“Actually, I was thinking of you when I saw all these old broches and earrings. Some of them look like they could be from the 1940s. I pulled a couple of pieces I wanted, but you’re welcome to the rest.”
“Awesome. I can’t wait to see what you have. Let’s plan to get together next week.”
As the men finished stringing the lights, the doorbell rang and Diablo went over to answer it.
“Pizza’s here,” he said as he took out his wallet.
Fallon went over to help carry the bags of salad the delivery boy handed to her. Breanna and Raven jumped up and followed her to the kitchen. In a short time, a huge bowl of salad and numerous boxes of pizza lined the kitchen counter. The men filed in, grabbing a plate and filling it up. A large aluminum bucket contained bottles of Coors.
Several hours later, Goldie, Paco, and Chains stubbed out their joints and heaved themselves up from the couch.
“It’s a fuckin’ big tree,” Goldie said as he walked to the front door.
“Biggest one I’ve seen in a house,” Chains added as he followed Goldie.
“And a fuckin’ heavy one too.” Paco laughed.
“Thanks for helping out.” Diablo bumped fists with the three men.
The brothers walked out into the frosty air, their breaths rising in visible puffs to join the clouded night sky. Diablo closed the door and wrapped his arm around Fallon. “Why don’t you fix us a couple of spiked hot chocolates?”
She smiled and went toward the kitchen. When she came back into the family room with two mugs, the flickering tree with its glistening ornaments made her eyes shimmer. “This is the most beautiful tree I’ve ever seen,” she murmured as she placed the cups on the coffee table. She sat down and snuggled next to Diablo. “Don’t you think it’s magical?”
He reached over and picked up his mug, blowing on the hot liquid before he took a sip. “You make the best hot chocolate. And the tree fuckin’ rocks.”
“Thanks for making our first Christmas in our new home amazing.” She kissed his neck.
“Anything you want, sweet pea, you got.”
She giggled. “I can’t believe you talked the guys into coming over here to help trim the tree. I mean it was so funny to see all these big, buffed guys hanging lights. You got an awesome group of friends.”
“My brothers are the best. We’re there for each other even if it’s going to Rooster Mike’s son’s baseball game, helping Goldie with his grandma, or stringing lights around this damn tree. You must’ve bought a thousand long ass strands, woman.”
She laughed. “I guess I did get carried away, but look how beautiful the tiers of lights are. And the ornaments are so vibrant. I love that I have my grandma’s baubles on the tree. I know they’re the same ones my mom helped put on when she was a young girl. Just thinking about that makes me shiver.”
Diablo put his empty mug on the table, then bent down and kissed her. “I’m hoping that soon you’ll be passing the ornaments to our kids.”
Pushing away a bit, she choked slightly. “We’ve got plenty of time for that. We’re not even married.”
He frowned. “Don’t you want kids?”
She nodded. “Yeah. I do. I just don’t want them for a few years. I want some time for us first.”
“I just don’t wanna be an old man when our kids are born.”
She kissed him gently. “I don’t want to waitthatlong. You’ll make a great dad. You have a good heart.”
“I know I’ll always be there for them no matter what. You’ll be a kick ass mom.”
“One thing’s for sure, our kids will always know we love them.”
“And they’re gonna know how crazy in love I am with their mom.” He pressed her to him and kissed her hard.
“Oh yeah?” she whispered.
“Yeah,” he said thickly as he eased her onto her back.
The Christmas lights shone in his eyes as he hovered over her. She glanced at the window and saw snowflakes swirling and dancing in the icy wind. “It’s snowing again.”
