Page 42 of Tickled Pink

My father steps forward. “Well, after we spoke yesterday, we got a call,” he says, glancing behind me. “Seems your boys disagreed with us and… well, they were rather persuasive in letting them have the chance to prove us wrong.”

I look at Max and Thad. They both sit with wry smiles and cocky eyes, and I love them even more for it. “You called them?” I ask.

Max stands up and leans on the table’s edge. “Of course we did.”

“Yeah, we don’t take too kindly to people making our lady feel bad,” Thad says with a glare at my parents.

Max nods. “And once we made that perfectly clear, they agreed to give us a chance, and we re-booked their flight for today to surprise you.”

My heart thumps in my chest. “You did?”

Max kisses my cheek. “Merry Christmas,” he whispers.

I swallow hard as I look at him and Thad, willing my tears not to fall.

My boys.

“Well…” I turn to my parents and shrug. “What do you think?”

My mother presses her lips together in thought. “It’s not exactly something you see every day, but… you know me, honey. If you’re happy, then I’m happy, and if these boys make you happy, then… I’m happy.”

I chuckle. “I am happy.”

She steps forward and gives me a hug. “And you have the most adorable dog!” she adds with a squeal.

I hug her back, careful not to squeeze too hard. “Thank you,” I say, breathing with relief.

My father steps forward and towers over me as my mother steps back. “I’m not sure I’m fully on-board just yet, but…” He sighs. “The way they talked about you. Hell, all a father wants is for his daughter to find someone who loves her like that and if you found two, then you found two and I’ll just have to get over it.”

I laugh as I discreetly stop a tear from dropping. “Thanks, Dad.”

“Now,” he sticks his nose in the air, “can I please get me some of that bacon? That smell has been driving me nuts.”

Thad knocks twice on the table and stands up. “Coming right up, Mr. Pink. You, too, ma’am?” he asks my mother.

“Yes, please,” she answers. “It was a long flight and I cannot stand those pretzels they have now.”

“I know what you mean,” Thad says as he grabs two more plates from the cupboard. “Back in the day, we always kept a stash of snacks in the cockpit so we didn’t have to eat those.”

“Oh, that’s right! You’re a pilot.”

“Yes, ma’am, but I’m just a local flight instructor now.”

“And how is that going?”

I settle back into my seat as my mother continues grilling Thad by the stove and Max sits down beside me. He leaves a long, tender kiss on my brow and smiles with a caress on my cheek.

He doesn’t need to say it out loud. His eyes lock on mine and I feel it from the bottom of my heart.

I love you.

I look at Thad and he smiles, flashing me that quick wink before answering my mother’s latest question.

I love you.

I’m theirs. They’re mine.

And nothing can come between what we have.

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