And Oreo, bless her, waited outside the room until they’d finished. She sat in her doggy bed on the floor by his bed and glared at Mitch when he started heating up the sheets with Becca again. When Becca moaned, Oreo barked.
She grinned. “I guess that’s our cue to go to sleep.”
The dog settled down, and they laughed and snuggled tight, keeping each other warm.
******
Christmas Day
“All I know is he was insistent about the ring.” Deacon shrugged. “It didn’t do me any favors, but then, Rhonda never wore it. I think it was more like a trophy to her.”
Nora shook her head. “Man, your ex was a right bitch.”
Deacon grinned. “You can say that again.”
“A right bitch.”
Deacon guffawed.
Simon moved around the space, taking in Mitch’s amazing decorations. Someday he’d live here. He still couldn’t believe it. His mom and Flash, getting married?
Christmas day, and he, along with Mitch, Mitch’s parents and brother, Aunt Nora and her parents, and Simon’s mom were spending the day together. Jenna had promised to swing by in another hour, after her family did their traditional Christmas morning.
Heck, Simon and his mom had even gone to church with Mitch and his folks. And his mom never did the religious thing. Simon liked the Flashmans. Regular people, Mitch’s dad was a big dude with a big heart; his mom was a pretty woman who didn’t take anyone’s attitude. She’d already scolded Deacon for not taking out the trash.
The day had been beyond perfect. And then Mitch had proposed. Down on one knee, holding out a ring to Simon’s mom and saying a ton of crap about love and forever and including Simon in on all of it. Once again, Simon had embarrassingly felt tears brewing. But it was okay, because everyone had been subtly wiping their cheeks.
Coach Deacon too. The guy stood close to Aunt Nora, and every now and then he’d watch her when Aunt Nora looked away. Simon wondered… Did the coach have a thing for his aunt? Man, that would be even better. He couldn’t wait to talk to Jenna and see what she thought.
“Well, Simon,” Mitch said as he wandered closer. “What do you think? A pretty good Christmas or what?”
Simon grinned. “Not bad. You clean up okay, Flash.”
Mitch laughed and put an arm around Simon, a half bro-hug, which thrilled him, though he’d never admit it. Mitch liked him. It wasn’t a ploy to get in with Simon’s mom.
“So, do I call you Daddy?”
“Sure thing, my little ball of boy joy.”
Simon sighed. “Maybe not. Though ‘ball of boy joy’ is slightly better than Simon Neal Bragg, which I get when I’m in trouble.”
“Your mom called me Mitchell in the tea shop when she was yelling at me. I didn’t like it.”
Simon could relate.
“This has been my best Christmas, hands down.” Mitch raised his voice and squeezed Simon’s shoulder. “But it’s still missing something. Becca, my lovely fiancée, got my great-grandmother’s ring.” To no one’s surprise, it fit her without needing to be resized. “Simon, what do you think you should get as a present?”
He’d already received a signed football from one of his favorite quarterbacks, who happened to be a good friend of Mitch’s. And a few video games he’d had his eyes on had found their way under the tree. Simon didn’t want to be greedy, not when he had almost everything he’d ever wanted in front of him. His mom, a new dad, family. His girl on the way… “How about your Porsche?”
Everyone laughed. Deacon excused himself for the bathroom.
“Nice try. Hold on.” Mitch let go of Simon and whistled.
Simon heard the familiar click of animal nails on the floor. His gaze shot to his mom and Mitch, now standing together. “Merry Christmas, Simon,” his mom said.
Oreo ran right up to him, so excited she peed a little, which had Deacon, who followed, swearing.
Aunt Nora laughed, and his new almost-grandparents were smiling and talking with his great aunt and uncle.
