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“So then why did you look so sad earlier? You know he could never replace you, right?”
“Yeah, of course,” she says with a nod. “You’re stuck with me forever.” Gwen winks at me and pokes my side again. “I guess maybe I’m a tiny bit jealous. Not of Pax, just having someone, you know?”
I pull my sister into a hug, and she sinks into my embrace. “You are so worthy of love, Gwen,” I remind her. “And you’ll find your man. He better treat you like a queen, otherwise I’ll sic my teddy bear on him.”
She laughs as we break apart and then sets the table while I check on the cinnamon rolls. Gwen tells me more about her classes and getting to work as a teacher’s aide this year, so she’s finally getting to interact with kids on a regular basis.
My sister has always been good with kids, even when she was one herself. At our group home, she was the one the younger children turned to for help on their homework or to kiss a scrape on their knees. She wants a dozen kids of her own one day, and I just know she’s going to make the best mom.
Twenty minutes later, Gwen is washing dishes while I dry them. I hear the front door bang open, and then Pax curses under his breath right before another banging noise sounds from the living room. I look over at Gwen and then head out of the kitchen.
I don’t believe my eyes.
Pax is wrestling a big red bow onto Saint’s collar, but the scrappy pup is having none of it. I’m frozen with shock as I watch my boys play tug of war with the bow.
“Yes, you’ve already made your feelings about the bow very clear,” Pax grunts at Saint. I grin at the thought of Pax having a conversation with a dog. “But Avery is going to love it. You’ll look very festive, I promise. I wouldn’t make you look ridiculous, bud.”
Saint harrumphs, but finally sits still while Pax ties the bow onto his collar.
I can’t take all of this adorableness without kissing and hugging them both.
Running into the living room, I barely have time to get down on my knees before Saint jumps into my arms, bowling me over. I laugh and scratch his sides as he licks my face. The little guy is wagging his tail so hard, his entire body is shaking.
“You’re so dapper, Saint!” I tell him as I sit up with him in my lap. The dog is wheezing he’s so excited. I’m feeling the same way. “Pax, how did…?”
He just grins and shrugs. “You said you were waiting until you had the money. I have the money, and you have me, so…” He shrugs again, and suddenly I’m overcome with emotion.
“Pax,” I choke out, my throat clogged with tears. His face drops and he looks anxious.
“Did I say something wrong? I thought it would be a good gift, but...”
I carefully put Saint on the ground, and he runs over to Gwen, who is trying to go unnoticed while watching the scene unfold.
“It’s perfect,” I assure him as I step into his open arms. “You have no idea what it means to have my whole family here for Christmas. Gwen, Saint, and you.”
“I’m your family?” His blue eyes search mine, the raw vulnerability making me choke up again.
“Of course. If you’ll have me—”
Pax cuts me off with a kiss. It’s deep and claiming and over too soon.
“Let’s make it official then,” he rasps once he pulls away from me.
Before I can ask what he means, Pax gets down on one knee and opens a little black box containing the most gorgeous ring I’ve ever seen.
TWELVE
Pax
Sweat beadson the back of my neck as I look up at my beautiful Christmas angel. She has tears in her eyes, but I hope they are happy tears. I hear that’s a thing for some people.
I clear my throat and try to remember the speech I had prepared. I stayed up late thinking about it last night and woke up and rehearsed it in my head as I gave Saint a bath and got him all cleaned up to make his big appearance.
Now that the moment is here, however, I’ve forgotten every single word.
“I love you,” I blurt out, and then wince at my harsh tone. Avery grins at me and sniffles. So fucking adorable. “I’m not… I don’t have all the words, angel, and I know I’m crazy for wanting you to wear my ring so soon, but dammit, I need you. Need to protect you and make sure you don’t fall off any roofs or break your wrist.”
“It was a sprain,” she pipes in with the lightest giggle.
