“No, let’s see what Eric got the kids,” Jax speaks up by the island while he makes a plate of biscuits and gravy. “Right, Emily and Matt? You want your presents from Eric, don’t you?”
Still wearing her unicorn bike helmet, Emily jumps up and down. “I want my present!”
“What’s going on?” Burns asks, fixing himself four biscuits and gravy.
“Amber is about to kick Luke and Eric’s ass.” Sarah laughs, pouring orange juice in a pitcher half-full of champagne. “Amber, you are going to want a mimosa for this.”
Eric frowns at Sarah. “Not helping.”
Emily tugs on Eric’s hand. “I want my present.”
“Alright, cutie.” Eric pats her head with an affectionate smile. “Get your brother and sit on the couch.”
“Yay!” Emily hugs Eric. “Matt, come sit!”
“On a scale of one to ten, how mad am I going to be?” Amber asks, taking Sarah’s mimosa.
“I’m hoping one,” I mutter, running a hand down my face.
“I’m betting a ten,” Burns says, taking a seat at the dining table next to Jax.
“You know what Eric got them?” Amber asks.
“Nope, but it’s Eric, and the look on Luke’s face is priceless. Wish I had my camera.” Burns glares at Jax, who chokes a little on his biscuits and gravy.
“I told you, old man, I can’t remember where I put it,” Jax mutters.
“Liar.”
“Burns, leave him alone. You got a nice digital camera from the boys,” Miss Janet reprimands.
“I don’t know how to use that stinking thing. It’s got too many bells and whistles.”
“Okay, kiddos, close your eyes,” Eric calls from down the hallway, cutting off Burns’ tantrum.
“There closed,” Matt says, then covers his sister’s eyes with his hand.
Eric holds two squirming German Shepard puppies, and Amber gasps in horror then turns and mouths, ‘You are in so much trouble.’
“Oh, shit . . .” Jax mutters over a full mouth of food. “That isn’t fair!”
Leaning against Clint’s chest, Dawn sighs as she watches the kids. “They are so cute.”
“Keep them eyes closed.” Eric comes around the couch and places the puppies on their laps and Emily squeals.
Both the kids open their eyes wide and pick up the puppies in their laps. Emily immediately picks her puppy up and hugs it while Matt stares at his in shock, unsure if it is real.
“We each get one?” Matt whispers to Eric, who nods. Matt picks up the squirming pup and it licks his face, making him laugh. Molly isn’t too interested in the puppies but is watchful from where she lays in her bed by the Christmas tree.
“You have to train them and take care of them so they grow up to be your best friend like Molly’s mine.”
“You’ve had them here this entire time?” Amber asks.
“Linda and Benny were holding on to them for me,” Eric says, and Amber turns to look at her Mom and Dad, who only shrug.
“Really Mom? Dad?” Amber shakes her head but can’t hide her smile.
“You should propose,” Burns suggests, pointing at me with his fork full of food. “That’ll get you out of the doghouse. Ha, get it?” He elbows Jax, who rolls his eyes.
“I already asked her,” I blurt out, pulling Amber into my side.
“What?” everyone says at once, including Amber.
“When?” Sarah asks, her eyes wide.
“Yeah, I would like to know when this supposed proposal took place, too.” Amber pushes me.
“A few days ago,” I say, giving her a dumbfounded expression.
“No, you didn’t.” She slams her hands on her hips.
“Did he get on one knee, because that jackwagon didn’t,” Burns butts in, pointing at Clint.
“Shut it, Burns,” I growl, looking around at everyone’s shocked faces.
“No, answer him. Did you get on one knee?”
“No,” I groan, running a hand down my face in frustration. “You seriously don’t remember me telling you I was going to marry you?”
“You can’t tell her you’re going to marry her, you jackwagon!” Burns cries out, shaking his head. “You gots to ask!”
“That was your proposal?” Amber’s eyes go wide, dropping her hands from her hips.
“Um . . . yes?” I cringe.
“What did she say?” Linda asks, taking a step closer, glancing between the two of us.
“She said okay.”
“Is Mommy marrying Luke?” Emily tries to ask Eric quietly, but she doesn’t have a low volume.
Eric laughs. “Sounds like it.”
“Oh, good gravy, I did say yes.” Amber covers her mouth, looking shocked.
“Get on one knee and ask again,” Burns whisper-yells and this time, Miss Janet smacks him in the back of the head. “What? I’m trying to help the jackwagon.”
Amber points at me. “Do not get on one knee!”
“Why not?” I frown. “Wait, let me get something.”
I rush down the hall into our bedroom, hearing the murmurs as I go. Entering the closet, I pull the little velvet box I stashed away two days after Amber agreed to marry me. I had planned to give it to her over New Year’s, but now is as good of a time as any.
“Okay, so am I not supposed to get on one knee?” I ask, coming around the corner, holding the velvet box out for Amber to see.
“She said yes, put a ring on it!” Amber’s mom cries out with tears in her eyes. Benny pulls her into his side.
Amber is looking at the box and I can’t determine what the looks she has on her face means and my heart speeds up.
“You bought a ring?” Her voice sounds thick and tears brim the rim of her eyes.
“Of course.” I chuckle, taking a step closer to her, opening the box for her to see the classic princess cut diamond engagement ring.
“Say yes, Mommy!” Emily and Matt stand a few feet away, clutching their puppies with smiles. I also meant to talk to them about the proposal, but thanks to Burns, I was ambushed. Granted, I should have kept my mouth shut, but I wanted everyone to know Amber’s mine. Will always be mine.
“Yes.” Amber nods as a single tear slides down her cheek.
“Oh, thank God.” Burns sighs. “I thought she was going to reject the jackwagon.”
Ignoring Burns, I pull Amber into a tight hug and kiss her hard before pulling back and making sure my ring is on her finger so we can have our forever.