Chapter One
Sophia
“Is it just me, or were things weird during our lunch party?” I’m watching Adrian clean up his workroom. Corey let us all go home a couple of hours ago, but I wanted to make sure the shop was tidy before we left. Nobody wants to come back to a messy space after a holiday. At least I don’t, and since I keep all these artists on task, it’s going to get done before we head home. Adrian’s is the last area we’re working on. I didn’t touch Bianca or Charleigh’s rooms. It’s their personal space and I would never intrude. I swept and mopped then left the rooms as fast as possible.
“I guess,” he grunts. “Whatever it is, Bianca and Charleigh seem to be the only ones in on it.” He’s doing an inventory of all his supplies, and this is what is going to keep us here the longest. He’s always so meticulous about what he has. I swear he reminds me of Jay when he would separate his Legos out by color then by shape when he was a kid. The only plus side to that was we rarely ever stepped on the damn things because they were always put up.
“Seriously, though,” I get back on to the point of our conversation. “It has to be something huge. I doubt it’s anything with Bianca and Marshall because they were normal with each other.” Since they became an official couple again, they’ve been all lovey dovey in public. It’s weird. “But Charleigh and Jake…they were so awkward.”
“Maybe they were having an off day.” He puts his sketch pencils in the container after counting them. “Not everyone is a bubbly ray of sunshine like you all the time.”
Was that a dig? I’m not sure if I should be offended or not. No, I shouldn’t be. It’s taken me a long time to get to this sparkling personality after all the shit I went through. I’ll take it as a complement. “What do you think could be going on? It was definitely more than an off day.” He’s good at reading people even if he won’t admit it.
Adrian puts the last of his supplies in the drawer and closes it. “I don’t know. If I had to guess either she’s pregnant or he’s going to propose.”
“You think?” I mean it makes sense. It’s like the two of them didn’t know how to act around each other. I’ll have to ponder this a little longer. If it is one of those things, I’ll be happy for them either way. “Do you think we’ll ever have kids?”
His face turns ghost white. “Is that something you want?” Don’t get me wrong, Adrian has never been much of a talker, but I’ve left him speechless for the most part.
“I don’t know,” I shrug and turn to leave his office. “I’ve never really thought about it. I don’t even know if I’d make a good mom. Charleigh’s step-daughter is cute and all, but she seems like a handful.” I tighten my ponytail to give me something to do. “Maybe one day, though?”
“Okay,” he follows me out of his work space. “I can work with one day.”
He follows me all the way to the reception desk and leans against the side. “What about you? Do you have a deep desire to be a dad?”
“I’m going to be honest,” he sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “It’s not something I’ve ever thought about. My parents aren’t exactly the best people, and basically shunned me for following my artistic dreams.”
“You know having children doesn’t mean you’ll be like them.” I rest a hand on his arm, heartbroken for his shitty upbringing. It never gets easier hearing how much his parents’ suck. “I think you’ll be a great dad, should the moment ever come.” I’m not lying, either. Even though, neither of us has put much thought into it, I think we’d be amazing parents. I also think my parents would be completely overbearing and spoil the hell out of any potential children.
“We’ll see,” he says and looks away from me. “You ready to get out of here?”
“Sure.” I close the calendar on the desk, and slide it into the tote bag I bring with me every day. I’ll have to message everyone with their appointments when they come back. I wish I could get everyone on board with a digital calendar, but Corey is stuck in his way and wants nothing to do with it. I’m sure when he retires, he’ll pass the shop down to Charleigh. If I’m still here when she takes over, I’m totally going to pester her about it. “Are you going to follow me home?”
“I actually have an errand I need to run.” He walks backward to the door. “Want me to pick up something to eat on my way home?”
“I can go with you and pick up my car on the way back.”
“No,” he yells and puts his hand up, stopping me in my tracks. “I mean, it’s for a gift for you, and tonight is the only time I have to pick it up.”
“Oh,” I deflate a little at his tone. “I’ll just go home and start wrapping the presents we’re taking to my parent’s house tomorrow.”
“Text me what you want me to pick up.” Adrian holds the door open and waits for me to pass through. Once I’m outside he sets the alarm and locks up. “Seriously, whatever you want I’ll drive all over Dallas to get it.”
Okay, so that makes up for his sudden freak out a bit better. I can’t help wondering what secret mission he’s on. “I will.”
He waits until I’m in my car and pulling out of the lot before he gets in his car. It’s too cold for him to ride the bike, and it’s weird seeing him drive an actual vehicle. Oh well, I have a shit ton of stuff to wrap. Maybe I can talk my brother into coming over and keeping me company.
Chapter Two
Adrian
Damn. Soph looked so miserable when I told her I had to go do this thing alone. It’s nothing against her at all. I wasn’t lying when I said it was a gift for her. It is. A pretty fucking massive one, and I’m not sure we’re ready for this. Though after she asked about children, I feel a bit better about it. I must be insane for wanting to do this. Especially with our work schedules. We’ll figure it out. We have to, I’ve already gone this far with the gift.
Before I leave the parking lot, I look for Jay’s number in my phone. This is the plus side of being in an actual car right now. Otherwise, I would have had to call him while sitting my ass in the cold. Or risk Sophia seeing me go back inside the shop so I wouldn’t be freezing. I press the call button and he picks up on the second ring. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Am I still good to bring Sophia’s gift by tonight?” The whole plan hinges on her family helping me out. I turn out of the lot and head toward the closest pet supply store.
“Yep,” he laughs. “Mom and Dad will be here waiting for you.”
“Where will you be?” Their parents are great, they really are. It’s just hard for me to really get into a groove and not be weird around them. Maybe Soph is wrong and I won’t be a good dad if I can’t even manage being normal around her parents.
“My sister called right before you did.”
“And?” I fail to see why he would tell me that.
He sighs long and loud. “She wants me to come over since she doesn’t know when you’ll be home and she’s not used to being alone on Christmas Eve.”
Fuck. I didn’t mean to make her feel lonely. “I’ll be as fast as I can so you won’t have to be there long.” Traffic is crazy tonight. I’m guessing it’s all the last-minute shoppers out getting gifts. The only reason I’m waiting until tonight is because otherwise, I would have to give it to her early.
“It’s all good.” I love their sibling bond, and I’m jealous of it. I didn’t have anyone I can depend on like the two of them. “She told me I’m free to hang out until you get home with food. So be expecting another order when you pick it up.”
“I assumed as much.” Maybe we wouldn’t be horrible parents after all. I mean, most of the time when Jay is over, we treat him like a kid. We feed him and give him a place to stay if he doesn’t want to drive home. That’s pretty much the same thing, right?
“I’m about to head over there. Take your time.” Easy for him to say. He’s not the one dealing with a four-legged creature. What if it hates me and tries to bite me?
“Okay. Thanks for taking care of your sister. I know she gets antsy at night by herself after the last incident with her douchebag ex.” That was a nightmare. But I’m glad he finally seemed to get the message.
“No problem.” He pauses for a second. “Is it cool if I crash with y’all tonight? No offense, but keeping up with animals isn’t my strong point.”
“Sure,” I chuckle. “You know the couch is always open when you’re in town.”
We hang up just as I’m pulling into the pet store. I have zero clue what to get. Hopefully the employees will work with me. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve done my research, but this is a whole new can of worms.
After parking I rush inside from the cold. My eyes widen when I get inside. “Holy shit,” I mutter. “This place is huge.” My only saving grace is they have each section marked. I head to the aisle for dogs.
I know we’re going to need a kennel, a bed, food, and a few toys. Luckily for me there’s an employee putting something away on the aisle. “Can you help me?”
She jumps back startled, and takes one earbud out of her ear. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t paying attention. What can I help you with?”
“I’m adopting a puppy, and I have no clue what I’m doing.” I feel like a moron for admitting that, but it’s the truth.
“Well, I see you have the basics,” she points to my cart. “I’d suggest getting a few of these dental chews. It’ll help with that puppy phase. Also, if you’re going to be crate training the puppy, find an old shirt of yours to keep with them while they are in there. It’ll help calm them. And of course, you need a collar and a name tag.”
I didn’t even think of those things. “Thanks. I’ll be sure to grab those. The tag will have to wait because I have no idea what my fiancée is going to name her.”
“Sounds good,” she beams. “We carry them whenever you are ready to get one. Do you need anything else?”
“No, thank you so much.” I grab everything she mentioned and head to the check out. Now I just have to pick up our new family member and take her to Sophia’s parents.
Chapter Three
Sophia
Finally, Adrian, and most importantly, the food is here. The savory scent of Mexican food fills the apartment as soon as he walks in. Jay and I are hanging out on the sofa watching Vampire Diaries. My choice, not his. He doesn’t have any input on what we watch because he’s staying the night. When I go to bed, he can watch whatever he wants.
“I have dinner,” Adrian calls out to the both of us and heads directly to the kitchen. We try our best not to eat in front of the television. Even though we see each other most of the day, we don’t want that to drown out our time at home.
Pausing the show, I get up and motion for Jay to follow me. “Hey,” he mutters. “I was finally getting into this show.”
“I can always spoil the ending for you,” I smirk. “I’ve seen this season.”
“Then why the hell are we watching it?” He joins me at the kitchen table. “We could have been watching something neither of us has seen.”
Adrian grabs some plates and sets them in front of us. “She has this weird thing about re-watching shows. I don’t understand it, either.” I get my first glimpse of him since he’s come home and he looks exhausted. What the hell did he get me that took so much energy.
“It’s not weird,” I argue. “I was doing stuff and I didn’t want to have to try to wrap presents while keeping up with new information.”
“That sounds like a cop out.” Jay reaches into one of the boxes and pulls out a few strips of fajita meat.
“And,” I draw out. “When I’m stressed it allows me to enjoy something without being surprised. I know what’s going to happen so it won’t freak me out, or catch me off guard.”
“I guess,” Jay says through a mouth full of food. I swear this kid is never going to find a partner with manners like that.
“Did you find what you were looking for?” I ask Adrian as he sits next to me and fills his plate with food.
“Yep. It’s safe and secure with your mom and dad.”
“Dang. And here I was hoping I’d have a chance to figure it out.” Jay’s eyes widen and he starts choking. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” he coughs. “I’m good. One of these days you’re going to have to be less curious. It may end up biting you in the butt.”
“Eh,” I shrug my shoulders before taking a small bite. After swallowing my food, I continue the conversation like a civilized person and not someone who chews while they talk. “I think it’s healthy to be curious. If you took everything at face value, you’d never learn anything.”
“Why do you always have to make sense?” Jay groans and leans back in his seat.
“Because I’m the oldest,” I smirk. I don’t bother throwing in duh because it’s implied.
“If you say so.” He rolls his eyes and takes another bite. “What time are we going to the house in the morning?”
“I told your parents I’d be there pretty early.” Adrian is staring at the time on the stove. “Do you want to ride with me, Soph, or sleep in and ride with your brother?”
“Ride with you.” I can’t believe he even asked that. How is it even a question? Now he’s the one acting weird. It’s like we’re reprising Charleigh and Jake’ roles as an awkward couple that can’t communicate.
“We should probably head to bed soon.” He motions at the time. It’s barely ten o’clock, what exactly is going on?
“Oh, okay. Let me clean this up and I’ll be in there.” I motion over the takeout cartons on the table.
“I’ve got it,” Jay pipes in. Something is definitely up. My brother has never offered to clean anything in his entire life.
Nerves work their way through me. Something big is going to happen tomorrow. I just wish I knew what it was.
Chapter Four
Adrian
Sophia knows something is up. Jay shouldn’t have offered to clean the kitchen last night. That one small act triggered the thousands of questions she asked me while in bed. I don’t think I’m getting enough credit for how well I evaded all of them. It damn sure wasn’t easy. For someone who enjoys surprises, she sure is trying to figure out what this one is.
I think it’s why the question about children threw me off yesterday. We need to start with a puppy before we go on to having kids. If we can handle our new family member, I’ll be on board for being a parent to more than a fur baby.
“Why on God’s green earth did you tell my parents we’d be there early?” She’s exchanging her t-shirt and shorts to a matching flannel pajama set. She’s all about comfort when we go to their house. My parents would have thrown a fit if I came to a holiday event in pajamas. Her parents roll with the punches. I don’t think I’ve seen them get too bothered about anything. Well, except when it comes to Dawson. They go all mama and papa bear, as they should.
“Because your gift requires me to be there this early.” That’s all I’m going to tell her. It’s not like I’m lying. The new family member isn’t their responsibility, even though they were cracking jokes about having a grand-dog when I dropped her off last night. I’ll be lucky if they haven’t spoiled her rotten by the time we get there.
I finish getting dressed while she makes some coffee. I think we’re both going to need it to get through the morning. Before she’s even had time to go to the kitchen, she comes back to the room. “Where’s Jay?”
I shrug my shoulders. “I don’t know. Maybe he went over there so we’ll be ready to open presents as soon as we get there?” And he did…but it was also so he can get the gift ready for when we arrive. He also wants to catch her reaction on camera. We may have a little bet going on about if she’ll be crying from happiness. Jay says no. It’s like he doesn’t even know his sister sometimes. She’s going to be a puddle of goo.
“Okay, well I guess as soon as I make the coffee, I’ll be ready to go.” She disappears from the room again. I swear her mind goes in a million different directions before she settles on one thing. I have no clue how she stays so organized.
I only know that we’re already running late. By my standards, anyway. I keep thinking one day she’ll figure out that I like to be early, but no such luck. She’s worth it, though. Especially after she’s had her caffeine. The shifts we work means she’d normally still be sleeping. We don’t typically get to the shop until right before lunch. It’s one of the perks of being a tattoo artist. Late nights and even later mornings.
When I walk out of the room, she’s in the kitchen picking out which creamer she wants to add to the coffee. “You should probably hurry before your coffee gets cold and you have to reheat it.”
“That, sir, is blasphemy.” She holds up two bottles, “peppermint or pumpkin.”
“Seeing as Fall is over; I think peppermint is the better option.”
“You’re right.” She adds the creamer to both cups. One for her and one for me. I’m not huge on coffee, but last night threw off my sleep schedule and it’s calling to me like the elixir of life right now. “Are you ready to go?”
“I’ve been ready,” I grin. “Just waiting on you.”
“If you picked normal hours to be at my parents you wouldn’t have to wait on me.” She picks up one of the bags full of wrapped gifts, and I grab the other. “Let’s see what surprise you have for me that has me awake when the sun comes up.”
“This will definitely be a Christmas to remember,” I mutter as I follow her to the door.
“What was that?” She leans her ear closer to me as if that will help me understand.
“Nothing.” I wait for her to step into the hallway before closing the door and locking up. I’m glad we have a parking garage at this complex, but it’s going to be frigid against the leather seats. Honestly, the cold seats may keep her griping about that and not pestering me for hints.
Chapter Five
Sophia
It’s taking forever to get to my parent’s house. Stupid ice on the roads is proving to be quite the obstacle, especially over the bridges. We don’t get ice, or snow, here often and it makes people do one of two things. They drive like ten miles per hour, which is smart even if it’s annoying. Or they haul ass and end up smashing into a barrier. Both options suck, but one at least keeps you out of the hospital.
“You want to stop tapping on the seat?” Adrian says without taking his eyes off the road. I’m happy he’s driving. I’m way too impatient to drive in this mess.
“I’m just anxious to see what you got me.” I stare out the window at the side roads covered in a sheen of white. “Why didn’t you just give it to me at home?”
“Because I would have to give it to you early and that would ruin the magical moment of getting it today.”
“Look at you keeping it nerdy for me.” He’s not into fandoms the way I am, but he likes to try and show a nerdy side. We even had a tattoo station at a comic con event here in Austin. It was so amazing, and I hope we can make it a yearly thing. Tattoos and nerdy shit? Sign me up.
“I do what I can, Babe. I do what I can.” He slows the car to take the exit to the house. If we were smart, we would have stayed the night over there last night.
“Soooo, are you going to give me any hints about my gift?” I’ve managed to hold off bugging him this long. I don’t need to know exactly what is. Just an idea.
He’s shaking his head as he makes the turn onto my childhood street. “Yeah, that’s not going to happen.” He lifts his finger in the direction of the house. “We’re literally almost there. I think you can wait a few more minutes.”
“But,” I whine. “We don’t usually open gifts until after breakfast.” It’s one of the things I hated growing up. We weren’t like normal families that rushed to the tree as soon as we woke up. Nope. Mom made us eat this massive breakfast then we could go to the tree. Honestly, she was probably smart doing it that way. It’s the only way she could guarantee we’d actually eat instead of spending the day playing with our new stuff.
“Believe me,” he answers. “They’re making an exception for this one.”
“If you say so.” I’ll believe it when I see it. That doesn’t mean I won’t rush into the house to test what he’s saying.
He pulls into the driveway and turns off the car. He grabs his gloves out of the console and puts one on each hand. Then his hat and scarf. He’s driving me crazy with how slow he’s getting ready to get out of the car. I mean, is it absolutely necessary to move at a snail’s pace. This jackhole is doing it on purpose, too. Well, two can play at that game. He can get the stuff out of the car; I’m making a run for it.
I pull on the door handle, and realize he’s locked the fucking doors. Who does that? I push the unlock button and open the door. Before he has a chance to pull me back, I jump out of the car and slam the door shut behind me. Taking off in a sprint toward the front door, I round the car and ignore him telling me to chill. I’m feet from the door when my foot hits a patch of ice and I fall backward, busting my ass. “Are you kidding me right now?”
With both bags of gifts in his hands, Adrian looms over me. “You have no idea how badly I want to laugh right now. But I’m not because I’m not an asshole. Are you okay?” He shifts the bags until he’s holding both bags with one hand and reaches for me.
I’m not too proud to deny his help. I slip my hand into his and let him pull me up. How the hell is he keeping his balance while handling me and the gifts? “Thank you,” I mutter without looking at him.
My brother throws the front door open, laughing so hard his face is red and his arm clutches his stomach. “I wish I would have gotten that on video.”
“Fuck off, Jay.” I don’t care if my parents hear me or not. He doesn’t have to be a jerk.
“Lighten up,” he says and comes out in his slippers and pajama pants to grab one of the bags from Adrian. “If it were the other way around, you’d be giving me shit.”
He’s not wrong. “Let’s get inside. I hope nobody in the neighborhood saw.” I don’t give either of them a chance to say anything and barge into the house. “Where are Mom and Dad?”
“In the living room,” Jay nods his head. “We’re holding off on breakfast.”
“I’ve been begging them to do that for as long as I can remember, and they do it now because of Adrian?” I cross my arms over my chest. “I don’t think that’s fair.”
“You will when you see your gift.”
“You mean you know what-–” My question is cut off when I hear a small bark coming from the living room. “Wait a minute.” I walk into the room and my jaw drops open. In the middle of the living room is a kennel and a puppy sitting inside it.
“Merry Christmas, Soph.” Adrian passes the other bag off to my brother and wraps his arm around my shoulders. “We may not be ready for children, but I think a puppy is a step in the right direction.”
I rush toward the kennel and throw the door open. “Aren’t you just the cutest thing ever?” I lift the puppy up to see if it’s a boy or girl. She’s absolutely adorable with her light brown fur and big huge eyes. “What kind of dog is she?”
Adrian shrugs his shoulders and sticks his hands in his pockets. “Not sure. When I picked her up, the shelter didn’t know. Someone dropped her off.”
“That makes me love her that much more.” I’ll never understand why people get dogs and then ditch them when they are more than they expected. “We’re going to have to come up with a name for you little miss.” I’m one of those people now. The ones that use baby voice to talk to their pets. This was the absolute last thing I was expecting. I run my hand over her neck and my hand hits something tied into the bow. “What’s this?”
“Untie it and see.” My brother…captain obvious. It’s a wonder we never murdered each other growing up.
Rolling my eyes, I pull the end of the bow and whatever I hit falls into my hand. “Is this what I think it is?”
I look around the room. Mom and Dad have been silent, letting me have my moment. But their eyes are watery and both of them are wearing wide grins. Adrian kneels down next to me. “I know this isn’t the most romantic setting, but I wanted your family to be around for it.” Oh my God. “I’m not going to promise things will always be easy. I’m sure I’ll be a pain in the ass at some point, but I know I want to spend my life with you. Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” I shriek. With our new fur baby cradled in my arms, I launch myself at him. My family is clapping and cheering in the background. Now I know why they decided to hold off on breakfast. “And you’re crazy if you thought you were ever going to get rid of me. You’re it for me. You’re my person. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He squeezes me against him and a yelp sounds between us. “Oh shit. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, Noel,” I whisper into the puppy’s ear. “Daddy didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“Noel, huh?” Adrian pulls back. “That’s the name we’re going with?”
“I think so. The perfect name for a perfect day and occasion.” Noel licks my cheek and I snuggle her close to my chest. This is the beginning of my little family, and I can’t wait to get started on this new adventure.