He leans in to kiss me before picking her up effortlessly.
I watch the way she rests her head on his shoulder and his ease with her.
This is ours.
“Hey/” He takes my hand.
I look up at him.
“Merry Christmas, Vixen,” he whispers.
I smile.
“Merry Christmas, Blitzen.”
Snow keeps falling, and everything feels like it’s exactly how it’s supposed to be.
A FEW DAYS LATER
LIAM
The first thing I notice when we walk into the facility on Monday is that everything looks the same. Same building. Same routine. Yet everything feels different.
I have Sera in my arms, and Alie’s hand in mine. I can’t help but rub my thumb over her ring every few minutes. Just to make sure it’s there. That this is real.
We drop Sera off at the nursery, and then I walk Alie to her office and linger a little too long with a kiss that could cause some trouble. She eventually shoos me out, and I make my way down to the locker room and drop off my bag.
The minute I walk into the weight room, I notice Aaron talking to one of our linemen, who’s also his client. We’ve avoided him for the most part, and Alie was serious when she told him that any communication would be business only, and not through her. Her father has honored that request, too, and from what I’ve heard in hushed conversation, the family friendship between the Grants and Muldoons has been strained. Sera has asked about him a few times, but she’s still so young, so I’m not sure that she’ll have any memories of him at all.
I wanted to bring Alie down later and make an announcement to my teammates together, but having Aaron in the room, I’m feeling like now’s the perfect time to announce our engagement. Just to dig that knife a little deeper into his heart.
Aston spots me and walks over to me. “Well? Did you do it?” he asks.
I nod, and a slow smile stretches across my face. “I did.”
“That’s all I get? I want the details. I saw a few pictures on social media, but you need to give me a play-by-play,” he says, waving his hand toward him.
I made the mistake of telling Aston about my plans to propose. He insisted on helping me look for rings and wanted in on the plan for how I was planning to propose. But he actually turned out to be a big help. And I know he’s excited for me, us.
“Hold up. I’m going to make an announcement, and then I’ll tell you.” I nod toward Aaron, and Aston follows my gaze.
“Vicious, man. I love it.” He holds out a fist to me.
I put my fingers to my mouth and whistle.
Someone turns the music down.
“Hey, everyone, I have an announcement to make.”
My teammates stop what they’re doing and turn their attention to me.
“Some of you may have seen some pictures of me on social media with Alie and Sera.” I look around and see some of the guys nod. “Well, Alie and I got engaged this weekend!” My smile is genuine because I’m a fucking sap when it comes to her and Sera.
Congratulations are called out, and a few guys come up to hug me, including Saint and Brody.
“I’m happy for you, man. Congrats,” Saint says, slapping my back.
“Thank you. We’re really excited.”
