48. Deacon
DEACON
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
“One present each, that’s the rule,” Briggs complains, making everyone chuckle as we gather in the living room around the massive Christmas tree that had to be cut—twice—to fit.
“Fine, Big Rigg, why don’t you hand them all out?
” Otto says as Briggs scrambles around, delivering each one with enthusiasm.
Daisy and Pepper scamper around, both dogs more than comfortable in their new home now.
Originally, it’d only been Daisy but barely a week later, Tanner had come home with Pepper because the black lab had missed her friend.
And we have more than enough love to give.
“This was the best idea,” Tanner whispers, leaning into my side as he looks around. We asked to host Christmas Eve this year with only Otto, Fallon, Briggs, Luna Mae, Rosie, Jude, Arden, and Salem. I didn’t want to miss this moment with my brother, and Tanner didn’t want to miss it with Briggs.
So, we compromised.
Kind of.
“Here!” Briggs yells, thrusting a small flat box in my hand and a larger square box in Tanner’s. “Can I go first?”
Laughing, we all watch as the kids tear into their gift, Arden doing it for Salem and Fallon doing the same for Luna Mae as we all ooh and ahh as required.
“Do you want to go?” I ask, nudging Tanner when I realize we’re the last two with unopened presents. The girls are occupied, but Briggs is still vibrating with excitement.
I love that kid so much.
“Yeah, I got it,” he says, pulling off the top of the box to reveal a smaller box inside.
Son of a…
There’s a gasp as my mouth falls open, watching Tanner lower himself to one knee.
“I knew it!” Otto stage-whispers while someone else shushes him and Fallon pulls Briggs into her side.
“Of all the things you taught me,” Tanner starts, “patience was not one of them.” Laughter flitters around us but all I can do is stare at the gorgeous man at my feet.
“I knew from the day we met that I’d never get over you, and now that we’re here, I pray I never do.
You changed me for the better, helped me see so much of the life I wasn’t living, and you loved me even before you said the words, showing me over and over that you were in this with me. ”
“How long is this gonna take?” Briggs whisper-yells before being shushed again as Tanner smiles.
“Apparently patience doesn’t run in the family either, but I’m ready to be yours. Officially. Forever. Deacon Rhodes, will you marry me?”
“Yeah, Sweetheart, I definitely wanna marry you.”
Pulling the ring from the box, he slips it onto my finger and then I’m cupping his face and trying to remind myself that people are watching as I kiss the hell out of the man I’ll spend the rest of my life with.
“Act surprised tomorrow when you get your Bonus Dad shirt.” Otto’s voice is smug. “I had a feeling we were gonna need it.”
Chuckling, I pull Tanner into my side and kiss his temple, nearly forgetting about the unopened gift in my hand as I soak in this moment.
“Come on, big guy,” Arden says. “One more and then we need to get Miss Salem off to bed.”
“Fine, fine,” I huff with no real heat behind the words as I unwrap the box and open the lid to reveal what looks like a coupon or ticket, and I have to squint because I swear it says Good for one Baby!
“What did you get?” Briggs asks as Tanner leans over my shoulder, his mouth dropping open as his head snaps from Fallon to Arden and back.
“What is this?” he asks, and I’m thankful because I still haven’t processed enough to form words.
“Fallon, Otto, Jude, and I talked,” Arden says. “Your situation—our situation—is unique and so we thought, and there is zero pressure if you want to go a different route, but…”
“We want to have your baby,” Fallon finishes, my gaze bouncing between the adults and finding nothing but smiles.
“I’m sorry,”—Tanner’s hand finds mine—“I thought you just said you want to have our baby.”
“Assuming Deacon wants to be the donor,” Fallon begins, “I’ll donate my eggs to be fertilized and Arden has agreed to carry the baby.”
“I don’t know what to say.” I look to Tanner but I can barely see him through the unshed tears. “You all agreed to this? All of you.”
“The baby and Briggs will be half siblings.”
“Nice!” Briggs pumps his fist in the air as everyone agrees, and I have to wipe my face with the back of my hand. “Best Christmas ever!”
“This is wild,” I murmur, trying to let it all sink in.
“Is it wilder than falling in love, moving in together, breaking contact with my parents, getting dogs, getting engaged, and now apparently cashing in a ticket for one future baby?”
Turning to face him, I cup Tanner’s cheek with my hand and press my forehead to his. “Nothing will ever beat falling for you.”
“That sounds like a challenge.”
“Maybe it is,” I whisper so only he can hear. “I know you like it a little wild.”