“I love you, Libby. Always have, even though for some of it I denied it even to myself. I’ll never love anyone else. I’ll never even accept anyone else. You’re it for me. I want a life with you. I want a family with you. I know we’re mated, but I want to marry you, too, if you’ll have me. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Libby’s lip trembled as she looked from Travis’s eyes to the one carat, pear-shaped diamond set on a diamond covered, white gold band.
“My god, Travis!” she whispered.
“If you don’t want to, or need more time to be sure, I understand. I know that mating doesn’t mean to humans what it does to us, so if you want more time to decide if you want to marry me, I do understand. I was a dick,” Travis said.
Libby reached out, placing her finger over his lips to stop him from talking. “Of course I’ll marry you. I love you. You’re everything to me, Travis. Everything,” she repeated.
Travis pulled her in and kissed her passionately. Then he removed the ring from its box and slipped it onto her finger. He pressed his lips to the ring and smiled at her. “I love you. You’re all I need in this life to be happy.”
Libby pulled him in for another kiss. “You make me so happy.”
“Feel like I want to take you inside and make love to you, but, Scotty would come looking for us if we’re too late,” Travis growled, nipping her lip.
“Yes, he would,” she agreed. “We can always celebrate when we get home tonight.”
“Let’s go ahead and get there, then,” he said. “The quicker we’re done, the quicker we’re home.”
~~~
Everybody was inside when the rumble of an unfamiliar truck could be heard coming up the drive toward the house. “Who’s that?” Lazarus asked.
“That’s Scotty’s new ride,” Riley said.
“I’d heard Travis and Libby bought him a truck,” Lazarus said, trying to hide his disappointment that it wasn’t Alex.
“It’s nice, dude. Dodge Ram, dark blue with chrome and a lift kit,” Richie said.
“I’m gonna take a look at it before he leaves tonight. Been thinking of getting myself something,” he said.
“You should. Three of you sharing a truck can’t be convenient all the time,” Riley said.
“I don’t mind. But, I was thinking since I set down roots, I’d go ahead and plant ‘em deep. Invest in some things I need to make my life more stable, you know?” Lazarus said.
Riley nodded, his eyebrows raised in surprise. “Yeah. I do know. I think it’s a great idea.”
“Roman?” Darcie asked, coming back into the living room.
“Yeah, baby?” he answered.
“Will you be on my team for the gingerbread house making contest?” she asked.
“Of course!” he answered.
“And look! Aunt Renata found me in the kitchen, and she gave me a necklace!” Darcie said, lifting the tiny golden chain from where it lay beneath her shirt.
“Oh my goodness!” Roman said animatedly. “It’s beautiful!”
“She said it was an official welcome to the family. And she said that I can get a picture of my Mama and put it on one side, and I can put a picture of me, or you or whatever I want on the other side. Do you think we can do that?” Darcie asked.
“I know we can do that,” Roman answered.
“I like Aunt Renata and Uncle Base. And Kaiser is funny,” Darcie said.
A knock on the door interrupted them.
“Come in!” Lucas said, walking over to the door.
Scotty waited until the door was opened, then he stepped through with his arms full of gifts. “Merry Christmas!” he called out.
“Merry Christmas!” Lucas answered. “Need some help?” Lucas asked.
“Nah, I got it. If you could close the door behind me, I’d appreciate it,” Scotty said.
Lucas glanced out of the door, then back toward Scotty who was making his way over to the tree. “Where’s Travis and Libs?”
“They’re coming. Shouldn’t be but a few minutes behind me.”
“Alright,” Lucas said, closing the door but taking a seat in the straight-backed chair nearest the door.
“You the butler tonight?” Richie asked.
“Looks like it,” Lucas said, grinning.
There was a knock on the door and Lucas looked at it questioningly. He knew no one else had driven up to the house. He opened the door and laughed. “Hey! I was wondering who was here without driving through the front gate.”
“We happened to be walking over when Scotty opened the security gate to drive through. We came through with him and just took our time getting up the driveway. It’s such a nice night,” Constance said, as Moe took her coat from her shoulders.
“Hello, Lucas. Merry Christmas,” Moe said, shaking Lucas’s hand.
“Thank you. And Merry Christmas to you, too. Here, let me take that for you,” Lucas said, reaching for Constance’s coat.
“Thanks. Appreciate it,” Moe said, handing it over.
“If you want to put the presents under the tree with all the others, have at it,” Lucas said, indicating the tree.
“I’ll do that,” Moe said, lifting the bag of gifts he and Constance had shopped for together.
~~~
Travis and Libby parked beside Scotty’s truck. As soon as the engine was off, Travis was out of the jeep and trying to get to Libby’s door before she had time to get out and make her way to the house. He managed to get there right after she’d stepped out of the jeep.
“Why don’t you ever wait for me to be able to open the door for you?” he asked, pecking her lips with a quick kiss.
“Because there’s no reason I can’t open my own door,” Libby answered, smiling up at him.
“Yeah, but sometimes I want to spoil you. You should let me,” he said.
“I’ll try to remember that,” Libby said.
“No, you won’t. You just jump to whatever you want done and that’s that,” Travis said, teasing her.
Libby shook her head with a grin on her face. He was right, she was very self-sufficient and extremely independent, partially because of their past.
Travis took her hand in his, he brought it to his lips and kissed the engagement ring where it hugged her finger, while he looked her in the eye. “You’ve made me the happiest male alive, Libby.”
“Couldn’t help but make you happy. It’s all I want to do,” Libby answered, smiling at him with her heart in her eyes.
Travis leaned forward and pressed her gently against the jeep as he took his time kissing her, enjoying the feel of her lips on his, her hands as they roamed up his back while he kissed her.
“Hey! Cut that out! We got kids in here waiting to open their presents and make gingerbread houses,” Riley called out with a chuckle.
“You think he can see us?” Travis whispered.
“I’m pretty sure he can and it’s us he’s talking to,” Libby answered, on a giggle.
“Fine. But we’re out of here soon as we can. There are so many things I want to do to you tonight,” Travis promised, nipping at her lips playfully.