A Questionable Christmas

By Zena Wynn

What happens when the family that normally hosts Christmas cancels? Family drama, that's what.

Over the years, Gail and Rashid Al Jabbar's mini mansion has become holiday central. They not only have the space, but also the resources, to host large family gatherings. This year, however, due to the premature birth of their son, all the cautious parents want is a quiet Christmas at home. No family. No friends. No guests. DaQuan's delicate immune system requires they limit the number of people to whom he's exposed. With everyone wanting to greet the new baby, will they get their wish? Or will family and circumstances conspire against them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zena Wynn
• Release date: Sep 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9781958215128

Zena Wynn

Zena Wynn is a multi-published author of erotic and sensual romance in various romance subgenres: Interracial, Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, and Inspirational. She writes the type of stories she loves to read—stories with great characters who, through love and determination, overcome all the challenges that come their way. Her heroes and heroines are passionately, lovingly, devoted to each other. Zena wants her characters to stick with readers long after “The End.”To learn more about Zena Wynn, visit her website: www.zenawynn.com. Connect with her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zenawynn. Subscribe to her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-XfstUTbbeNLAAmG4Cl4pw. Or contact her by email: [e-mail].

Book preview

A Questionable Christmas

By

Zena Wynn

(c) 2022

A Real Love Enterprises Publication

ISBN 978-1-958215-12-8

Smashwords Edition

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Title: A Questionable Christmas

Copyright © 2022 by Zena Wynn

Cover art: Shirley Burnett

With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Real Love Enterprises, PO Box 12003, Jacksonville, FL 32209.

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This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously.

Chapter One

Rashid Al Jabbar examined his wife as she tended their newborn son. This last pregnancy had added thickness to her thighs and waist. Her breasts, full of life-giving milk, were large and magnificent. Super sensitive to touch, he could bring her to orgasm just by sucking on her nipples. If he imbibed a bit of milk as well, it was all good.

Christmas is right around the corner. Mom will be calling soon to see if we’ll host it this year. With the baby not long out of the hospital, she’ll know we won’t want to travel to Alabama. She finished diapering the child and threw the dirty one in the trash.

Rashid frowned. He had great respect for his father-in-law but had learned to be wary of his mother-in-law. She was a force of nature, thought she knew what was best for everyone, and didn’t mind sticking her nose in her children’s business. His wife didn’t always stand up to her when she became overbearing. I thought we’d spend Christmas alone, just the six of us. A house full of people when our son’s immune system is so easily compromised would not be wise.

Gail finished dressing their son in his onesie, scooped him up, and held him so that his wrinkled cheek rested against her exposed chest before turning to face him. They’re all excited to see the baby, but trust me, I share your worries.

He released a silent sigh of relief. If Gail had wanted her whole family here, between her and her mother, he wouldn’t stand a chance of standing against them. So when they ask, we’ll explain our concerns and invite your parents to come another time.

And yours, she inserted. They also want to see their new grandchild.

Rashid nodded. Christmas is on a Saturday this year. We’ll give the staff the week off with pay, as usual.

Gail came to the bed and handed him the baby. I’m sure they’ll enjoy that. Carmelita mentioned wanting to visit her daughter.

Rashid brought the infant to his chest, cuddling him skin-to-skin. The baby’s peach fuzz hair was downy soft, like black feathers against his skin. His purplish skin hadn’t darkened yet into the deep brown skin tones of his parents. DaQuan made mewling sounds, and his thin pink lips rooted, trying to find a nipple. Mommy’s coming with your food.

Gail walked to the other side of the bed and slid in, already lowering the strap of her gown to bare her right breast. When she was ready, Rashid passed her their son. The sight of his children suckling at his wife’s breasts never failed to fill him with awe. He’d never take such blessings for granted. He pulled Gail close so his chest supported her back and his arm underneath hers helped support their child.

Gail yawned and leaned her head in the crook of his neck. I love being a mother, but if we could skip the middle of the night feedings, that would be great.

Rashid chuckled and kissed her temple. I love these quiet times where it’s just us and the baby.

Because DaQuan had been born premature, the doctor had advised hourly feedings to help get his weight up. The first couple of weeks had been rough. The baby had been kept in the neonatal intensive care unit on oxygen, giving his lungs a chance to finish developing. Gail had spent hours daily at the hospital, only coming home at night to sleep. Rashid stayed by their son’s side at night, giving him the human contact he needed and bottle-feeding him milk that Gail had expressed during the day. Given their other children’s strong allergic reaction to formula, no one wanted to risk it with DaQuan.

Rashid had spent hours staring at his little body, with one finger inside the incubator lightly touching his skin. No matter how many times the doctor had assured them their son would be fine, Rashid hadn’t been able to squash his fear that they’d lose this child, as he’d lost so many others. DaQuan was so small and weak that he could only suck for about five minutes before growing tired and falling asleep. Despite his great wealth, there was nothing Rashid could do to fix this. They had to do as his doctors said and pray they knew what they were talking about.

In Rashid’s weakest moments, the times when fear had a stranglehold on his heart, he’d silently blamed Gail. If she hadn’t gone behind his back and had those tests, would their son have been born early? Rashid had enough sense to keep such pointless speculation to himself. Still, he couldn’t help but wonder. His wife had the best medical care money could buy. When Rashid demanded to know what had gone wrong, Dr Hagan had explained that premature births were common for women Gail’s age. His answer had left Rashid with no one to blame.

Rashid had to admit that no matter how young his wife looked and how well she cared for herself, she was closer to forty than thirty. He loved children and had always wanted a house full of them. With this added concern, Rashid decided he would have to be satisfied with the four beautiful children she’d gifted him and not push for one more, as had been his intent.

These last weeks had been difficult for them both, trying to balance between their young children at home and the one in the hospital. He’d delegated as much as he could, but as CEO, there were certain things only he could do. They were both exhausted and sleep-deprived. Hosting a large family gathering was the last thing he wanted to do.

He went to say as much to his wife when he realized she’d fallen asleep. Her breath puffed against his neck in a deep, steady rhythm, but she never relaxed her hold on their child. Rashid could do nothing but smile. Gail had a strong maternal instinct.

Martha, Gail’s mother, had wanted to come and help

Reviews for A Questionable Christmas

[Rochelle Hyde · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love the update on Rashid & Gail and the whole family.