Oh Christmas Tree

"Sharif don't like it...Rock the Casbah...Rock the Casbah..."

Bouncing along to the radio and singing along--even if she didn't know the words--Bryn sat in the passenger's seat of Jess's Explorer, which they'd borrowed just for the occasion. Knit hat in place on her head, she was bundled up as if expecting blizzard conditions. Or maybe she was just hopeful. They were, after all, in search of the perfect Christmas tree.

Anton smiled as he was looked away from the road long enough to grin at her. He was wearing a wool jacket, but nothing for colder weather. It was only in the mid fifties, but there was a threat of rain. "I hate to tell you this, my dear. But don't expect a white Christmas here. A wet Christmas is more like it."

"You never know. I'm choosing to be optimistic. Then, when it snows, I can say 'I told you so.'" She smiled at him. Then, she blew a puff of air out of her cheeks. "Although...it is getting kind of warm in here. I guess I better be optimistic without the scarf and hat." Unwrapping herself, she watched the road as well. "Where are we going, exactly?"

"Well, we have a choice," Anton said as the pulled to the end of the private road and to the freeway. "We can head into the mountains to a cut your own tree lot over by Half Moon Bay," he said pointing to the left. Anton then pointed to the right. "Or we could head down to Palo Alto and buy a precut tree. Which sounds like more fun to you, my dear?"

"Ooh...I think cutting our own sounds like fun." "In to the mountains, it is." Bryn smiled widely. "It's too bad they don't already come with decorations, but I guess that's part of the fun. I just hope we have enough. I can't believe you didn't have any of your own. You sound like Scrooge."

"I didn't have any for the apartment, my dear. There are some for the tree that we put up in the warehouse for the employees. While I was on my own, I just didn't see the point." He accelerated smoothly into freeway.

"So tell me, my dear. What did your family do for Christmas?"

She shook her head. He turned in to a hermit when she wasn't around and she didn't like that. Still, it wasn't something he needed to worry about anymore.

Rubbing a hand over her fuzzy head, she said, "We decorated a lot when I was a little kid. We had a ceramic sleigh my mom had made, and it had a bunch of little presents in it and was pulled by these cheesy red reindeer. That would set on our mantel, and one year I got so frustrated that no one had ever opened the little presents that I opened them myself. It was very disappointing to find out they were all empty." She smiled. "We'd have a big tree every year and Mom would make tons of homemade candies. It would snow almost every year. But my parents got less and less interested in Christmas as I got older and pretty soon we barely noticed it at all. That was another reason I was more than happy to move in with John. With their kids, it was like...enchanting again. We decorated a whole bunch and made spiced cocoa. We'd all gather around the tree at the crack of dawn and just go crazy."

"It sounds like fun, my dear," Anton said with a smile. He was glad that she had some happy memories of her childhood, that there had been some bright spots in "Although the crack of dawn might not be a good option for me." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "We'll have to come up with some of our own traditions, especially seeing how soon it won't be just us," he said, lifting a hand to caress her very pregnant stomach.

She nodded, settling a hand over his to hold it in place. It wasn't long before Max shifted and made them both grin. "Speaking of which, I hope there are bathrooms on the way to this place. Not that I need to go right this minute, but I'm sure it won't be long before I do. I think this little boy enjoys head-butting me in the bladder."

Anton gently caressed her stomach. "Just say the word, my dear, and I'll find us one."

Traffic was a little heavier than Anton had anticipated, but it wasn't long before they were taking the winding road to Half Moon Bay. But instead of heading into the beach, he pulled off onto a side road and through a gate. "Here we are, my dear," he said. "One of the best Christmas Tree farms in the area."

"Wow." She perked up, sitting a little straighter. "They have some pretty big ones. I wonder how tall of a tree we can get home safely. It would be nice to have something tall since it's going to be next to the stairs. We won't have to get a ladder to decorate."

"We should be able to get something about 10 foot, though getting it home will be a bit of a challenge." Opening the door, he inhaled the fresh scent of pine. He walked around to the other side of the SUV and let Bryn out. "Shall we, my dear?" he asked, offering her his arm.

Hanging on to him tightly as she climbed down from the cab, she nodded. "We shall." Closing the door behind her, she allowed him to the lead the way. "I would say to get a blue spruce, but all of the ornaments I got are red and white...and it would look more like the fourth of July than Christmas. So I think a Douglas fir would be good."

"Okay. Douglas fir it is." He went over to the attendant and after a brief discussion, handed over some money. "He said when we pick out the tree, he'll bring over a chainsaw and cut it for us." Anton said as he returned to Bryn. "So shall we?"

She nodded and started down the rows of trees next to him. The larger trees were further away, which meant a longer walk. Mentally, she grumbled. She would have to pick the furthest trees in the lot and lug her big belly around even longer. Too bad she couldn't just set it in a wheelbarrow in front of her. Smiling at that thought, she looked at Anton. "So what kinds of Christmas traditions would you like to have?"

"I'm not really sure, my dear. Perhaps going out and caroling with our children. Hanging lights on house - you know, those ones that look like icicles. A big family meal with Nathaniel and Lindy and her family. Yours too if they'll come here. And maybe a couple of more personal ones between you and me that involve mistletoe."

She giggled at the last one. "I think that could be arranged." Bryn was quiet for a moment, and then added, "It would be nice if we could go to Pennsylvania every once in a while. Definitely not to stay at my parents' house, but at least to visit. You'd love playing in the snow over there. It's a lot of fun. And the really cool thing is it doesn't get dark out when there's snow on the ground. The sky stays bright enough for you to see who you're pelting with snow balls."

"Or who's pelting me is what I think you mean." He slipped his arm around her, looking at the trees as they slowly walked up the trail. "Do you miss Pennsylvania, my dear? Are you ever homesick? You know if you want to go back and visit, all you have to do is say the word and I'll book a flight for us."

"I miss the place...not necessarily my family." She smiled. "Yeah, I guess I miss my family, too. They just are very quick to get on my nerves. It's weird, because I didn't see them for so many years, and now that I have, I'm missing them more. I didn't care at all about seeing them when I lived in Baltimore. Maybe it's a distance thing." Leaning her head against his arm, she said, "I would like to take you to Philly some time, though. Best food in the world is there."

He grinned at her. "I've always heard the cheesesteaks were good. And the creamcheese." He paused, mock frowning. "What's with all the cheese there, my dear? I thought Wisconsin was the cheese capital."

"They may be the capital, but we're the cheese consumers. I love cheese. My mother hates. Go figure. Anyway, I think it's an ethnic thing. Italian, Polish...oh, and we also have really great pirogues. Have you ever had one of those? It's like a ravioli, sort of, but filled with potatoes and...cheese." She grinned. "They're yummy. I might have to make some one day. The best ones come from Pittsburgh, but we rarely traveled that far."

"We'll swing by on the way to your parents' then." They had reached the stand of taller trees. "Well, here we are, my dear," he said looking at the different pines and firs. All the trees on this part of the lot averaged between 8 and 10 foot tall. "You know, there is one decision we have to make, my dear. What goes on top. An angel or a star."

Inspecting the trees, Bryn paused for a moment. "My vote is for a star. There's just something about an angel with a tree up its butt that doesn't sound very Christmasy. But if you'd rather have an angel, that's fine with me."

Anton giggled at the image Bryn's words evoked. "That sounds painful my dear. I think we'll go with a star." He looked at a noble fir, one that was full of needles and smelled lovely. "How about this one, my dear?"

She was grinning, charmed by his laughter. Walking over to the tree, she grabbed hold of one of the larger branches and gave the tree a good shake, watching to see how many needles fell off. Barely any did. Taking a deep breath, she moaned softly at the sweet scent of the tree. "I like it. I think you picked a winner."

It may have been silly for a vampire to swell with pride at having made a good choice, but he did at Bryn's praise. "Then let me go get the man with the chainsaw my dear. I'll be right back." He started back down the trail, waiving to catch the attendant's attention.

She smiled as she watched him go, then let out a deep sigh, feeling sleepy. It was much easier for her to get tired these days and she knew she might likely be taking a nap on the way home. Scratching the back of her head, she forced her eyes open wide and tried to stay alert. As Anton came back towards her, she quietly said, "I think I might need a transfusion when we get home, if I'm going to be awake enough to help decorate the tree."

"Okay, Bryn," he said. He slipped an arm around her back, cursing mentally that he hadn't thought of that earlier. He had noticed that she was pale, but dismissed it without really thinking about the fact that it was about time for her next transfusion. "Do you want to wait back at the car while I see to this?"

"No, I'm okay. I'm feeling fine, just a little tired." She leaned against him and put her arm around his back as well, squeezing him tightly. "Besides, I don't want to miss this. It's our first Christmas together. I want to remember every little part of it."

"So do I, my dear," He walked her down the path a little as the attendant and assistant came up with a cart to put the tree on as well as the necessary chain saw. It took all of two minutes of cutting and trimming to get the tree loaded onto the cart. They followed it back down and oversaw it being loaded onto Jess's SUV. "I'd say we're about ready, my dear."

"Good." She gave him a kiss before opening the passenger door to climb in. Looking up at the tree, she said, "I wonder if we could fit that thing through a McDonald's drive thru. A hot fudge sundae sounds really good right now."

After getting into the driver's side, Anton looked up at the roof, thinking. "I don't think we can get this through it, but I can always run in for it." He started up the car and the heater. "And some of their apple pies sound good too."

"Aww. You're so sweet to me, sugar." She leaned towards him, only to have her belly stopped by the center console. Instead, she grabbed hold of him and pulled him closer, kissing him again. She lingered a bit this time, softly sucking his upper lip. "Mmm. You really are sweet."

Anton smiled, gently stroking her cheek. "Hold that thought until we get home, my dear. But first, let's hit McDonalds." Reluctantly he pulled away and turned on the car's lights. It was a quick drive up the freeway to the restaurant, just making it there before closing. Anton ran in and was out within five minutes. "Here you are, my dear," he said, handing her a fudge sundae.

She gave him a giddy smile, immediately yanking open the plastic cover. "Thank you, sugar. It looks awesome." Unwrapping her spoon, she dug in, moaning with delight and wiggling in her seat. "Mmmm." Swallowing, smiled at him. "Perfect."

He smiled to see her obvious enjoyment. Started the car and pulled back onto the freeway. "Now that I see the tree, my dear, I'm not sure we bought enough ornaments," he mused. "Did you want to do popcorn strings as well?"

"Sure. I've never done that before." Looking in to the bag he'd carried out of McDonalds, she said, "You're not going to eat your pie yet? It'll get cold. I can open it for you, if you want."

"Please," he said, pulling onto the freeway. Traffic was light now, which was a good thing since he couldn't drive at the speed limit with the top heavy vehicle. "I think I'm going to have to draft Nathaniel and some of the werewolves to get the tree into the house, my dear," he said before taking the pie, which Bryn had unwrapped. He bit in and chewed and swallowed. "Mmm...this is good."

She held up her sundae, which had almost all of the fudge removed, and said with a chocolatey smile, "You want it a la mode? You can dip, if you want."

Anton grinned and scooped out some. "Why do I think it's a plot for you to get some of my pie filling on your ice cream?"

She gave him an innocent smile, but couldn't help the twinkle in her eyes. "So what if it is? I'm sharing with you, so you might as well share with me."

"In that case..." he dunked the pie in again, trying to scoop out a large amount of ice cream, but only succeeded in breaking off a large chunk of filling and crust. "Oops."

"Ha ha! My evil plan is working!" She grinned, quickly scooping up the chunk of pie with some ice cream and popping it in her mouth. "Mmmm."

He watched her neck bob and swallow, his mouth going dry at the sight of the spoon disappearing between her lips. "Shall we head for home, my dear and start putting up the tree?"

Noticing his slightly glazed eyes, she felt a little shiver go up her spine and nodded. "Let's." The rest of the car ride home was spent in silence, and still she didn't fall asleep. She didn't seem to be tired anymore. In fact, she was a little breathless and excited. And turned on. By the time he was pulling in the driveway, she'd already packed up all of the garbage and was in the process of unbuckling the seat belt. "Hurry up and go get the guys to help you bring in the tree. I'll get the ornaments unpacked."

Anton nodded and helped her out of the car and into the house. Then he rounded up Walter and Alex, Nathaniel being out with Lindy get their own tree. It took a lot of grunting and positioning and maneuvering, but they managed to get the tree in the house. And another ten minutes of grunting and positioning and maneuvering to get it into the stand.

After a thanks to the two werewolves, Anton flopped down in mock exhaustion underneath the tree. "Whew!"

Bryn giggled. "You poor thing." She heard the front door close behind Alex and Walter. Carefully kneeling down next to Anton, she made a tsking sound. "I guess you're too tired for me to take advantage of you. Want me to get you a pillow and a blanket instead?"

"Since when am I too tired for you to take advantage of me, my dear?" Anton opened one eye and looked at her, arms crossed behind his head. "Besides, I thought it was a modern tradition to open a package beneath the Christmas tree, my dear."

She laughed loudly at that, making him grin. "In that case, I guess I'll open the biggest one first."

He sat up and pulled her closer. "And I'll start unwrapping my present." His hand slipped up underneath the baggy maternity sweater she was wearing to cup her breast. "I think it's a good thing that I never got into the habit of shaking them to figure out what was inside."

She nodded, grinning. "Otherwise you'd get a shower pretty quick." Pulling the sweater up her torso, she crossed her arms and pulled it over her head, eager to get it out of the way. Sliding her hand down his chest, she tugged his shirt free from his pants and rubbed her palm across his warm belly.

Anton moaned, muscles flexing beneath her hand. His own weren't idle, but unfastened her bra and pulled it away. "So beautiful, my dear," he murmured as his eyes took in her curves. He pulled closer to her and placed an open mouthed kiss on her lips, sliding his tongue between hers.

She melted against him, returning his kiss passionately. He tasted like a delicious combination of apples and vanilla, and she wanted more of it. Sliding her hand up under his shirt, she headed for his pectoral muscles and massaged them with the same circular motion she'd used on his stomach. His nipples were already hard and she couldn't resist brushing them firmly with her fingers.

His hand slipped up her back, tracing each of her vertebra lovingly. Anton shifted beneath her as she tickled him, returning her vanilla/chocolate/apple tinted kiss eagerly. His other hand slipped around to rest on the curve of her stomach, and smiled. "I can't wait until you deliver this Christmas present, my dear."

"I'm torn between wanting to get him out, and being scared to death of labor. But I think the former is winning. I want back control of my body. Sometimes I feel like I have one of those little creatures from Alien inside me. Hopefully he won't decide to burst out of my stomach."

"I hope not too, my dear." His hands gently caressed her, sliding over her skin. "Sometimes I'm still surprised you still want me to touch you since I started this in you." He paused thinking for a moment. "Bryn, if I had gotten you pregnant that first night we met, what would you have done?"

"I don't know." She paused in massaging him. "I almost wish you had. Maybe we would've been together all this time. Then again, maybe that extra time I had to mature was really needed. We might not have made it this far, otherwise." She leaned down to kiss his lips. "I would've wanted you around. I couldn't have stayed away if I was having your baby."

He smiled up at her, his hands now cupping her breasts. "I would have married you the moment I found out, my dear. Not because you were pregnant, but because I love you so much. The baby would be, and is, a bonus." He squeezed her breasts lightly. "It's a precious gift, my dear, one that I will cherish forever."

She smiled at him, carefully settling down on her side and settling her head on his chest. Squeezing him tightly. "I love you so much, too. It's hard to remember what life was like without you. I don't want to be reminded."

"You won't have to be ever again." He gently stroked her back, letting his legs fall apart so he could cradle her closer. Surrounded by the heady scent, kissed the top of Bryn's head. "Love you so much, my dear."

"Well, in that case, are you too tired to make love to me? Me and my Winnebago belly still turn you on, right?"

Anton gave her a little smirk as he lifted his hips, rubbing his crotch against her thigh. "What do you think, my dear?" He sat up on his elbows to press his chest closer to hers. "And when have I been too tired to make love to you? I can think of one or two instances, but they were very rare circumstances."

"Indeed they were. Lucky me." She leaned over to kiss him, pulling at his lips with hers before sliding her tongue in to his mouth. She felt him grab her tighter and let out a soft moan. "Mmm...think we should make this one of our Christmas traditions?"

"Sounds good to me." He rubbed the tip of his nose against hers. "Kissing under the mistletoe, sex under the tree... that just leave something we have to do with holly."

She grinned. "Somehow I knew you wouldn't have a problem with it. And I'm sure you'll have an idea for holly in no time. Of course, I could help with suggestions." Pulling his shirt up, and starting to work it over his head, she made a face as if she was in deep thought. "We could go for something in between, like stripping under the holly."

Anton grinned. "I like the way you think my dear." Shirt free from his arms, he reached down to work her pants over her hips. "And I love the way you look. It may be hard to believe, but I think you grow more beautiful every day."

She arched an eyebrow. "And exactly why is that so hard to believe, hmm? Of course I grow more beautiful every day. I'm a goddess, remember?"

"Yes you are," Anton agreed. "Some fools may have a hard time believing in your divinity, but you'll find me a most reverent worshipper. " As if to prove his point, he leaned forward and kissed her neck, gently worrying the tender flesh where it met the shoulder.

Bryn giggled softly at the ticklish sensation, squirming. "So do we have to be under some holly for you to keep stripping me, or is this okay?"

"I think this will do fine. We can find some holly later and strip again to make up for it." His hands started working at her pants, down and over her hips. "Besides, now that you're this close to naked, do you think I would really complain?"

She grinned. "Not really. Of course, I don't think you'd complain if I were wearing a ski suit and two pairs of long underwear, either." Leaning in for another of his devastating kisses, she sucked eagerly on his tongue. His hands moved up to squeeze her ass and she lightly pinched his nipples in response. "More."

"I wouldn't complain as long as I could take them off of you." Anton's hands squeezed again as he kissed her, his tongue delving into her mouth. His fingers also curved around her ass cheeks, delving into the growing dampness there. He let out a soft moan, pulling her closer."

Lightly squeezing her belly between them, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hugged him close. He could smother her with love and affection all he wanted, but if he was an inch or two too far away, she had to drag him closer. She couldn't get enough of him. Reaching down between them as he kissed her, she popped open the button on his jeans and began carefully working down the zipper.

Anton groaned, molding his body to hers. She was arm and wet and welcoming, and he couldn't get enough of her. His kisses grew deeper the lower she dragged the zipper. Reaching his hand between their bodies, he guided hers inside his boxers. He could feel his cock throb as she caressed him.

She pulled away from his kiss for the moment, concentrating on the task in hand. Squeezing and stroking him, she smiled as his hips began to follow the movement. "I think you like that. Maybe you should take your jeans off so I have more room."

"I would, my dear," Anton murmured. "But that means you'd have to back away from me for a moment." He almost laughed at how rapidly she backed away, but still maintained a light grip on his cock. "Eager, my dear?" he asked as he shimmied his hips, pushing his jeans down and off his legs.

"Probably as much as you are, sugar." Moving closer again, on her knees, she attacked his mouth, teasing the roof with her tongue. As he started sucking on her tongue, she resumed stroking his cock, lightly squeezing, before reaching down and rolling his balls in her palm.

"Mmm hmmm." Anton's hands went around her back, pulling her close. One hand slid all the way down her spine and over her ass, fingers coming to rest on the inside of her thigh where they tickled lightly. His tongue flicked against the inside of her upper lip, lightly rubbing against her teeth.

She opened her mouth and tried to capture his tongue, gently nipping at him. Returning her hand to his cock, she gave him a firm squeeze and pulled back to meet his gaze, panting lightly. "I want you, sugar."

Anton smiled. "Good, because I want you too." He grabbed her hips, pulling her forward. "And even better for both of us, we have each other." Hips positioned, he pulled her downwards as he shoved upwards, letting out a soft moan as he found himself encircled by her heat.

Gripping his shoulders, she gasped softly and let her forehead settle against his. Slow and easy, she sank down the length of him, unable to take him as deeply as she would've liked with Max's position in her pelvis. It didn't much matter, though, because she made the most of what she had. Gripping him tightly, she started a lazy up and down motion, smiling when his hands helped to guide her.

He held her lightly, trying to guide and balance her. Anton gave her a lazy smile, her eyes a blue blur from how close they were. Anton let out another soft moan as she squeezed his length. His hips gently pushed up into her, trying to give her everything she could take.

Bryn groaned, her head falling back on her shoulders, She could feel every inch of him and caressed him inside her, bathing him in liquid appreciation. Surrounded by his heady scent, and that of the fresh tree, she breathed in deeply, and smiled as she smelled their lovemaking as well.

Anton groaned as he could feel her growing wetter around him. He lifted his hips higher, trying to get deeper inside of her. One hand freed itself from her hips and slipped between her legs. Gently he probed, deliberately circling around her clit, but never quite touching it directly.

Bryn moaned, swiveling her hips to follow his touch. Leaning back, she braced her hands on his shins, using the angle of her body to churn his cock inside her. Holding his gaze, she watched the changing expression on his face and felt a sense of pride at the lust and love she saw there.

His eyes shut and he moved faster in and out of her. She knew all his buttons, and how to expertly push each one. Which she was doing right now. And fortunately for him, he knew which buttons to press in return. His fingers now stroked over her clit in counter rhythm to his thrusts. His breath was coming in harsh, rapid gasps.

"Ohhh..." Starting to quiver, she squeezed him tighter, licking her lips to quench their sudden dryness. The faster he moved, the harder she found it to keep quiet. And since there was no one to disturb, she let out a loud wail, shuddering hard as her orgasm hit her.

She was squeezing and massaging his cock, sensations that were threatening to wash him away. Anton growled which turned into a while which turned into a yell as he came inside of her hard. He pulled her hips down as he shoved hard up into her, continuing to move as long as he could.

She let out a soft yelp, lifting up a bit and wrapping her arms around his shoulders. As much as she wanted for him to be deep inside her, her body was sensitive and her bladder pressed uncomfortably against her sex. still shuddering lightly in pleasure, she settled her cheek against his shoulder and kissed his neck, "Love you, sugar."

Anton returned the kiss on her forehead. arms squeezing her lightly. "Love you too, my dear," he whispered. He took a deep breath, smelling their scents mixed with the heady odor of the tree. "I think this definitely has to be one of our traditions."

She nodded, letting out a contented sigh. "It'll be fun to see what it's like when I'm not as big around as the tree, too." Pulling back a bit, she smiled at him and kissed his lips. "You mind if I take a bathroom break and change clothes before decorating the tree? This is a job best done in pajamas. And I'll be sure I find something easy to take off, should the 'occasion' arise."

"Go right ahead, my dear," Anton said. "I'll go get dressed too. Finally will have a reason to wear those silk pajamas we got as a wedding present." He stood up and helped her to her feet. "Want me to make some hot chocolate for while we decorate?"

"Mmm, that sounds heavenly." Pushing up on to her toes, she leaned closer to kiss his mouth, which was a considerable task with her enormous belly in the way. "Lots of marshmallows, please. And I can't wait to see you in those pajamas...with the silk sliding sensuously over your skin, clinging softly to your muscles and just barely hiding your...assets. Yum."

Anton grinned at her as he rubbed his nose against hers. "And then we'll have to work off all those extra calories from the marshmallows." He kissed her lips lightly.

"Which, I'm sure, won't be a problem." Grabbing his hand, she began towing him along behind her as she headed for the stairs. Still waiting for a proper greeting, Petunia trotted along as well. "I noticed that Alex and Walter were quick to disappear. Did you encourage that, or was that their own initiative?"

"A bit of both," Anton said. "I made a joke about them and their self control around trees, and they said something about being glad they didn't know how to whittle stakes. But I think they were worried that we would as them to put the star on it."

"I don't like that whittling stakes comment. That's nothing to joke about. In fact, you may have to teach them how to do that, so we have a large supply whenever Natasha rears her ugly head." She pulled his hand closer and kissed the back of it, pausing in the hallway to look at him. "I think stakes need to be a forbidden subject in our household from now on. I don't even like thinking about it."

Anton squeezed her hand gently. "The only steaks that will be discussed in this household will be when we're debating how to cook them," he solemnly vowed.

She smiled. "Agreed." Resuming her path to the bedroom, she added, "Now, if only we can manage to keep our hands to ourselves long enough to decorate the tree."

"Hmmm...maybe that's why Alex and Walter were in such a hurry to get out of here," he said. "They knew they'd be stuck decorating the tree while we were busy decorating each other with hickeys."

"Hmm...maybe that's not a bad idea. I could just cover you with hickeys, wrap a tree skirt around your feet, stick a star on your head, and I'd be set." Letting go of his hand once they reached the bedroom, she continued on towards the bathroom. "I'll be right back, sugar. Don't disappear downstairs without me."

"You forgot to make a comment about Christmas balls," he called after her as he slipped into the bedroom. It took a few minutes of rummaging to find the dark blue silk pajamas, ones that were still in their plastic packaging. He tore into it and pulled the bottoms on, not bothering to put on the shirt. "You ready to head back downstairs, my dear?" he called out.

"Not yet." After flushing the toilet and washing her hands, she walked back in the bedroom and raised her eyebrows. "Ooh, you are trying to tempt me, aren't you? Quite the little tease." Picking up his discarded pajama top, she pulled it on and started buttoning it. "I'm surprised you're not pinching your nipples and moaning."

He halted her hand before she did the top button. "Why would I want to be doing that, when it's so much more fun to pinch your nipples and listen to you moan?" His other hand slipped inside of the pajama top and teased her breast, cupping her fullness.

She couldn't help grinning at him. "You're shameless. I have the feeling it's going to take us all week to get that tree trimmed." Leaning in to his caresses, she indeed let out a soft moan. "Not that I'm complaining."

"Good," Anton said softly, continuing to massage her breast, stepping in closer to her. "This color is beautiful on you, my dear." His other hand started unbuttoning the few she had managed to do up. He slipped the edges of the shirt wider apart. framing her breasts and her stomach with the silk.

Edging closer to him, she rubbed up against his warm, bare skin and settled her hands on his hips. "It's beautiful on you, too...but I think I prefer it off of you."

"Yeah. I wonder though how good it looks tossed on the floor?" He peeled the shirt off of her and dropped it, leaving her bare before him. "Hmmm...I think it looks the best like that."

"Uh oh...now you're going to have to find a creative way to keep me warm." She didn't mention that her extra weight kept her warm quite nicely on its own. It was more fun to be snuggled tight against him. "Which," she said, sliding her thumbs under the waistband of his silk bottoms, "would be much easier if you used body heat."

"I think I might be able to generate some body heat," Anton said. He pulled the waist of the pajama bottoms and let them drop down his legs. "Some friction as well, my dear." He kissed her forehead and then her cheek. "Problem is that none of this is getting the the tree trimmed."

"We could do that instead, if you really want to. I'm flexible. Or at least I used to be. Might take some stretching to warm me up." She smiled, lifting up on her toes to nibble at his chin. "Of course, we could just consider this a little pre-trimming break. Soon to be followed by a during-trimming break, and the all-important, post-trimming celebration sex."

Anton frowned. "Only one during-trimming break?"

She was quite serious. "I guess that depends on just how long it takes to trim the tree, doesn't it?"

He started to walk her backwards towards the bed. "It's a big tree," he said thoughtfully. "We may have to take two, three breaks?"

"Sometimes ya just gotta do what you gotta do," she murmured, heaving a sigh. "And right now, I gotta do you or I'm gonna go crazy."

"And it sounds like such a burden," Anton said, rubbing the tip of his nose against hers. "And since I don't want you to go crazy, why don't you lean back on the bed and let me take care of you?"

She practically flopped on to the bed, bouncing on its surface and making him laugh. Scooting over to the middle, she patted the spot next to her and wiggled her eyebrows at him. "I meet my challenges head-on. So come on and get your head over here. You can decide which one."

Anton shook his head, smiling playfully at her. Grabbing her hips, he pulled her down until she was even with the end of the bed, legs dangling off of it. "You know what I really like about this bed, my dear? It's the perfect height to do this." He leaned forward over her belly and kissed her breast, his groin rubbing against hers.

"Mmm." Lifting her legs as much as she could, she wrapped them around his legs to keep him close and arched beneath him. Watching closely as he kissed and nipped at her. "You know, there might be a treat for you if you suck on it."

Anton grinned. "It's always a treat, my dear, to suck on it." Turning his head to the side, he reached his tongue out and lapped at her nipple, flicking it lightly. Then he wrapped his lips around her areola and sucked deeply.

"Ohhh..." She felt her colostrum start to flow almost immediately, as if she'd been waiting for this all night. And she supposed she had. Her extra-sensitive breasts craved his touch and responded to even a stirring of his breath across the surface. Sliding her hand in to his hair, Bryn closed her eyes and couldn't wipe the smile off her face.

Anton opened his eyes to take in her expression and then sucked harder. His other hand played with her other nipple, grinning as he felt her grow slippery. Quickly he shifted to her other breast, pulling that nipple inside her mouth. His hips rubbed against hers lightly, letting the underside of his cock slide against her clit.

Gasping softly, she shifted her hips and rubbed back against him, quivering with how good he felt. Once again, she was grateful that he was a vampire and had a quick recovery time. If only that were helpful when they had two small children clamoring for their attention.

Anton moaned, letting go of her nipple with a wet pop. He straightened up for a moment, grabbing his cock to position it at her entrance. Slowly he leaned forward, pushing inside of her. He arched over her belly until he was fully embedded in her, kissing whatever skin he passed on the way.

Bryn groaned, her legs moving restlessly against his as she adjusted to his entrance. Lightly squeezing his length, she held his gaze. He looked so beautiful and wild, overcome by lust and love, looking down adoringly at her. He made her feel like the goddess he claimed she was.

Anton let out a groan from both the intensity of her gaze and the heat surrounding him. He took a deep breath, centering himself in her. His fingers ghosted up and down her sides as he leaned forward, shifting his weight to his elbows. He strained, scooting that much closer to her, so he could place a kiss on her lips.

Lifting up on her elbows, she kissed him back, pulling at his lips with hers. The warmth of his body suffused her, and she wrapped her legs around him once more. Teasing his upper lip with her tongue, she lifted her hips to encourage him to move.

Anton let out a moan and kissed her back. His hips began a shallow shifting, rubbing against hers as his hands caressed her shoulders. He gently nipped at her lips, teasing her before thrusting his tongue deep into her mouth.

Moaning deeply, she squeezed him tightly inside her and shivered in delight. His body was a feast for the senses from his sweet-tasting mouth to the musky scent of sex that clung to his skin. She slid her hands down his forearms and back up again, delicately tracing his muscles with her fingertips. The hair on his legs tickled the arches of her feet as she slid them up and down his thighs.

If she hadn't been pregnant, Anton would have sunk his fangs into her neck and drank deeply of her life. She was his perfect human mate, and soon she would be his perfect vampire mate. Everything about her, from how she caressed his length with her muscles to how her touches threatened, but never delivered, to tickle him was made for him and him only. Eager for more, he kissed her more fiercely, his thrusts picking up speed and force.

Lightly shuddering, Bryn sucked at his tongue. She wished he could lay fully on top of her and it wouldn't be long before he was able to, again, not that he'd be able to do much for the next month or so. Still, she loved to be sheltered by his strong body and to be able to wrap herself around him like a clinging vine.

Anton groaned and then broke the kiss so he could look at her. His strokes were short and sharp and in time to the little puffs of breath he was giving off. He forced his eyes to stay open to watch her expression as his fingers gripped and released her shoulders.

Digging her fingernails in to his forearms, Bryn let out soft grunts with each of his thrusts. His smoldering gaze left her mouth dry, made her quiver with excitement, and her body tightened like an over-wound clock. Mercilessly squeezing his length, she trembled in to waves of pleasure, cumming hard around him and sobbing out a breath of relief.

Anton tensed, trembled, quivered, and shook as she gripped him tightly. He let out a hoarse cry of relief as he shot deep inside of her, his hands squeezing her shoulders. His breath came in harsh sobs as he collapsed next to her, trying not to squish Max.

Turning to face him, Bryn wrapped her arms around him and rubbed her hands soothingly over his back, leaning forward to softly kiss his lips. His body was still shuddering, like hers, and she loved knowing that he was just as affected by the experience as she was. Their lovemaking was always amazing, but there were times it was simply spectacular and brought tears to her eyes. This was definitely one of those times.

He could feel a wetness against his cheeks. When the kiss broke, Anton reached up to gently stroke the tears from the corner of her eye with the pad of his thumb. "Hey," he said softly. "Are you okay?"

She sniffed, smiling as she nodded. "Very much so. I'm just leaking love for you because I'm so full of it. Er...that came out wrong. But you know what I mean."

"Yes, I do my dear. Because I feel the same way." With a groan, he withdrew from her body and climbed onto the bed so he was nestled beside her. "You know, there's a tree downstairs that still needs to be decorated."

She groaned, scooting closer to him and hugging him as tightly as Max would allow. "I know. But suddenly a nap sounds much better. I don't want to let you go...and it's very hard to decorate a tree with both arms wrapped around you."

"In that case, the tree is going to have to wait, my dear. Because I'm not letting you go."

The End