And of course, Jeff and his parents were there, with Jeff standing awfully close to Will, though the two had been a non-couple all night. She wondered if this was the moment her brother would finally get a pair and announce them in love.
Though many would be surprised, as she had been, when she’d asked Will about it, he’d told her he cared less about gender than the person. And apparently, he’d had a crush on Jeff for years he’d never acted on.
“Well? We’re waiting,” Ed called out.
Someone lowered the Christmas music, and everyone focused on Will.
“I just wanted to say thanks for coming, and thanks to Mom and Dad for hosting.”
Everyone toasted them, and Mona looked pleased.
“Also, thanks to the Shark players in attendance for losing gracefully to a much better team.”
The Flashman brothers booed until their mother gave them a look which had the crowd laughing. The cop with her brother glared at him too, and Steve meekly smiled back.
“He’s whipped, no doubt. Hopefully not pistol whipped. Cop chick looks mean,” Damon murmured into Marlie’s ear. “But she wasn’t a great goalie.”
Marlie tried not to laugh when Will glared at them.
“Sorry. Go on.”
“I’m trying to make a statement here.”
“Could you get to it? I’m hungry,” Ed said.
Will sighed. “Fine. I just wanted to say how happy I am to be surrounded by family and friends. And that I’ve asked Jeff to marry me.”
The entire room grew silent.
Then Marlie whooped and threw herself at her best friend before hugging the crap out of Will. The crowd erupted in cheers and congratulations, love flowing as freely as the spiked cider throughout the guests.
Damon finished hugging Jeff and Will, who poked at Marlie and whispered, “Your turn.”
Damon heard him and asked her, “Should I…?”
“Nah, I got this.” Marlie let out a loud whistle. “Sorry. This will be quick. Just wanted to let you know I’m keeping the gimpy goalie. He’s mine.”
Damon glared at her. “So romantic. What she means is she’s in love with my fine self. So try not to get between Mad Marlie and her man.”
“Oh?” She planted her hands on her hips, waiting.
Then he laughed, swung her into his arms, and kissed her in front of everyone. “She’s the love of my life. When we win the Cup next year, I’m dedicating it to Marlie.”
“Hell, yeah!” Steve sounded more exciting about the Stanley Cup than Marlie, but whatever. “And don’t forget the playoffs after Christmas.”
“Yeah, let’s not forget that.” Marlie rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t stop grinning.
Her parents smiled. His looked satisfied and pleased, and before Marlie knew it, her mother and Damon’s laughed and plotted while Big Mike and Irv seemed deep in discussion about a downtown project they were both working on. Well, Big Mike when he finally healed.
Grace hugged them both and warned Damon to treat Marlie right. But when he asked about Grace’s friend, she warned him to shut the hell up. So he did.
Later that night, at home in their bed, Damon lay back as she knelt over him. He stared up at her with love in his eyes. “I am so, so glad I busted my knee and my parents nearly died.”
“Um, what?”
“Because all that pain brought me more pain. You, darling Marlie!”
She snickered. “I’ll give you pain, all right.”
