Chapter 34 Clem #2
Currently, Dax and I are cuddled on the couch—again with no questions from them—and the boys are FaceTiming with my parents, who drop a bomb.
“We’re putting our house on the market and moving to Vermont.”
I practically rip the phone from Atlas’s hand. “I’m sorry, what?” Not that I don’t want them here, but it’s cold. They hate winter. They hate snow. They’ve lived in the same house where Willa and I grew up since before we were born. What are they thinking?
“It’s crazy, but we’re taking a page from your notebook. You’re all up there. There’s nothing here for us anymore.” Mom sounds a little sad. Again, I can’t let the guilt in.
“Okay. Do you have a timeframe?”
“Nope. It might take a while for the house to sell. We’ll have to hire movers and such and find a place up there.”
“Maybe you could start working on that for us,” Dad chimes in.
“Yeah, sure.” I’ll add it to my overflowing list. Find a house for Mom and Dad.
“There’s no real rush. We want to be there before next Christmas so we can experience a true Winterberry Junction holiday for ourselves.”
The more they talk about it, the more it feels right. Because I’ve missed them, and this year has been hard without their support. They have their faults, but at the end of the day, I love them.
“This is exciting. Willa’s gonna flip.”
Mom’s face pales. “Don’t tell her.”
“I won’t. Promise.”
“Let me call her right now. Not that we don’t trust you.”
I smile. “Sure, I get it. But wait.” I close my eyes and put my fingers on my temple. “Too late. Just sent her a message on the twin wires, but I told her to act surprised.”
“Oh Clementine. We’ve missed you.” Mom’s tone is wistful, the kind only time and distance apart can produce.
“Missed you guys, too. It’ll be good to be back in the same state again. Be sure to add winter gear to your list to buy. You’re gonna need it.”
Mom shudders thinking about the cold. This should be quite interesting. “Love to you all. We need to call Willa.” The call ends without my chance to respond.
“That’s quite a surprise,” Dax states when I put the phone down.
“Uh, yeah. Soon as Willa’s off the phone, she’ll be calling. Or she’ll show up.”
“What time are the boys going to their house for the sleepover?”
“Five.”
“And then we’ll have an adult celebration?” The idea lights him up brighter than the boys opening their gifts.
“Yep. You can have your wicked way with me all night long, Mr. Nicholas, including unwrapping your favorite package.” I wave my hand over myself. In case he was confused.
“Best. Christmas. Present. Ever.” He wants to kiss me, but he refrains, respectful of my decision regarding the boys.
“Dax.” Atlas stands in front of him, a serious expression on his face.
“Yeah, Ace?”
“Do you like Mama?”
Oh jeez. I thought we had skirted this discussion.
“Of course. What’s not to like about her? She’s one of my good friends.”
“Do you like her like Uncle Beckett likes Aunt Willa?” He presses his mouth in a thin line.
I choke on the lump in my throat. This can’t lead anywhere good.
“Uncle Beckett and Aunt Willa are married,” I point out, much to the chagrin of my son, who doesn’t like that I’ve interrupted his conversation with Dax.
“Exactly my point,” Atlas snaps. I should probably correct his behavior, but I’m too invested in where this will go. Also, too nervous about what Dax will say.
“I like your mama a lot,” Dax remarks.
“Is she your girlfriend?” Jace muses. Thank goodness I’m not drinking anything. I’d be choking.
Dax flicks his gaze to mine, humor dancing in his caramel eyes, but his expression remains stoic. Wonder if he’s freaking out inside or if it’s just me.
“Would you be okay if Mama was my girlfriend?” Dax turns it back to my boys, holding each of their gazes for a few beats.
Jace shrugs. “Yes.”
Dax holds out his hand for a high-five, which Jace obliges. Then his focus turns to my eldest. Atlas has always been my wild card, his temperament harder to pin down in any situation. “Atlas?”
He keeps us in suspense for a minute, one of the longest minutes of my life.
“Don’t kiss her in front of me, okay? That’s gross.”
Dax nods, his smile compelling. “Yeah, Ace. I can do that.”
For Atlas, he holds out his hand for him to shake. My boy does him one better—he throws himself against his chest. A sob tries to break free, but I do my best to contain it.
But damn, I’m happy.
When I left my husband last year at Christmas, all I knew was I needed a drastic change in my life. I didn’t expect to find a man who’s extremely caring, loving, and downright sexy, who would give me the time of day, let alone want to be my boyfriend and be there for my boys, too.
I knew the Christmas holidays would be forever changed. I didn’t anticipate the change would be for the better.
Jace piles in for a hug, and I have the wherewithal to grab my phone and snap a picture. The joy on all my guys’ faces is priceless, a moment of history captured by the lens.
When they pull out of the hug, Dax looks at my oldest. “Mind if I declare my love for her?”
“If it’s true and you mean it, I’ll allow it.”
I’m too stunned by the comments being tossed around to reprimand him.
Dax pulls me up from the couch by my wrists and loops his arms around my neck. “Clementine Powell, I love you. With all my heart, every fiber of my being, every piece of my soul. Will you . . . be my girlfriend?”
The sob breaks free on a chuckle, but it’s a happy one. Perhaps the happiest tears I’ve cried in a long while.
“Dax Nicholas, I’d be honored to be your girlfriend, to call you my boyfriend. I love you.”
With a smile more wicked than the Grinch’s, Dax turns to Atlas. “Better cover your eyes.”
Understanding doesn’t dawn right away, but when it does, Atlas scurries from the room.
For his part, Dax sweeps me into his arms, the intensity in his gaze burning bright. “Thanks for giving me a chance.”
“Kinda hard not to when all you’ve done since the moment we met is prove your devotion. To me. To my kids. To us.”
My man waggles his brows. “You’re the best Christmas present I’ve never had on my list.”
Fast and reckless, like our relationship, he kisses me.
And again, Christmas is forever changed.