Page 53 of The Forecast Looks Like Reindeer

“Whatever you want,” I said, feeling ecstatic.

“You know what this means, though.”

“Huh?”

“You’re going to have to tell your family about us now.”

“Oh, that. Yeah.”

“Won’t they be happy?” Dale asked.

“Excruciatingly so. I’m afraid they’ll love you so much they’ll steal you from me.”

“Even though I’m human?”

“Sorry to tell you my family doesn’t discriminate.”

He leaned over the table all the way until his face was in mine and kissed me.

“No one can ever steal me away from you.”

We kept grinning through our next kiss.

20

Dale

Aspen quickly made more room for me in his condo, cleaning out half his big walk-in closet and designating an area in his garage for extra boxes. I brought very little furniture, keeping everything back in my condo so I could rent it furnished. But I did bring an extra dresser and my favorite easy chair.

I was moved in in one weekend. It felt good to be officially a couple now, married in the eyes of shifter culture. But I still wanted a human wedding, too. Nothing fancy. The courthouse would do, I told him.

Aspen clapped his hands together. “And we'll have a party after.”

I agreed. Whatever he wanted made me happy, too.

We didn't prolong the wait. Everything just fell into place. After Aspen told his mom and dad the good news, they offered to throw the party for us at their place. Aspen complained about meddling, but I couldn't have been happier. I envied his chaotic and loving family who embraced me with open arms.

The party was set for Friday night. We'd been living together only a month, but we were both ready to take the next step. We each took that day off work and went to the courthouse to get the marriage certificate.

“Valentine's Day was last week,” Aspen pointed out. “It could be our anniversary.”

I shook my head.

“No? Why not?”

“You know very well our anniversary is Christmas Eve.”

His eyebrows flew up. “Our first time.” A little fire ignited in his eyes.

“Exactly. You know why? Because that was when I knew for sure. Even then, I knew. I wanted you to be mine.”

“How did I get stuck with such a romantic alpha?”

“A Christmas miracle?” I laughed.

Aspen scrunched up his face, all serious. “I guess I could call it that.”

“You guess?”