Chapter thirty-one
Angel snuggled into Stewart's shoulder on the couch, facing the small Christmas tree that Stewart had set up.
It was quaint, and she dug it. She could smell his aftershave and the spicy aroma of the red wine she sipped on making a heady combination.
It wasn't the peppermint and sugar cookies she normally associated with Christmas, but she loved it all the same. "This is nice, Stew."
"Yeah."
He wasn't an overly affectionate man, but she kind of liked that too. Besides, he was extremely attentive in bed, where it mattered most.
"Uh, Angel?"
"Yeah?"
"I know we said we weren't exchanging gifts, but I got you something."
"What?" Her heart started pounding against her chest. "I didn't." She set her wine on the coffee table.
"I know, but just listen." He leaned over to the side table and pulled out a long black box.
It could only be a necklace or a watch. She felt a little bit better, since it wasn't wrapped or anything.
Just something about it not being wrapped made her feel it was less of a Christmas gift, and subsequently there was less pressure to reciprocate.
Stewart cleared his throat, clutching at the gift. "I, uh. I want to…"
"Spit it out, babe."
"I know we've been dating, seeing each other, but I want to make it, you know exclusive. Boyfriend-girlfriend, commitment."
"I thought we were already exclusive."
"Yeah, but I want to make it official. So, this is like that. To make it official. A promise for a greater commitment. I know we aren't ready for marriage, but I need something more than we've been."
"Okay."
Stewart opened the box. He held it out to show her. The silver necklace looped through a miniature diamond ring pendant. It was simple, elegant, and a little unusual. "Oh, Stewart. It's beautiful."
"Here." He picked it up out of the box to fasten it around her neck. She lifted her hair and turned to give him access. "Angel. I love you."
Emotion swirled through her. She hadn't thought about their relationship enough.
She certainly liked him a lot, but did she love him?
She was willing to take the relationship a step further.
She let him put this symbol of love around her throat.
She could almost imagine making a life with him.
Maybe. Maybe. She took a deep breath and as she let it out, she searched her heart.
"Damn if I don't love you too." She leaped into his arms and kissed him deeply, loving the feel of his arms around her back.
She pulled away and looked at him. "This is just right. "
She snuggled back on the couch against him, letting him wind his fingers through her long hair.
"I have an idea."
Angel giggled. She was getting used to Stewart coming up with off the wall shit at bizarre times. Here they were in a romantic situation, probably the most deeply romantic they'd been in since they started seeing each other, and he was probably thinking of work. "What, babe?"
"Davey will be going to visit his cousin before New Year's. We should totally have some photos done."
She knew it had something to do with Davey. "His cousin?" she asked, curiously.
"Dillon. He makes sure he visits at least a few times a year. He was a racer."
"Was a racer?"
"Had an accident. He's paralyzed now. But, when he was racing, he was totally Davey's hero. He's the one that got Davey into dirt bikes to begin with. Shit, he had Davey on a bike when he was three years old."
"Wow. That must have been devastating for him."
Stewart pulled her in closer and nuzzled into her hair and neck. "Yes it was. I'll call him tomorrow. Let's go to bed. I have another idea."
Angel thought she'd love this new idea a lot more than the photo shoot.