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Every Langdon possesses the holiday spirit. Though according to their spouses, the holiday spirit possesses them. Mel's husband of almost two years is no different. Despite the excitement, she can feel him tamping it down to doze off as he curls around her. A failed effort seeing as he shuffles his feet and shakes around her.
"Cut it out, I can't sleep like this," Mel chuckles. He nuzzles his nose behind her neck, and tightens his grip around her abdomen. "Get to used to it, baby, we've got like fifty Christmas Eves left."
"Not if we don't sleep," Mel mumbles.
There's probably—knowing Langdon, almost definitely—a smile on his face, one he can't wipe away if he tried. He pulls her closer, completely flush against his chest, when he hears her feign annoyance. Langdon even tucks his hand under her pyjama top and right over the faint bump under her waistband. Early days yet, but she still needs to come up with the right words.
Now or never. "Frank?"
"I know I know, I'm shaking the bed, but believe me, I couldn't stop if I tried." She doesn't doubt that, but no–
"So, I'm pregnant."
That's when she feels him go still. Maybe she should've done this face to face because spooning is hardly a way to deliver life-altering news. Before she can turn to see his reaction, he whispers a soft wait here, and flies out from under the covers.
Footsteps down and back up the stairs until he pads back in holding one of her presents. Lilac wrapping and a shimmery, gold bow. "This one can't wait any longer."
"Frank, did you, um– did you hear what I said?"
"Yeah, sweetheart." He reassures with a smile, gently putting her glasses on her face, "Now open up."
Mel is not one for superstition, but this is probably on par with bride and groom seeing each other before the wedding. The knot slips easily, the paper scrunches until she gets to the blank cardboard box. She looks to him for reassurance, Langdon urges her to keep going.
So she does, and tucked away in the folds of a baby blanket, is a beaded Mommy bracelet with hearts on either side. An identical match to the Daddy bracelet she beaded for him way back when.
"Like I said, can't wait any longer."
She can't pinpoint the exact feeling in her gut. A mix of joy and nostalgia as she slips it on. "Figured there's a sonogram, or like, a baby rattle in one of my gifts, so I came prepared."
"How did you– oh shoot! Did Samira say something to you?"
Langdon laughs and kisses her lips, "Call it a sixth sense." That, and he probably caught on two missed cycles ago. "You like it?"
"Love it!" Mel thanks him with a kiss that almost sends him falling to the floor. "And I love you, Frank."
Yeah, Mel finally understands why her husband always loses sleep the night before Christmas.