Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33764 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 169(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
“How’d he like the bike you got him?”
“He’s a little unsure of it just yet. But he’ll come around.”
“What about his father?” I asked. “Is he cool with you gettin’ it for him?”
“Probably not, but so far, he’s been good about it.” He shrugged. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up helping Nathan out with some of the parts.”
“That’d be good.” Savage glanced over at Maggie and Samantha. “And what about the girls?”
“Samantha’s been begging for these ugly, brown slipper things, and they’d been out of stock for weeks. But Maggie worked her magic and was able to find ‘em. And I got her that new claw foot tub she’s been hinting at for the past year. So, I’d say all is good. What about you two? Did your crew get everything they wanted?”
“Dalton got a house full of shit. Everything from games to an electric scooter, so he’s tickled. Londyn, on the other hand, is still very pregnant, so she didn’t get her Christmas wish,” Savage chuckled.
“Pretty sure Mia feels the same.”
I glanced over at Londyn and Mia, and they both looked pretty miserable as they sat on the sofa with their hands propped on their round bellies. “It looks like they’re about to pop.”
“That’s because they are,” Savage scoffed. “Londyn was due yesterday, and Mia’s due next week.”
The words had barely left his mouth when Prez stepped into the center of the room and announced, “It’s been brought to my attention that it’s time to open gifts. Torch and Q, why don’t you guys do the honors and start passing them out? I’m sure the kids will be glad to help.”
And just like that, chaos ensued.
Wrapping paper went flying—red, green, glittery gold—covering every inch of the floor like a bomb had gone off. Dad tried to keep some order and barked at Rooster to stop tossing gifts like a football and for me to stop tormenting the kids. It was tough. The kids were on a sugar high, and they were like little tornadoes as they ripped through their presents.
Even Ava got in on the action and pelted me with a wad of wrapping paper, but eventually, things started to settle, and the room grew quiet.
Everyone was sitting around talking, letting their food settle, and the kids were playing with their toys. I was sitting at the bar with the guys, watching Beck as she laughed with Mia and Josie. They were almost done helping Ava put together one of her new toys, and Ava was about to boil over with excitement when something caught my eye.
There was a small bundle of mistletoe hanging from one of the light fixtures. I watched as Stitch grabbed up Wren and pulled her beneath it, kissing her with a smile. Seeing them brought back a memory that hit me hard—Beck couldn’t have been more than ten at the time, and she was standing under that same mistletoe wide-eyed and hopeful.
She was staring right at me, but I just thought she was a silly kid and didn’t understand the weight of what she was asking. I’d kissed Casey on the cheek instead, and I’d never forgotten the flash of disappointment on Beck’s face.
I finally had my chance to make it right.
I got up and walked over to Beck. I reached down and took her hand in mine, leading her over to the mistletoe. She looked at me with confusion, but I didn’t say a word. I simply tipped my chin toward the mistletoe. Her gaze followed, and a soft smile slipped across her lips.
“It’s about time, don’t you think?”
She didn’t answer, but the way her lips parted, the way her breath caught—yeah, that was all the answer I needed. Her smile remained as I leaned in and pressed my lips against hers, kissing her softly.
This wasn’t just a kiss.
It was twenty years of missed chances and the promise of everything still to come. When I pulled back, her eyes stayed on mine, and she smiled as she whispered, “Worth the wait.”
“Merry Christmas, Beck.”
“Merry Christmas, Thomas.”
Epilogue
TWO YEARS LATER
“Can you get me some pickles, too?”
“Yeah. How about some bananas and some peanut butter?”
“Yes to the peanut butter, but a hard no to the bananas. That’s just gross.”
“Says the woman who ate pepperonis and popcorn last night.”
“I can’t help it that this kid of yours has me craving all this crazy stuff.”
Beck was sitting on the couch with her feet propped up on a pillow, watching a movie while I was in the kitchen making her yet another crazy snack. I was just finishing up with the last apple when Ava plopped down beside her and pressed her hands against her mother’s very round belly.
She scrunched her nose as she asked, “When’s he coming out of there?”
“Not for a few more weeks, kiddo.”
“That’s too long,” Ava huffed. “He’s been in there long enough.”