Chapter 59
59
ARCHER
W e wake up to snowflakes dancing outside the front window. It’s a Christmas morning sight that makes Layla’s eyes light up even brighter than the tree.
Sky doesn’t even notice the frosty traces of snow along the window panes.He just races toward the twinkling Christmas tree in his PJs, eyes popping out of his head.
“Mommy! Look!” He points at the mountain of presents.
“Oh! Did Santa Claus visit us?” Layla asks, shuffling over to where he’s standing.
“Yes!” he shrieks, head-diving to the floor and army-crawling the rest of the way to the treasure trove of festive gift bags and Santa-themed boxes tucked under the tree.
The three of us put up the tree and lined it with lights and decorations a few nights ago. All the gifts that Layla wrapped over the past week are piled up neatly with shimmery bows affixed to the tops.
I tried—I really did—to gift-wrap the presents I picked out for Layla and Sky. But after my first attempt looked like a ball of wrapping paper that was dug out of the trash and mauled by rabid raccoons, I decided I’d just go with simple gift bags instead.
“You must have been a really good boy, Sky. Santa was definitely more generous than he was last year.” Layla chuckles, wrapping her arms around my waist as she whispers to me. “Look at him. He doesn’t even know what to do with himself. Thank you.” She reaches up on her toes to give me a soft kiss.
“My absolute pleasure,” I say honestly. “You have no idea how much it means to spend Christmas with you two.”
This time last year, I was alone. My house was as quiet as a graveyard and my heart was buried under six feet of icy bitterness and pain. Yet this year, I get this.
I have Christmas music playing on my surround sound, and Layla finds a festive fireplace screensaver on the TV. I have to admit, I usually only put up a few decorations out of obligation at the last minute. Usually only after some serious bullying from my bossy little sister. And I’m usually a grump the whole time.
But having a kid around changes things. I found myself wanting to go all out with the lights, and the garland, and the brand new stockings I picked up, just to witness a spark of festive joy on Sky’s little face.
I offer to cook a special breakfast for us all. But Sky informs me that Christmas cannot wait.
“Maybe gifts first, and then we’ll all cook a big breakfast together?” Layla suggests.
“You don’t have to ask me twice!” I shrug a shoulder. I seriously can’t wait for them to open the gifts I got them.
We get down on the floor and spend the next half-hour opening presents. It’s not long before the entire living room is covered in ripped wrapping paper, crumpled tissue, and bows of every size. Sky is giggling joyfully, brown eyes full of wonder over each new gift he tears open.
Dinosaur books. Monster slippers. Race cars. A stuffed puppy. And a big, red firetruck.
Getting Sky’s presents all set up is like a full day’s work. We’re under the tree, crawling around the floor and helping him open all his packages. We’re finding screwdrivers, plugging in batteries, and trying to figure out instruction sheets. But I can’t remember a time when I was ever happier.
“I never realized how much work there is to do when it comes to Christmas gifts for kids,” I laugh, grateful to have found a 9-volt battery on hand. I thought I was going to have to make a trip to the hardware store and open up shop just to get this audiobook thing talking and making dinosaur sounds.
Layla laughs. “That’s a part of the magic, Lover Man. Hope you have nothing else planned, except for decorating this truck with tiny stickers the rest of the day.” She gives me a sexy wink, and I have to swallow over the knot in my throat.
I kind of do have something planned.
But for now, I lounge under the twinkling tree and watch Layla play with her son. Her eyes light up every time Sky laughs.
She’s never been more beautiful and at ease. She just looks…happy. She’s changed into the cozy pajamas I got her, complete with thick, fluffy socks.
I also got her a fancy French press. Some lacy lingerie I’ve been dreaming about seeing her in. A beaded handbag my mother helped me pick out at the farmer’s market. A whole bunch of other stuff Daphne conned me into buying from her boutique.
Whatever. I didn’t mind one bit. I may not be the richest guy around but nothing is too much for my girl.
Layla and Sky got me a beard grooming kit and some classical novels that were missing from my bookshelf. But my favorite present was the custom ceramic mug featuring a picture of the three of us together.
The longer I just sit and watch Layla interact with the little guy, the more warm and fuzzy I feel. She’s everything I could ever want in my wife, in the mother of my children. Gentle. Patient. Selfless. Tough as nails. And her love for Sky is so damn special that I could only dream to have a teensy tiny part of it.
Oh, hell.
The moment Sky is distracted with crashing his race cars under the coffee table, I pull Layla into my arms.
She leans into me, beaming. “Merry Christmas, Archer,” she whispers.
“Merry Christmas, Belle.” I kiss the side of her head. “Are you having a good morning?”
She nods. “The best.”
“Good. Because I have something to ask you.”
Her brows pinch together. “Does it involve coffee?”
I shake my head. “I’ll give you all the coffee in the world. But first…Layla Cipriani. It’s time we make this thing between us official.”
She cocks an eyebrow at me from where she’s comfortably sprawled in my arms. “Archer…what are you talking about?”
I pull a breath into my tight lungs. “Please give me the luxury of waking up to you every Christmas morning. Give me the luxury of kissing you every New Year’s Eve. Give me the luxury of dancing with you on Valentine’s Day. Give me the luxury of being your partner day in and day out. Give me the luxury of being your husband.” I swallow thickly, slipping out from under her to get down on one knee. “Will you…will you marry me?”
Layla stares at me in shock.
Before she can answer, Sky hops over and shouts excitedly, “We getting married? We getting married, Mister Mustache?”
I wrinkle my forehead at him, exaggeratedly displaying my worry. “I don’t know, little man. Depends on whether or not I can convince your mom. What do you say, Layla?”
Sky grabs Layla’s arm and shakes it. “Yes, Mommy! Yes! We getting married!”
Layla buries her face in her hands, trying to cover up her tears and her laughter. She glances over at Sky who is nodding eagerly.
Then after the longest moment, she meets my eyes. “Yes. Yes. Ohmigod, yes, Archer! We’re getting married!”
“We’re getting married, buddy!” I shout victoriously, high-fiving the little boy.
I swoop them both up in my arms, squeezing tightly and they cling to me.
“Oops! I almost forgot.” I have to wiggle around a bit to get to the box that’s wedged in my back pocket.
I flip open the red velvet box and we all stare down at a vintage leaf engagement ring from my mother’s cherished jewelry collection. Three strands of yellow gold weave together around an oval diamond in the center.
Layla gasps. “I get a ring, too?”
“Pretty sure that’s how it works.” I bite back a smile. “My mother’s. It’s been in my family for a few generations.”
Tears fill her eyes. They flood down her face. “Oh my god, Archer. It’s beautiful and so special…and…and…”
“And you are all those things to me, Belle. You are all that and more.”