Page 130 of Set the Moment
“Again! Aga—” Delilah’s cheers are cut off by her dad picking her up.
Derek smiles at his daughter, his finger unclogging his ear as he says, “How about we save some songs for next time, Dels?”
When we’re all settled, the fire roasting fresh wood and the girls happily drinking whatever Nonna’s whipped up, it’s time for presents.
We’d opened presents this morning as a family, but since my friends so graciously decided to join us, we have a few more gifts plus Sienna’s Christmas gifts to open.
Cleo and Blake go first, exchanging their gifts of matching necklaces and digital cameras. Originally, Blake was supposed to head to New York for the holidays, but he’d missed his flight back home two days ago and couldn’t make it.
Cleo preens as Blake wraps her necklace around her neck, a shiny, diamond encrusted, cursive “B” hanging from the silver chain.
My family and I watch as each of my friends exchange their gifts, laughing when Sienna opens a cook book from Derek and when Georgia and Denver give each other the same thing—get out of jail free cards.
When all the chaos of my friends' gifts die down, my happiness grows as I look at Sienna.
She’s going to flip when she sees what I got her.
I’m vibrating with nervous energy as I hold out one of my gifts to her, smiling as she eyes me skeptically.
“Why is the box so big?” she asks, eyes narrowing on me as Blake and Ryan snicker somewhere in the background.
“Sienna Jones, I love you so much…”
Now she’s on edge, her face scrunching like she’s preparing to wince. “You’re not proposing, are you? I mean we just started dating and–”
Chuckling softly, I shake my head. “Not until we’ve both graduated—”
“I mean, I wouldn’t be opposed if you did, but—”
Tilting my head, a soft smile grazes my face.
“Angel?” I ask, softly grasping her hands, my friends and family blurring into the background as she locks eyes with me.
God, I love this woman.
I’ve loved her my entire life, but this feeling grows in my chest at the sight of her…Thisis what love feels like.
“Hm?” Sienna hums softly, her eyes softening as a small smile breaks on her face.
“Would you just shut up and let me finish my question?” I ask jokingly, laughing as she pushes me off her with a teasing smile. “Like I was saying beforesomeonegot in her head…Will you make me the happiest man alive and be the mother of our new child?”
Sienna’s jaw drops, her eyes large and bright as her hands shoot to her mouth. “What?”
The box rustles a bit more, and a small head pops up from the lid, impatient and annoyed.
Sienna gasps, her eyes widening, “Rubble?!”
“Surprise!” our friends shout. The air grows with excitement as Sienna squeals, taking Rubble out of the box. The cat's ears twitch as he purrs for her.
“You got me a cat?! This ismycat! How’d you find him?” Sienna exclaims, jumping up and down, hugging me with Rubble in hand.
“You like him?” I ask, hoping she says yes.
This cat has been the bane of my fucking existence. I’d originally planned on getting Sienna something completely different, but a few weeks ago, I’d been in the quad and this cat parked his ass next to me and wouldn’t leave me alone.
My fear and dislike for the odd creatures lowered a bit when I realized Rubble wasn’t too bad of an animal.
He’s justclingy.
