Page 142 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
"Becca?" My mom's voice was a welcomed sound.
I paused and closed my eyes, reliving so many Christmases from years past. "Hi, Mom. You and Dad doing okay?"
"Oh yeah. Just miss you. When are you coming home, baby?"
"On Saturday." I opened my eyes and reached up to blot them. I hadn't cried more than once since my father's death and I'd gotten emotional ten times over the last week. It was Jason. He was softening me. Damn him. I smiled at the thought.
"Well, we're going to miss you tomorrow on Christmas day. I wish you guys would have planned the trip a little bit differently." I could hear the longing in her voice to have me there.
"I'm sorry, Mom. We'll drive up that way on Sunday and visit with you and Dad."
"You could if we were home." Her laugh was cute, telling. "We came over to London, remember?"
"Oh my God. I totally forgot." I put my hand on my hip and scanned the lobby, looking for a familiar face. "Why were you crying about us not being home then? You wouldn't be there either."
"Because I wish we were all at home. No more traveling during the holidays. It's too special to be apart."
"Agreed." I spun in a slow circle, hoping to find someone. "Are you and Daddy having fun?"
"We are. He's eating a croissant that was special made for him, or so the cute little French girl at the hotel restaurant said so."
I snort-laughed. I could just see my country-bumpkin father in his overalls living up the attention of a twenty-something French girl. My mom would give him hell over it for a long time to come. It was part of the fun.
"I love it." I let out a soft sigh and walked toward the nearest window. "It's beautiful here. The snow is thick and it's everywhere."
"Good. You and Jason doing okay? And how is Parker? Behaving himself?" She sounded suspicious.
I chuckled. "Parker is being Parker, but yes, me and Jason are doing great. I realized something over the last few days."
"What's that?" She sounded a little too hopeful.
"I'm ready to settle down and get married. I want kids." I turned at the sound of Parker laughing. Him, Jason, Natalie and Adam walked toward me, all of them looking very suspicious. Where I would usually dig into what they were up to, I decided to let it go. Time would unveil all things.
"Wow! Colorado did that to you, or the handsome thing you're finally letting love you?"
"Both?" I smiled and reached for Jason as he moved toward me. "I'm going to let you go, Mom. I love you. Merry Christmas Eve."
"You too, baby. Give everyone a hug for me."
"Will do." I ended the call and slipped the phone in my back pocket as Jason wrapped his strong arms around my waist and leaned down for a quick kiss.
"Sleepy head. We were thinking we were going to have to drop a bucket of water on you soon if you didn't get moving. It's after lunch."
I studied his face, finding myself more in love than I thought possible. "You'd have been in a world of trouble."
"He's going to be there sooner or later." Parker leaned toward us. "He's a dude. Shit happens."
We all laughed and Adam suggested that we grab a bite to eat and then head to the ticket counter to see if there were spots remaining for the light tour that night.
I snuggled against Jason, feeling whole. It was the first time in a long time.
* * *
"Wait. We have to head up to the front for the carriage ride." I checked my watch as Jason gripped my hand tightly and moved us the opposite way of the front desk.
"I know, baby. This won't take more than ten minutes, and then we'll go on the ride, okay?" He smiled back at me, and by the gleam in his eye, I knew something was up.
Every cell in my body screamed that I pull back and demand to know what was happening, but I fought against it. Part of falling in love with him meant giving him the trust he so desperately wanted from me, and letting him lead.
