Chapter 25
My parents’ Christmas parties are one for the books. They invite everyone and Moses. The wrought iron fence is decorated with flocked pine garland and tons of red bulbs. The red brick two-story is adorned with flocked pine wreaths and garland. Warm white lights guide our way.
We meander the path to the front door greeted by a huge, standing snowman. I open the door to a room filled with people and Christmas music. Reese laces our fingers, laying her other hand on top of mine. I spot my mom on the other side of the room and wave.
Two steps in and I’m ambushed by a running princess. My stomach knots because if Andi doesn’t like Reese, I’m going to be heartbroken.
“Uncle Walker!”
“Andi girl.” I release Reese’s hand to hug her. “Andi, I’d like to you to meet Reese. She’s my girlfriend.”
“Hello, Reese.”
Reese bends, getting eye level with Andi. “It’s so good to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you. You’re beautiful.” Reese reaches for Andi’s hand.
Andi looks at it, glancing at me and back again. After a moment, she throws her arms around Reese’s neck, hugging her. “Can I call you Auntie Reese?”
“We’ll talk about that later. How about Reese for right now?” Reese hugs her tightly.
Andi pulls away, giving her the thumbs up. “That’s cool.” She looks up at me. “You’re right. She’s gorgeous and smart.” We giggle at her as she skips away.
“Reese, it’s so good to see you.” Ava pulls her into a hug. “Hey, brother.”
“Why, hello gorgeous.” Riley saunters up, smiling at Reese.
“Hey, handsome.” I wink at him, making the girls laugh.
“Fuck you. You’re late. I ate all of the shrimp.” Riley elbows me, leaning down to kiss Reese. “You look fucking killer.” She blushes, and my chest grows three sizes.
“Riley, Ava, may I introduce Danielle, Reese’s mother?” They greet her with handshakes. “And you remember Alden, her best friend.” They shake his hand. “Riley is my baby brother. Ava has agreed to marry him, although we’ll never know why. Andi is their daughter.”
“She’s such a pretty girl. I must say, the gene pool in this family is stunning,” Danielle says.
“Right? I said that.” Alden laughs. “Do y’all have a cousin?”
Before I can answer, my parents make their way over. Mom hugs her. “Reese. Gorgeous as always.”
“Thank you. I love your red dress,” Reese says.
“There’s my girl.” Dad pulls her in for a hug, turning to her mom after. “Hello, I’m Ian.”
“I’m Cynthia. Welcome to our home.” Mom offers her hand.
“You have a beautiful home. Thank you for having me,” Danielle says to our surprise.
“She can put on a show,” Reese whispers to me.
“You said it. I didn’t.” She giggles, making me chuckle. “Stop.”
“I can’t.” She starts laughing in earnest, making me full on burst.
“How much have you had already?” Riley asks.
“Not enough. Where’s the bar?” He points to the kitchen, which I knew. I’m looking for an excuse to leave. “Would you ladies like a punch?”
“Please,” Danielle answers. Reese smiles sweetly.
“I’ll be right back.” I glance over my shoulder as we walk toward the kitchen. “Her mom is on a fine line with me.”
“Damn, already having trouble with the in-laws?” Riley smirks.
“She talks to Reese again like she did earlier, and hell, yes we’re gonna have issues.”
He winces. “That bad?”
“I can’t explain without getting heated.” I turn, watching the living room. “Are we ready?”
“You kidding me? We’ve got you.” He punches me in the chest. “So, whatcha think?”
“About?”
“I haven’t had a chance to ask. How are y’all doin’?” He leans against the counter.
I join him, taking a moment to try to calm my nerves. “She told she loves me last night. I love her. I’m scared but damn, if she’s not everything.”
Riley breaks into a smile. “Be good to her, asshole.”
“I’m gonna do my best. I never knew love like this existed. But I do know now. I’ve never been in love before her. I just thought I was, but this is different.”
“Yeah, your ass is fuckin’ whooped.” He punches my leg.
“Thanks for teaching me.”
“Damn straight.” He stares into the living room, motioning. “Why wouldn’t we be? Look how lucky we are.” Reese and Ava share a laugh as Andi runs over. “Two lucky assholes at that.”
“I’m ready. I hope I don’t freak her out.”
“You won’t. Just do it.” He pats me on the back. “And I’ll man the doors in case she tries to run.”
“Fuck you.” I flip him off and walk back into the living room.
“Excuse me, the lady in green and her mother need drinks.” I point to them for the waiter.
I take my place by the fire and the tree, grabbing the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to welcome you to our annual Christmas Gathering.
Having friends and family near this time of year is especially precious as we so very well know.
So, thank you for joining us. Now, if I may, I’d like to switch gears for a moment.
“A few months ago, I had the pleasure of working with a new attorney. I went into the meeting thinking it was a man. Boy, did I get fooled? A gorgeous redhead sat across from me. She was as fierce as I had heard and as intelligent as I am. I was scared. For two reasons.” I wink at my red-faced redhead.
“I had never lost a case and I had never lost my heart. I didn’t lose in court but I most definitely lost my heart.
Today is her birthday. To celebrate, we not only honor the reason for the season but my Reese.
I’m the luckiest man in the world, humbled you chose me.
Happy birthday, baby.” I raise my glass to a teary-eyed Reese.
I step down, walking to her as the cake is brought out. A strawberry-topped chocolate cake, almost too pretty to eat. “Happy birthday. I love you.” I kiss her, and the crowd joins in singing to her.
“I can’t believe you did this. I love you. Thank you.” She hugs me when the crowd dies down.
“I have presents but wanted to wait until later if that’s okay.”
“You shouldn’t have done that. I don’t need anything.” Her eyes glisten when she looks at me and my chest caves. My love for her has taken even me by surprise.
“I wanted to and here comes our family.” Reese is passed around with hugs, kisses and many birthday wishes.
Not long after the Christmas party ends, we sit around my parents’ dining room table, eating birthday cake. “Reese, I think you have a few gifts to open.”
“I wished you wouldn’t have done this,” she says as Riley sets her gifts in front of her. “All of this? It’s too much, y’all. Thank you.”
“The card is from us,” Ava says.
Reese picks it up. She rips into it, pulling a card out. “A spa day? I’ve never had one. Will you come with me?” she asks, looking at Ava.
“All of us girls are going before the wedding. Is that okay? We wanted to include you.” Ava smiles.
“It’s perfect. Thank you for thinking of me. It’ll be wonderful to get all dolled up for the wedding.” Her eyes sparkle.
“This one, it’s big.” Andi pushes the box toward her.
“It is big. Wonder what it could be?” Reese shakes the box to Andi’s delight. She removes the lid, peeking inside. “Are you kidding me?” She pulls the red bag out. “A Henri Bendel Briefcase?”
“We hope you enjoy it. Ian helped pick it out.” Mom slips her arm around Dad.
“Red is a power color. But I have a feeling you already know that.” He winks at her.
“Thank you. It’s beautiful.” Reese’s eyes shine with unshed tears.
“Now, mine. Although, I think my parents outdid me.”
“Oh, you hush. I love it already.” She opens the box, covering her mouth as she stares at it. “Walker, you shouldn’t have.” She takes the diamond studs from the box. “James Allen.”
“Only the best. Happy birthday, baby.” I brush her lips with mine.
“There’s one more.” Andi points to the card.
“Oh, no. I think that’s a holiday card.” Mom leaps from her seat, reaching for the card. As Reese picks the envelope up to reach it to her, she tilts it.
“It’s for Walker.” She hands it to me. “Open it. It’s your first holiday card.”
“I will later. How about another piece of cake before bed?”
“I can’t. I’m so full.” She reaches for the card. “Can I see it?”
“No, I don’t care about it. Here, Mom. Toss this for me.”
“Sure.” Mom smiles at me with wide eyes.
“What’s going on? I’m an attorney, not an idiot.” Reese stares at me until I break.
“It’s for my birthday.”
“When is your birthday, Walker?” Reese narrows her eyes. I glance around the room and no one comes to my defense.
“Today.”
She blinks rapidly, letting it sink in. “Today? Like, my birthday is today and so is yours? Or today’s my birthday and yours?” Her eyes flame and I’m thinking it isn’t from desire.
“I believe those examples are the same thing.” Riley snorts, ducking behind Ava.
“Riley, leave your brother alone,” Mom says, not helping me.
“Why would you not tell me?” Her forehead creases.
“I wanted today to be about you. Please, don’t be upset.”
“Well, hell, Walker. Yes, I’m upset.” She stands and leaves the room.
“If you’ll excuse me.”
“Walker, I think Danielle and I will go ahead and call it a night,” Alden interrupts me.
“Riley, would you call the car? Thank you both for coming, I’ll have her call in the morning on our way home. Danielle, it’s been a pleasure.” I kiss her hand.
“She’ll be fine. It’s good to meet you all,” Danielle says.
I follow Reese out the door, leaving our family to say their goodbyes. “Reese? Reese!”
“What?” she snaps at me. I can’t see her, but I know she’s close. “Open the damn truck. I want my bag.”
“Are you kidding me?”
She steps from the side, her hands on her hips. “No, asshole. I’m going home.”
“Reese.” I sigh, unlocking the door. “Please, don’t. I apologize. I should’ve been honest with you. I planned on telling you tomorrow.”
She jerks her bag from the back seat. Losing her balance, she falls backward into my arms. “I gotcha.” I catch her, standing her on her feet. “Are you all right?”
She keeps her head down, toeing the pavement. “Why wouldn’t you tell me? I felt like a fool in there in front of all of them.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I didn’t think about how it would make you feel. I wanted to make the night about you. I fucked up.”