Travis's Gift, page 23
“You forget something?” Libby asked.
Travis shook his head. “No. But, I feel this is the time.”
“For what?” Libby said, looking confusedly at him.
Travis shifted in his seat to face her better, then took her hand in his. “I was going to do this tonight, but I find that the closer it gets, I don’t want to share the moment with anyone but us. I don’t even want to share it with Scotty.”
“I don’t understand,” Libby said.
Travis let go of her hand and reached into his jacket pocket. He opened the small velvet box and held it out for her to see.
Libby’s eyes got huge and started filling with tears.
“I love you, Libby. Always have, even though for some of it I denied it even to myself. I’ll never love anyone else. I’ll never even accept anyone else. You’re it for me. I want a life with you. I want a family with you. I know we’re mated, but I want to marry you, too, if you’ll have me. Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Libby’s lip trembled as she looked from Travis’s eyes to the one carat, pear-shaped diamond set on a diamond covered, white gold band.
“My god, Travis!” she whispered.
“If you don’t want to, or need more time to be sure, I understand. I know that mating doesn’t mean to humans what it does to us, so if you want more time to decide if you want to marry me, I do understand. I was a dick,” Travis said.
Libby reached out, placing her finger over his lips to stop him from talking. “Of course I’ll marry you. I love you. You’re everything to me, Travis. Everything,” she repeated.
Travis pulled her in and kissed her passionately. Then he removed the ring from its box and slipped it onto her finger. He pressed his lips to the ring and smiled at her. “I love you. You’re all I need in this life to be happy.”
Libby pulled him in for another kiss. “You make me so happy.”
“Feel like I want to take you inside and make love to you, but, Scotty would come looking for us if we’re too late,” Travis growled, nipping her lip.
“Yes, he would,” she agreed. “We can always celebrate when we get home tonight.”
“Let’s go ahead and get there, then,” he said. “The quicker we’re done, the quicker we’re home.”
~~~
Everybody was inside when the rumble of an unfamiliar truck could be heard coming up the drive toward the house. “Who’s that?” Lazarus asked.
“That’s Scotty’s new ride,” Riley said.
“I’d heard Travis and Libby bought him a truck,” Lazarus said, trying to hide his disappointment that it wasn’t Alex.
“It’s nice, dude. Dodge Ram, dark blue with chrome and a lift kit,” Richie said.
“I’m gonna take a look at it before he leaves tonight. Been thinking of getting myself something,” he said.
“You should. Three of you sharing a truck can’t be convenient all the time,” Riley said.
“I don’t mind. But, I was thinking since I set down roots, I’d go ahead and plant ‘em deep. Invest in some things I need to make my life more stable, you know?” Lazarus said.
Riley nodded, his eyebrows raised in surprise. “Yeah. I do know. I think it’s a great idea.”
“Roman?” Darcie asked, coming back into the living room.
“Yeah, baby?” he answered.
“Will you be on my team for the gingerbread house making contest?” she asked.
“Of course!” he answered.
“And look! Aunt Renata found me in the kitchen, and she gave me a necklace!” Darcie said, lifting the tiny golden chain from where it lay beneath her shirt.
“Oh my goodness!” Roman said animatedly. “It’s beautiful!”
“She said it was an official welcome to the family. And she said that I can get a picture of my Mama and put it on one side, and I can put a picture of me, or you or whatever I want on the other side. Do you think we can do that?” Darcie asked.
“I know we can do that,” Roman answered.
“I like Aunt Renata and Uncle Base. And Kaiser is funny,” Darcie said.
A knock on the door interrupted them.
“Come in!” Lucas said, walking over to the door.
Scotty waited until the door was opened, then he stepped through with his arms full of gifts. “Merry Christmas!” he called out.
“Merry Christmas!” Lucas answered. “Need some help?” Lucas asked.
“Nah, I got it. If you could close the door behind me, I’d appreciate it,” Scotty said.
Lucas glanced out of the door, then back toward Scotty who was making his way over to the tree. “Where’s Travis and Libs?”
“They’re coming. Shouldn’t be but a few minutes behind me.”
“Alright,” Lucas said, closing the door but taking a seat in the straight-backed chair nearest the door.
“You the butler tonight?” Richie asked.
“Looks like it,” Lucas said, grinning.
There was a knock on the door and Lucas looked at it questioningly. He knew no one else had driven up to the house. He opened the door and laughed. “Hey! I was wondering who was here without driving through the front gate.”
“We happened to be walking over when Scotty opened the security gate to drive through. We came through with him and just took our time getting up the driveway. It’s such a nice night,” Constance said, as Moe took her coat from her shoulders.
“Hello, Lucas. Merry Christmas,” Moe said, shaking Lucas’s hand.
“Thank you. And Merry Christmas to you, too. Here, let me take that for you,” Lucas said, reaching for Constance’s coat.
“Thanks. Appreciate it,” Moe said, handing it over.
“If you want to put the presents under the tree with all the others, have at it,” Lucas said, indicating the tree.
“I’ll do that,” Moe said, lifting the bag of gifts he and Constance had shopped for together.
~~~
Travis and Libby parked beside Scotty’s truck. As soon as the engine was off, Travis was out of the jeep and trying to get to Libby’s door before she had time to get out and make her way to the house. He managed to get there right after she’d stepped out of the jeep.
“Why don’t you ever wait for me to be able to open the door for you?” he asked, pecking her lips with a quick kiss.
“Because there’s no reason I can’t open my own door,” Libby answered, smiling up at him.
“Yeah, but sometimes I want to spoil you. You should let me,” he said.
“I’ll try to remember that,” Libby said.
“No, you won’t. You just jump to whatever you want done and that’s that,” Travis said, teasing her.
Libby shook her head with a grin on her face. He was right, she was very self-sufficient and extremely independent, partially because of their past.
Travis took her hand in his, he brought it to his lips and kissed the engagement ring where it hugged her finger, while he looked her in the eye. “You’ve made me the happiest male alive, Libby.”
“Couldn’t help but make you happy. It’s all I want to do,” Libby answered, smiling at him with her heart in her eyes.
Travis leaned forward and pressed her gently against the jeep as he took his time kissing her, enjoying the feel of her lips on his, her hands as they roamed up his back while he kissed her.
“Hey! Cut that out! We got kids in here waiting to open their presents and make gingerbread houses,” Riley called out with a chuckle.
“You think he can see us?” Travis whispered.
“I’m pretty sure he can and it’s us he’s talking to,” Libby answered, on a giggle.
“Fine. But we’re out of here soon as we can. There are so many things I want to do to you tonight,” Travis promised, nipping at her lips playfully.
Libby pulled him close to her body and pressed her nose to his chest, inhaling the scent that was uniquely his. She gave a little satisfied moan when he wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. She was nervous, very nervous, still afraid that when she delivered her news Travis would freak. It’d taken years for him to be convinced that he could take care of her properly. When he found out a baby was being added to the mix, she fully expected him to bolt.
“Ya’ll coming in or not?” Riley asked, still standing in the doorway with a mug of eggnog in his hand.
“Yeah, we’re coming,” Travis said. “You could give a male some privacy though,” Travis muttered under his breath.
“Could. But I’m not,” Riley teased, still standing in the wide open doorway, one hand in his pocket, the other holding his eggnog.
Travis opened the back door and took out so many casserole dishes even he had trouble carrying them all. “We’re coming,” Travis said, waiting until Libby closed the door. Be careful, love. Don’t want you to fall,” he said.
“Give me a couple of those dishes so you don’t fall,” Libby insisted.
“I got this, you just be careful,” Travis insisted, watching his mate navigate the cement steps that led up to Riley’s home.
Riley moved aside to let them enter, and closed the door behind them. “Want some help?” Riley asked Travis.
“Better you point me where you want them, they’re balanced at the moment,” Travis answered.
“Kitchen!” Riley said.
“On it,” Travis answered. Libby went with him to help him put everything down, then together they returned to the living room, hand in hand.
“Hey!” Richie called out, getting up to welcome Travis and Libby.
“Glad to see ya’ll made it,” Scotty snarked. “I been here for like, hours.”
“Yeah, you been here for about twenty minutes,” Travis said.
“What took so long?” Scotty asked, sitting down in one of the chairs nearest the tree.
Libby grinned at him and lifted her left hand, wiggling her fingers at him.
Scotty zeroed in on the large diamond ring on her hand. “Yes!” he shouted, getting to his feet, and rushing over to her. “Let me see!” he said, grinning from ear-to-ear.
“Travis, you did good,” Scotty said, hugging first Libby and then Travis.
“Let me see, too!” Yvette said, struggling to stand up from the sofa.
“I’ll come to you,” Libby said, chuckling at Yvette trying to get her balance to stand up. Libby walked over and held her hand out for Yvette to look at.
“Oh my gosh! It’s beautiful!” Yvette said. “Travis has excellent taste!” she declared.
“What is everyone wanting to see?” Maia asked, walking into the living room with everybody else that had been in the kitchen with her.
“She said yes,” Travis announced.
“She did?” Maia asked, getting excited. “You asked? Finally?” Maia added.
“Yeah, to all of the above,” Travis answered, grinning while he shook his head.
“About damn time,” Riley said, patting Travis on the back.
“Past time,” Travis agreed.
Everyone took a turn to admire Libby’s ring before turning their attention to dinner. Once everyone else had moved to the table to eat, Constance walked up beside Libby who’d just come out of the bathroom. “Have you told him?” she said softly.
Libby shook her head.
“Do you intend to?” she asked with sarcasm in her tone.
“Yes. I took your advice. You said to trust what I see in him, not just his words, but his behavior. And I’m planning to do that, but I’m terrified. I know how hard it was for him to accept being responsible for my safety, now I’m adding a baby,” Libby said.
“It’ll be fine. And if it’s not, there will be more than one male waiting in line to whip his ass,” Constance said, hugging Libby to her.
Libby smiled and nodded.
“When are you going to tell him?” Constance asked.
“Tonight. One of his gifts is a shirt that says ‘World’s Greatest Dad’.”
“That’s a good idea. Plus, you’re surrounded by your Pride when he finds out,” Constance said.
Libby nodded. “It’s a good thing. A happy thing, and I want to be happy and excited and giddy over it. I hate that I’m apprehensive about telling him. I hate it. But it’s not my fault I’m hesitant to tell him.”
“No, it’s not. He created his doubt with his behavior of the recent past, but he’s grown a lot. I think he’s going to surprise you with his response. I mean, look at this ring! He wouldn’t have given you this ring if he wasn’t all in.”
Libby nodded. “He did say once that he wanted a family with me, but that was a while ago. He hasn’t brought it up again.”
“What was your response when he did?” Constance asked.
“I told him that I wasn’t ready for anything he was offering and left him sitting in the diner,” Libby answered.
“Ohhh, I remember that day,” Constance said.
“Me, too,” Libby said regretfully.
“Maybe he hasn’t brought it up again because he considers himself lucky that you agreed to this much and doesn’t want to press his luck,” Constance said.
Libby smiled at Constance. “Let’s hope so.”
“Yes, I’m sure that’s it. Let’s join everyone else and have our dinner. Then we can exchange gifts and begin celebrating your little one,” Constance said.
Together they walked into the kitchen/dining room and each found a seat beside their males. “Have a seat here, love,” Travis said, standing and pulling Libby’s chair out for her.
“Thank you,” Libby answered, lightly kissing his lips before sitting down and allowing him to scoot her seat closer to the table.
Constance took the seat next to Moe who mimicked Travis’s behavior and helped her get seated comfortably.
It did not go unnoticed that there was still an empty seat beside Lazarus. He did his best to ignore it, but every time someone had arrived so far tonight, he’d hoped it was Alex, but it hadn’t been. He’d stopped hoping. It was pretty apparent that he’d blown it. She was probably with her boyfriend — her new assistant.
“Let me just say that I’m so happy, and so humbled to have all of you here tonight celebrating Christmas with us. My life, our lives, have taken such an unexpected path because of all you who have blessed us with your friendship, your trust, and your love. Our Pride wouldn’t be what it is without every single one of you. Each of you is here because you are family. Here’s to many more happy Christmases together. Endless years of happiness, and more and more babies to keep us growing every year,” Riley said, holding his wine glass up in the air to toast his Pride and family.
“Here-here!” was echoed all around the table.
Riley looked around the table again. They’d placed both the expansion pieces in the table top for this evening’s meal, and they all just barely fit. “I think we’re going to have to employ the use of the proverbial kids’ tables after this,” he said, smiling happily.
Lazarus raised his hand. “I volunteer to oversee the kids’ table. Ain't got nobody to need me to sit with them anyway. Besides, the kids are great.”
“Don’t forget when they start tossing cranberries at you, that you volunteered,” Riley teased.
“Yeah, yeah, I’ll toss back,” Lazarus said with a smile.
“Let’s eat! I’m starving!” Riley said.
Chapter 28
They’d just begun to serve their plates when the chime from the security gate sounded to let them know someone was at the gate.
“I’ll go check,” Lucas said. “I am, after all, the butler tonight,” he added, grinning.
“You weren’t the butler when we arrived. Riley let us in,” Travis said.
“That’s because he wanted to mess with you. Otherwise, I’d have let you in. And I’d have been nicer than he was,” Lucas said, teasing both Travis and Riley with one sentence.
Lucas hurried to the front door and pulled it open. He smiled when he saw who it was. He closed the door behind himself and waited patiently until the person parked and got out their vehicle before noticing him standing on the porch and walking toward him. “Hi.”
“Hey, Alex. I’m glad you came,” Lucas said.
“I wasn’t sure I was coming,” Alex answered truthfully.
“Can’t say I blame you. But I’m glad you did. Laz will be glad you’re here, too.”
Alex shook her head. “Haven’t seen him in a few weeks. Pretty sure unless he needs me to sew him up again, I won’t hear from him,” Alex admitted.
“Seriously?” Lucas asked, inviting her in and closing the door behind them. “Surely you didn’t miss him tailing you all over the damn place on most of the dates you’ve been on with your new man.”
Alex’s head whipped around and she looked at Lucas. “We’ve had a dinner a few times. He’s not my new man. Lazarus isn’t interested so there’s no reason I should have to sit home and wait for him to decide he wants to be with me.”
“I agree!” Lucas said. “But, what I’m trying to say is Lazarus has been around. He’s just been good at not being noticed. I know for a fact he’s followed you on several different evenings, and I’m pretty sure he’s loitering around outside your place even when you’re alone.”
“He’s stalking me?” Alex asked, with a smirk.
Lucas grimaced. “I’d rather call it watching over you.”
“Oh, I see,” Alex said, with a half-smile.
“Just keep doing what you’re doing. The threat of you moving on is getting his goat. Let him see what it’s like to have your attention on another male,” Lucas said, taking her coat from her.
“Thanks for the advice,” she said.
“Come on, we’re just sitting down to dinner.”
When Lucas walked back into the kitchen leading Alex, Lazarus jumped to his feet. “Alex!” he said, his expression telling everyone at the table exactly how important she was to him, whether he’d admit it or not.
“Merry Christmas, everyone. Sorry I’m late. I’d decided not to come then changed my mind at the last moment. I just couldn’t spend Christmas Eve without ya’ll,” Alex said, stopping behind Maia to hug her from behind.
