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“Yeah, darlin’?” His head was buried in a pile of clean clothes. He tossed a pair of jeans on the bed.
“You’d really consider getting married this week?”
“It’s not going to come to that.” He was distracted.
“But if it does?” I pressed.
“I’d marry you right now, if that’s what you wanted.”
I sighed. Yeah, we were going to be ok.
After the excitement of Grayson waking up to find Santa had brought him a scooter, we settled into the normal Christmas routine. No one said anything about the babies or a forced wedding. We each took a spot in the living room, our coffee mugs in reaching distance. Cole and I claimed the couch. Dad always played Santa and started distributing gifts as soon as we were settled. Occasionally Ryan pitched in.
“Ok, first up is Kaitlyn.” He handed me a silver box tied with a purple ribbon. I recognized my mother’s handiwork before I even read the tag.
“Cole, for you.” He placed a long, thin box in front of Cole. I never asked Mom what they bought him. I just hoped it wasn’t socks and underwear.
After the last of the presents had been divvied up, we started unwrapping, everyone stopping to admire what had been unveiled.
Deep in the pile, my mom uncovered a diamond bracelet that matched the earrings from last night. Dad got a gift certificate to a motorcycle repair shop. Cole received a Texas State shirt. I opened a pair of Carolina pajama pants. Ryan seemed happy with a set of steins with his initials engraved on them.
Grayson had more toys than I could remember getting. I didn’t know how we’d get all of them home on the plane. We were going to have to ship them back to Texas.
The floor was littered
with wrapping paper and bows. It was hard to believe we had been exchanging presents for two hours.
I was impressed Cole had chosen gifts for my parents without consulting me. He said he wanted them to be just from him.
Mom gushed over the wine glasses he selected and Dad seemed to love the pocketknife from Texas.
“My turn.” I picked up a small box with an oversized bow on it. Cole had signed the tag with an extra note.
Merry Christmas, baby.
I smiled at him then turned to the tiny box in my hands. For a second my chest tightened. It was the kind of box that screamed jewelry.
I carefully removed the paper and held my breath as I lifted the lid on the soft leather case. I knew all eyes in the room were on me, especially Cole’s. I could almost hear his heart beat, he was that close.
I stared at the sparkle in my hands. It was a single diamond pendant.
“It’s beautiful.” The light from the fire caught the underside of the stone. It had to be close to two carats.
“I’ll add a second diamond,” Cole explained. “I didn’t know about the twins.” Cole maneuvered to help fasten it behind my neck.
“I don’t need another diamond.” I looked at him. “I have everything I need.”
I saw the hungry look in his eyes. The one that I had fallen for time and time. When he stared at me that way everything else disappeared. I didn’t worry about anything but the two of us.
Until my father interrupted.
“Son, the diamonds are nice. And I know they cost you a lot, but did you make a decision last night? Are you going to make this right? Bring some honor back to my daughter’s name?”
“Frank, not now,” Mom tried to silence him.
“Dad,” I protested.
Ryan held up a dress shirt he opened. “Thanks for this. Nice to have something blue instead of desert camo.” But his distraction didn’t work this time.
