“Here. This is for you. And for me. I guess it’s for both of us.”
Toren’s eyes sparkle again, sensing mischief. “Oh, a couple’s surprise. What is it? A gold-plated butt plug?”
“Arghh! A what?”
He grins. “Oh, well, I just thought maybe you wanted to spice things up.”
“I think things are spicy enough, thank you very much.”
“So my secret wrapped gift in the drawer should stay wrapped up?”
I can tell he’s joking, but I lift my shoulder in a playful shrug, playing along. “I don’t know. Maybe one day…”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He reaches for the box and removes the lid slowly, building up the anticipation and doing the surprise right. He is very surprised. I can tell because his head jerks up, and he stares at me when he sees the pocket watch. It’s antique, of course, and made of gold.
“Open it,” I urge.
He does, taking it carefully from the box and opening it deftly. Inside, I had a local artist paint an eye miniature of my eye. Toren inhales deeply. “This is beautiful. And I know it’s yours. I’d know your eyes anywhere.”
I take the box and remove the layer of protective padding to reveal an antique locket. I open it and show Toren his eye painted inside.
“These are incredible. You got them done here?”
“I did,” I say proudly. “They’re NOLA made, through and through. Our eyes, our home, us. A family for always.”
“If you don’t count Milo or yourself, this is the most wonderful gift anyone’s ever given me.”
“Hmm, Milo and I,” I say softly. “You think of us as gifts?”
“Only the greatest in the universe.” Toren gently places the watch back in the box and cups my face. I’m still holding the locket when he kisses me gently and thoroughly. When he pulls back, I know he’s found his second wind. “So, how about sitting on my face now?”
“Are you familiar with the word incorrigible?” I put the locket back in the box, arrange the padding to protect it, then put it on the nightstand and stare the love of my life down.
“Hmm, nope. What does it mean? Is it an extra spicy agreement for some extra spicy Christmas facesitting?” Tor asks sarcastically in a teasing manner.
“It means you can’t be corrected,” I tease in return.
“Above reproach?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“So you’re going to sit on my face because I’m incorrigible, which in this case is a good thing. And sitting on my face is a wonderful thing, so it is above reproach even if I’m personally not?”
“I give up.” Just for good measure, I snort-giggle again. “I give up. But yes, I’ll sit on your face. Goodness. If you insist…”
“I do insist. Absolutely.”
“Well, it is Christmas after all.”
With a laugh, Toren pulls me in to give me the gift he’s saved for last. It’s not just his second wind or what we’ve been discussing, but all of him—his everything. I have to agree with him about what he said earlier about Milo and me. He’s the best gift he’s ever given me. The absolute best. My soulmate.
Good gravy and biscuits. It’s great to be cursed.