He kisses me on the cheek before heading over to the living room sofa. We’ve set up a small tree in front of the window, and since we just got back from our main holiday gathering, only one present remains under it. “That’s fine. Yours is upstairs anyway.”
“Are you going to paint me like one of your French girls, Jack?” I throw a saucy wink over my shoulder.
“Well now I am, yeah.”
I pick up the small wrapped package and hand it to him before sitting at the opposite end of the couch. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
“Please do.” He looks at me for permission, and when I nod, he rips into the paper like a little kid with no self-control.
And I wonder how long it’s been since Jack received a Christmas present. I squeeze my eyes shut for just a second to hold back the sudden spring of tears. And then I force them back open, not wanting to miss the expression on his face.
Jack tosses away the paper, running his hands over the green-leather-wrapped book cover in his hands, his fingers tracing the title,The Fellowship of the Ring, embossed in gold. He looks up at me as if asking for confirmation.
“It’s not a first edition or anything, but it’s an early one, and to be honest, I had no idea what to get you, and I saw this one day when I was out and I thought you might like it. And you were wearing aLord of the Ringsshirt the first time we met, which, not going to lie, I seriously judged you for, but then it kind of seemed like finding this was a sign, and I really hope you like it.”
“It’s perfect, Sade.” He flips open the cover and a small piece of paper falls out.
“I, um, wanted to give you a little note, but I figured it might be blasphemous to write in the book itself.” I hold my breath as his eyes take in the two-word phrase I’ve written. He doesn’t say anything for a really long time, and my heart drops to my stomach. “It means—”
“I know what it means.”
“Oh.” Now my stomach is being punched. Repeatedly. By a heavyweight boxer. “Would now be a good time to give you shit for knowing how to speak Elvish?”
“I don’t know how to speak Elvish. Just this phrase.” He still won’t look at me, eyes glued to the three-inch strip of paper like it contains the secret formula for eternal life. “My mom used to say it to me.”
“Oh shit. Jack. I had no idea.” I start to move closer to him but then think better of it since he probably wants some space. I try to scoot back to the corner, but he clasps his hand around my wrist, pulling me into him. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, reaching for the paper. “Let me just throw it away.”
Jack tucks the slip back into the cover of the book, setting it on the coffee table. “I love you too, Sadie.”
My heart full-on stops beating in my chest. “You do?”
“Of course I do. This is the best present anyone has ever given me.” He takes my hips in his hands, shifting me fully into his lap, wrapping my legs around his waist.
I dig my fingers into his curls and bring his lips to mine, this kiss soft and gentle.
“Say it, Sadie. Please.” He murmurs the words into my mouth.
I put a small amount of space between us, so I can look directly in his eyes, which are darkening to the shade of the Christmas tree behind us. “I love you, Jack.”
His lips find mine again, insistent and breathless. My hips roll against him; he’s already hard beneath me.
“I hope you know me well enough by now to know that I’m not going to forget about my part of this present exchange.” I punctuate my words with a line of kisses along his jaw.
He breaks away from me with a grin. “Yeah yeah.” He stands, cupping his hands around my ass to lift me with him.
I slide down, place a quick kiss on his lips, and gesture for him to lead the way. He takes me up to BaBs. He’s been spending more and more time up here lately, and I’m sure there’s a part of him that will be happy to see me turn the space over to him once the store is finished.
He takes me over to the left side of the room, where his easels and supplies are set up. The three paintings he’s done of my arrangements are lined up under one of the big windows. They still take my breath away every time I see them.
Jack places me directly in front of a tall easel, the entire thing covered with a large gray drop cloth. “Sorry it isn’t wrapped, but I just finished it yesterday and it needed time to dry.”
I wave my hands in aWho caresmotion. Because really, who cares?
“You ready?”
I nod, clasping my hands together in anticipation.
Jack slowly and carefully pulls the cloth away from the easel.
