Page 123 of Crazy In Love
My phone rang, and it was Rafe, who sounded like he’d just downed fourteen Red Bulls. He said the box had arrived, and it was perfect, and I needed to get my ass over there sooner rather than later, because he was nervous.
“Got it. I’ll be there soon,” I said.
Emilia and I got dressed quickly, loaded up the gifts we’d gotten everyone, and made our way to my parents’ house.
We walked through the front door, and the chaos was well underway. My mother took decorating for the holidays very seriously, and she always had. There were Christmas trees in every room in the house, and holiday décor on every surface. Music piped through the speakers, and it smelled like pine and cinnamon.
Cutler ran over to me and gave me a big hug. He tugged at my hand because he wanted me to see the gift box that Rafe would be hiding inside. Everyone had on pajamas, and they were excited about the surprise my brother had planned.
Cutler and Melody had already opened their gifts from their parents, and they both jumped up and down as they told Emilia about what they’d gotten from Santa this year.
When we came around the corner, I laughed loudly when I saw the giant box that Rafe had ordered. He was standing there talking to Emerson about how it would all go down.
“That’s quite the box, brother,” I said, impressed by how real it looked with the gift wrap and the large tag with Lulu’s name on it.
“Look back here,” he said as he took us around to the back side and showed us the little door where he’d climb in. “And the top has a latch that opens from the inside, and that’s where I’ll jump out of.”
It was over the top and goofy, but very fitting for Rafe and Lulu. I knew she’d love it.
“When is she coming?” Cutler asked, rubbing his hands together with excitement.
Rafe glanced down at his phone. “Easton just sent a text. He and Henley picked her up, and they’re on their way. He’s going to send another text when they arrive, so I’ll climb in there once they’ve pulled in the driveway.”
He’d made up some excuse to Lulu about needing to be at my parents’ house early to build something for one of the kids.
“And then we just all sit in here and wait for her to see the box?” my mother asked.
“Yes. Cutler wants to meet her at the door and bring her in, and then Melody is going to tell her that it’s got her name on it,” Rafe said, a big smile on his face because he loved this shit. “I’m guessing she’ll move closer to look at the tag and ask who it’s from, and that’s when I’ll pop out and propose.”
“Okay, let’s all take our seats, so it looks like we’re just sitting around, ready to open gifts,” Emerson said. “Cutler and Melody can meet them at the door, and Nash has his phone ready to go, and he’ll film the whole thing.”
Archer took his seat beside my dad on the couch, and Clark and Eloise were passing out glasses of orange juice and mimosas. Axel brought the platter of donuts and muffins out to the coffee table and set them down for everyone to munch on.
Aunt Isabelle and Uncle Carlisle, who lived next door and were Axel and Archer’s parents, were sitting on the love seat as the fireplace roared behind them.
Emilia walked up beside me. “I’m so glad I’m here for this.”
“Me too.”
Rafe’s phone vibrated, and the room quieted.
“They’re here,” he said, then tossed me his phone, which I slipped in my back pocket. I moved around the back of the box. After he’d climbed inside, I closed the door, adjusting the paper to make sure it covered the opening. Emilia and I found a seat on the couch next to Archer.
“You ready, baby?” Emerson asked Nash, who stood in the back with his phone in his hand.
“Absolutely,” he said, winking at her.
“Okay, Cutler, you take Melody to the front door and greet them. Remember, Uncle Rafe being in the box is a secret.”
Cutler reached for Melody’s hand and guided her to the door. “We got this, Mama.”
My mother rubbed her hands together before blowing out a breath and straightening her face. She was clearly feeling overwhelmed with emotion and was trying hard to act natural.
My father wrapped an arm around her, and she leaned into him.
Easton’s voice carried through the house once they were inside, and then Cutler set the stage perfectly.
“Wait till you see the biggest gift ever under the tree!” he said.
