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“Yup” I rolled to my side and propped my head on my hand “Can’t help it You’re pretty”

Her lips curved and she finally opened her eyes “Merry Christmas, Roman”

“Merry Christmas”

She snuggled closer “This is alreadyever”

“Mine too, butterfly” I kissed the top of her head

We slowly got up and replaced all the couch cushions and blankets we’d dragged to the floor toroom Juliet ran upstairs to the bathroom and I ducked into the one downstairs

She returned a few reen flannel pajamas

“Were you warh?” I asked “On the floor”

She reached up on tiptoes and brushed a ainst my lips “You kept me warm”

“Coed her toward the Christ silver box from behind it

“Ro”

“Of course I did” I hoped she liked it

She carefully unwrapped the box and tugged the lid off Layers of tissue paper crinkled as she pawed through it “Oh!” She pulled out the ool coat “It’s so pretty”

“It has a warm, fuzzy hood since I kno much you hate hats”

She nuzzled her face against the hood “I love it”

Her eyes lit up and she reached for a box under the tree “This is yours”

“Juliet…” She already did enough foroff of her “You didn’t need to get ”

“Open”

The box wasn’t heavy, but it was big Inside, I found neatly folded flannel shirts and jeans A stack of brand new, expensive clothing

Carefully, I pulled everything out Juliet knew os Things that would last

“Juliet, you shouldn’t have done this It’s too much”

Her sed her coat to her chest “I needed a coat, you got me one You need more than Mr Shields’ hand-me-downs”

“I can’t keep taking charity from you”

“It’s not…charity” A note of indignation colored her voice Worse, her eyes widened like she was trying not to cry Why’d I have to get so prickly about this and hurt her feelings?

“I’m sorry” I set the shirt inadvantage—”