearly every surface, and the candle lights glistened, the flames giving the large dining room brightness and warmth.

Lady Nicole hurried outside. A light snow had started to fall on this Adam and Eve Day, the day before Christmas. She ran through the market to the trees beyond, where many of the villagers, including her husband, Sir Todd, decorated them with apples.

She snuck up behind him and covered his eyes with her hands. “Guess who?” she whispered.

“My Christmas angel.” He lowered her hands and turned around to kiss her.

Some of the villagers began to sing and dance around. Lady Nicole tugged on her husband’s hand. “Come, let’s join the carol!”

Her husband laughed, and the joined in the revelry, dancing in a circle and laughing so hard they could barely sing along. As the carolers increased the sped of the circle, Lady Nicole lost her footing and tumbled into her husband. They both fell onto the snow, unable to stop laughing.

Lady Nicole struggled to sit up, and Sir Todd kissed her forehead.

Lady Nicole smiled bashfully. Her hand went to her stomach, a faint blush on her cheeks.

“Is something wrong?” Sir Todd asked, concern in his dark brown eyes.

Lady Nicole smiled and shook her head. She brought his hand to her stomach. “I thought so, but I wanted to be sure.” She shivered with delight when she left the faint movement again, so soft and gentle, like bubbles popping or the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings. Quickening. “I’m with child.”

Sir Todd let out a loud whop and swiftly embraced his wife. “We’ve been waiting a long time for this.”

She smiled. “I know. The perfect Christmas present.”