Page 135 of Abyss

Garrett opens his arms to invite her to snuggle up next to him on the couch before planting a kiss on her temple. “I’ll take the morning shift. You can sleep in before we have to leave.”

I smile at them from my position in between Hudson’s legs on the chaise. We’re sharing a blanket, my head resting on his chest with his arms wrapped around my midsection,though, his hands have been wandering, mostly lower, and I’ve had to keep my face inscrutable in front of everyone.

Hudson and I hosted Christmas this year, given our friends and family had yet to see our new home, and surprisingly, almost everyone was available to fly in, with the exception of Hudson’s friends Dean and Mala, who are very pregnant and advised by their doctor not to fly.

Aside from Garrett and his family, Hudson’s friend Darian and his wife Rani, and their two children joined, too. Darian is Garrett and Dean’s younger brother, and one hell of a husband and dad. With his stoic personality—sometimes mistaken for grumpy—he reminds me of my guy, Mr. CrankyDick. Though I’d say Hudson isn’t mistaken for grumpy; he’s actually grumpy to most people, besides the ones he truly cares about.

Like the ones in this room.

And speaking of people he cares about, I am happy to say I’ve made solid friendships in this short time with both Rani and Bella. And that’s saying something, considering I’m generally pretty guarded. Somehow, though, like Madison and Belinda, these two have been able to pull me out of my shell.

The three of us have had fun gossiping about the men in our lives, but also being candid and goofy with each other. Apparently, they’d been trying for years to find someone for Hudson, but the man is not only cantankerous, he’s hard to please. As Bella said it, they’re just happy I “can put up with his grouchy ass”. Recently, they even added me to a group chat with Dean’s wife, Mala, and their other friend Melody, who’s a complete hoot.

It’s unfortunate I wasn’t able to spend as much time with Mala this time, but we made plans to hang out the next time I visit San Francisco. And I will be, given my mom and Neil still live there, at least until Neil is in college. If, at that time Mom wants to move, Hudson and I have a guest cottagededicated to her across our property. Though I’ve warned him that he'll be on the hook to replace almost every appliance in that little house if Mom decides to live there. Surprisingly, it’s a burden he seems happy to take on.

And, of course, Christmas wouldn’t be the same if our families weren’t here, so aside from my mom and my brother, we also got to celebrate Madison and Brie’s first Christmas as a married couple with them. Over the past few days, Madison and I have had a lot of chances to bond, and thankfully, get past the way I left so abruptly last summer. As expected, Madison understood where I came from. She knew her father’s plans of moving here and surprising me, but she respected his wishes to not get involved at that time.

Oh, and did I mention that Jett is also here with his girlfriend, Naomi? They’ve been together for some time now and I get the feeling things are pretty serious between them.

Things between Hudson and his brother have been going really well. Being CEO, Hudson still makes the major company decisions, but Jett has positioned himself to be of great value, running things the way Hudson expects in the San Francisco office.

My gaze travels over everyone, sitting with their significant others, as the fire crackles in our fireplace and the scent of firewood mingles with the scents of the gingerbread cookies I baked and the cups of spiced cider strewn on the coffee table.

It’s quieter now that the kids are asleep, though they’ve had fun the past few days running around the house together, playing board games with us adults, and opening loads of gifts.

My mom and Neil sit side-by-side across from Hudson and me, with mom drinking a cup of chai instead of the spiced cider and giving me a look I can’t decipher.

Actually, I’ve seen that look before—the one where herbrows dance over her cup and she smiles to herself, thinking no one can see it.

She knows something.

My brows pucker at Neil in question, hoping to silently ask him what Mom’s deal is, but he just shrugs, not giving anything away. When I squint at her, she continues to play coy, drinking more of her chai.

Hudson clears his throat, holding me tighter but addressing everyone, “Both Kavi and I wanted to thank you for celebrating Christmas with us this year.”

“Thanks for flying us all here on your private jet, big brother,” Jett says, winking back. “Can’t say it was backbreaking work to get here.”

Darian chuckles, agreeing as Garrett adds, “Yeah, it was nice to be a passenger for once, too.”

“You’re welcome,” Hudson says, shifting. “I do have another little gift I forgot to give while we were opening presents yesterday.” He reaches into his pocket behind me and my brows furrow, wondering what he’s doing. “I don’t really know how I missed it. Perhaps because the box is so small.”

Garrett suddenly announces that he’s calling his brother Dean on FaceTime, and I blink in confusion as to why.

Before I can even process what’s happening, Hudson pulls out the box he was referring to and opens it in front of me as casually as one would a box of mints.

My hands rise to cover my gaping mouth as I process what I’m seeing—a band covered with sparkling diamonds. I blink, gathering my thoughts, but can’t seem to speak.

We were just casually strolling along a shopping area last month when he’d asked me to come into a jewelry shop with him, claiming he needed to get the battery on his watch changed. While we waited, I just happened to smile as I passed a ring situated on a pedestal in the center of a glasscase. I’ve never been one to wear fancy jewelry, nor would I want an enormous diamond that would give me panic attacks at the thought of losing it, but I recall thinking this eternity band with emerald-cut diamonds was classy and subtle.

Of course I never mentioned it to him.

But lo-and-behold, it’s now gleaming back at me from its cushioned enclosure. “Hudson . . .”

Jett’s voice resounds in the background—something about Belinda and Hudson’s friend Dev waiting on standby to be called on FaceTime. His words get muddled with the blood rushing through my ears and the pounding of my heart as Hudson hauls himself off the couch.

I’m still gaping at him on the chaise, while softoohsandawwsecho in the background from Maddy and the other ladies, as Hudson bends down on one knee.

“Kav, my beautiful poem, living with you isn’t enough. I want so much more—vows taken and rings exchanged, children, dogs, and horses. The whole shebang, baby girl. I want forever and nothing less will do. Will you marry me, sweetheart?”

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