Ever the gentleman.
“Call me Sandra, please.”
“Sandra it is.” His smile is beaming bright as we enter my childhood home.
“Welcome.” Dad’s deep, gruff tone comes from behind us.
I watch in awe as he shakes Austin’s hand without being too rude.
“I take it you like my daughter?”
The question stills everyone. We’re all waiting for Austin’s response. I’m holding my breath, when he finally nods.
“I care for her very much, more than I’ve even admitted to her.” His hazel eyes meet mine, then he gifts me a smile. “I may be in love with her, sir,” he says, turning back to my father. “But I’m not rushing this. I wanted to meet you both to tell you that I have her best interests at heart and I promise to keep her heart safe.”
My father is silent, his eyes giving nothing away. No emotion. My heart leaps into my throat, for more reasons than I care to admit, because deep down I know I’m in love with Austin as well.
“I’ll be watching you, closely,” Dad says, leaning in. “And don’t for one second think I won’t use my gun.”
“Dad!” I admonish my father.
Everyone starts laughing and the tension in the air dissolves easily. Chelsea is curled up on the sofa watching television when we enter the living room. Once we’re all settled, the conversation flows easily and happiness envelops me, my heart, and my mind.
Austin
The lights of the tree twinkle, causing Lily’s hair to shimmer like golden honey. She’s dressed in a pair of pink sweatpants that match Chelsea’s. They’ve grown closer over the past few weeks and I couldn’t be happier.
She’s smiling at something my daughter has told her and I can’t help staring. Her face is lit up with happiness I haven’t ever seen in her expression. They giggle and I stroll over to where they’re seated on the plush carpet.
“Girls, you do know that whispering while we have company is rude?” I crouch down, tapping Chelsea’s nose with the tip of my finger.
“We weren’t, Daddy.” She pouts, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “Lily is going to make us cookies,” Chels informs me with a bright smile. Her happiness means more to me than anything and the excitement on her face fills my heart with more love for the woman beside me.
Dragging my eyes to hers, I wink. “I prefer Lily’s shortcake.” I chuckle.
The woman I’m dying to devour blushes a beautiful soft pink. She’s wearing a bright red Santa hat that has a white trim and bauble attached to the end, which jingles each time she moves.
“Daddy, cookies are yummy.” Chelsea tries to convince me, but nothing will ever change my mind from the decadent taste of Lily and her baking.
“Why don’t we go get you some, Munchkin?”
My daughter runs to the kitchen, but I grab Lily before she can disappear and plant a soft kiss on her full lips.
“Tonight, I want you wearing just that hat,” I tell her in a husky whisper that causes her to shiver.
“And what will you be wearing, Santa?” she quips playfully.
“Nothing. You can take a ride on my candy cane,” I coo in her ear, earning a gasp from her at my naughty innuendo.
“You’re insufferable. Can you behave for just a few hours?” Her playful swat on my shoulder has me chuckling. She passes by me, the scent of strawberries following her as I watch her padding toward the kitchen.
Flopping onto the sofa, I breathe deeply as I recall the gift I have hidden in the bedroom for her. We’ve opened everything under the tree, but I have a special surprise for her when we get to bed tonight.
It’s been a long time coming, and now that we’ve made our relationship official, I need to ask her the question that’s been on my mind for weeks, probably months if I’m being honest.
She’s mine and I want her with me all the time. There’s no longer a choice in the matter. The girls return with plates of sweet treats. I scoot up, allowing Lily to curl up beside me with one of her romance novels, and Chelsea climbs onto my lap, holding out a choc chip cookie.
“It’s yummy, Daddy.” Her eyes shimmer with childish excitement.
I take it and as soon as I bite into the crunchy treat I can’t stifle the groan. “This is incredible, Lil.”
“They’re a new recipe, just testing it out. Tomorrow I’ll make some cinnamon ones.”
“Yes!” Chelsea squeals. There’s something about the spice that my little girl loves. The TV is on and A Christmas Carol comes on, which drags Chels’ attention immediately. She’s on the carpet in seconds, her plate of dessert beside her with a glass of milk.
I rove my gaze over the scene, me, Chelsea, and Lily, and I know I’ve finally got the family I’ve wanted all this time.