Surviving (Surrender 2)

Declan walks up and gives me a questioning look, but I cut my eyes to let him know it’s okay. We say good night and leave to meet our friends for an after party.

Chapter 34

Pont des Arts

The weekend after the launch party, we decorated for Christmas. My mom gladly offered me a ton of decorations for the house, but Declan and I had to start from scratch with our tree.

We all participated in the angel tree again this year and spent the entire afternoon on Sunday wrapping gifts for our selected children. This year Sayge adopted a child too, and the guys gave me the money for the shopping. Amber was trying to set up a photo op for the band dropping off the gifts to emphasize the commitment to the local community.

The week after the launch party was wild. As predicted, the video went viral on the websites and YouTube. The album was doing great on digital downloads, and Mike was working with Jay and Amber

on a press junket after New Year’s. I was keeping the calendars up to date, and Sayge decided to cut back their performances to three a week. This gave everyone a much needed break and time to appreciate the efforts of the last few months.

I was at a complete loss what to get Declan this year for Christmas. I finally found the perfect gift online but didn’t know one thing about musical instruments. I recruited Blake to come with me to pick it out. My next gift was much more personal. I didn’t tell a soul about it and hoped I could hide it until Christmas.

On Christmas Eve, we arrived at my parents early so I could help with dinner. When Declan brought our bags in, my dad paused but told him to put them in my room. My mom and I were shocked, but Declan didn’t wait around for him to change his mind.

Exactly like every year, Robbie came in late and panicked. I wrapped his gifts, and he finished helping with dinner. The Black’s and David arrive at the same time, and we sit around the living room until dinner’s ready. My dad gives a prayer and thanks God for our health and prosperity. He finishes by mentioning families merging and new beginnings. I’m glad David joined us since the girls are with their boyfriends.

I feel sorry for Finn during dinner because we all drill him about his job in Paris the kind of projects he worked on. Some of them sound really boring, but my dad, Robbie and David take interest.

After dinner, we go to the living room for our present exchange. The parents exchange the normal bottles of wine and Christmas ornaments. When my mom opens David’s gift she gasps. It is a beautiful crystal nativity scene set inside a glass globe. When she hugs him, he blushes like a girl.

Finn whistles when he opens my gift. I found a vintage set of coins encased in a sterling box. He used to collect coins before he left for the Marines, and I thought about him immediately when I found them. He explains my gift is in his truck, so he goes to get it.

He comes back into the room carrying a large picture box. “Don’t worry, Baby Girl, the packaging is for protection. I had this shipped here.”

I rip into the paper and am stunned at the sketch in the frame. Tears fall down my cheeks. It’s a picture of Pont des Arts in Paris. I remember only getting halfway to the bridge before I broke down. I look up at him, and he is grinning. He nods his head, and I know what he did.

I shove the frame to Declan and jump into Finn’s arms knocking him back. It is such an intimate gift, but if I ever had a doubt he didn’t approve of me and Declan, those doubts are gone. My dad clears his throat, and I back up to see seven confused faces.

“This is a bridge in Paris we visited. It’s a pedestrian bridge with breathtaking views.” I leave out my meltdown and the most important part of the gift. Declan looks at me with hurt is his eyes but I mouth, “I’ll tell you later.”

We hang out for a while longer before The Blacks and David leave. Following tradition Declan, Robbie and I lounge on the sofa, turn on “A Christmas Story,” and my parents go to bed. I fall asleep on them and wake when Declan carries me to my room. I change into a pair of new silk pajamas and hope that Declan doesn’t question my outfit. I rarely wear long sleeved pant sets to bed, but since we are in my parents’ house, it felt appropriate.

He doesn’t say anything when I get in bed, but I can tell he is bothered by my exchange with Finn.

“Dec, let me explain. It’s not what you’re thinking.”

He looks down at me as I lay across his chest; waiting for me to continue. “That bridge is beautiful and crosses The Seine River. It is also known to be a special place for lovers.” He stiffens under me. “Only, I wouldn’t know. Finn and I went to see it and enjoy the views. We were almost on the bridge when a street musician started playing. It hit me so hard and flooded my mind with thoughts of you. I panicked. We never went across it.”

“What was with the excitement then? Seems like a pretty intimate gift if you never even crossed it.”

“Well, supposedly there’s a gesture that lovers do when on the bridge. They attach a padlock with their names engraved on it to the railings. Then they throw away the key as a sign of commitment and love.”

“I’m not sure I like where you are going with this.”

“That was the gesture Finn made with his head tonight. He placed a padlock on the bridge with our names on it. You and me, Declan.”

He relaxes under me but doesn’t speak for a few minutes. “Finn sure makes it hard to have bad feelings against him. I swear tonight the jealousy came back. But now I feel like an asshole. Now the jealousy I have is not taking you to that bridge myself.”

“Would it bother you if I hang it in our living room?”

“That’s perfect, Sparkle, perfect.”

*****

The smell of cinnamon and coffee wakes me up in the same position I fell asleep. I try to slip out of bed without waking Declan, but he clasps my wrist causing me to yelp. It was just a sting, but he took me by surprise. His eyes bulge, and he shoots up.