She was already lying next to him, but she threw herself into his arms as best she could anyway, laughing with happiness as he grunted and caught her. He rolled until she was under him, and Jayme could feel his erection against her thigh. He fumbled with the box but eventually got the ring out. Jayme held her hand up, and he slid the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen down her finger.
Turning her hand in an age old gesture, Jayme looked at the ring Rocket had bought for her. It was classy, yet untraditional.
“Do you like it?” Rocket asked.
Hearing the trepidation in his tone, Jayme nodded enthusiastically. “Like it? Those words are way too tame for how I feel about this ring. I love it. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen!” she gushed.
“I wanted to get you something that you didn’t have to take off while you were cooking or rolling dough. I know it’s a little different than usual engagement rings, and I’m happy to exchange it for something you like better if you want.”
“I couldn’t like anything better than this ring, Rocket. It’s perfect.”
And it was. The platinum band was wide and flat; embedded in the metal were at least a half dozen diamonds, set so they didn’t stick up from the band. It wouldn’t matter if it spun on her finger while she was cooking or baking, it wouldn’t get in her way. The diamonds wouldn’t be able to get gunked up with flour, and she wouldn’t have to worry about catching a stone on anything when she was in the kitchen. It was obvious Rocket had thought long and hard about the kind of ring that would work best for her profession. It just hammered home how well this man knew her.
And just like that, tears formed in her eyes and Jayme was crying.
“I hope those are happy tears,” Rocket said a little nervously.
Jayme could only nod. She felt Rocket lower himself gently on top of her, and she buried her nose into the side of his neck. Eventually, she got herself together and looked up into the beautiful brown eyes of the man she loved more than she’d ever loved anyone before. “For the record, your proposal was perfect.”
He smiled and shrugged. “We’ll have to think of a good story to tell our kids. I’m not sure they’d be impressed with, ‘We were naked and in bed when your father proposed.’”
Jayme chuckled. She loved how Rocket kept talking about their children. She’d always wanted kids, but had started to think they weren’t in the cards for her. Now she couldn’t think of anything but having Rocket’s babies.
“But maybe they’ll be more impressed when they hear that we picked up our marriage license the day after I popped the question…and had our ceremony the second the seventy-two hour waiting period was over.”
Jayme was still thinking about having Rocket’s children, so it took a second for his words to sink in. “What?”
“The courthouse is closed today, but I thought tomorrow we could go get our license. Unfortunately, Texas has a three-day waiting period though. How does the twenty-ninth sound for an anniversary date?”
Jayme was shocked. She blinked in surprise. “Seriously?”
“Yes,” Rocket said, his gaze boring into hers. “The worst day of my life was when I walked into that store and realized what was happening. I knew I couldn’t get to you in time if that man decided to shoot you. When I heard that gun go off, the only thing I could think about was what a dumbass I’d been for not making you mine sooner. It was a miracle that you weren’t hit by that bullet, and I don’t want to wait another second to start our lives together.”
“We’re already living together,” Jayme said, not sure why she was even protesting.
“I want you to have my name…if you’ll have it. I want to protect you legally and monetarily. I want you to know that you never have to worry about anything ever again. I’ll take care of you and any children we might have. I’ll never hurt you. I won’t cheat. You’re it for me, Jayme, and I don’t want to wait a second longer than necessary to start our lives together.”
How could she complain about that? “Memaw wants to walk me down the aisle,” she warned.
“Of course. I’d never leave your grandmother out of our ceremony. She was the one who set us up in the first place. We can have a big ceremony later if you want, I just…I need you to be mine legally.”
Jayme knew what had happened had hit Rocket hard, but she was just beginning to realize exactly how hard. “I don’t need a big, expensive wedding. I just need you.”
“We could invite your parents down,” he started, but Jayme shook her head and put a finger over his lips.
“They’ll understand. My mom will probably swoon with delight that you were so impatient to marry me that you wouldn’t wait. We might need to have a reception or something so they can officially celebrate with us, but I don’t think they’ll mind that they missed the actual ceremony. I think they’ll be happy I’m no longer an old maid.”
“You’ll never be an old maid,” Rocket said without hesitation. “So, you’re okay with us tying the knot this week?”
“Yes. I love you, Rocket. And you might’ve been worried about me in that store, but I was terrified for you. You interrupting their holdup could’ve made them start shooting at you. I think once they got everyone’s money, they would’ve simply left without hurting us. But you startled them, those women attacked one of them, and all I could think about was one of them killing you. When you started running toward me, I swear I saw my life flash before my eyes. I’d marry you tomorrow if it was possible. And of course I want to take your name. I can’t think of anything better than being Jayme Long.”
“You’re the best Christmas present I’ve ever received,” Rocket said reverently.
“Same,” Jayme told him.
“I know you’re anxious to go downstairs and open all those presents you’ve been eyeballing and I haven’t let you touch, squeeze, or shake…but maybe you’d be willing to wait another hour or so?” Rocket asked as his fingers began to play with one of her nipples.
And just like that, Jayme was wet. “I don’t know…” she teased. “What did you have in mind?”
“I just need a morning snack,” Rocket said as he slowly slid down her body, pushing the covers back as he went.
Smiling in contentment, Jayme opened her legs, giving him room. Her man was amazing with his mouth. “I suppose I can wait,” she said on a dramatic sigh as he parted her folds and blew lightly on her clit.
“Good of you,” Rocket said before lowering his head.
It was more than an hour before they’d climbed out of bed and got dressed, heading downstairs to celebrate their first Christmas together. And they were late getting over to her grandmother’s house because after opening all her presents, and seeing how generous her fiancé was, Jayme had to demonstrate her gratitude and how much she loved him right there under the lights of their Christmas tree.
Fourteen months later
Rocket held Jayme’s hand as she grunted and bore down once more.
“That’s it. He’s almost here!” the doctor said encouragingly.