Page 26 of First Christmas

“Where’s Nat? What did you all do?” she asked, the suspicion slowly trying to grow into trepidation.

“Just relax and let it happen, beautiful. Let me spoil you. This is how it always should’ve been for you.”

Her eyes met mine, looking up at me as I ushered her down the path through the backyard to the old beat up building.

You couldn’t tell the inside was a beautiful library from the outside and Becks gave me a questioning look. I stood her right in front of the door and faced her. Leaning down I kissed the tip of her nose.

“You stand right here. Keep those eyes closed. Do not open them until I tell you to,” I ordered. “You’ll ruin the surprise and Nat will be devastated.”

Her eyes rolled, but she shut them, and I opened the door leading into the library. Seeing Nat with her big blue eyeshopping up and down. Everything looked perfect. I turned and grabbed both of Becks’ hands, leading her a couple steps forward until she was in the room.

Backing up, I stood by Nat and looked at my beautiful fiancee, completely oblivious to what we’d done for her. I looked down.

“You recording?” I asked quietly.

Nat nodded, “Ever since you opened the door.”

“Alright, Peanut. Here we go,” I said just for her to hear, before raising my voice, “Open your eyes, Rebecca.”

Chapter 11

Isighed at Lucas and Nat’s antics and opened my eyes, scanning the room as they came into focus and adjusting to the scene that lay before me.

Lucas and Nat yelled in unison,“Merry Christmas!”

I gasped, the breath completely stolen from me. How had they managed this? My hands covered my mouth as I took several more steps into the room and turned in a slow circle.

Beautiful hardwood floor covered with some comfy area rugs, a mini fridge and coffee bar. A comfy chair and lounge. Art prints framed with my favorite fictional locations alongside pictures of my family and friends.

Books. So many books spread out over shelves that covered every bare part of the wall.

There were fairy lights and dim lighting creating a calming atmosphere. There was even a neon sign strung up proclaiming this was “Becks’ Library”.

Bookish merchandise was scattered among the shelves and everywhere I looked was another perfect detail and it was utterly overwhelming.

“Breathe,” I felt Lucas’ hands on my arms and took a deep shuddering breath in.

“How?” I whispered “It's too much.”

“It's nothing.” Lucas scoffed. “Those extra night shifts, I was out here building this. Laying the floor and painting and building shelves. I had stuff shipped to the station and Nick and Trevor helped me smuggle it in. I owe Nick big because he’d drive me here from the station so my truck was there,” he laughed and continued, “It's not too much. It's everything you deserve and more. Nat helped me. Monica and her girls helped me. You deserved a special space, Becks. Somewhere quiet to just be, baby.”

Tears were pouring off of my face and I was shaking as I walked forward, taking in the shelves, each book, each piece of merchandise, the blankets strewn about.

My favorite coffee and ingredients stocked the bar and I opened the mini fridge to more snacks and drinks that I Lucas had learned were my favorites.

“I picked out all the books on these shelves,” Nat announced, grabbing my hand and pulling me over to a specific shelf, “They’re books I remembered you loved but would never keep. I remembered you checking them out or finding everywhere we went. Dad even found a few that were signed by the author.”

She was grinning, but looking at me unsure, probably because I was a snotty, sobbing mess.

“Nat, it's absolutely perfect. Thank you, sweet girl.” I wrapped my arms around my baby and hugged her tightly to me, still in shock.

“The outside is going to be redone this summer,” Lucas added, watching us. “Make it pretty to look at out there too.” He stepped forward, handing me a keychain with one key on it. The keychain read, “Beck’s Library” and had books stamped on it.

“I feel like nothing I say is going to convey what I’m feeling,” I murmured, still gawking around the library.

“You don’t have to say anything,” he soothed, his own voice gruff with emotion as he watched us. “You deserve the world. If I could get the moon for you I would.”

Nat giggled and rolled her eyes.

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