“It was her idea.” Elle points at Peyton, who feigns shock, causing me to shake my head.
As if this morning can’t get any worse, their bedroom flies open, and Harrison is standing in the doorway. “Are you sneaking into my daughter’s room?”
“Um…” I stand, unsure what the hell I’m supposed to do right now. He stalks toward me and for the first time since I’ve known him, I can easily say, I’m a bit terrified.
“Do you think because you’re marrying my daughter that gives you the right to come through her window? To come into my home without my knowledge?”
I take a few steps back, but he keeps coming forward. Neither Peyton nor Elle are saying anything, and I’m starting to wonder how I’m supposed to get out of this.
“Oh, for the love of all things holy, Harrison. Leave Noah alone,” Katelyn says from the doorway. She loves me. She has to. I’m her godson and she’s my mom’s best friend.
Harrison glares at me. My heart is about to fall into my stomach. I think I’m going to be sick. Never in my life, have I been in this situation. The room is eerily quiet while Harrison stares me down. I’m tempted to remind him… oh hell, I don’t know what I can remind him about. He’s right, I shouldn’t be sneaking in through the window, but all I wanted to do was wake up on Christmas morning with Peyton. I really don’t think that’s too much to ask, especially considering we’re about to be married. The tension in the room is palpable. I swallow hard and open my mouth to say something, but nothing, not even a squeak comes out.
Harrison stands tall and slowly sticks his hand out toward me. My eyes go from his to his hand, back to his eyes, and finally around the room. “Welcome to the family. I’ve always wanted to bust someone in the
girls’ room, so thank you for making my Christmas morning memorable.”
Everyone in the room starts laughing. Everyone, that is, except for me. I don’t find this funny at all. I don’t even care about being caught by Harrison. What I care about is that I touched Elle. That’s what bothers me the most.
“I’m going to go down and make a pot of coffee,” Katelyn tells the room. Everyone leaves, except for Peyton. Elle closes the door behind her, giving us some privacy.
“That was mean.”
“It was meant to be funny,” she says, climbing out of bed and coming to me. Her hands start on my chest with one over my rapidly beating heart, while the other moves to my hair. “I’m sorry.”
“I touched your sister, Peyton. I would never—”
She stops my words with a deep, lingering kiss. “I know. I know you would never do anything to hurt me, Noah.”
“I wouldn’t. I love you so damn much.”
Peyton doesn’t return the sentiment. Instead, she goes to the desk and pulls open the drawer. “Tonight, we’re going to be husband and wife, which is the best gift we could give each other. But, I saw this one afternoon, not long after we moved to Portland. I was walking around aimlessly, questioning everything that I knew.”
She sets the small package into my hand. “Open it.”
“Don’t you want to wait for later?”
Peyton shakes her head.
I unwrap the box with such urgency one would think I’ve never opened a present before. Lifting the lid of the box reveals a black, industrial style watch. Peyton takes it out for me and turns it over. “What does it say?” I ask her.
She smiles softly. “You are my light, my happy, my everything. Today starts our forever.” My hand covers the watch, holding it in her hand. She rises to kiss me. It’s soft and perfect. “Merry Christmas, my love.”
“Merry Christmas."
Quinn and Nola, who both slept through the earlier commotion, finally woke and joined us for breakfast. And because Betty Paige is the youngest, our clan will celebrate Christmas at my parents. Harrison volunteered to drive everyone over, but Katelyn nixed the idea, telling him that once Christmas is deemed over, it’s wedding time and the women had places to be.
I thought about running back to my parents or riding with Katelyn, fearful that Harrison would try to kill me. Unfortunately, Katelyn’s car was full, mostly taken up by a certain dress that I can’t wait to see, and that left me with my previous two choices. Thankfully, Peyton’s riding with me and I know Harrison will be on his best behavior.
At my parents’, my dad hands me a beer the second I walk in the door, JD pats me on the back, telling me I’ve earned my stripes. They’re both laughing and telling me it’s about time I got my balls busted by Harrison. I’m so happy everyone thinks this is a laughing matter. I almost crapped my pants.
“Let’s open presents,” Betty Paige hollers at everyone and Eden seconds the statement.
“Why so eager?” I ask her, sitting down next to her on the floor.
“It’s your wedding day, silly brother. We all have to get our hair did.”
“Done,” I correct her.