Chapter 14 Asher
ASHER
Asmile twists on Gracie’s lips as I sit at her kitchen island and observe her and the joy that seems to be flooding her face. It was my first day back with the team since the short break, and I have a time gap after our morning practice. So I came home and presented Gracie with a small gift.
“Well played, well played.” She holds up her fluffy pair of mint-green wool socks that will keep her feet and calves warm throughout winter. The snowflake design is a nice touch, if I do say so myself.
“I just figured it’s important that you are cozy. Plus, Hanukkah tradition and all.”
“Socks,” we both say in unison.
She tucks the socks back into the gift bag and sets it on the counter. A beaming smile spreads on her beautiful face. “Tradition seems to be us… well, half of the time.” She drops her eyes to her stomach with a brief cartoonish expression before returning to her smile.
“Whoa, according to our parents, he or she is a Hanukkah miracle. Having one of those every holiday season is tradition.”
She chuffs a laugh as she circles the island. “Yeah, as much as my dad is happy about a new grandchild, he will always let you know that we skipped the marriage-first part.”
Blowing out a breath, I’m well aware she is right. I notice that she grabs a little gift bag that was hidden behind the fruit bowl.
“What’s that?” I wonder.
“Well, great minds think alike.” She approaches me, grinning like a Cheshire cat, then extends her arm to offer me the bag. “Cheesy Hanukkah gifts. Except, I think yours has more class.”
I’m already grinning as I tuck my hand into the bag only to feel soft fabric, and I pull out the pair of dark socks. “Should I be concerned that we never even talked about gifts, yet here we are surprising one another?”
She laughs and walks straight to me, resting her arm on my shoulder for a side embrace as she stares at the socks. “No, concerned should be that I went the extra step on silly gifts.”
Giving the socks a once-over, I chuckle. “Hot dad.” It’s the pattern of words on the socks.
“I couldn’t help myself. It was that or the tie. But I figured you could wear these with your suit and nobody would know.”
I side-eye her. “That’s a well-thought plan.”
She interlaces her hands together. “I know. I’m such a smart cookie, except on the birth control front,” she gushes.
“Let’s test that.” I pat her behind and stand, giving her a light little shove in the direction of her bedroom, and I trail behind. “How is the packing going? I can help with the heavy things.”
“Swell.” She doesn’t sound enthusiastic.
I instantly touch her arm to force her eyes in my direction. “You’re okay with this, right? I mean the moving-in part. You don’t sound thrilled, and if it’s too much then just say so.”
Gracie shakes her head once and rolls her lips in, with her eyes having a hint of concern. “It’s not that at all. I’m completely okay with moving in.” The sincerity is strong. “It’s just…”
She groans then yanks my arm and tows me along straight to her room. The moment I step foot in the room, I know why she didn’t seem thrilled by my packing inspection.
A large empty box rests in the middle of the room on a rug.
“I’m not so good at packing,” she explains.
“Even more so when I won’t even fit into most of these clothes in the coming months.
That is confronting, and I’m kind of… well…
scared I will just be resorting to ugly maternity dresses or something, then I will just be fat and unattractive.
It’s the first spring that I won’t be able to wear my vintage flower dress that fits me to a T,” she squeaks out.
I do my best to bury the laugh because she’s being ridiculous, and I believe she’s aware of it too.
It’s two steps to her, and I capture her wrist, turning her until her back is to my front and we are both staring directly at the full-length mirror.
“I very much disagree on all of that.” I inch the fabric of her shirt up until it’s bunched at the band of her bra. Then I place the palms of my hands around her still-flat belly. “See this?”
She nods.
I bring her close to me, our bodies enfolded. “Our baby is in there. It’s so fucking sexy that you’re carrying my child.”
Her brows shoot up and now a smile ghosts on her mouth. “Your child?”
“Our child,” I correct myself, even though the internal caveman in me enjoys saying my child. Nuzzling my nose into that sensitive spot by her ear, I murmur against her hair. “You’re beautiful, and as this baby grows inside of you, you will glow even more.”
She studies herself in the mirror, my hands staying put on her belly. “Your mom told me that you were a big baby,” she deadpans.
My teeth capture her ear for a gentle touch. “Everyone will see what I did to you,” I whisper.
Our eyes meet in the mirror, and I see how she is now convinced, and I kiss her neck in satisfaction that I made my point.
She turns her head and offers me her lips, and I give her what she seeks.
I brush her lips with mine, nuzzling our noses, and she chases after my mouth, but I enjoy this dance with her.
But it doesn’t take long for her to win. Our firm kiss is a confirmation. We’re at a good place, she and I. Her body twists until she’s square with me, and she drapes her arms over my shoulders.
“Care to take this to bed?” she hums.
Tempting. So very tempting.
“Not yet. I only reward good behavior. So why don’t you do something with the box.”
She frowns and shoves my shoulder. “Mood killer.”
I chuckle, and we step away from one another. Her hand finds her chin while she contemplates. “Okay, clothes I won’t fit into.”
“Lies.”
“Shoes that need a lot of space.”
“Knew that was coming,” I volley back.
Her hand plops down at her side, and she looks at me, puzzled. “We haven’t really discussed past romantic entanglements. Have you ever lived with a woman?”
Yikes. My jaw ticks, and I attempt a nervous smile. “Not relevant.”
“So that’s a yes?”
“Many, many years ago. I’m older than you, remember?” I answer simply.
Her chin slides side to side, and her nails tap against her hips. “Huh… okay. Well, her loss is my gain… unless it didn’t work because you never put your dishes in the dishwasher? Could be a dealbreaker.”
I’m relieved she is taking this conversation in stride.
“No worries there.” My smile is dampened.
She points her finger at me. “Well, I’m sure she didn’t provide you with both Hanukkah and festive cheer.
That reminds me, I have a Hanukkah ornament for the Christmas tree that you failed to have.
My grandmother gave it to me for my first Chrismukkah.
Don’t you worry, my father doesn’t think that item is cursed.
” She walks on by me and pats my shoulder. “That year, anyhow.”
“Fine. We’ll store it next to my elf figure for next year,” I mention seriously.
Gracie stops in her tracks and turns on her heel. She seems shocked. “You have one of those stuffed elf dolls?”
I lift my shoulders as if it’s nothing. “Did I not mention that? Oops, my bad.”
“You, Asher Tate, Mr. Badass Hockey Coach, have an elf that kids believe comes alive at night and sits on shelves?”
Licking my lips, I smile until my cheeks hurt. “Relax. It’s in a closet somewhere… and let’s not call it a doll. It’s an action figure. I’m surprised my mom didn’t tell you. Shaw has the Hanukkah version.”
She excitedly claps her hands together. “This is great. Next year we can do it with the baby.”
Now I just need to shut her down. “Uh, he or she won’t even be crawling yet.”
“Okay, maybe it will be more for me,” she admits.
“Topic closed. Shall we pack a little?” I urge us along.
She throws her hands into the air and huffs. “I guess I start with shoes.”
Gracie steps toward her closet, but I reach for her wrist and reel her in to me. “Hey.” My voice grows tender the moment I feel the electric spark when I touch her. “I have a feeling living with you will be an adventure and a good kind.”
She lifts her nose and has a wistful look. “Asher… I think so too.”
And she nuzzles herself into my arms as I wrap her close.
Until now, I always assumed luck would lead to a winning game. But I’m not playing any games with Gracie. I’m lucky because I met her, and now we are growing to know one another, well aware we will have a lifetime together.