Page 96 of A Taste of Whiskey
As he headed up to the front door, he gave his motorcycle a once-over. They’d decorated his bike with lights and had strapped a stuffed one-eyed reindeer to the handlebars for the Reindeer Ride today. They’d decorated Sasha’s truck, too, since she’d be riding with Gus.
He headed inside and was greeted by the sound of Gus giggling in his bedroom, where he and Sasha were putting on their elf costumes. They’d been careful not to thrust too many changes on Gus at once and had slowly shown more affection toward each other in front of him. The more they showed their love, the more Gus seemed to thrive.
He glanced at the Christmas tree that was still standing in the living room. They’d added more homemade ornaments over the last few weeks. He’d miss it when they took it down, but the tree would be moving to Sasha’s house with them in the coming weeks, along with the sketch of Sasha and Gus that Sully had made and he’d framed, and all their other belongings.
Their lives were finally coming together in the way Ezra had always dreamed.
Gus’s bedroom door opened, and Sasha and Gus burst out holding hands. Ezra’s heart nearly stopped at their gleeful laughter.
“Look, Daddy, we’re elves!” Gus wore green shorts and a red shirt that had two big white buttons on the front, a jagged red felt collar and matching cuffs, a black-and-gold felt belt with candy canes tucked into it, red-and-white striped socks, red sneakers, and a green vest. “Look at my patches!”
He spun around, showing off the patches Sasha had made that read ELFCHAPTERand DARKKNIGHTSon the back of his vest. Ezra’s heart swelled. “You look awesome, buddy.”
He came around the counter, and Gus ran to his side as Ezra admired Sasha in a red skirt with white fur trim, a cap-sleeved shiny green top with white trim, belted around her waist, and red-and-white striped thigh-high socks with her white cowgirl boots. She wore a green choker with a tiny red heart around her neck and looked sexy and gorgeous.
“And you, Ms. Whiskey, are looking mighty fine, too.”
“You like it?” She glanced down at her outfit.
“I love it.” He took Gus’s hand. “What do you think, Gus?”
“Sugar looks pretty!” Gus said. “Tell her to spin, Dad.”
Ezra laughed softly. “You heard the boy. How about you give us a spin, babe?” He held up his finger, making aturn aroundsign.
“A spin it is.” She turned in a circle, and when she faced them again, her jaw dropped at the sight of Ezra and Gus down on one knee.“Ezra…?”she asked softly.
“We got you a ring!” Gus announced.
Sasha covered her mouth, her eyes tearing up.
Ezra laughed. “I wanted to do this right, but someone’s a little excited.”
Gus jumped to his feet. “Show her the ring, Dad!”
Ezra opened his palm, revealing the solitaire canary diamond engagement ring with a horseshoe of white diamonds around it. “So much for doing it right.” He rose to his feet, gazing into her tear-brimmed eyes. “Sasha, I loved you before I even knew what the word really meant, and I will love you long past my dying days. Will you do me and Gus the honor of becoming my wife and his stepmother?”
“Yes!Of course I will!” She threw her arm around him, pressing her lips to his.
“She said yes! Give her the ring!” Gus jumped up and down, hugging them both.
Ezra took her hand in his, and as he slid the ring on her finger, he said, “I love you, Bo Peep. I may not be able to give you the world, but I promise to give you and Gus my all for the rest of our lives.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks. “Don’t you know you and Gusaremy world?”
“You’re ours, too, baby.” As he lowered his lips to hers, Gus exclaimed, “We’re getting married!”
SASHA WAS STILL smiling when she and Gus followed Ezra in her truck to the Dark Knights’ clubhouse to get ready for the ride. The parking lot was packed with motorcycles and other vehicles that belonged to the Dark Knights’ families. All the bikes were decorated with lights and ornaments. Some of the men wore Santa hats, like Ezra, some wore colorful shirts beneath their vests, and others had on holiday costumes. Hyde and Taz were dressed like reindeer. The women were dressed as elves and in other green and red festive outfits. Guys were loading presents into a massive, high-sided trailer that had been decorated for the event.
As Sasha parked the truck, she spotted her parents, dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus, talking with Ezra’s father and a handful of other men. Pep was wearing a red shirt beneath his vest and a ring of colorful lights around his neck.
As soon as she cut the engine, Gus scrambled out the passenger door and hollered, “Sugar’s gonna be my mom! We’re getting married!” causing an explosion of cheers and congratulations as Sasha climbed out of the truck and Ezra climbed off his bike.
Ezra took a step in Sasha’s direction, but the girls converged on her. She went up on her toes, trying to see Ezra, and he blew her a kiss, scooped up Gus, and headed over to the guys.
“About time he put a ring on your finger!” Birdie grabbed Sasha’s hand. “Let me see!”
“Wow, that’s beautiful,” Simone said.
