<Shina>

The smell of pine filled the house as laughter rang out from the living room in scattered bursts of sound. The sounds of ripping paper had been heard for what seemed like hours, as I stood beside Eli while our children slowly turned the once clean room into what looked like a war zone.

I smiled as I watched Emily and Matthew's smiles light up their faces when they opened the final presents from under the tree, a huge mound of ripped paper behind them and piles of presents on each side.

"Mommy! Daddy! Look what Santa brought us!!" They screamed in joy, their eyes wide as they began bouncing in place at the site of the matching blue and red 3DSs that sat in their packages before them, a few games taped to the front of the boxes. "And he even got us games!"

I turned to Eli with a smile, reaching out to hold his hand as I gave him a soft kiss on his cheek. He was so wonderful, so caring and thoughtful a husband and father. I couldn't have asked for a better life than the one he gave me, the one he gave our children.

"Yes, Santa found so many wonderful gifts for you this year. Didn't he, Dearest?"

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<Elijah>

"Yes, but I think you missed one, Love." I said, pointing to a tiny red box resting on the branches of the tree, almost hidden behind an ornament. I watched as Shina walked over to it, a confused look on her face as she reached into the branches, careful not to let it fall to the ground.

"I don't remember seeing this one before." I could just make out her mumbled words, doing my best to hide the grin trying to appear on my face as she sent a glance at me upon reading her name on the tag.

"Open it, Love. Santa must have thought you were extra good this year." I sent her a wink as the twins started running around her legs in excitement at seeing Mommy get a gift from Santa.

"Open! Open! Open!" They began chanting as a cute blush spread across Shina's cheeks.

Sending another glance my way, she began carefully tearing the paper from the small velvet box that appeared from the wrapping. Her eyes widened as she slowly lifted the lid open, a sparkling necklace resting within.

"Allow me." I reached for the box and gently lifted the necklace up, carefully bringing it around her neck and clasping it securely.

The small jeweled snowflake came to rest upon her chest, the diamonds sparkling in the light. Looking up into her eyes, I felt my breath catch for a moment. She was so beautiful at that moment, tears of joy trailing down her face.

Even after over four years of having her in my life, three years of blissful marriage, she was just as beautiful to me as the first time I saw her.