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I nod, seeing the truth in her eyes. “I support whatever you decide, but I want you to be safe, and I want to be the one to keep you safe, Bubblegum.”
“You do keep me safe, Hudson. You kept me safe last night, even after our fight, even when you were hurt you put me first.”
I press a heated kiss to her lips. “Always. I know asking you to dinner with my family scared you, and I know you might not still be ready even now that we’re officially a couple, but I do want you to meet my family and my guys. I want them to know you. I want them to meet the reason I’ve changed, the reason that I’m happier.”
“I wasn’t scared to meet them, Hudson. It was just what made me confront my real feelings for you. When you asked, it made me realize that things were actually getting serious and not just a casual hookup like I thought. I thought at first my apprehension was that I didn’t want that, but when I thought about it, I realized I was worried for the opposite reason because Idowant that. I’d love to meet them. All of them.”
Fuck yeah.
“Really?”
She nods, her grin widening. “I want to meet the people who love you as much as I do. I want to be part of each other’s lives, not just in secret. I want to know what it’s like to be yours in front of the entire world.”
And that is irrevocably true.
Caroline Evans ismine.
Not that there was ever really a question.
Not since I tasted that bubble gum on her lips.
Not since she stole my heart in a darkened broom closet and never gave it back.
Not since the onlyplayI would be making is the one where I keep her forever.
* * *
Three weeks later
“I can’t believeChristmas is like two weeks away,” Caroline says as she adjusts the gifts under the Christmas tree for at least the sixth time. “It snuck on me, and I am totally unprepared.”
“Bubblegum, aside from Mariah Carey herself decorating this house, it couldn’t possibly look any more festive. And even then, I still think you’d show her up.”
That earns me a full-blown smile, one that lights up her entire face and causes my heart to hammer against my chest.
She’s so fucking beautiful.
“That is practically the best compliment ever. Thanks, Romeo.”
After rearranging the presents once more, she moves on to the mantle above the fireplace and takes everything off, piece by piece, until it’s empty. A blank canvas. Then, she stands back and chews on the end of her red-and-green-painted nail as she stares intently at the mantle.
It’s so goddamn cute.She’sso goddamn cute.
And I think a little nervous, which is saying a lot because in the time that I’ve known Caroline, she’s been nothing but confident and sure in whatever situation she’s been thrown in.
It would explain all of the rearranging just to rearrange again and the fact that she’s been uncharacteristically worrisome about everything looking perfect. Obsessing over every little detail.
I walk over to where she’s standing and pull her to me, taking her chin between my fingers, “You nervous about meeting my family, Bubblegum?”
“No, of course not. Why would I be nervous? What’s there to be nervous about? There is absolutely nothing to be nervous about.” Her words come out in a rush, and when I grin, she blows out a breath. “Yes. I’m so fucking nervous, Hudson, and I don’t ever get nervous. It’s just… they’re the most important people in your life, and I want them to like me. I need everything to be perfect.”
“Baby, listen to me. They are going to love you just as much as I love you,” I tell her, tipping her chin up so I can brush my lips along hers. She sighs against my mouth. “I promise, they’re going to love everything you’ve done here. You’ve made my house a damn home in the past two weeks, and that’s what matters. Not how many trees are up.”
She didn’t hesitate when I asked her to take my card and decorate for the holidays after we decided that I’d host everyone here during the two days we have off. I’m so fucking excited for her to meet my parents, my sister, and my guys.
So far, we’ve fallen into a routine that’s just… us. It’s not easy trying to juggle both of our schedules and still have time for each other, but the time we do have, we take full advantage of.
“Okay. You’re right. I’m just freaking out.”
