Page 140 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
"By trying to make a baby?" I snorted as he gave me a sweet look. "Don't even give me that innocence. You're a wolf in sheep's clothing."
"Actually, I don't have on any clothing." He moved out of the covers and pressed me to the bed as we both laughed together.
"All right, I'm in. We'll work on our goals tonight."
"Excellent." He kissed me softly and stared deep into my eyes. "My number one goal is to make you happy."
"Then you're a very accomplished man already." I pulled him down and we held each other until a knock at the door pulled us apart. Time for dinner.
CHAPTER 18
JASON
Dinner was fun, but nothing compared to sitting in the dark conference room, snuggled up beside Rebecca during the children's performance. Never in a million years would I have thought she was the kind of woman to attend an event like that. Not that she wasn't loving or warm, but she was so career oriented. It was the only thing that kept me at bay for the year I spent mulling over whether she was the right woman for me.
My mother instilled deep values for family and faith in me growing up. Her being gone sent a pain through my chest, but I forced it down and glanced over at my girl as she laughed at something the kids said.
Parker's face was lit up right beside hers, and I let myself revel in the moment. I belonged next to them. Next to her.
"I love it," she whispered as she glanced my way, her eyes rimmed with tears as she laughed. "The little donkey just snorted like a pig."
I smiled and glanced back toward the stage as the crowd around us laughed and cheered.
The little guy's cheeks were pink, and his smile wide. I wanted a little boy. A little girl. Both. Several of each.
Wrapping my arm tightly around Rebecca's shoulders, I let myself dive into a future in my head that had all of the above. It would be hard to juggle everything, but we would manage. My parents had, and so had hers.
She snuggled up against me and wiped at her tears as I leaned over and kissed the top of her head.
"I love you," I whispered against her hair.
"Me too." She lifted her chin and kissed me before turning back toward the stage and cracking up as one of the little girls messed up her lines. She was the little angel that was supposed to bring good news.
Her pouty lips were precious as she pressed her fists to her hips and huffed. "I come to bring you good news. Today... wait..." She looked around toward the crowd and leaned forward, whispering to who I assumed was her mother. "Was it today? Not today, right?"
The crowd went wild and I chuckled under my breath. Innocence had a beauty about it that could steal your breath if you weren't careful.
I leaned back and watched the rest of the play with heavy emotion pumping through my chest. I'd be asking Rebecca to marry me the next afternoon, and then the future would really begin. Her beside me, our families around us and all of our good friends gathered for our event.
The wedding would be everything she wanted it to be. I would make sure of it.
* * *
I woke the next morning beyond excited. A touch of nervousness danced in my stomach as well, but I ignored it. Christmas Eve. It had to be one of my most favorite times of the year.
"You awake?" I snuggled up behind Rebecca and smiled as she swatted at me and told me to go away.
Good. I had my excuse for getting out of the room. I texted our friends and my sister and told them to meet me in the banquet room of the steakhouse on the east side of the property. It was just before ten, which was far later than I'd hoped, but we would make due.
Adam walked up behind me as I stood at the entrance to the restaurant and waited on everyone.
He rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Hey, man. You sleep well?"
"Like a baby." I crossed my arms over my chest as Parker and my sister walked down the hall toward us, laughing about something.
Adam glanced behind him and turned back to me. "Nothing to worry about. Natalie and him are just friends."
"You sure?" I put my attention back on my best friend, lifting my eyebrow a little in question.
