Chapter 10
Alec
It was two weeks before Christmas, and I had an idea in my head.
Something that sounded so right.
Something that I wanted to do but was hesitant.
Not because of Cassie.
Never because of her.
But because of my job
So, I called Tyron.
***
Waking up with Cassie on Christmas morning was something I wanted to repeat for the rest of my life.
And if I had my way, I would.
Fuck, but that would make me the luckiest son of a bitch in the world.
Her eyelashes started fluttering, and I knew she was waking up.
The moment she opened those green eyes of hers and saw me, she smiled.
“Mornin’,” she said as she stretched.
I winked, “Merry Christmas.”
She smiled, “Merry Christmas.”
I pulled on the pajama bottoms and the shirt she had bought for me, which matched hers and smiled.
She giggled then jumped up on her knees, and flung herself in my arms, and against my neck, she whispered, “You have no idea how happy you make me.”
I pressed a kiss to the top of her head, “Takes one to know one, Cupcake.
Oh, yeah, did I mention that she moved herself in before I came back home?
Well, she did.
Apparently, she felt closer to me in my place when I was gone.
I didn’t mind that.
Not one fucking bit.
And it was Garrick who helped her move in.
Owed him a box of the bottles he uses to make his drink.
We were in the kitchen as I was making hot cocoa, and she was setting up the speaker in the kitchen and started playing Christmas music.
I caught her eye and winked.
Then she smiled, took the hot cocoa I had made for her, walked to the couch, tagged the blanket I bought for her, and then jerked her head to the sliding glass door that led to the back porch.
The moment we were snuggled up under it, we sipped our cocoa, and wouldn’t you know... it started snowing.
Fucking. Perfect.
Her giggle and the merriment in her eyes, I made a vow to her, right then and there.
To live here for the rest of our lives.
Just so she could experience snow on Christmas morning.
We had just finished our hot cocoa when she said, “I know you can’t have photos out in the world, but can we have one where we celebrate our first Christmas together?”
I winked at her.
Then I sat my mug on the patio, took hers, did the same, and then I moved.
I hauled her up, tossing her over my shoulder, carried her to the living room, and sat down right in front of the Christmas tree, twisting her body so she sat between my open legs.
Then I tagged her phone, held it out, and said, “Love you, Cassie.”
“Love you too, Alec,” then I took the picture.
And the sight of her tears on that morning as I handed her a present... her whispered words... had me raging at everyone in her life who had let her down.
I wouldn’t be one of them.
Over my cold, dead body.
“I’ve never gotten a present before,” she whispered.
Then I wiped her tears and helped her put on the little necklace I had made for her.
It was a white gold chain along with an anchor made of white gold.
Then pressed a kiss on her lips.
“I’ll always get you presents, Cupcake.”
She smiled up at me.
Then she leaned forward and pressed a soft, but delicious kiss on my lips.
A bag was then placed in my lap, and she giggled against my lips.
I narrowed my eyes at her and then opened the bag.
Pulling out the tuffs of white tissue paper, I started laughing, “No. You didn’t.”
She started laughing so hard, she was silent as she wrapped her arms around her stomach.
I pulled it out.
And stared at it.
Then I started laughing too.
See, last mission, I had sent her a text and a picture, right before I boarded the plane to come home.
Apparently, Smoke thought it was awesome that he had a neck wrap.
A neck wrap, that no joke, was shaped like a penis.
Once we both got our laughter under control, she grinned, then handed me a box.
It was medium-sized, and then I unwrapped it and smiled.
Then I looked up at her, “Cupcake.”
She winked, “Took forever to find it, but I’m so glad I did.”
I was staring at the vinyl that held the song that was playing in my truck on the first day I met Cassie.
Fucking perfect.
“I have one last gift for you,” she said.
She was nervous... I knew that because I knew her... she was fidgeting with her fingers and biting her bottom lip.
I winked at her, then took the little bag she handed me.
Once I got the tuffs of white tissue paper out, I saw a black jeweler’s box.
I opened it and stared.
It was a little keychain. A cupcake keychain.
And a note was tucked into the box.
Soldier Boy,
My love. Whenever you need me, just look at this, and know that I will always be there for you. You became my home, and baby, I’ll always be your home.
Your Cupcake.
“I know you can’t wear anything that could identify you. So, I thought that maybe you can keep this hidden somewhere in a pocket or something. That way, a part of me is always with you.”
I winked, “I know the perfect place for it. Thank you, baby.”
Then it was my turn to lean forward and kiss her softly.
Which led to.... other things.
And with the fireplace lit up, right there in front of the Christmas tree, we started our own tradition.
Fucking. Perfect.
Then I handed her my last present.
She pulled another blanket from the wicker basket and covered us, then she took it from me.
I watched with bated breath as she pulled out the red and green wrapping paper.
Then her hand stilled as she gazed into the little bag.
Her eyes came to me as tears formed in her eyes.
Then she looked back into the bag and pulled out the little blue box.
I watched her throat swallow, and then she took in a deep breath, and then... she lifted the lid.
The look on her face, the wonder in her eyes, and the softness on her face would stay with me for the rest of my life.
She looked up at me and whispered, “Alec.”
I winked, then took the ring out of the box, and tagged her left hand, then I lined the ring up with her ring finger and said, “I was made for you. Made to be your shoulder you cry on. Made to be the man to bring all your dreams into reality. Made to be your beating heart. I love you, Cassie. Will you marry me?”
Tears now flowed freely when she nodded her head.
I winked, “Need the words, Cupcake.”
She giggled, then she said, “Yes.”
I smiled as I slid the ring onto her finger, and then watched as she stared at it, and whispered, “This is the third best day of my life.”
I chuckled, “And the first two?”
She smiled, then wrapped her arms around my neck, and said, “The first was the day I met you. The second... was when you made love to me for the first time.”
“I’m with you. But my first was the first time I saw your smile.” I said.
She giggled, “It was on the same day, fool.”
I grinned as I pressed a kiss on her lips.
Tongues tangling.
Teeth nipping.
And before it could lead to other things, I pulled my mouth away and asked, “Soldier Boy?”
She snickered, then she started giggling.
“That’s what I have you saved in my phone. I didn’t want you to tell me something and have one of the girls see it by accident at work.”
I nodded, “Makes sense.”
Then we went back to what we had been doing.
Sex in front of the fireplace and in front of the Christmas tree... definite tradition.
Still in our pajamas, we walked hand in hand into my parents’ house.
I took in Garrick, Tatum, Sage, Carter, Harlee, Granger, Lola, Zaden, Hattie, Ethan, and Melanie and lifted a brow at Cassie.
She snickered, “This was so planned.”
I shrugged.
And when they saw us, they laughed.
Needless to say, my parents thought it was perfect and deemed it a family tradition from now on.
Once the food had been demolished, the presents handed out, my dad snapped his fingers.
We all got up and moved in front of the Christmas tree.
Cassie was sitting between my legs
I hadn’t been fast enough, but Cassie had.
She turned her head and kissed me, blocking my face with hers.
Then against her lips I mouthed, “Thank you.”
She winked.
“Um. Excuse me?” Misty said.
All our eyes moved to her, and that was when I saw that they were staring at Cassie’s left hand.
I snickered, “Took you long enough.”
“Alec!” Mom snapped.
I chuckled, then wrapped my arms around Cassie and squeezed her tightly, before I knew what was about to happen.
I had just pressed a kiss on the side of her neck when she was pulled away from me.
And when they asked her how I proposed, her cheeks flamed red.
My brothers and my dad looked at me and nodded in approval.
The women giggled.
Yes, even my mom.
I had one more surprise in store for Cassie.
And the next day, when I pulled up in front of the courthouse, she looked at me.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” she asked.
I winked but didn’t answer her.
I had just opened her door when Garrick’s SUV pulled up behind us.
Cassie had just climbed out of the truck as Garrick rounded the hood and opened Tatum’s door.
Tatum had on a pretty blue dress.
Then I looked down at Cassie and smiled at the white long-sleeved full-length dress.
I had asked her to wear it today.
She had asked why, and when I told her that it was a surprise, she had threatened to keep her pussy away from me.
I had nearly broken down and told her.
But I held strong.
She loved my cock as much as I loved her pussy.
And now, I tagged her head and led her inside.
She was fidgeting at my side, but I just smiled.
Then her other hand wrapped around our clasped hands, and when I entered the room where this was going to take place, Cassie’s mouth dropped open.
Chief Klein, who just so happened to be an ordained minister, stood there in front of us with his hands clasped together and a smile on his face.
I pulled Cassie in my arms and whispered, “Can’t give you a ceremony where pictures will be involved. And got word from Tyron two weeks ago when I called him. Need you married to me just in case something happens.”
She lifted a brow and glared.
I smiled, “And it’s because I love you. I love you so much it hurts sometimes.”
“If you ever say, just in case something happens ever again to me, I will hunt you down and beat the holy hell out of you.”
I snickered. Then nodded.
Then I looked at Garrick, “Thank you for doing this.”
He nodded, then Tatum smiled.
I lifted a brow at Garrick, and he shook his head.
I felt like shit for him. Keeping things from Tatum.
But it was essential.
Three hours earlier, at Garrick and Tatum’s house.
“Need you to wear a dress and get ready, Tink,” I said to my wife.
She lifted a brow, “Why?”
I chuckled.
When we first met, she never would have done that.
Fuck. Me.
But seeing her coming into who she was always meant to be, had been a glorious thing.
I stepped to her, wrapped her in my arms, and asked, “Do you trust me?”
She looked up at me and smiled. “You know I do.”
I winked, “Then get ready, and please, don’t ask.”
Her gorgeous sable eyes stared into mine, and then she whispered, “Okay.”
After we got ready, her in a pretty blue dress, me in a black button-up and dark jeans on, we dropped Sage off at my parents’ house.
They had wanted to take the kids today for some extra Christmas cookie baking.
It had worked out perfectly.
And now, as I stood there and watched Alec with Cassie, I didn’t mind that I had kept this secret for him.
Didn’t mind it at all.
I led Cassie up to Chief Klein, and then I nodded.
I turned to face Cassie, who was still looking confused, and when Chief Klein said, “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.”
I watched as Cassie’s mouth fell open, and then she started laughing.
I chuckled, which caused Garrick to chuckle and Tatum to giggle.
“If there is anyone here who thinks these two should not be wed, let him speak now, or forever hold your peace.”
I jerked my head at Garrick and glared.
He laughed.
Then I looked back at Cassie and winked.
And the fourth best day of my life was when Cassie said, “I do.”
I heard Garrick lean down and whisper, “No pictures.”
“Why?” I heard her whisper back.
“Trust me.” He said.
Then Chief Klein said, “I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may...”
I didn’t let him finish.
I hauled Cassie up in my arms, she wrapped her legs around my waist, and I kissed her.
My Cassie.
My heart.
My wife.
Laughter filled the courtroom.
And then and only then, did I pull Cassie close to me and pull out my phone.
She winked, and then I handed Garrick my phone.
He took the picture, then handed my phone back to me,