Chapter 48 Gabe
GABE
DECEMBER PRESENT DAY
Waltzing out of our bedroom this morning, I’m stopped dead in my tracks as I reach the kitchen.
Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man” plays from the CD player on the counter.
Ash dances around at the stove in nothing but my shirt with a spatula in one hand.
She’s fucking adorable. I cross my arms, leaning on a shoulder.
It’s possible I’d be content to sit and watch her for the rest of my life.
Eventually, she notices me and cracks up. “Excuse me. Creep much?”
“I was just enjoying the show,” I chuckle.
I spent the weekend after the wedding installing a security system, and we moved into her Gran’s house a couple of weeks later. It was quick, and everyone probably thinks we’ve lost our damn minds, but I don’t want to spend another second without her or Maggie.
She scrunches up her nose and chuckles. “Breakfast’s almost ready.”
I walk over and wrap my arms around her from behind. “There’s nothing in this kitchen I want for breakfast.”
Her eyes bulge, and she rolls her lips under before smacking me with the spatula.
“Gabriel!” she squeals. “Maggie’s asleep right down the hall!”
I lean down, grab her thighs, and lift her onto the counter. “Good. Then she won’t hear us making her a sibling.”
She narrows her eyes, wrapping her arms around my neck. “There will be no siblings for a very long time. And some of us like to eat actual food in the morning.”
Smiling, I kiss her lips before stepping back to let her climb down from the counter.
“So, what’s the plan for today?”
She pulls plates down from the cabinet, standing on her tiptoes to reach them. “Everyone’s coming at noon. I need you to run to the shop and pick up the tables and chairs when you have time.”
She planned some sort of Christmas dinner with everyone for tonight. Maggie’s thrilled because that means she’ll get to play with Ryker and Scarlett, JT’s kids. The three of them have been thick as thieves since we moved in.
Ash even invited Lily. She won’t admit this, but I think Lily’s starting to grow on her. Usually, I just spend the holidays with Mom, but Ash insisted that we do something with everyone, and I’ll go along with anything she wants.
“Yes, ma’am.” With a grin, I say, “There’s a Christmas gift for you out front.”
She laughs. “Christmas isn’t for two more days.”
Wrapping an arm around her, I whisper into her hair, “I know, but it’s supposed to snow tonight, and I want you to have it before then.”
She narrows her eyes, stepping out of my hold to pad toward the door.
When she swings it open, her jaw drops at the sight of her brand-new red Jeep.
I don’t know when she got rid of her old one, but she’s made a few comments over the last month that made me think she misses it.
The look on her face tells me I was right.
“Stop!” she squeals. “You did not get me a Jeep!”
She whips her head to me then back to the vehicle before launching out the door, off the porch, and into the driver’s seat.
I’d do anything to keep that look on her face.
From the driver’s seat she yells, “Go get Maggie! We’re going for a drive right now!”
“You should probably put on pants first.”
She looks down at her bare legs like she didn’t realize she wasn’t wearing any despite the temperature.
“Shit! Okay.” She jumps out and prances toward me. “Pants, then we go.” Wrapping her arms around my neck, she presses her lips to mine. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love it!”
“I love you,” I say between her flurry of kisses.
She finally stops, pats my chest, and just before rushing to change says, “Now, go wake her up.”
I’ve never seen her get dressed faster in my life.
Within ten minutes we’re on the road. The radio blares while both of my girls sing along, not missing a word.
Ash beams, her hair pulled on top of her head.
My daughter in the back seat sports the same messy look.
Next to her is Chaos, our rottweiler—well, he’s ours now.
Dean bought him for my mom when Dad died.
He said she needed someone to guard the house.
Shortly after we moved in here, Mom brought him to us.
Ash said no, but Maggie took all of five minutes to fall in love with him and give her puppy-dog eyes, and Ash caved. Now we have a guard dog.
I can’t help but smile because I’ve honest to god never been happier. This is all I ever wanted. I can survive losing my club, but losing these two would no doubt kill me. A bright laugh leaves Ash’s lips. It’s still my favorite sound. Even in the dead of winter, it sounds like summer.