S P E N C E R

Complain. I dare you. RIP Drayton.

"Merry Christmas! Wake the fuck up!"

The spare bedroom door hits the wall with a loud thud and when I pry my eyes open from the bed, Drayton stands in the doorway in a red pair of silk boxers and a Santa hat.

The sun is barely peeking through the blinds, the room is dimly lit and the hour at which he rises is about to give me a headache.

Nathan stirs beside me, rolling from his side on to his back and peering through one narrow eye as he rubs his face.

"What ar—"

"Get up!" Drayton interrupts and laughs when I groan with frustration. "My fiancée is downstairs cooking a fucking dope breakfast, so move it!"

"Lydia doesn't even wake up this early!" I shout as he disappears with a smug grin. "Ugh. Why!?"

No response comes from Nathan and when I turn my head to glance at him, he's staring at the ceiling with a far-off expression. His hair sticks in all different directions, his stubble a little longer than usual. I like it. He looks hot.

"Merry Christmas." I smile, rolling over and sliding my hand across his firm bare chest.

"Merry Christmas." He puts his arm around me and kisses my head, his thumb making small circles on my shoulder.

"Are you alright?" I question, noticing that he seems a little. . . bored.

"Oh yeah." He chuckles. "I'm good. Just looking forward to the day and Lydia getting here."

"Me too!" I jostle with excitement. "Dallas can't wait to see her. She misses her so much."

"Yeah." He chuckles. "We should get up I suppose. Something smells good."

"Mmmm it does."

The two of us hop out of bed and take a quick shower together to save time. Afterwards, Nathan changes into a crisp white shirt. The sleeves rolled up to his elbows, the top few buttons undone and a pair of black jeans on. The weather is warmer — a lot warmer than Colorado. But there's still a light chill in the air. So I slip on the emerald long-sleeve midi dress that I'd bought a couple of weeks ago and of course pair it with a Christmas hat because I can't resist. Even if it doesn't go with the outfit.

Down in the kitchen it doesn't surprise me for even a moment when we find Dallas perched on the countertop, Drayton in between her legs while they vigorously make out beside a pan of bacon.

"Merry Christmas!" I laugh, rolling my eyes when the two of them break apart and glance in our direction. Nathan strolls over to the island where the beginnings of a delicious spread are laid out.

Dallas giggles, her arm still wrapped around Drayton as she buries her face in his chest with red cheeks. I can't deny that I think their love is adorable. The two of them act as though they're still in the honeymoon phase. To be honest, not a lot has changed between them since they were teenagers. Apart from the fact that they're both a little more mature and have careers.

Dallas jumps down from the countertop and pushes Dray's chest so that he has to give her some space. Of course he moves about an inch and still keeps his hands on her hips. She adjusts her pyjama shorts and tank, straightening herself up before she turns back to the pan.

"I'll have no appetite if that keeps up." Nathan makes a tsk noise and pops a couple of peanuts in his mouth.

"More food for us." Drayton smiles over his shoulder, keeping his arms around his fiancée's waist.

"Dray!" Dallas scolds, pushing her bum back in another attempt to move him away. Of course from the way his eyes wander down the length of her back, I don't think she'll be getting the desired result.

"Do you guys want us to finish cooking?" I ask as Nathan comes back towards me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.

"That'd be great!" Drayton snatches the spatula out of Dallas' hand and pulls her towards us while she flails about, silently objecting with furrowed brows.

"But they don't know what I'm doing!" Dallas flusters.

"It's just bacon and eggs." He waves her off, handing me the spatula. "Hash browns are in the oven. We have to get showered and dressed and all that. Be back soon!"

A little squeal sounds out from Dallas once they're out in the living area and within a short moment, the heavy thuds of Drayton running up the stairs echoes through the house.

"Animals," Nathan murmurs, no doubt disturbed and attempting to clear his head.

"Wanna coffee gorgeous?" He smiles, gently tucking a lock of hair behind my ear before he walks over to the kettle.

"Yes please."

As requested, I cook the bacon, the eggs and make sure the hash browns don't get burned. It's not quite the task that Dallas would have made it out to be and after about an hour, the two of them return, showered and fully clothed. Drayton wears his trademark black t-shirt and a pair of grey joggers. His thin silver chain hanging from his neck and a cap on backwards. Dallas looks beautiful in a dark maroon jumpsuit. The legs are full length but the straps are spaghetti style and her hair falls in soft waves. They do make a gorgeous couple.

We'd kept the food in the warming oven while we waited. Nathan and I had sat on the couch chatting until it was time to eat. During the meal, Dallas set up the stereo to lull soft Christmas music and we sat around the island devouring hash browns, eggs, breakfast sausages, pancakes, waffles and more. Dallas and I prepared a lot of it yesterday which saved time but didn't tarnish how delicious it all tasted. It's the perfect start to the morning.

•

"Did Grayson reply?" Dallas asks once we're in the car on the way to the airport. We'd left Drayton and Nathan back at the house to do the dishes. Much to their disappointment. Nathan also promised to get a head start on the roast lamb for tonight's meal.

"Yeah," I tell her, dropping the phone into the centre cup holder. "He said that she got on the flight."

"You were worried that he wouldn't send her?" she questions.

"A little," I admit. "It's stupid. I dunno. I just don't trust a lot of his choices these days. Leigh seems like she doesn't give a fuck what I think and ugh. She hasn't messed up again since the haircut thing but I'm kinda just waiting."

"Mmm," Dallas hums, her knuckles turning white as she grips the steering wheel.

"What?"

"Oh, nothing." She smiles. "She just pisses me off. It sucks that you have to deal with her."

"Yeah. I mean, it's not like I want Grayson to be unhappy or lonely. I just wish he could find a decent girl." I huff, watching the open road in front of us. There aren't a lot of cars out considering that most people travel before or after Christmas. "I mean, Nathan is amazing. He doesn't do weird shit like take Lydia for haircuts without asking me. He's respectful and incredible and sexy an—"

"Yeah, great!" Dallas interrupts the awestruck tone that I'd taken, tightly smiling as she stares ahead with a narrow gaze. "That's ma brother. Don't need too much information."

"Sorry," I chuckle.

"It's alright." She grins. "It's actually amazing. I've never seen him so happy Spence. Like ever."

"Really?"

"Yeah." She nods, giving me a brief glance. "I mean, he wasn't unhappy when we were young. But he's just, lighter and smiles more in general and his vibe doesn't seem forced. I dunno. It's hard to describe."

"I think I get it." I blush, not bothering to hide how my heart seems to swell when the subject turns to Nathan.

When we get to the airport, we're led to the gate where the jet had landed about two minutes ago. We wait patiently, standing by a faux tall tree while people wheel past their roller luggage and the overhead speaker announces landings and departures. Passengers cheer Christmas greetings and I attempt to return the festivities without being too distracted.

Finally the electric doors open and a middle-aged woman in a crisp pantsuit comes through with a stroller bag in one hand and Lydia's small fist in the other. It's like a wave of relief rolls over me when I catch her quick gaze darting around the airport. Her eyes finally land on me and her brows shoot up as she rips her hand out of the hostess' grip and runs towards me.

"Momma!" She giggles, bounding into my arms with so much energy that she almost knocks me over.

"Merry Christmas pretty girl!"

"Merry Christmas!"

"Gimme a turn!" Dallas demands with a soft chuckle.

"Hello Aunt Dallas." Lydia gets transferred from my hold to Dallas' and I smile at the girls who embrace in a tight hug while they giggle excitedly.

"I've missed you so much!" Dallas playfully growls, swinging Lydia from side to side. "You're staying with me forever."

"Nooo." My girl giggles, tipping her head back. "I'd miss my Momma."

I have the best daughter in the world.

We get back to the car as soon as we can, not wanting to waste time at the airport or on the road seeing as it's Christmas and all. I'm glad that Grayson dressed Lydia in the little white dress and denim jacket like I'd asked. I half expected her to turn up in something that Leigh had insisted she wear.

"So how's your morning been sweetheart?" I question, turning around in the passenger seat while Dallas drives the car out of the parking lot.

"Mmm it was fine." She shrugs from her car seat. "We had waffles for breakfast and Leigh's Momma and Pappa were nice."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah."

"What did you get for Christmas so far?"

"Some more barbies and some clothes and a chalkboard for Daddie's house."

"Nice."

As ridiculous as it seems, I want to further pry about details on Leigh's parents. But there's not much that a four-year-old can tell me apart from her natural deduction of a first impression. I drop the subject, not wanting to stew on my ex and his girlfriend for any longer than I have and stay quiet for the remainder of the drive while Dallas and Lydia chit chat.

•

"Nathan!" Lydia squeals, as soon as she walks into the kitchen and spots him leaning against the countertop chatting with Drayton. He immediately diverts his attention to her and embraces her in a big hug.

It warms me so much to see the love that she's surrounded with. I couldn't have a better group of people as my chosen family.

"Where's my big hug?" Drayton leans around behind Nathan and gives her a playful stare.

"I saw you yesterday Uncle Dray Dray," she tells him, giggling when he feigns offence at her statement.

"Well then." He pouts, flicking on the faucet tap with attitude. "No marshmallows for you."

She begins to protest and Nathan joins her, demanding that the goods get handed over while Dray continues to rinse a couple of cups and spoons. Dallas laughs at the noise that the two of them make, chanting for marshmallows and justice.

"I've got an idea!" Dallas shouts above the voices. "How about we do presents? Then there's time to play and all that before dinner?"

"Yes, presents!" Lydia claps.

"Wanna be the Santa?" Nathan asks her and she nods with enthusiasm.

We all head across to the living room and Drayton dries his hands as he trails along behind me. "She seems ten times happier than she did last night."

"Really?"

"Yeah, she missed you bad."

It still seems odd that he'd get the impression that wasn't happy. She loves Grayson and her weekends with him. Still, she has been known to get homesick so it's a pleasure to see her with a big grin while she settles down next to the tree that's surrounded with wrapped gifts.

I come around and sit on the couch beside Nathan while Dallas and Drayton take the other.

"Is she gonna be able to read the names on those?" Drayton questions.

"Yeah of course," I answer with a psssh noise. "She can recognise names and small words."

"She's been learning tons at preschool," Nathan adds, nodding with a proud smile.

"Aunt Dallas," Lydia gets her attention from where she sits on the floor. "You and Uncle Dray Dray should have a baby so I have a friend to be Santa with."

Dallas blushes but her eyes immediately dart in the direction of her fiancé. Mild trepidation settling in her features.

"Trust me kid." Drayton sighs, throwing his arm around Dallas. "I'm working on it. As often as possible."

"I wanna die," Nathan mumbles.

"Drayton!"

"She doesn't get it," he defends with a wild hand gesture.

"It could have been worse." Dallas shrugs.

"How about we just start." I lean forward and gesture for Lydia to begin handing out the gifts.

She gets through the pile at a rather fast speed. We barely get through unwrapping one gift before another is placed in our laps.

Dallas and Drayton spoiled us, gifting us a new blender — more for Nathan no doubt — some gift vouchers that equaled a ridiculous amount of money and a welcome home front doorstep mat.

"That's for when you've finished renovating," Dallas tells me while she unwraps the cute family portrait that I'd had taken and framed of Nathan, Lydia and I. "This is so beautiful!" She coos.

Drayton leans across, inspecting it as well with a nod of approval.

"It's not much," I tell her with a sheepish grin.

"Please don't do that," Dallas stops the pity party. "Professional photos and frames and all that are expensive. Not to mention that sentimental gifts are amazing. Trust me, we don't need a whole lot of stuff."

"Neither does she." I gesture at Lydia who has more gifts than all of us put together.

She's got dolls. Fairies. Clothes. A bead-making kit. Dollhouse furniture. A barbie car. Books and a whole lot more. Nathan and I were responsible for gifting her less than half of it.

"She's a bit spoiled."

"Well, you're lucky because Drayton wanted to get her a pug." Dallas stares at him with exasperation. He glances up from his unwrapping and grins.

"She said she wants a pug," he defensively states. "I like to get people what they want."

"I want a million dollars." I smile.

"Yeah, well, dreams are free Spencer."

"Aww thanks babe," Dallas interrupts with big heart eyes, holding up an Adidas shoebox with an expensive looking pair of trainers in them. "These are the pair that I pointed out a few months back."

"Yeah, you went back for them but they were gone. Because I bought them." He chuckles.

I believe he got a similar gift. Something football related no doubt. And not to mention the secret box that Dallas opened and immediately closed with bright red cheeks. Who knows what was in that, but I'm not sure that I want to know either.

"Here babe." Nathan hands me a small square present wrapped in matte red paper with Candy Canes all over it.

I can tell that it's a book just from the shape of it, but the feel confirms that theory. He sits forward and taps the tips of his fingers together as rests his elbows on his knees.

"Ooh I haven't read this," I tell him, inspecting the cover which reads, 'A Room With A View. "I've been meaning to. But I haven't had the chance."

Out of habit I flick through the pages, inhaling the scent of new literature as the pages fan my face. It's one of the best smells on the planet and I can feel the urge to curl up with a coffee right now.

A flash of black ink in the back of the book gets my attention and I quickly flick through the pages again until I land on a little note on the back page. I smile up at Nathan who's watching me with a soft adoring gaze, reminded of our little activity at the book store a few weeks ago.

Not a day, not a week, not a month or a year, since the summer of senior has passed where I haven't been in love with the most beautiful girl on this earth. With curls as soft as silk and a smile that puts the sun to shame, she's the one that I want to give my name.
Spencer Laurel, will you marry me?

The book almost falls out of my hand as I read the last line. My head snaps up and I realise that the rest of the room is quiet. Drayton is filming me with his phone, Dallas is blotting tears with a tissue and Lydia watches me from between them with a huge smile.

When I turn to Nathan, he slides off the couch and kneels in front of me, pulling a ring box from his pocket. His gaze is glassy and as he blinks, a lone tear slides down his cheek and rolls over his smile.

"Spence, I mean that." He takes a deep breath. "I've been in love with you since senior year. I've been so in love with you for the longest damn time."

"You have?" I sob, my lip quivers as I attempt and fail to hold back an onslaught of tears.

"Yeah." He nods with a chuckle.

"You. . . you watched me have a child with someone else. You watched me live in a relationship for almost five years and you still loved me?!"

"I never stopped. No matter how hard I tried. No matter what I did to forget. I couldn't stop loving you, Spencer." His fingers gently graze the apple of my cheek, swiping at the tears that freely fall. "So I know to some people, it might seem fast but I've been waiting for this for a hell of a long time and I'll keep waiting, until you're ready—"

"Yes!" I blubber. "Yes, Nathan, I want to marry you! Like so much."

He starts to laugh through the sniffles, his expression is so pure and elated as he pulls the gorgeous white gold diamond out of its box and slides it onto my finger.

Hollering and clapping sounds from our small audience, but my focus remains on Nathan as he leans in and gives me a passionate but tasteful kiss. His large hands fan out on either cheek and the taste of tears coats my lips.

"I asked your Dad," he murmurs as he leans back. "And Lydia."

"You kept this a secret the whole time?" I stare past Nathan's shoulder at the one person who I thought would be sure to blab such a big secret. She proudly nods, giggling like the excited little girl that she is.

"In all fairness," Nathan adds, "I only told her before we left Archwood. I had to stress how important it was that she kept it a secret too."

"So that's the key to your silence then." I laugh. "We need to be more specific."

"Your Dad was a little harder to convince. But I just made sure he understood what you meant to me." Nathan stands up, taking my hand in his and pulling me to my feet. "I didn't think it'd help to mention that I've loved you since you were in high school though. So I kept that to myself."

I start to laugh and throw my arms around his neck, staring at the ring on my finger which rests on his shoulder. It's perfect. This is perfect. Dallas, Drayton and Lydia get up as well and embrace us all in a series of congratulatory hugs and well wishes. It might be fast to some people. And while I haven't been in love with him as long as he's been in love with me, I still know that he's it for me. Time doesn't define how right two people are for each other. It's what you feel and I know that I've never loved like this before.

Best Christmas ever.

• • •

I have the best readers ever. Your comments warmed me so much yesterday. Thank you for being an incredible bunch of people. ILY ALL.

I just sat in my car and finished this chapter after I dropped my kids off before I went home and had to do housework and shit. Lol.

Also. If you want, feel free to follow me on Pinterest. I have lots of boards dedicated to HOTTIES. Hahahah. Including Drayton and Nathan. 😉