For the first time in six years, it’s going to be a fantastic fucking Christmas.
CHAPTER 12
JEANIE
“I’m stuffed,” I groan, sitting back in the dining chair at the Queens Wraiths Clubhouse. We had a full breakfast with my family and opened presents with them, then we came here and I helped with the lunch preparations. It was a little strange not spending the whole of Christmas with my family, and I’m sure they all feel the same way, but I guess that’s what happens when you grow up and start families of your own. I’m just glad that we don’t live too far away from each other and can still spend most of the day together.
An answering groan rumbles around the clubhouse as they all agree with me.
“How about we clean this lot up and go for a walk,” Maggie suggests. “We can have pudding when we get back.”
“Aye.” Nickel holds up his hand.
“I second that,” Coal agrees with a moan.
Laughter rings out around the table. Looks like we’ll be going for a walk. The intercom buzzes, and Sterling walks over to answer it. I’m surprised when it’s my dad’s voice that comes over the intercom.
Standing, I grab my jacket from the back of the couch where I threw it when we arrived and slip it on, wondering what could be wrong that brought Dad here away from the family on Christmas Day. I’m conscious of everyone following me outside.
“What’s going on?” I ask my dad as he walks around to help Mum down. The boys pile out and run straight past me towards Bolt and his brothers, high fiving them along the way. ‘Not a shy bone in their bodies,’I think to myself as I watch them fly past.
“Ask your man,” Dad says as he comes to a stop in front of me and Bolt.
Turning towards Bolt, I raise an eyebrow in query.
“It’s a surprise, sweetness,” he tells me, and I wonder what more he could spoil me with. I’m wearing a gorgeous diamond bracelet, and he got me a locket with our baby scan on the one side and a picture of me and him on the other.
For him, I had Hawk make me a temporary tattoo of Bolt’s first baby’s birth date. I intend to have the date tattooed after this baby is born. I never want him to think that his first baby will be forgotten because the date won’t be. It isn’t possible. Not in a million years, not when it’s why we are together.
Bolt cried when he saw what I’d done. My heart hurt for him. But he reassured me it was a good cry and that he loved what I’d done. Come summer, once our house is built, I’ll buy a yellow rose and plant it in our garden as a memorial.
“Do you remember the other night when you ladies were planning, you said you’d love a sleigh ride?”
I think back to that night and nod. I remember saying that, and he’s right; it’s always been a dream.
I nod that I remember.
“You said you couldn’t have one because we didn’t have snow?” Bolt continues.
I wonder where he’s going with this.
“Well…” He grips my shoulders and turns me towards the carport as his brothers uncover something and push it out into the fading afternoon light. I cover my mouth with my hands when I realise he’s built me a sleigh. Albeit not a traditional one, but it’s a sleigh nonetheless.
“Bolt,” I whisper huskily, my throat clogged with tears. “It’s beautiful.”
Bolt presses his lips to my head, wrapping his arms around me. He tugs me back into his body. Tilting my head back on his shoulder, I look into his bright green eyes, and my heart flutters at the raw emotion on his face.
“You’ve made this year one of the best I’ve had in my life. I wanted to do something for you. The brothers helped. It’s not a proper sleigh ride as it will be pulled by our sleds rather than horses, but I thought you’d enjoy it either way.”
“Oh, Bolt,” I say brokenly. I don’t care that I’m crying. This man! I’m not sure how I got so lucky, but I’ll never regret meeting him. “Thank you,” I say tremulously against his lips.
“You’re welcome, sweetness. Can I take you for a ride?”
I laugh, and he joins me when he realises I could take his words either way. “In the sleigh,” he clarifies, chuckling.
“I’d love that,” I tell him, stepping back. He takes my hand and helps me in, tucking the Christmas blankets around me before he jumps in and slaps the side of the sleigh. Iron and Brass are on their bikes. Sleds, I mean sleds, I always forget that’s what this lot calls their bikes.
Turning, I catch my mum’s tearful gaze as she watches from the shelter of my dad’s arms as we slowly pull away, bells ringing with every movement. We’re opposite our home when the sledsslow down to a crawl, and Bolt turns towards me with a box in his hands. “Jeanie, you’re my old lady, and in my world that’s more than enough, but I’d be fucking stoked if you’d agree to be my wife too.” He flips open the box, and inside is a beautiful sapphire and diamond engagement ring.
