Mitch felt like a kid again. His heart raced, his palms sweated, and he had to force himself to look unconcerned.

She’d come to him. After being turned away more than once.

“I’m sorry.” Quiet words that meant a lot.

She stood before him, her hands held in front of her belly, her scent, a mix of light perfume and Becca, making him breathless.

God, he’d missed her.

“Sorry for what?” he asked. “Being honest?”

“For letting my insecurities and fear muddy what was your attempt at being nice.”

“I’m sorry. Can you repeat that? My colossal ego is in the way.”

She sighed, and the dog moved to her side, so she crouched to pet her. “I was freaked out, okay? It’s been me on my own for a long time. Then you came and got me going. I was in lust, had a crush, all those weird feelings I hadn’t had for a man since Neal.”

He waited, needing to hear her out.

“You’re special, Mitch. And it’s not because you played pro football or have a ton of money. Though the house is pretty neat.” She smiled, and he couldn’t help smiling with her.

“But you’re so much more than that.” She stroked the dog, who turned over onto her back, exposing her belly. Apparently, Oreo liked Becca as much as she liked Simon.

“Can you just tell me why you were upset about me buying your store? It’s not like I planned to foreclose on you or anything. I don’t own Bragg’s Tea—or you.”

She flushed and stood. “I’m sorry for saying that. All of it. I just got scared. You have no worries, Mitch. No son to provide for. No house payments to worry about. No tea shop to run. I’m not saying you don’t have a life or concerns, but they aren’t my concerns. I’m a worrier. I don’t show it, but I get nervous when things change.

“The thought of having to owe you didn’t sit well. It was like we were equal, and then we weren’t.”

“Becca, I never meant it that way. Buying the store was a business investment, and yes, it was also to help you out. Not to lord anything over you. You have to believe that.”

“I do.” She took a chance and joined him on the couch. She hadn’t sat for a second before he pulled her into his arms and hugged the stuffing out of her.

“Oof.”

“I missed you.”

“Oh Mitch. I do love you.”

He froze, then pulled back to look at her. The magic words he’d been dying to hear. “You do?”

“You idiot. How could I not love you?” She cupped his cheeks and kissed him, and the sweetness of the moment filled her with joy. “You’re not perfect. You can be a little arrogant, but nowhere near conceited. I’m sorry. I was scared, so I struck out at you. I keep waiting for you to find someone better without all my baggage.”

“Nah. I like baggage. Makes life interesting.” He kissed her again. “And I doubt Simon would like you calling him baggage.”

She blushed. “I meant my feelings for Neal. I loved him with my whole heart, Mitch. After he was gone, I didn’t think I’d ever love anyone else like that again. But you… The first time I saw you, I knew something about you was special.”

“Yeah? Because the first time I looked into your eyes, I fell in love. And I’m not talking about you making fun of me at that football game. You remember, when you told Simon I made you nauseous.”

“Mitch.”

He grinned. “It’s crazy and doesn’t make any sense, but even when you had my dick in a knot, I knew it was more.”

She chuckled. “There’s my romantic.”

He laughed with her. “I’m sorry, but it’s true. I find myself wanting to make love to you everywhere. There are so many places in this house we haven’t used yet. And at the same time, I want to protect you and see you smile, hear you laugh, make you happy. I’ve never felt this way before.”

Mitch tucked her hair behind her ear, the softness of the moment captivating. “I love you so damn much, Becca. And I want a lifetime to show you. I know it’s sudden, but I mean it. I want marriage, kids, everything. You and Simon and me living together as a family. And look, we even have Oreo.”

She glanced from him to the dog. “Hmm. He looks a lot like the dog Simon can’t stop talking about. But that can’t be right, because this little thing can’t possibly be a Killer or Brutus or Destroyer.”

“No, this is Oreo. Simon fell for her at first sight. Like mother like son.”

She reached around his neck and linked her fingers. “Yep. We’re both in love with the Amazing Flash.”

He groaned, then kissed her. Breathless, he pulled away. “Not yet. I’ve been dying to sink inside you again, but first, I have a present for you.”

She waited while he fetched it, feeling nervous. Marriage and babies? Again? But who else could she envision living her life with? She felt a cold breeze push past her, a cold waft against her cheek. The cold brush of soft lips—a kiss goodbye.

Oreo stared at her with intensity, and her tail wagged though she didn’t move.

“Thank you, Neal,” Becca whispered. “I’ll always love you.”

Oreo stared past Becca to the large Christmas tree surrounded by poinsettias and roses, her expression intent. Becca followed the dog’s gaze and watched as the tree blazed brighter, the lights glowing incredibly white before they settled back into their normal radiance.

She turned around to see Mitch standing there, his mouth open. “What the hell was that?”

Oreo wagged her tail and walked over to lick him.

“That was Neal saying he approves.”

“Are you kidding me?” Mitch approached the tree and fingered a few of the lights. He checked the power cord and connections, then rejoined Becca.

He went to one knee, and her throat closed.

“Becca, I wanted to get you something special.” He held a box to her, one a little bit larger than a typical ring box. “You mean everything to me. I want you in my life, and I want Simon too.” He handed her the box.

She took it with shaky hands. “Mitch?”

“Open it.” He smiled.

She ripped through the paper to open the box. And found… “Socks?”

He snorted. “I can’t propose to you without Simon to witness it. What kind of a guy do you think I am?”

She laughed and kissed him. “I love you so much.”

“You’re damned right you do.” He took the socks from her and showed her the character before removing her shoes and socks and putting them on her feet. “There. Now Black Widow has a fine home on those pretty toes. Just remember, when you see Simon again, tell him Marvel rules. DC drools.”

“Sure. That’s what’ll be on my mind.”

Mitch lifted her in his arms and carried her from the room toward his bedroom. He told her he had things in mind for his woman, and that he didn’t mind letting her wear those amazing socks while he made her cry his name. She didn’t think he could get her a better gift.

She kissed his neck. “Tell me again, this idea about having a dog…”

“Later, honey. After a few orgasms, okay?”

“And no condom,” she said, toying with the hair at his nape.

He nearly stumbled. “What?”

“Do you or do you not want to make a baby?”

“You had me at no condom.”

She laughed. They spent the hours into the evening and later, talking, kissing, and making sweet love.

And Oreo, bless her, waited outside the room until they’d finished. She sat in her doggy bed on the floor by his bed and glared at Mitch when he started heating up the sheets with Becca again. When Becca moaned, Oreo barked.

She grinned. “I guess that’s our cue to go to sleep.”

The dog settled down, and they laughed and snuggled tight, keeping each other warm.

 

******

 

Christmas Day

“All I know is he was insistent about the ring.” Deacon shrugged. “It didn’t do me any favors, but then, Rhonda never wore it. I think it was more like a trophy to her.”

Nora shook her head. “Man, your ex was a right bitch.”

Deacon grinned. “You can say that again.”

“A right bitch.”

Deacon guffawed.

Simon moved around the space, taking in Mitch’s amazing decorations. Someday he’d live here. He still couldn’t believe it. His mom and Flash, getting married?

Christmas day, and he, along with Mitch, Mitch’s parents and brother, Aunt Nora and her parents, and Simon’s mom were spending the day together. Jenna had promised to swing by in another hour, after her family did their traditional Christmas morning.

Heck, Simon and his mom had even gone to church with Mitch and his folks. And his mom never did the religious thing. Simon liked the Flashmans. Regular people, Mitch’s dad was a big dude with a big heart; his mom was a pretty woman who didn’t take anyone’s attitude. She’d already scolded Deacon for not taking out the trash.

The day had been beyond perfect. And then Mitch had proposed. Down on one knee, holding out a ring to Simon’s mom and saying a ton of crap about love and forever and including Simon in on all of it. Once again, Simon had embarrassingly felt tears brewing. But it was okay, because everyone had been subtly wiping their cheeks.

Coach Deacon too. The guy stood close to Aunt Nora, and every now and then he’d watch her when Aunt Nora looked away. Simon wondered… Did the coach have a thing for his aunt? Man, that would be even better. He couldn’t wait to talk to Jenna and see what she thought.

“Well, Simon,” Mitch said as he wandered closer. “What do you think? A pretty good Christmas or what?”

Simon grinned. “Not bad. You clean up okay, Flash.”

Mitch laughed and put an arm around Simon, a half bro-hug, which thrilled him, though he’d never admit it. Mitch liked him. It wasn’t a ploy to get in with Simon’s mom.

“So, do I call you Daddy?”

“Sure thing, my little ball of boy joy.”

Simon sighed. “Maybe not. Though ‘ball of boy joy’ is slightly better than Simon Neal Bragg, which I get when I’m in trouble.”

“Your mom called me Mitchell in the tea shop when she was yelling at me. I didn’t like it.”

Simon could relate.

“This has been my best Christmas, hands down.” Mitch raised his voice and squeezed Simon’s shoulder. “But it’s still missing something. Becca, my lovely fiancée, got my great-grandmother’s ring.” To no one’s surprise, it fit her without needing to be resized. “Simon, what do you think you should get as a present?”

He’d already received a signed football from one of his favorite quarterbacks, who happened to be a good friend of Mitch’s. And a few video games he’d had his eyes on had found their way under the tree. Simon didn’t want to be greedy, not when he had almost everything he’d ever wanted in front of him. His mom, a new dad, family. His girl on the way… “How about your Porsche?”

Everyone laughed. Deacon excused himself for the bathroom.

“Nice try. Hold on.” Mitch let go of Simon and whistled.

Simon heard the familiar click of animal nails on the floor. His gaze shot to his mom and Mitch, now standing together. “Merry Christmas, Simon,” his mom said.

Oreo ran right up to him, so excited she peed a little, which had Deacon, who followed, swearing.

Aunt Nora laughed, and his new almost-grandparents were smiling and talking with his great aunt and uncle.

But none of them knew his joy, and as he hugged his new dog, he stared with love at Mitch and his mom. “This is better than the Porsche.”

Mitch glanced at Simon’s mom and smiled. “We know.”

She grinned. “Maybe next year, if you’re really good, we’ll give you something truly amazing. Like a little brother.”

“Already? Man, you guys work fast.”

His mom blushed, and he cracked up.

“Not yet, you goof,” she said. “But we’re going to try to add to our family. I have it on good authority I’m not getting any younger.”

“Yep. That’s true. Now let’s eat,” Mitch announced. “Because I’m not getting any younger either. Come on, Boy,” he said to Simon with a wink. “And bring your dog.”

Oreo woofed and bounded after the family—Simon’s new family. A new dad, a new uncle, grandparents… He felt himself smiling and couldn’t stop.

 

******

 

A year later, Simon was blessed…with a sister.