“This is a serious moment. Don’t ruin it for them.”
Giggling, Whitney looks over to see the entirety of her family crowding my SUV.
“You better have said yes, sis,” Brenden snarks, “you’re close to old maid status.”
“That there is why I’m going to be best man,” Thatch speaks up from next to him.
“You so are not, dick. I’ll be the best man.”
“No dick, Uncie Brenden,” Peyton scolds before sounding out. “Pee-nis.”
“Peyton!” Gracie admonishes. “That’s a bad word too.”
“Only for you,” Thatch chimes in with a father’s warning.
“We are so going to Vegas for the bachelor party,” Brenden announces.
“Over my dead body,” Serena chimes in while smacking the window lightly. “Open up, Whit. I’m dying!”
“Your dead body can be arranged,” Brenden assures dryly.
“Brenden, I think it’s time you know that you are the worst brother in the history of ever.”
“Oh my God, it’s finally happened.” Brenden fakes a sniff. “I’ve been working toward that title my whole life. First, I would like to thank the academy—oww! Shit, Serena!”
“Uncie Eli,” Peyton barks from somewhere between them. “Come out!”
Wyatt wiggles in Conner’s arms as she stands back from the rest of the group, shaking her head. Such a smart girl.
“Auntie Whit,” Gracie says through a mouthful of braces, shielding her eyes and peering into the window. “Hurry up so I can see the ring!”
“It’s freezing out here,” Brenden whines.
“Eli!” Peyton barks again, and I grin. My little man, ever the bossy one.
Whitney shakes her head as the ramblings continue.
“What is taking so long?” Gracie asks.
“Would you two please. Get. Out. Of. The. Car!”
“Serena,” Thatch scolds. “Maybe they want a moment alone.”
“I can’t see shit with these lights blinding me,” Dad says as Whitney and I shake with laughter.
Another knock sounds. “Whitney, this is your father. I’m not getting any younger, Sweet Pea. Come on out of the car.” Allen peers in, his hands covering his eyes to block the blinding white lights.
Whitney shakes her head and looks back over to me, her smile breathtaking. “We’re eloping. You hear me? We. Are. Eloping.”
“Whatever you want, Bee,” I say with a chuckle.
“And we’re not sleeping here tonight,” she says heatedly.
“Fuck no,” I whisper. “I’ve got us a room ready. I’m going to do things to my fiancée tonight that will have us both on Rudolph’s naughty list.”
“Fiancée,” she sighs. “We’re getting married.”
“Yeah, baby,” I lift her hand and kiss her ring, “if we ever get out of the car.”
“I love you so much, Eli.”
“I know.”
“Arrogant,” she sniffs.
“Confident,” I say. “In us.” She kisses my palm and presses it to her cheek.
“I’m so happy.”
“That’s all I want.”
Past Whitney’s shoulder, I see Ruby standing alone on the porch, her hands on the railing, her smile a mile wide as her family continues to batter my SUV.
“Ready?” I ask Whitney.
“Absolutely. Let’s do this,” she replies just before I unlock the doors.
THE END
KATE – “ALEXA, WISH MY READERS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!”
ALEXA – “HERE IS SOMETHING I FOUND ON THE WEB—”
A packet and a half of hot chocolate mix made with milk 3 Hershey’s Kisses
2 packages mini candy canes - crushed
A handful of mini marshmallows
Stir all ingredients, including （1） crushed candy cane, until kisses are melted. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle the second crushed candy cane.
Enjoy!
XO
In the mood for more Romantic Dramedy?
Check out the first chapter of
The Guy on the Right
Theo
College Station, Texas, population 113,564 and I’ve finally got a match. It’s not something I’m used to, but my luck’s been changing for the past few months, and seemingly for the better. It only took a few hours for my online profile to go live, and now that it has, I can freely admit I’m enjoying the ego boost.
TJGrand: How’s it going?
BlueBelle2001: Good night so far, you?