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“The fact that you’ve gone out of your way to even try means so much to me, Alex. I love that you will do anything to make me happy.”
I push up on my toes, kissing him, smiling against his mouth when he smiles. He has no idea how happy he makes me. There is no one else in the world who has done everything that Alex has done for me.
“So what did you find to decorate it?” he now asks, kissing me a second time, his lips lingering for just a few seconds, almost like he’s thanking me too.
“Fishing line,” I say, skipping over to the table and holding it up. Alex attempts to prop the tree up in the corner, but it slips, making both of us laugh. It’s not as easy as it looks.
“What about wedging it between the wall and that dresser,” I suggest, pointing to the place I’m talking about.
Alex heaves the tree off the ground once again, placing it in the corner while I come over and throw my weight against the old dresser, sliding it across the floor until it pins the tree against the wall.
“Perfect,” he says, standing back to look at it, his hands on his hips as he surveys his handiwork. “Now let’s get it decorated so we can get to work on presents.”
I walk back over to the table, scooping up the items I found, making a little pouch with my shirt to hold them as I make my way over to where Alex is standing.
He reaches for the fishing line and begins stringing it around the tree, while I follow along, adding the jiggly fake worms and the clothespins. He then goes and grabs one of the old wool blankets, wrapping it around the trunk like a tree skirt.
We find a few more pieces of junk lying around, adding it to the tree. A couple of playing cards, a fork with a missing tine, some strings of yarn that I pulled off an old towel and finally adding a tinfoil star to the top.
We both stop and look at the tree. It is literally a complete disaster, but it’s our disaster. Alex comes up behind me, his arms wrapping around my shoulders as he pulls me back against him. He kisses the top of my head and I let out a contented sigh. I had no idea I could be this happy when my life is falling apart.
“What do you think?” he asks, and I can tell he’s smiling by the sound of his voice.
“It’s perfect,” I reply. “Just like everything you’ve ever done for me.”
“Thanks, Laney. I just want you to be happy. I just want you to know that you’ve done more for me than anyone has since my mom died.”
Alex’s admittance brings tears to my eyes. I’ve said it all along, he just wants someone to love him, someone who won’t leave. I won’t ever leave him. Not after this. Not after everything we’ve been through.
19
ALEX
It feels weird to be stuck here in this cabin, having no idea when we’re going to get rescued, if we have enough food or what the hell else can go wrong, yet at the same time being happier than I’ve ever been in my life.
Delaney turns in my arms, smiling up at me. “I am happy,” she says, her hands on my cheeks, which are now rough with at least a week’s worth of stubble. “And I want you to be happy too.”
“I am, Laney,” I whisper, leaning down to kiss her. “Even stuck in a cabin wearing some random dude’s boxers, I’m happy.” She laughs, and I pull her into a tight hug, kissing the top of her head. “So, presents?”
“How are we going to come up with presents?” she asks, her cheek resting against my chest. It feels so fucking good being able to do this with her.
“Get creative,” I tease, pinching her side. “I’ve got a couple of ideas already.”
She pulls back, looking up at me with a shocked expression on her face that only makes me laugh. “You do?” What?”
Chuckling, I lean in and give her a hard kiss. “As if I’m ruining the surprise,” I murmur against her mouth. “But trust me, I’m pretty sure you’re gonna love it.” I give her a quick smack on the ass before letting go, turning to grab some of the leftover fishing line. “Okay, I’ll be back in a few minutes. Remember, don’t go outside without me.”
“Um, and how are you allowed to go outside without me?” she asks, hands on her hips.
“How else am I supposed to get supplies for this awesome present of yours?” I ask, smiling at the way she’s trying to be all serious and shit.
Delaney rolls her eyes. “And what if I need supplies?” she asks. “And seriously, I thought neither of us was supposed to go outside alone?”
I don’t miss the note of fear in her voice now and it kind of makes me feel like shit, especially as I realize I went outside to cut that pathetic Christmas tree alone too. At the time Delaney didn’t seem to mind, maybe too excited at the idea of us celebrating Christmas and doing something fun.
I loop an arm around her waist and pull her close. “You’re right,” I whisper, kissing the end of her nose. “I’m sorry.” She blinks up at me, a flash of surprise on her face that makes me laugh. “Try not to act so surprised, Laney,” I tease. “I am capable of admitting I’m wrong from time to time.”
“Okay,” she starts, narrowing her brow. “Who are you and what have you done with the real Alex Cunningham?”
