“Jax! What’s all this?” I ask, my gasp causing a cloud of cold to expel in front of me.
“You always said you wanted the house to look like a tree farm at Christmas. I know it’s only the second week of November, but you mentioned the other day that you like to at least put up the tree before Thanksgiving so you can admire the lights longer. So I had the guys help set these up while we were inside. I bought more so we can have one in every room like you’ve always wanted. Though we don’t have enough decorations for them all. I thought I’d leave that up to you.”
I shake my head in disbelief. “You remembered.”
“Of course I did.”
Of course he did. I’m not sure why I’m even surprised at this point. He’s told me countless times he remembers everything, and this is the perfect example.
“J! I love them. I can’t tell you how excited I am to spend our first Christmas together.” Glancing over my shoulder, I watch as his face lights up with a detonating grin that I’m sure matches mine.
“I’m happy you’re happy, baby.”
With my arms thrown out to the side, I spin in a slow circle until I’m facing him. “Maybe we’ll make a theme for each room. Wouldn’t that be fun?”
“I love that idea.” He moves to stand in front of me, grabbing my hands in his. “Are you cold? Want to go inside?” Bringing my hands to his mouth, he breathes warm air onto them.
“I want to admire them for a few more minutes,” I tell him, looking around in wonderment.
“In that case, I’ve got something else for you,” he starts, dropping to his knee in front of me.
Reaching into his jacket pocket, he reveals a black velvet box. “I believe this belongs to you, my love.” When he cracks it open, my wedding ring from when I was eighteen is revealed, nestled between the cushions of the fabric.
“I honestly don’t know why it took me this long to take this out of the safe. It belongs on your finger, always has. And even if you’re not ready for all that it stands for, I’d love it if you’d still consider wearing it.”
My breath comes out stuttered as I struggle to breathe through the tears of joy clogging my throat. “I want everything it stands for, Jackson. Will you put it on me, please?”
He does as I ask, and when he slides the ring into place, nothing has ever felt so right.
“Now that I have it back, I’m never taking it off.”
“Swear on it,” he says, bringing my hand to his lips and placing a kiss over my ring.
“I swear,” I whisper.
Jax stands to his full height, lifting me up and spinning me around. The first snow fall of the season blankets our shoulders in thick flakes, and it feels like we’re on the set of a Christmas movie.
“Oh my goodness!” I squeal, holding my hand out in an attempt to catch one of the cottony flakes.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch sight of three SUVs turning into our long driveway. As they approach, Jax sets me back on my feet and curses.“Shit, I completely forgot. I can tell them to leave.”
My brows knit in confusion. “Who? What’s going on?”
Jax tugs at my knit hat covering my head and then pulls me against his chest, attempting to wrap me in his warmth. With my face pressed against his chest, he explains, “This is our onlyweekend off before Thanksgiving so the group decided to bring Friendsgiving to us in case you weren’t feeling up to leaving the house. But I can tell them we just want a quiet night in. I know you’re exhausted, and if I’m being honest, I don’t want to share you with anyone.”
I run my hand along his chest, loving the way my ring looks back on my finger. “I’m not sure how much energy I have to host, but it would be nice to see everyone.”
“Are you sure?” he asks, his voice laced with worry. “You were just telling me how exhausted you were. And your stomach.”
“Yeah, I’m sure. I have no clue what we’re going to eat though. Maybe we can order some pizzas?”
Jax pulls me impossibly closer against his warm chest when I let out another shiver. “The ladies have been cooking all afternoon while the guys came over to set up the trees. Let’s get you inside by the fire and then I’ll help them carry everything in.”
Once I’m settled into my favorite chair by the fire with my reheated cup of hot cocoa, Jax helps everyone inside. I feel bad that I’m not feeling up to greeting everyone the way I’d like, but after they hang up their jackets and take off their shoes, they make their way toward me and I don’t even try to bite back my tired smile.
“Hey, girlie! How are you feeling?” Kenna asks, bending down to give me a hug.
“At the moment? Cold. But also extremely grateful for you all coming over here and preparing everything,” I tell her.
