Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63004 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 315(@200wpm)___ 252(@250wpm)___ 210(@300wpm)
“It’s like she’s always been here,” my brother Jason said, coming up beside me.
I nodded. “It is.”
He bumped my arm. “She’s going to say yes.”
Glancing at him, I smiled. “You think so?”
A wide grin appeared on his face. “Even I can tell she loves you.”
I put my hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “Thanks, Jason.”
He shrugged, and we both turned to see Dad dip her one more time as the song ended. Something about the moment would be burned in my memory until the day I died. I had a feeling that after tonight, my life was truly going to begin…with Vivianne by my side for the rest of my days.
Her eyes met mine as she laughed again.
My heart went wild in my chest because without a doubt, I knew I was going to love this woman until I took my last breath.
After eating a full Christmas Eve dinner of ham, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, yeast rolls, and more desserts than I could even count, we ended up in the family room.
Mom and Dad opened their gifts first, which had been the tradition since we’d grown old enough to buy them their gifts. When my father opened Vivianne’s gift, he held up the shirt and grinned. “Perfect timing, Vivianne. I needed some new shirts!”
Vivianne beamed from next to me. Then my mother opened her gift and took out the necklace. She read the engraving, looked at Vivianne, then burst into tears. Both women stood and hugged each other.
“It’s the most perfect gift I’ve ever gotten!” my mother declared as Dad looked at the rest of us with raised brows and an expression like Mom had just wiped away years of his gifts. I tried hard not to laugh, but I lost the battle.
Grandma opened Vivianne’s scarf, deciding it was the most beautiful scarf she’d ever seen.
Vivianne clapped her hands and told my grandmother, “I fell in love with it and I had to buy it for you.”
By the time I opened my gifts—a flannel shirt and a journal—I had no doubt in my mind that my family loved Vivianne.
Then it was time for Vivianne to open her gifts. My father gave her a teacher’s planner, along with pens and pencils. My mother bought her a sweater, a pair of earrings, a bracelet, and a pair of riding boots. Grandma gave her a necklace with her birthstone, and a blanket that she’d knitted.
Mike gave her an apple knickknack that said World’s Best Teacher. Jason bought her a sweatshirt that said “River Falls” on the front, and on the back, “Team Wilde”—with his football number. David gifted her a backpack she’d seen a few months back and said she liked. Everyone gave him kudos for such a thoughtful gift. My mother was especially impressed he’d remembered it.
Then it was my turn…and this is where our plan kicked in.
My entire family stared in my direction, and I shrugged. “Why is everyone looking at me?”
“You didn’t buy your girlfriend a gift?” my father asked. “Even your brothers got her gifts!”
Vivianne took my hand in hers. “We made a pact not to get each other gifts, and the things I got him were just small things. My gift from Ladd was getting to spend the holidays with his family.”
My father rolled his eyes. “The boy should have gotten you a gift.”
“Now, Gus,” Mom started as Jason stood.
“I think I’ll go see if there’s any more apple pie,” he said, retreating hastily.
“I’ll join you,” Mike said, followed by David.
“Ladd. Tell me you’re joking,” my father pleaded.
I had to give it to my father; he certainly could put on a show. I had an odd thought. Did he ever act in any plays before? He was damn good at it. My mother, on the other hand, was on the verge of laughing. She had to turn away.
Luckily, my grandmother stepped in. “Gus, why are you making such a big deal about this? They agreed not to get each other gifts.”
Which, in all honesty, we had.
“She got him gifts, Mother. Did you not see him open them?”
Vivianne pressed her lips together and tugged on my arm, whispering, “Do something, Ladd.”
“Dad, I do have a gift.”
All eyes turned to me. All of them but Vivianne looking horrified. This wasn’t part of the plan.
“I left it back at school, though.”
My mother, father, and grandmother all breathed a sigh of relief.
“Honestly, it’s okay,” Vivianne started to say. “It’s more about family and spending time together at the holidays.”
My father nodded. “That’s true. I…I lost my head there for a moment.”
My mouth fell open. “You lost your head?” I asked slowly.
Mike rushed into the room. “Apple pie was perfect, Mom. It’s good to go! I mean, it was good. We’re all good. It’s all, um…oh!” he said, as he snapped his fingers. “The kitchen is clean! I repeat, the kitchen…is clean.” Then he looked at me and gave me a thumbs-up.