My eyebrows bunched at the centre.
A smirk tugged before he took a swig of beer.
I grinned and snickered behind my hand.
His eyes immediately narrowed.
He straightened and nodded.
Gage’s fingers idly rubbing on my inner thigh returned my focus to him. An overwhelming wash of love came over me as I studied his profile. My fingers delved into his beard and angled his chin my way.
When I set my lips on his, he drew me close and tenderly kissed me despite the audience.
“What’s gotten you all soppy, Sunshine?” he murmured against my mouth.
“Just loving you,” I whispered.
I felt him smile and welcomed his lips pressing to mine again. We ignored the crews’ snickers and dirty mutterings, and allowed ourselves a moment.
If Mickey was right like last time, come nine months’ time, we’d be a family of four.
The crew had come a long way over the years. We’d started as a close group of five and had overcome obstacles most people wouldn’t dream of facing within their lifetime. We’d pulled each other through heartache and loss, built each other up, and fought for one another during the greatest times of need. We were more than just a group of friends. Blood or not, we were family.
Feeling my throat tighten with emotion, I thickly called for everyone’s attention.
“Guys! We need to do a toast.”
I waited until everyone had a drink raised above the small flickering fire, then thrust my glass into the fray.
“Here’s to the greatest damn family the world has ever seen. Here’s to the crew—I love you guys. Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas!” everyone cheered above the sound of bottles and glassware clinking together.
Gage’s worried eyes found mine. “Are you sure you’re okay, babe?”
“I really am.” Vibrations of adrenaline surged through me, making my voice tremble. “Let’s just say that next year, we’ll have at least one new crew member.”
His eyes darted around the group, found Mickey watching us, then cut back to me. “Wait. Did he just…?”
I nodded. “Yup.”
“Again?”
“Again.”
“Did you know already?” Gage hissed.
“No. He literally just told me,” I whispered back.
A heavy exhale left Gage’s mouth before it split into a world-tilting grin. “Fucking hell. C’mere, Sunshine. Best damn Christmas present I could ask for.”
He wrapped me in a hug and kissed me hard. When I came up for air, I glanced at the crew and wholeheartedly agreed.
Best damn Christmas ever.
THE END!