The girls made us watch a Christmas movie after we ate dinner. It was more fun than I thought it’d be, but the girls really know how to put together a feast. Then as we ate, Sophie suggested we all share a favorite holiday memory. We all died laughing as Sophie and Lennon shared memories from their childhood. Most revolved around making Maddie believe Santa walked around the house, leaving cookie crumbs on the floor. They even put reindeer poop tracks outside for her to find too. Being the youngest, she got the brunt of their pranks, which Maddie didn’t find hilarious at all.
“You look really beautiful,” I whisper in Maddie’s ear as she sits on my lap. The sparkly red dress hugs her like a second skin.
“I wore it for you,” she leans back and murmurs. “Even if you can’t tear it off later.”
Fuck if I don’t wish I could.
“Trust me, I would in a heartbeat,” I tell her.
I’m dying to touch her. To give in to our desires and make her my Christmas meal, but the pent-up tension and aggression is helping me in the ring during training, so I can’t risk getting weak now. There are only ten days left until the fight, and I plan to make every day of training count.
After the movie, Sophie announces it’s time to exchange gifts. We did a secret Santa with the girls and guys separate, and I got Hunter’s name. Knowing he’s an Aaron Rodgers fan, I managed to outbid a person online for a signed jersey and football. Then of course I got Maddie something, but it’s nothing compared to what I really want to give her. I love her, but I also don’t want to rush anything before we’re truly ready, so I kept it simple.
“Dude, yes!” Hunter shouts when he opens his present. “This will get passed onto my son and his son and then his son’s son…for generations, man.” He’s so happy, and I can’t help but laugh.
“That’s going on my mantel, isn’t it?” Lennon deadpans, then shoots me a playful glare.
I throw my hands up and shrug. “You knew what you were getting into when you married him. Plus, it’s better than the Playboy centerfold blowup poster I was going to buy.”
Lennon points at me. “Better watch your back, Evans. This just gives me fuel to get you back next year.”
“It’s on.” I shoot her a wink.
After everyone exchanges their gifts, Sophie makes her special peppermint hot cocoa with candy cane straws and marshmallows. Mason sneaks behind her and adds in vodka, and she scolds him for it.
The entire evening is surreal.
I’ve never had this experience before. My father tried his very best to give me what he could, but the warmth and laughter in the room are new to me.
“You want your gift tonight, or should I wait until Christmas Day?” I ask Maddie as we stand in the kitchen, getting hot chocolate refills.
“Hmm…” She smiles wide. “Now.”
I laugh because I knew she’d say that. Reaching into my back pocket, I grab the thin pieces of paper and hand them to her. “Sorry they aren’t wrapped…”
Her eyes light up as soon as she realizes what they are. “Oh my God!” she screams so loud, you’d think we were already at the concert. “Billie Eilish tickets! Are you kidding me?” She flings herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck, and I catch her. “How did you get these? They sold out in like minutes!” She pulls back and searches my face.
I shrug as if it was no big deal to jump through hoops to get them. “I know people.”
Maddie looks at them again. “The concert isn’t until next summer.” She arches a brow, tilting her head at me. “Does that mean you think we’ll still be together then? Or is this like when a guy makes plans six months in advance so the chick will sleep with him now?”
“Fuck, you caught me.” I grip her hips and pull her closer.
“I love it, thank you.” Maddie kisses me softly, and I lean in, wanting more of her. “I hope you know what you just signed up for.” She smirks, shaking her hips. “I have every song of hers memorized.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less, honestly.” I press my lips to her forehead. “I can’t wait.”
“Me too. We’ll hopefully have a lot to celebrate by then.”
Hell, I sure hope so.
“I feel bad now. All I got you was a personalized ornament.” She frowns. “It…has our faces painted on it. With our names on the bottom. And the year.” She slaps herself in the forehead. “I wanted to commemorate our first Christmas. It sounds super lame now that I’m saying it out loud.”
Grabbing her wrist, I remove her hand and tilt her chin up to look at me. “It sounds…amazing. Thoughtful. Very Maddie. And I already know it’s going to be the best gift I’ve ever received.”