Under the Mistletoe (8 page)

           
I returned to the living room where Emilio was telling elaborate,
goofy, and possibly exaggerated stories about each of the boys as
they were growing up. By the sound of things, after their parents
passed away, their grandparents ended up with sole custody of all
three of them. With Adriana's global business expanding by leaps
and bounds, I can't imagine she was around to help their
grandfather with the upbringing.

           
“Baby,” mom turned and whispered. “I could use a glass of water, if
you wouldn't mind.”

           
“Yeah,” I nodded.
Because getting it yourself would just be too
hard...

           
I moved across the room and stopped just short of the kitchen

           
“What's the deal with Steph?” Blake asked from the other side.

           
I pressed my ear against the door, guiltily eavesdropping on the
conversation from the other end.

           
“She's an excellent student,” Alex said. “Straight A's. And as
talented of a designer as Gran-”

           
“I think I'm gonna ask her out.”

           
“
Whoa
!” Alex said loudly. “She's Caroline's daughter,
Blake.”

           
“Yeah, so?”

           
“Family.”

           
“
Married
into the family,” Blake said.

           
“Besides, she'd laugh in your face at the very idea.”

           
“Oh yeah?”

           
“Yeah.”

           
“How do you figure?”

           
“Because she's not even single, man,” Alex told his brother.

           
“Yeah, but they just moved to town a few months ago. It can't be
anything too serious-”

           
“It's the real deal,” he said.

           
“A kid from school?”

           
“No-”

           
“Then?”

           
“It's really none of our business, okay? Just let her be. And try
to ease up a bit. You scared the poor girl to death.”

           
After deciding the conversation had officially moved elsewhere, I
pushed through the door.

           
“Hey guys,” I said. “Come join the party. Your grandfather is in
story mode.”

           
“Wonderful,” Alex shook his head. “How much blackmail do you have
on us?”

           
“Not much on you guys, but Calvin should watch his back.”

           
“He was always a daredevil,” Alex said.

           
“I'd say,” wholeheartedly agreeing. “He
is
marrying my mom,
after all.”

           
“Did you need something, sweet cheeks?” Blake interjected.

           
“Actually, yes. Caroline is requesting water.”

           
“I'm on it,” Blake said, walking to the refrigerator and pulling a
bottle from inside. “Find me later and we'll talk.” With a cheesy
grin and failed attempt to wink, he walked out of the room.

           
I stared at Alex and raised my eyebrows. “And he's the cop?”

           
“Hard to believe, huh? It's like they'll give anyone a badge.”

           
“I'd say...”

           
“I'm sorry about him,” he said.

           
“No problem,” I pursed my lips. “I don't have to worry. After all,
I heard through the grapevine I'm in a pretty serious
relationship-”

           
“You heard that?” I nodded. “Again, I'm sorry. I didn't know what
to tell him. He's relentless when it comes to single women. I
didn't want him breathing down your back all night-”

           
“It's okay,” I shook my head. “You didn't really lie to him, so
don't feel bad.”

           
His body shifted and he stood a little taller. “Wait...
what
?”

           
“I'm not in a relationship,” I said, taking a step toward him. “But
my heart already belongs to someone. As far as I'm concerned, that
means I'm as good as taken.”

           
He took in a large breath and closed his eyes.

           
“Steph,” he said. “We may not get much time alone this evening. I'd
like to give you your gift now before it gets any later.”

Chapter Eight

Saturday December 24 8:00PM

           
“Your gift comes in two parts,” he said. “The first is in this box.
The second requires us to step outside for a moment.” He walked
across the kitchen and pulled his coat off the hook next to the
back door. “What are you waiting for?”

           
“I thought the
second
gift was outside.”

           
“If you want either of them,” he said, placing the coat around my
shoulders. “You'll follow me.”

           
With a wink he turned, and I followed. We stepped out onto a small,
wooden deck that overlooked a snow-covered yard.

           
“Cold,” I shivered.

           
“We wont be long,” he promised, placing the small box in my hand.
“Open it.”

           
I pulled the lid off the top and stared inside at a piece of
folded, pink, flowered paper.

           
“Is this-”

           
“Yes,” his eyes lit up.

           
“I looked
everywhere
for this today,” I said. “How did
you--”

           
“I had Calvin sneak it out of your bag this morning.”

           
“What..why?”

           
“Don't be upset with Cal, I put him in an awkward position and I
probably shouldn't have.”

           
“I was only mad when I couldn't find it,” I said. “I wanted to give
it to you... which makes me wonder, why are
you
giving it to
me
?'

           
“Unfold it.”

           
I pulled the paper from the box. Tears filled my eyes as I
read:

A heavy heart can’t bear the weight

Coincidence or destined fate

I do not want to hesitate…

Do you?

           
NO.

I have a dream to keep you near

And losing you is all I fear

So tell me that you will be here...

Will you?

               
ALWAYS.

A pulse can’t rest when on the rise

Sparked by the longing in your eyes

I feel there’s more than is implied…

Do you?

           
YES.

If things aren't always as they seem

And you can dare to dream a dream

Consider us a future team...

Will you?

           
ABSOLUTELY.

I know they say that love is blind

An intervention of divine

Now I believe the stars aligned…

Do you?

           
YES.

Our love would be a surefire crime

But I will wait the given time

If you would say that you’d be mine…

Will you?

           
YES.

I know I shouldn’t wonder such

But something tells me in your touch

You want to make the
two
an
us
…

Do you?

           
MORE THAN ANYTHING.

Committing is a risk to take

To run would be a huge mistake

So say that you'll be my keepsake...

Will you?

               
IF YOU'LL BE MINE.

I know for sure that this love

A love that I'm unworthy of

But I believe we'll rise above...

Do you?

               
YES.

You asked if I believed in fate

I'm sorry that my answers late

I never meant to make you wait

Forgive me?

               
FOR YOU, I WOULD HAVE WAITED FOREVER.

           
“What this means,” he said, using his thumbs to wipe tears from my
cheek. “Is irrelevant until you graduate. I'm crazy about you,
kiddo. But my job means the world to me. So, if you're willing to
wait-”

           
“Try and stop me,” I grinned. I shivered as a large gust of wind
brought snow dusting down from the rooftop. I didn't want to ruin
the moment and tell him how cold I was, though I knew he could see
it in my eyes.

           
“One last thing,” he whispered. “Then you can sit by the fire for
the rest of the night.”

           
“Okay-”

           
“My decoration,” he nodded at the frame above the backdoor.

           
“Mistletoe,” I smirked.

           
“Had to bring it outside,” he nodded. “You can understand.”

           
“But I thought we had to wait-”

           
“Think of it as...
something to look forward to
.”

           
His hands found my cheeks as he gently pressed his lips to
mine.

           
I kissed Alexander Rivera for what felt like an incredible
eternity. Finally apart, noses still brushing, I closed my eyes and
smiled.

           “Merry
Christmas, Steph,” he whispered, running his fingers through my
hair.

           
Merry Christmas, indeed.