Chapter 6 #2
“Anyway, give me your number,” Tillie says, taking out her phone. The guy takes the phone from her and dials his number.
Tillie smiles and takes her phone back. “Nice meeting you, Sam.”
As we walk away, she takes her phone out. “Block.”
I nod. “As you should; you told him you didn’t want to give him your number, so he calls his phone?”
Tillie nods. “He is a red flag. I had enough of that in my life.”
It didn’t take us long to meet the guys at the car.
My heart skips a beat when I see Roman coming toward me. I straighten my beanie and wait.
“God, you two are such a mess,” Tillie murmurs.
“What?” I ask.
Tillie shakes her head and moves to Ollie. “What’d you get me, brat?”
Roman approaches me, and it feels like the world around me disappears. “What have you got?”
“The best and worst gifts ever, and they have your name on them,” I reply.
He brushes my cheek with the back of his fingers. “Good. You look happy. Let’s get home.”
ROMAN
I can’t believe the sweater I am wearing. Noelle and I enter the family room, and I hear Tillie’s loud laugh.
“I love it.” Tillie comes up to us in her Thing 1 sweater.
“It’s vulgar and ugly,” I mutter.
Noelle taps my arm. “That’s the point, my dear.”
Before I can say more, my mother and father comes our way, and Noelle laughs.
My father’s sweater says, “I come in Peace.”
My mother wiggles her eyebrows and points to her sweater. “Hi, I am Peace.”
“You guys are ridiculous,” I reply.
Moving further into the family room, I see a Christmas tree that has no decorations on it.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
My mother’s smile brightens. “I thought after the gift exchange and competition, we could decorate the tree.”
I see my mother holding her breath for my response. My stare turns to Noelle, and she is already looking at the tree with joy.
“Sure, why not?” I reply.
My mom claps her hands. “Oh, that is just great.”
“Some call Jarvis,” Liam says.
Tillie and Noelle go toward the tree. I walk to the side table to pour myself a cup of Mom’s Prosecco Christmas punch.
A throat clears, and Tessa stands next to me. Her sweater says, “Try me.”
I look around the room for Liam. He was talking to Dad, and his sweater says, “Already did.”
A dark chuckle comes from me. “How are you doing, Tess?” I wait for the pang of distress to come off my chest. But there is nothing. Was she still beautiful? Stunning, actually, but she isn’t doing anything to or for me.
“We haven’t spoken since Liam and my proposal.” Tessa stirs the cocktail and ladles the drink into her cup.
“What’s there to talk about, Tess? We are broken up, and now, you are marrying my brother,” I state, sipping my drink.
“But Roman, you know we were so in love and—”
“And it’s in the past. Now, if you excuse me.” I move away from Tessa.
My mother laughs at something Tillie says.
Noelle pulls her sweater, pointing at it. Hers has the words “I am so good I made Santa come twice tonight.”
I look down at mine, seeing the words. “I deliver the goods all night.”
Jarvis and two other staff members come in.
“Let the judging begin!” Liam shouts.
We all stand in a row. Jarvis and the two staff members circle us, reading each sweater. I hear small snickers.
Then they go to a corner to talk.
Tillie bends forward. “My twin and I are the best.”
Jarvis says, “In second place, we have Mr. and Mrs. Voss.”
My father picks my mother up and spins her. “We came in second.”
“You guys are pathetic!” Liam shouts, “Me and my girl won, look.”
Noelle is doing a small bounce on her heels. I should have paid Jarvis to make sure we won, just to keep her happy.
“First place goes to…” Jarvis drums on the wooden side table. “Noelle and Roman.”
Joy. I understand the word now. Noelle jumps on me in full joy. “We won.”
I hold her legs around my waist, enjoying her soft vanilla smell. She hooks one arm around my neck. “We won.”
“Ahh, come on. Them?” Ollie screams.
Liam stands with his hand on his hip. “No way. Jarvis, did Roman pay you?”
Jarvis snickers. “Sorry, Liam; this was fair and square.”
“Fair and square, loser.” Noelle cackles.
I stare up at her. “You’re a bit competitive, aren’t you?”
She caresses my cheek. “A little.” Then she pecks me.
That peck makes my knees and arms weak.
“Fuck,” I mutter.
Slowly, I place her back on the floor. She doesn’t see my blush, but my mom and dad do. I look away, only to meet Tessa’s stare.
I shrug, as if to say, ‘maybe you’ll win next time.’
My mom claps. “Ok, now for the gag gifts and the tree decoration.”
NOELLE
“It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
” Andy Williams’ voice echoes through the family room.
Ollie and Liam are already throwing tinsel on the tree.
I am sitting on the carpeted floor, snugly between Roman’s legs.
It’s snowing outside, and the fireplace is roaring.
I am surrounded by laughter and new friends.
Andy, you were right. It is a wonderful time.
We have been passing around gifts for the last fifteen minutes.
“This is for you, Tillie.” I pass a small box to her.
Tillie rips the box open and pulls out a coffee mug. She pulls it to her chest and laughs. “You are such a great addition to this family. Thank you.”
Roman bends and whispers in my ear. “What did you get her?”
Before I can respond, she turns the cup to the group. It reads, “Duh, I am the hottest twin.”
Ollie tilts his head. “So you have favorites, huh?”
“Yes, she does, punk.” Tillie throws her hair over her shoulder. “Thank you, Elle; this is great.”
Tillie stretches and gives me a bag. “For you.”
I lean forward and grab the gift bag. After moving through gift paper, I pull out a T-shirt.
“Tillie, really?” Roman says.
I snort when I read the T-shirt. “‘I love my parents (from afar).’ I love it.”
Liam gave me coffee mug with the quote “I came for the rum. I stayed for the trauma.”
Roman grunts behind me.
All the gifts were awesome.
“This is my gift,” Tessa says as she passes me a white box with a black bow.
“What the hell, Tessa? Is it a bomb?” Tillie comments.
Pulling on the string, I loosen the box and flip the cover.
I take the book out, and I feel Roman tense. I touch his leg lightly.
“‘American Citizenship Workbook: Children’s Edition.’” I read it out loud, and everyone gets quiet. They all look at Tessa with disgust.
“What?”
Roman can’t take it. He moves forward a little. “You try to insult my fiancée because of a petty jealousy?”
I raise my hand. “It’s only an insult if it matters. I am already a legal citizen, Tessa, but thank you. The gag is you didn’t know.”
She sneers. “I guess.”
Roman is breathing heavily behind my back.
“Anyway, Roman, everyone has given their gift except you.” I turn slightly and wiggle my fingers at him with my palm stretched out.
“Tillie, it’s right behind you; pass it to me,” Roman says.
Tillie moves to the side on her chair, and there is a white glossy gift bag behind her.
What did he get me?
I grab the bag and pull out a long black velvet case.
Did he buy me jewelry? No way.
“I hope you like it,” he says softly.
The small clip of the box opens, and I gasp.
“You get me so fucking sick. It’s supposed to be a gag gift, Roman!” Tillie shouts.
Roman shrugs. “The gag is I like to give my girl beautiful things.”
Beautiful things…An 18K emerald-cut diamond tennis bracelet sits on a bed of velvet.
“Cat got your tongue?” Roman asks.
My eyes fill with water. “This is beautiful; thank you so much.”
I push myself up to kneel between his legs. I was going for his cheek. Roman moves his face and kisses me on my lips.
“Welcome.”
I blush and extend my wrist to his. “Can you put it on for me?”
ROMAN
Someone needs to write a book about the joy of making a woman happy. Do I feel like I can conquer the world now that I gave her the gift? Fuck yes. Noelle smiles, and her kiss makes me happy. After clipping the bracelet, Noelle whispers, “I got something for you.”
She gets up and goes to the tree, picks up a box, and walks toward me.
“I hope you like it.”
I take the gift from her. “What is it?”
“Oh my God, Roman, open the gift.” Tillie groans as she throws her body back into the armchair.
I tear the wrapping paper to the side and see it. “Power Megazord.”
She didn’t. I look up at her in awe. She nods at me and bounces slightly like she is excited for me.
I grip the paper to reveal a Mighty Morphin Power Ranger Deluxe Special Edition Black and Gold Megazord.
I blink rapidly, my eyes getting watery. Dropping the gift to the side of the chair, I stand and pull Noelle into my arms.
She fits perfectly in them. It’s like she belongs here. My lips press onto hers, and willingly, she opens her mouth. Her tongue touches mine, and dear God, I want more. She tastes like the prosecco and sex. Her fingers dig into my waist, gripping my sweater.
Someone clears their throat, and I didn’t give a fuck. My woman—wait, my woman?
I pull away, watching her puffy lips and her eyes. In two weeks, she became my woman. I have lost the fucking plot, and I don’t care. But I fucking should.
Tillie claps. “You two are perfect for each other. Gag gifts. You get her jewelry. She gives you nostalgia. I can’t deal with it.”
Liam moves across the room to my side.
“Oh my God. Is that the Mighty Morphin Power Ranger Deluxe Special Edition Black and Gold Megazord? Mom, can I have it?” Liam says as he holds the box.
Noelle comes out of my embrace and politely snatches it out of Liam’s hands. “Get your own.”
I laugh and pull her to my side. “I have the best fiancée in the whole damn world.”
Tessa flinches, but she is no longer my concern. The woman on my right side is.