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December - Christmas Day

Alice

Someone is trying to kick in my apartment door. The pounding comes again, and I rub the sleep from my eyes, wishing my hangover would just disappear.

Robbie’s fundraising gala for Blue Line Brigade was last night, and I may have had a little too much fun, dressing up in my fanciest dress, drinking mimosas with Olivia and Malia, and having a blast bidding on the auction.

I even won a basket of Manticore goodies after adding all my raffle tickets to it.

I smile at how much fun we had last night.

Jordan and I danced together a handful of times, and even managed to steal a few moments together, kissing in the hall or taking a short walk for a breath of fresh air.

And at the end, we left the gala and headed to the Arcadian for drinks, hanging out well into the night with Alex and Malia.

Jordan and I have not found the time to go on more dates since that night a week ago, and while I was a bit disappointed we didn’t get to see each other as much, we’ve both been busy.

At least I managed to see a home game and catch him in action as the assistant coach.

I loved seeing him so confident behind the bench, making good calls and helping lead the team to a 4-1 victory.

Between that game, finalizing everything for my book to get published, and babysitting the kids as our siblings prepared for hosting the holidays, I haven’t been able to get my hands on him as much as I wanted to.

The pounding on the door persists—or is that the pounding in my head? I peek through the peephole and see a fit chest and a dark red beard. I roll my eyes and fling the door wide open. “Ash, what the hell? Don’t you know my head is killing me?”

“It’s an emergency,” he says, barreling past me.

I straighten up at that and spin on my heels. “What? What happened?” I ask, panicked.

“I have to pee,” he says, running down the hall.

Groaning, I fall on top of the couch and regret even getting up this morning. Ash comes back out and pokes my cheek, but I swat him away with a glare. “To what do I owe this visit?”

“Aw, that’s no way to greet your best friend,” he teases, laying down beside me. I scoot over, making space for his six-two ass.

“You’re not my best friend,” I mumble, turning my head to see his expression. He snickers and scowls at me and I grin, poking him in the side. “Eli’s my best friend. Followed by Olivia, then Robbie, then?—”

“Bullshit.” He laughs and elbows me.

“What are you really doing here?” I ask.

“I’m supposed to keep you busy as Jordan sets up your Christmas present.”

“What did he get me?” I question, skeptically.

“Yeah, I’m not falling for that. C’mon, get dressed and we’ll go get some coffee on the way to Robbie’s house,” he says, standing up and dragging me by my arms. When I don’t cooperate, he throws me over his shoulder and walks me to my bedroom.

“Don’t think I won’t dress you like a doll,” he says, and I relent.

“Fiiine, I’ll get dressed,” I say, walking into the closet and pulling out my favorite holiday sweater that has a fluffy cat in a Santa suit on it. I pair it with a comfy pair of red leggings and walk back out, ready to go.

“Cute,” Ash smirks. “Jordan must love your wardrobe choices.”

“Hey, don’t make fun of my sweaters,” I pout.

“I didn’t mean it in a bad way,” he shrugs. “Y’all are nerds, so it makes sense.”

“Speaking of us, together. Has he mentioned anything to you?” I ask, looking at him through my mirror as I put on my tree-shaped earrings.

Ash leans back on his elbows, raising an eyebrow at me. “Like what?”

“Like, if he thinks we’re serious or if he thinks we’re casual?” I ask, voice going higher on the word casual. As much as I want to believe that Jordan is all in, there’s still some doubt in the back of my mind that at the next opportunity, he might leave me behind.

“Al, are you kidding? He’s crazy about you. He even made me give up—” he stops himself from finishing that thought, jaw clicking shut.

“Made you give up what?” I ask, eyes narrowed.

Ash mimes zipping his mouth shut and throwing away the key and I groan.

“I just—I trust him, but I just wish things would move a bit faster, you know? I mean, we did just go on our first date a week ago, but I feel like we should be further along in this relationship.” I frown and pick at my nails. “I don’t know what I want.”

“You want some kind of commitment, it sounds like,” Ash says, wrapping me in a hug. “Which is understandable. I know it’s not your forte, and it’s not mine either, but just be patient, yeah?”

I nod against him and sigh. “Yeah, you’re right.”

We pull into Robbie’s driveway and I’m shocked to see that everyone’s cars are already here. Did I miss the memo about when Christmas brunch was supposed to start?

Ash turns the engine off and grins over at me. I smile back, not sure why he’s so chipper. “Everything okay?” I ask, hand on the door handle, ready to make my way inside.

“Oh yeah. Can I show you something across the street, though? Before we join everyone?”

“Across the street?” I whip my head around, looking over at the house that was for sale for the past six months. Realization hits me like a brick—this is the house he bought for him and Eli. “You got the keys already? Show me!” I squeak out, and open the car door enthusiastically.

Ash is unusually quiet as we make our way across the street and approach the front door. I laugh, noticing the Christmas wreath on the front door. “When the hell did you have time to decorate?”

He smirks over at me but doesn’t answer, sliding the key inside the lock and pushing the door open, gesturing for me to go in first. My curiosity is piqued, and I take a few slow steps inside.

From what I can see in the hallway, the place is similar to Robbie’s ranch-style home, all modern flooring and crisp white walls.

I lean against the wall as I take off my shoes and notice part of a fireplace in what seems to be the living room.

“Ash, this place is amazing. Are you excited?” I ask and he nods, offering me his arm.

I take it with a raised eyebrow, and he leads me towards the room with the fireplace with what I now notice is a large TV above it.

Wow, they moved things in here fast. As we round the corner, a large cream-colored sectional is taking up the majority of the living room.

It resembles my own couch at the apartment, and I smile.

I’m too busy gawking at the large windows on the other wall and how much natural light the place has, that I don’t notice movement in the kitchen until Ash spins me around.

“Surprise!!” a chorus of voices exclaim. My hands fly up to cover my mouth and I jump up, more than a little startled.

“Guys, what the hell?” I ask, looking around the kitchen and noticing that my entire family is here.

My mom and dad, huddled in a corner, each holding a glass of eggnog; Michael, Tangela and the kids next to them.

Robbie is grinning at me, his elbows resting on the kitchen island, which is covered in trays of food and mugs for wassail.

Olivia is holding Val and her green eyes sparkle as she gives me a Cheshire Cat grin.

“I feel like everybody is in on something except for me,” I say warily as Ash walks over to Eli and puts his arm around his boyfriend. I frown when I realize Jordan is not here.

“You’ll catch on soon enough, lapsi, ” Eli says, and looks behind me at the fireplace.

I spin around, taking in the living room again.

There’s a variety of plush pink pillows on the couch and a decent sized coffee table with a pastel multi-colored rug underneath.

On top of the table is a framed picture and a stack of papers and I narrow my eyes, looking between them and my traitorous family that won’t tell me what is going on.

As I approach, I realize the picture is the same one that Jordan has on his nightstand, the one of us walking down the aisle at Robbie’s wedding. My hand shakes a little as I reach for the papers and quickly open them up.

“It’s a deed,” I say, dumbfounded. I skim through the unfamiliar words until I get to the transfer of ownership.

From Ashton T. Meyers to Jordan L. Hill and Alice M. Elliot.

Tears prick my eyes and I suck in a sharp breath, not quite believing my eyes. Did he just?—

“Merry Christmas,” Jordan says from behind me in that sultry deep voice of his.

Jordan

Alice is frozen in her spot and my stomach drops, thinking this may have been a huge mistake.

When she told me a week ago that all she wanted for Christmas was a bigger place to live, I thought of the perfect gift.

Maybe it was a little too presumptuous to assume she wanted me to move in with her, but it felt right .

We’ve wasted so much time, and all I want is to spend my life with her.

I’d like that to start as soon as possible.

Everyone is quiet behind me, and I glance at them, shrugging.

They all give me similar looks, not knowing what to do next.

At least I wasn’t the only one who thought this was a great plan.

Everyone was looped in on it, and I even had to bribe Ash to sell me this house.

I may owe him my firstborn and possibly my soul, but that’s a problem for the future.

I clear my throat, tapping Alice on the shoulder where she’s still looking down at the damn papers. “Do you not like it?” I whisper, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “There’s still time to return it, those papers haven’t been filed yet,” I joke.

Alice turns around and stares at me, a single tear forming at the corner of her eye and falling down her cheek. I step closer and cup her face with my hands, catching it. “Why are you crying?”

“Did you really buy us a house?” she whispers, her blue gaze locked on mine, an emotion I can’t quite figure out swirling in the depths of her eyes.

“I did. If you want it—” I say, biting my lip. “If you want me, I’m all yours.”

She shakes her head and blurts, “I got you a yoga mat. I couldn’t find a PS5.”

I laugh and brush her cheeks with my thumbs as Alice blows out a breath and gives me a slow smile, one that takes over her whole face and lights up her eyes. “Yes, of course I want you. And the house,” she says, leaning in like she might kiss me, but stopping at the last second.

Her eyes roam around the kitchen, where her family is looking at us. She bites her lip and says, “We haven’t really told people that we’re dating.”

“Oh please, we’ve all known for ages. Just kiss already,” Robbie says, rolling his eyes at us.

I chuckle and my lips meet hers in a pressing kiss. Alice sighs happily against me and puts her arms around my waist.

A chorus of “Finally!” and “Took them long enough,” and “Woot!” comes from the kitchen and we break apart, laughing. My lips find her forehead in a long, promising kiss.

We spend Christmas in a mostly unfurnished home with all the people we love squeezing together on the couch, watching our favorite holiday movies and drinking festive drinks. Alice sits between my legs, her head resting on my chest, and I know deep in my bones that I’m finally home.