Page 18 of Light of Christmas

“I know what this place is. I planned on taking you here during the summer. But I’m a little confused why we are here now.”

Disappointment hits me. I should have known that he would know about this place.

As if he can sense my feelings, he interrupts my thoughts. “Hey. Stop that. I only know about this place because I found it one day when I was looking at vacation spots for us. I was going to bring you here for your birthday, but I didn’t get a chance to look at what this place is, I only saw the one thing.”

Okay good.

“Now wipe that frown off your beautiful face and take me to my surprise, pretty girl.”

Excitement returns and I grab the bag out of the truck. Hand in hand we walk into the Rescue and Rehabilitation Center for Wildlife of the Pacific Northwest.

We have a little bit of time before our reservations, so we spend the next half hour walking around seeing all the little creatures. They have everything from sea lions, foxes, deer, and so much more. And before I know it, it’s time for the day to really start.

I saved Grayson’s surprise for the end so we could spend as much time as he wanted to there.

As we enter the Otter center, I can’t contain my excitement anymore. I look to Grayson, and he has the biggest smile on his face. I may have transferred some of my otter obsession onto him. I can’t count how many times I’ve caught him giggling like a little girl watching videos of them.

A worker comes up to us and says, “Hi. Are you Logan and Grayson?”

“Yes!”

“Great! Follow me please.”

We follow the woman through a door, and she instructs us to place our belongings in the locker except for a phone so we can take photos.

The worker guides us through another door and as soon as we step through, I immediately feel tears pricking the back of my eyes. Another worker is sitting on the ground playing with two otters and they are even cuter in person.

I look over my shoulder at Gray and see he already has his phone out taking photos.

The worker gives us a quick safety brief. “Okay, who is going first? We will get a photo with both of you, but I want you both to get one on one time first.”

“She is.” When I don’t move, Grayson pushes me closer to the worker.

The worker stands with the otter in his hands. “Okay. This one’s name is Ripley. He is one on the wiggly side, so you can sit down if that makes you feel more comfortable.”

And just like that he hands me Ripley and I am crying and laughing at the same time.

Grayson is smiling and taking a million photos. We swap and he gets his turn. Now this is something that should be on the cover of a magazine. A bearded man, covered in tattoos, holding an otter that looks tiny in his arms...yes, please!

I take about a thousand photos before I set my phone down. My face hurts from how much I’m smiling and laughing at the furry creature cuddling with my caveman.

“You ready for both of them? Cara will film and take tons of photos.”

We spend the rest of our time loving on the sweet creatures. This was on my bucket list of things to do one day and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone else.

Together we walk out of the Otter exhibit and Grayson pulls me to a stop out of the way of people exploring the other animals.

He hugs me to his chest and my arms wrap around his waist. Grayson brushes his thumb against my cheek and all I see is happiness and love shining in his midnight blues. “I know you said that that was for you and my surprise is coming. But I enjoyed that just as much as you did. Watching the smile on your face and holding those adorable little things is something I will never forget. That was perfect, Angel. And it makes me more curious how you think you can top that.”

Rising up on my toes, I give him a quick kiss. “That was very sweet Bear. It’s time to show you your surprise. And I guarantee you, it’s going to make that seem like nothing.”

Grayson shakes his head and chuckles. “I doubt it. But I love you. Now show me. The anticipation is killing me.”

“I love you too, big guy.”

Chapter Eleven

Grayson