Page 82 of Family Bonds- Gabriela & Luca

She sat on the floor and reached for the stocking. One by one, she pulled out lotion that she loved, and he must have noted it staying at her place.

There was a bottle of perfume the same brand as her lotion. “I’m not sure I knew they made this.”

She took the top off and sniffed, the light floral scent was more pleasing than her lotion, so she spritzed it on her wrist.

He grabbed her hand and brought it to his nose. “Sexy. That’s why I got it.”

“I’m learning you don’t need much to turn you on.”

“Only you.”

The wiggle of his eyebrows was meant to keep it funny, but when he said things like that, she wanted it to be more serious.

But she didn’t want to be the first to say it or change their dynamics.

She cleared her throat. “Let’s see what else is in here.”

There was a pair of socks with stethoscopes on them, a couple different kinds of chocolate, even a small bag of chips like the one they emptied after their first night of sex.

That was a cute touch. A funny one.

Something she wished she’d thought of.

In the bottom was a small jewelry box.

Yikes.

This might be getting too serious now.

“It’s not going to bite you,” he said. “It’s nothing fancy. Just something that caught my eye. It goes with today, I guess.”

She ripped off the paper, then lifted the top and saw the silver snowflakes hanging off of lever backs.

“These are great,” she said, taking them out of the box and then pulling out her little silver studs. “I love snow.”

“I know you do. You told me. Now Santa can wear snowflakes today.”

She put her new earrings in, then leaned over for a kiss. “They’re perfect. I love them. I love everything. You’re a good gift giver.”

“I try,” he said softly.

Softer than maybe he meant it to be.

She didn’t care. Their dynamic was changing and it was in a good way.

“Open yours now.”

They had more than similar ideas. Some of his favorite candy, his aftershave. “Oh my God. Where did you find socks with French fries on them?”

“You said they were your weakness. Don’t worry, I won’t steal them. They won’t fit anyway.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’ll be wearing them the next time I’m on shift.”

She glanced at his feet and noticed the red and green ones on, just a bright pattern.

He pulled out a few more funny pairs of socks she’d gotten him once she realized he enjoyed doing that and making the kids laugh.

The last gift was a pair of leather gloves since he complained his hands were cold the other day.