Page 64 of Cinnamon Strudel
She was jolted out of a deep sleep by her alarm going off, taking way too long to realise what was happening. With a grunt, Morgan silenced the infuriating sound and pulled her back into his chest.
“Fuck,” he muttered.
“I don’t want to be a grown up today,” she whined.
“How long before you have to leave?”
“Forty-five minutes. I forgot to change the alarm to incorporate time for Blue.”
“We’d better get going then.”
They rushed to get ready and give Blue his potty break before heading towards the Memorial area.
“What is on your agenda for New Years Eve?” Morgan asked.
“Work, but other than that, I’m free.”
“Jack invited us to come over for a house party.”
“Oh, how exciting. I would love to go!”
“He’s offered us the guest bed because he lives in Spring. I thought we could take that up and then head to the Gingerbread Village the next day.”
“I didn’t know it was still set up.”
“I believe it is until January seventh.”
“I love it,” she giggled. “And having a bed means we can get drunk.”
He laughed and shook his head. “As long as you throw up after our New Year’s kiss, I’ll even hold your hair.”
“Deal.”
Morgan
Before he knew it, they pulled up to Jack’s place with a trunk filled with wine and finger foods. They’d gotten ready together, once Ruby had snuck in a short nap after a busy shift.
They were greeted with Jack’s deep voice calling for them as they got out of the car. “Finally! I get to meet my new sister-in-law.”
“And here I was thinking that Blue and I were the main attraction,” Morgan murmured.
“I’m a hugger,” Jack warned.
“Me too,” Ruby giggled.
Jack offered to take the food, and Morgan had Blue follow them inside. Just like Ruby’s family, Jack had sent him a floor plan of the house and guided them through to the kitchen before he showed them their room upstairs.
“Are you sure Blue will be okay during the fireworks?”
“As long as he’s inside with the windows closed, he’ll be fine.”
“The bathroom is the most inside room of the house if you want to keep him in there just to be safe. I can bring him blankets and food.”
“Even better. I have a bone for him as well.”
“They start rather early in the neighbourhood, for the kids, you know? Let me set it up so he’s ready to go once we hear the first ones.”
Alexander found them downstairs and took them out into the garden where the party was in full swing. There was music, food, andplentyof alcohol. Morgan found a spot to sit, and Ruby offered to fill him a plate. Jack was right; it didn’t take long for some rockets to flare up, so Ruby took Blue upstairs and Jack asked Morgan to follow him.
