Page 35 of A Very Fumbling Merry Christmas

“That’s an easy one. None of you fuckers sent anything resembling a nice gift. I sent all of them. I know that makes me boring, but I wanted to give you guys something personal, things I thought you’d actually enjoy.”

“I think my ovaries just exploded.” I knew all those ‘secret’ presents were from Hunter, but hearing him say it out loud makes me weak at the knees.

“Holy shit. I’m seriously lost for words right now.” Zee stands from the table, walks over to Hunter, and throws her arms around his neck. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. We’re family now. If I’m stuck with you, you’re stuck with me.”

“Deal.”

The rest of the night is full of fun and games—literally. It’s not Christmas without a good game to play after dinner. Card Against Humanity paired with a healthy dose of alcohol makes for a very amusing evening. Come the end of the night, we’re all stuffed from eating way too much and exhausted from an eventful festive season. The conversation is easy, and the laughs are constant.

“It’s getting late, we should leave you guys to it.” Zee pulls out her phone to call a cab, but I grab it out of her hand before she gets the chance.

“You can stay here.”

“Only if you’re sure?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Zee wraps her arm around me, leaning her head on my shoulder.

“Good, cause it’s fucking freezing outside, and my apartment is probably a block of ice right about now.”

“Then, it’s settled. You guys can crash here, and then you’ll be able to help us eat all the leftovers tomorrow.”

“We’re going to have to start paying rent here soon,” Coop says as he interlaces his fingers with Zee’s. “Thank you for inviting us to spend Christmas with you guys. I know it’s your first holiday together, and I just want you to know that I appreciate you including us… me… us.”

“Our door is always open… holidays, weekdays, Sundays. If it ends with ‘day,’ then you’re welcome here.”

“I’m starting to feel the effects of all that scotch. I might call it a night.” He turns his attention to Zee. “Are you staying up, or do you want to come to bed with me?”

All of a sudden, I feel like Hunter and I are intruding on an intimate moment. It’s not what he said, but the way he said it—laced with desire and the promise of anything but sleep.

Without a word, Zee stands, leading Coop to the staircase, their eyes fixed on one another. Hunter and I cease to exist in their world, and the moment they disappear upstairs to the guest room, Hunter takes my hand and pulls me over to the couch, sitting me down.

“I should really clear the dishes.”

“They can wait until tomorrow. I have one last gift for you, Faith. Wait here.” He disappears for a minute and returns holding a large rectangular present. “This year has been so amazing, and I wanted to make sure we remember it in years to come.”

“What is it?” He puts the beautifully wrapped gift in my lap.

“Open it.”

“Come sit down with me.” He takes a seat next to me, eager to gauge my reaction. I wonder what has him a little unsure of himself. I pull the ribbon and rip open the paper. Whatever is inside, I’m already impressed with the box. Our names are embossed on the lid in gold script.

“Open it. I’m dying over here.”

“Why are you nervous? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you show any kind of nerves before.” He reaches over and plants a soft kiss on my lips.

“I put a lot of thought into it, and I’m just worried you’ll think it’s corny.” Now I’m intrigued.

Removing the lid carefully, I pull back the tissue paper to find a photo book. There’s a picture of us on the front I’ve never seen before. It’s from the Hall of Fame when Hunter proposed. Someone captured a shot of him down on one knee, staring up at me with adoration in his eyes. I haven’t even opened it, and I’m ready to start crying.

I take a moment to compose myself before flipping the page. I’m expecting pictures of us, maybe from the wedding or other events where people take a lot of photos. What I’m seeing, page after page, aren’t our public moments. Hunter isn’t even in most of the pictures.

Each page has been crafted so beautifully, the same way our wedding album was, with stylish-framed photographs with captions next to each one—they are all candid pictures of me. I study page after page, reading Hunter’s words and connecting the dots. These are all pictures Hunter has taken of me when I didn’t know he was watching.

His words are so heartfelt, telling a story of our journey this year. There are so many pictures before we were officially a couple. Days and events I remember going back to right after I challenged Hunter to the wager that brought us together.

Looking at this incredible gift, I see a different side of our relationship in those early days—even before we had a relationship to speak of.

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