Page 92 of Burn It Down
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Gigi Cooper is going to be my wife. As long as she says yes in about two hours. Sitting in the Cooper’s home, the entire family sitting around a massive tree, I am as anxious as I have ever been. Excited. Impatient. I can’t wait to ask.
The entire family knows and the fuckers keep looking at us with gooey looks. If they ruin this proposal for me, I might light their perfect fucking tree on fire.
That we're sitting together on Christmas after all the shit that happened lately is a fucking miracle.
I thought for sure that night with Bree was going to wreck my fucking life. Bree lying naked in my bed with my woman on her way home was the last thing I wanted to deal with. Thankfully, my woman had it handled while I just about lost my shit.
Gigi forgave her for everything. I’m not so forgiving. Not yet. I kind of hate the bitch. For one, she did everything she could to steal my woman away.
Gigi is everything to me; my entire fucking world. I don’t even know how to be me without her. Had Bree pulled that off, she might have ended up in a different kind of hospital than she’s residing in now.
Secondly, Bree not only had my woman and made her come, the bitch had me too. I recalled more of that night, and thankfully, it was nothing more than some head. Some kissing. I might have had her tits in my hand. Nothing more.
Still, it hurt Gigi to hear the truth. This time, Gigi’s truth returned the favor and it still stung to think about.
It was over now, though. Bree had hurt us, but not enough to damage what we had. I think Gigi figured out the truth before that night. Why she stayed, knowing I lied, I don’t know.
Maybe the same reason I stayed, knowing I wasn’t good enough. Because it was always going to be us, like I told Bree. Through the pain, the fuck ups, it would always have ended up with us together. I have no doubt now.
“Who wants cinnamon rolls and coffee?” Gwen announces, tearing me from my thoughts.
That’s my cue. With the floor littered with paper and everyone in pajamas, a Cooper tradition, we all agree.
Except, I’m going to take my woman out on the deck with ours. Because her roll is special. The rolls and coffee, a special blend Deacon makes, is also a tradition. I figured it was the best way to segue from our presents to our future.
“Come on, Sweet Girl.” I urge as we take our plates, Gwen winking as she hands me the very special one.
It’s snowing out and the lake is frozen and it’s fucking perfect. It’s not that cold, despite the inch or two of snow. With slippers on our feet, I tug my woman out onto the deck.
A glance back shows the family pressed up against the windows, watching. I almost laugh. It gets choked in my throat. I’m so fucking nervous I don’t know how I’m going to do this right.
“I love this lake. Remember all the summers we spent here?” Gigi muses as we lean up against the railing, steam from our coffee billowing between us.
“I do. I love it here too.” I did, because I have so many memories of Gigi here.
I meant what I said to Cage. One day, I wanted to settle down out here. Not yet, though. For now, we had that house waiting back at the city and an entire life time to build memories there. I could not wait.
After Christmas dinner here, we’re heading back to the city. Cage and Charli will meet us at the house for an evening just the four of us. As long as Gigi says yes, of course.
“Today has been so perfect. Two holidays down, Cooper.” Gigi winks at me and reaches for a scoop of the icing on her roll.
“Perfect. I remember one summer here. One day of one summer.” My hand trails over the satiny back of her pajama top and she shudders. Damn, I love her.
“Mmm, I remember.” I watch Gigi’s hand swirl through the icing, uncovering the ring nestled in the center. She doesn’t see it yet.
“I saw you doubting yourself. Your future. What you were doing, and where you might be going. I saw it, but I couldn’t believe it. You’re the smartest, most talented person I’ve ever known. Brilliant. I saw in you, everything I was feeling. How could it be the same for you? I’m not smart or talented. We were the same, though. That night, out on this deck. I felt like I knew who I was for a minute. Didn’t make sense, and I knew I didn’t deserve it. For a minute, standing out here with you, I was yours. I was whatever you needed me to be, and that was the first time I felt worth something. The first moment I knew I was in love with you.” Gigi stops moving, her icing covered finger pausing in midair.
“Finn…” Those two-toned eyes fill with tears, and I feel her heart thudding. Ifeelit.
The air is heavy, and I can sense them watching us. I need to do it right. I drop to my knee in the snow, thick and wet flakes dotting her hair and wetting her silk PJ’s. Gigi gasps and I take her hand, bringing her finger to my mouth.
With an evil smirk, I suck her finger into my mouth as we both moan. Then, I scoop up more frosting from her roll where it rests on the dock ledge. The ring is in there too.
It’s dirty and messy and fucking perfect. Tears blur my vision as I stare up at the woman I don’t deserve, but don’t know how to be without.
“Open your mouth, Sweet Girl.” Gigi obeys and her tongue swirls around my thumb and forefinger, where I hold the ring.
