by Jenn Sable
He nodded. “Yes, I want a life with you.”
His voiced lowered and grew gravelly. “Do you want to give us a real try?”
I stared at him unblinking. “I bought you a dresser.”
He laughed. “Is that a yes?”
I nodded, my throat pinching with emotion. “That’s a yes. I want nothing more than to give us a real try.”
Clay pressed his lips to mine as if to seal our promise to one another. He moved beneath me to adjust to my weight. “I also want to make love to you in every room of his house, starting with right in front of the fireplace on this blanket.”
I blushed. “That sounds nice.”
Clay brushed his fingers lightly over the valley between my breasts that had gotten re-exposed when I moved to straddle him. “This, right here, it does things to me that I can’t explain.”
I laughed. “Well, before you go exploring. Maybe you can explain the pizza and an architect who called me tonight?”
Clay’s eyes sparkled. “The pizza is for nourishment after we have a bunch of makeup sex. You just called and ordered one before I got here. And the architect is to design your studio in the backyard.”
I bit my bottom lip. “How did you know that I always wanted my studio at my house?”
Clay shook his head slightly. “Grove complained about it. But I think it’s a great idea. You love photography and you should have a dedicated space for it here at home. We’ll meet with the architect this week. I thought you might like a studio in your favorite sunny spot in the yard.”
Through shimmering eyes filled with joyful tears, I brushed my lips over Clay’s. “And what was this message to the pizza boy about you being my husband?”
Clay’s cheek rounded in a half-smile, and he shrugged. “Husband just popped out of my mouth during the conversation. But that’s what I intend to be—your husband, the father of your children, your true love.” Clay threaded his fingers through the back of my hair and drew my lips to his. “There it is sweetheart. I just threw all my cards out on the table. What do you say?”
I smiled as one stray happy tear rolled down my cheek. “That I can’t wait.”
Epilogue - One Year Later - Clay
"Does this look centered to you?" Scott glanced over his shoulder as he hung the fresh wreath that we had picked up from the florist's shop on the front door. I gave him the thumbs up and answered my buzzing phone. My mother’s profile picture of her wearing a “Proud Grandma” shirt with an American and Scottish flag popped up on the screen.
"Hi, Mom. Happy Thanksgiving." Laughter and clinking glasses floated in the background.
"Hi, Honey. Happy Thanksgiving."
"How is everyone? It sounds like people have taken quite nicely to our Turkey Day celebration in the Highlands."
"Everyone's great, but we miss you! I can't wait until you and Melissa can join us. It doesn’t feel right to not have you here for Thanksgiving again."
"All in good time, Mom. What's going on at Castle Douglas?"
She chuckled over my nickname for my brother-in-law's enormous family home. "The meal isn't for at least another hour, so we're having for the before-dinner cocktails. I'm waiting for your sister to finish nursing, Aaron."
"The big one, or the little one?"
She groaned and laughed. I could practically hear her eye roll over the phone. "Your father has been making the same joke. It looks like you're well on your way to his sense of humor. And a man in your position really shouldn't tease. How is Melissa?"
I glanced through the window of the bungalow. I smiled as Melissa waddled around the table with a pile of placemats and cloth napkins draped over the top of her rounded belly. Tess followed her with utensils as they worked together to set the table.
"She's happy, healthy, as big as the house, and couldn't be more beautiful."
Mom sighed. "And to think that I worried I wouldn't be able to see you over the holidays because you'd be busy on base. You staying home to take care of your pregnant wife is a much better reason."
"It's the best reason." I glanced over at Scott, who looked like he was one more difficult knot away from chucking the old pile of Christmas lights in the trash can. "Mom, give everyone our love. Okay? I've got to go. Scott's here helping me with Mission: McCade Christmas."
She chuckled. "Everything is a mission with you. Oh, wait, how did it go? Did you videotape and take pictures as I asked?"
I chuckled. Anytime my mother missed an occasion, she expected a full-on documentary and photo album to make up for it. "We'll see. We're waiting for the right moment."
"Oh, all right. But please promise me at least one picture!"
I shook my head and laughed. "You got it, Mom. All right, got to go. Hug everyone for us. Love you."
"I love you, too, Clay. Tell Eve and Leona I said happy Thanksgiving when you go over to their house this evening. And call me later with the details."
"Absolutely, will do."
“And send me a photo.”
“Okay.”
“Tell them I said thank you and that I love them, too.”
“Mom, I promise to call you later, okay?”
She sighed. “I hate missing out on precious moments, and now I feel torn. Hmm, I’m going to start planting the idea that Leslie and Aaron need to move home.”
“Mother, it’s the holidays, please just enjoy yourself. I love you and will talk with you later.”
“You’re right. Bye, darling.” The phone disconnected, and I tucked my cell back into my pocket before reaching out and taking the knotted strands of lights away from my frustrated best friend.
Scott ran a hand down the front of his face, blinked hard, and blew out his cheeks. "No wonder the girls drink mimosas when decorating for the holidays. This stuff isn't for the weak-willed."
I cracked a smile and started working on the lights where Scott had left off. "Well, it helps to have a partner anytime you've got a challenging yet rewarding task at hand."
Scott stared at me. "Yeah, I guess I never really put that much thought into decorating for the holidays before. Give me a hammer and a nail, and I'll whack something to the side of the house and make it stick. Give me a ladder, and I'll string untangled lights all over the damn house. But if you’re going to give me a box of twisted wires, then you're going to have to give me a beer first."
I chuckled. "You got it. I think it’s almost time to go in and eat anyway.”
Scott glanced through the window and nodded. “I’ve never had a Thanksgiving-decorate-my-house-for-Christmas-lunch before. Is this going to be a thing from now on?”
I looked up from the strands of lights. “Yeah, it might be.”
Scott nodded. “All right, next year, I’m bringing you some of those fancy holiday boxes that have neat little compartments. Plus, I'm bringing my tool belt, mostly because I like wearing it.”
"Look at you getting in touch with your domesticated side, talking about decoration boxes and traditions and holidays."
"And tool belts."
"It brings a tear to my eye."
Scott shook his head. "Nah, you're talking to a bachelor for life. I will live vicariously through you, Melissa, and Baby McCade during the holidays."
I quirked a brow. "Bachelor for life? I doubt that."
Scott bellowed with laughter. "What have I ever done to give you the impression that I was going to get married someday? I'm a rolling stone, a solitary man, a lone wolf."
I pulled loose a knot and half the strand of lights straightened out as if by magic. “You're more family-oriented than I am. You run a company with your father, I mean, come on. You've got a soft spot for family and fatherly vibes. Plus, the fact that you already asked about making decorating the house an annual tradition and plan to bring supplies next year says a lot.”
He chuckled. “Will the wildcat be back next year?” Scott tilted his head toward the window where Tess stood, leaning over the table, lighting a few candles.
My lips twitched,
but I was able to suppress my knowing smile. “Who, Tess?”
Scott crossed his arms and absently scratched a bicep while he studied her through the window. “Who else? I’m not so sure I should be sitting beside her when there’s an open flame so close. I may look at her the wrong way, and she’ll set me ablaze.”
“I’ll set out an extra pitcher of water on the table just in case.” I laughed.
The front door pulled open, and Melissa’s swollen belly, bright eyes, and warm smile took my breath away.
Once Melissa stole my heart I couldn’t wait to dive head first into creating our lives together. Our families were shocked and even concerned when I popped the question to Melissa on bended knee in Mama Viola's on Valentine's Day. It was a sudden proposal, but it felt right.
I still had a crystal-clear memory of the day I came home from work to find Melissa wrapped in our favorite blanket in front of the fireplace. The only thing she had on under the blanket was her engagement ring.
"People think I'm pregnant. They can't believe that we're getting married in May because we simply want to."
I'd dropped my jacket onto the floor and immediately started unbuttoning my shirt. "Oh yeah, what do you think we should do about that?"
Melissa propped herself up on her elbows, causing the blanket to slide a few inches, exposing the valley between her breasts. "I think we should make it true."
Getting Melissa pregnant was our natural next step. I wanted her as my wife, the mother of my children, and the woman I'd walk beside throughout life. Now she stood in the doorway of our home, happy, seven months pregnant, and stunningly beautiful.
"Five minutes until the pre-Thanksgiving feast. And Scott, this wreath looks great on the door! Thank you so much for coming today.”
Scott flashed her a charming smile. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else. I told Papa McCade that if this was going to turn into a tradition that I was going to bring some extra supplies next year.”
Melissa’s eyes sparkled. “That sounds perfect. There’s room to store a ton of decorations in the back of the photo studio, so bring whatever you’d like.”
Scott nodded. “It’s a plan. Next year we’re going to wrap this place in lights until people can see the glow from the other side of Pine Haven.”
Melissa giggled, and our gazes connected. “It sounds like things are going to get serious next year. We may need to increase the voltage running to the house, honey.”
I rubbed a hand over my jaw and looked at the roofline then back to Melissa. “Oh, things are going to get serious next year. Scott and I will teach Baby McCade how to properly transform the house into a shining beacon of Christmas. Tess will probably be pregnant—.”
Scott started choking and laughing. “Oh, Jesus, can you imagine that?”
“一and, if I have anything to say about it, you’ll be pregnant with our second.”
Melissa’s eyes bulged, and I chuckled.
Melissa placed her hands on her belly. “Is that right? Forget about the decorations. You two may need to build an addition onto this house if baby number two is on the way. My virile husband has some big plans for our family.”
I wagged my brows. “You have no idea.”
Her musical laughter made me smile, and she held up her hands. “Okay, we’ll pump the brakes for now. The meal will be ready in five minutes. “
I brushed my lips over Melissa’s temple. “Thanks, sweetheart. We’ll get washed up.”
Scott and I set aside Mission: McCade Christmas and sat across from one another in the dining room after washing our hands. Tess carried out a gigantic lasagna and laid it in the middle of the table.
Scott's eyes widened. "Oh, hell, yes, this looks amazing, Melissa. Thank you."
Melissa shifted her dazzling eyes over to mine, and she winked. "Tess made the lasagna for us today. She used her mother's recipe. Remember, her mother is Italian, just like yours, Scott."
Scott snapped his gaze over to Tess. "Testy, is it true that you made the lasagna? Because I'm going to have to call into question your commitment to the feminist cause. If someone found out that you knew your way around a kitchen, you might have to return your Fem Club card."
Tess's nostrils flared. "I know it's hard for your minuscule brain to comprehend complex thoughts. So, I'll try to speak s-l-o-w-l-y. Feminist ideals mean equal rights for both men and women, and the fact that I know how to cook a lasagna doesn't diminish my core beliefs."
"Your big words don't impress me."
Tess's eyes snapped over to Melissa and my side of the table. "Do you think it's a good idea that we sit beside each other?"
Scott nodded. "She has a good point."
Melissa reached under the table and squeezed my hand when I started to chuckle. "Please sit, let's eat. The lasagna looks delicious, and Clay and I wanted to ask you something."
Tess arched a brow. "Okay."
Scott reached over and pulled Tess's chair out for her. "Saddle up, Testy. The lasagna is getting cold, and the hosts look serious."
I stroked my thumb over the back of Melissa's hand.
She looked over at me, and her eyes grew misty. "Clay and I love you both so much, and we're beyond grateful for your friendship. You stood beside us when we eloped, and now here you are again with us on our first Thanksgiving as the McCade family."
Scott lifted his beer glass, and we clinked glasses. "We love you guys, too. Now, does someone need a kidney? I'll do it. Lucky for you, I'm in stellar physical condition."
I huffed out a laugh. I loved Scott like a brother, which was why I had called him over here today. "No, but that's good to know. Now that Melissa and I are going to be parents within the next couple of months, we started thinking about things a little differently."
Melissa smiled. "This baby means the world to us, and so do you. Which is why we'd like to ask you to be Baby McCade's godparents."
Everything went silent and still for a beat while Tess and Scott digested the question. Then the room erupted. Tess burst out into happy tears and rushed over to Melissa and wrapped her in a warm hug. Scott stood up so fast, his chair nearly tipped over. In two strides, he was next to me, shaking my hand and thumping me on the back. "I’m honored that you’d ask me, Clay. Absolutely."
Scott kissed Melissa on the cheek, and I hugged Tess. Once the new godparents returned to their side of the table, Scott turned to Tess. "Can you believe it, Tess?"
Tess smiled at him through shining, watery eyes. "I'm literally gushing with love right now."
The unthinkable happened. Tess reached over and covered Scott's hand that lay on the table with hers, and he leaned over and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
Melissa's mouth fell open, and she blinked rapidly. I did the only thing I could think to do. I snapped a photo.
*****
Later that evening, as we waved our goodbyes and pulled out of Leona's, Melissa reached over and placed her hand on my thigh as we drove home.
I glanced over and smiled. “Hey, sweetheart.”
She smiled sleepily. “When Eve passed last year's Thanksgiving photo around the table tonight, I was blown away by all the changes that had taken place within one year.”
My cheek rounded in a half-smile, and I reached out and gently rubbed over her belly. “Next year, this little one will be in the photo. He or she will be sitting in a highchair, throwing mashed potatoes and keeping us on our toes."
Melissa chuckled. "You’re probably right! But, looking at that Thanksgiving family photo reminded me that we’d dropped a rockstar, but we've picked up a baby. It's hard to believe that's when Leona wanted nothing to do with Sherm! Now those two are planning to go on a romantic cruise in the spring." Melissa pinched the bridge of her nose and chuckled. "Oh my God, remember the look on her face when Eve caught them on our hug rug last year? I've never seen Leona pitch such a savage death glare before."
My lips twitched. "The magic was in the air last year. You and me, Sherm and Leona. Who do you think is next?"
>
She smiled coyly. "I have an idea, but I don't want to say it out loud and jinx it."
I eased the vehicle into our driveway, put it into park, and leaned against the steering wheel. "Hmm, does it have anything to do with our two guests from earlier today?"
Her eyes glittered. “Maybe. Hey, were you serious about your comment today about wanting a second child right after our first?”
Lifting her hand to my lips, I brushed soft kisses along the backs of her knuckles. “I’m open to the idea if you are. My parents had two kids, so it’s what I subconsciously imagined for myself. My sister and I are close, and I think a lot of that had to do with only being a year apart. We went through similar things at similar times, and it helped keep us bonded to one another.”
Melissa nodded and sat in quiet contemplation. “Let’s have this baby and see how it goes, and if we think we can handle it, then we can try for a second.”
I smiled over at her. “Yeah?”
Melissa took hold of my hand and threaded our fingers together. “Yeah, but for now, you get to help me inside and rub my back. If you're lucky, I'll let you feel me up." She winked.
I wagged my brows. "Sweetheart, this is the moment I've been waiting for all night."
It was true Melissa looked gorgeous pregnant. Her skin glowed, and the fact that she carried my baby filled my heart to the brim. I couldn't keep my hands off her.
Melissa eased out of the vehicle, and I walked her to the front door. While I found my key, she looked out at our family pines that I had wrapped lights around, two taller pines and another hole waiting for this year’s Christmas tree.
"Look, Clay, two trees, one for me and one for you. This year’s will be for Baby McCade. Who knows, there might be four trees on our tree farm eventually."
The lock cranked open, but I left the keys dangling from the doorknob. Wrapping my arms around my wife, I pressed my lips to hers. I loved how even standing next to a forest of fresh pine, the smell of Melissa's soap and jasmine shampoo captivated me. The scent of her hair and skin made my body tighten with the need to have her.
"I'm already the happiest man in the world because you made me your husband. Anything else we create is icing on the cake, sweetheart. But you're right, for now, let's just enjoy being us because soon it will be us plus one.”