by Erin Leigh
Nat is a champ.
Lacey looks miserable in the armchair. Her whole body has become swollen in the last couple of days before Christmas. Her feet make me gag and wince at the same time. Her mom and dad dote on her, getting her drinks of juice or water and checking on her constantly. I think they’re avoiding listening to Andy and the stories of the heinous crimes in Providence.
Nat’s dad is like Nat, enduring my brother’s crazy story too. He sips his beer and nods at all the right times. I suspect this skill is what has gotten him through the years of marriage.
In the kitchen the other saint, my mother, agonizes through Nat’s mom’s bossing her around.
Mom doesn't say much, she just does her thing and lets Darlene go at it.
Our families together are actually less insane than I imagined. Lacey’s parents are both nice people who come for Christmas every year. They are a bit portentous so adding them in with Darlene isn’t actually so bad. They have spent most of the day one upping each other on places they’ve vacationed.
I slip into the tree and grab the small box I have under there for Nat. Her eyes dart to mine and I nod for her to come. She excuses herself and strolls over, looking confused.
I take her hand in mine and pull her down the hallway to my bedroom. It’s small and filled with old posters and hockey medals and awards. She laughs when she sees the male model award. “Really?” She runs a finger along it.
“It has to be with the rest.” I laugh and pull her into me. I bury in her neck, planting kisses and small licks. “Did I tell you yet how great you smell?”
“Not today but I won’t take it personally.” She squeezes and melts into me.
I pull back and give her the most intense and sincere face I can. “I don't want to give my present to you in front of everyone.”
Her brow furrows. “Is it dirty?”
“What? Not everything I do is dirty.”
“Okay.” She rolls her eyes. Her and Linna at work have become quite the friends so some of my seedier stories have found their way to her. I had hoped she would go back to Hartford but she’s warmed to Penguin Random and is happier every time I talk to her about work.
“Babe, seriously. I want to do this in here because it’s a really big question and a huge present and I don't want you to tell me to fuck my hat in front of the entire family. I’m already the family pussy for crying first with the first goal in the NHL.”
She sighs and steps back. “You’re sort of ruining the gift right now.”
I lift the small box for her to see.
Her mouth drops, her eyes widen, and panic sets in. It’s the same face she had the day I asked her if we could date and she freaked out. I’m dying and loving all of this. I wish I’d video taped it.
Her fingers shake as she lifts them to the box, scared of something so small. She swallows hard and lifts the lid, wincing when she sees a tiny teal box. It’s Tiffany’s. I got them to get me a box. I explained what it was for and they agreed but I had to sign some serious autographs first.
She shakes her head, giving me a look like she doesn’t know how to shoot me down nicely. I would take this one personally but I know when she sees it she’s going to flip her shit.
She takes a breath and lifts the lid, sighing and scowling at the beautiful, shiny silver key in the box with the teal ribbon tied to it. “What the hell, Brady. I was having a heart attack.”
“I know.” I snicker. “I just didn't want to ask you to move into our new apartment in front of your mom.”
Her eyes widen and get all sparkly. “What? You found one?”
“I did. And it’s perfect. Two bedrooms, a view of the park, and it has an island in the kitchen.”
She snorts. “Two bedrooms? So the real question is, games room or guest room.”
I cock an eyebrow and pull her in again. “Everyone we know lives close by. They get sleep on the couch if they get desperate.”
“Games room it is.”
“Yeah it is.” I nod and kiss her forehead, taking a deep inhale of her. I pull back and say the thing I have wanted to say for far too long. “I love you, Nat. I have loved you since probably the third day we moved in together.”
Her eyes water and she shakes her head in small twitches.
“Don't tell me when you fell in love with me. There are no rules for this one.” I kiss her forehead again and close my eyes. “The only reason I never said it sooner was because you said it and I didn't want you to think I was saying it back to you. I’m not. I’m saying it because it’s how I feel for the first time in my life.”
She melts into me again and sighs. “I love you too, Brady. I don't think it was the third day but it was way sooner than it should have been.”
“Someone once told me that you’ll know when it’s right. And the moment we got to know each other, I knew.”
She looks up at me and smiles, her eyes are brilliant sapphires. For once there’s no iciness to them. They’re bright and yet somehow warm.
I lower my face to hers, pressing our lips together and I know, nothing is ever going to be the same again.
The End