Page 70 of Lemon Cake
Gemma’s eyes sparked and looked over at his mother. “Oh, I would love that.”
While the women left him to decorate the top of the tree, they put together a light lunch and started the dinner preparations. Once the casserole was in the oven and dessert was cooling, Gemma ducked away to change. Rider wasn’t about to miss a second of that, so he followed and sat on the bed.
“I love how well you two get along.”
“She’s an amazing woman.”
“You both are.” Gemma walked over and turned around, silently asking Rider to zip her up. He didn’t miss the chance to press a kiss to the small of her back before doing up the zipper. “I’m just glad all of you get along.”
She turned, straddling his lap. “I do too. I was so nervous about Thanksgiving, but now I’m just excited for us all to be together again.”
Rider couldn’t help but slip his hands up her thighs, her skin soft beneath his fingertips.
Gemma shook her head and kissed his nose. “Later. We have to get the presents under the tree before Dan gets here.”
Before he allowed Gemma to slide off his lap, Rider held her close and stole a kiss.
A little while later Dan threw the front door open, jumping into Rider’s arms. “Hey there, trouble.”
“I’ve been a good boy!” he protested.
Rider shifted the boy into one arm and pulled Gina into a side hug. “And what does Mom say to that?”
“I can confirm: he’s been really good.”
Without letting him go, Rider moved on to Mandie. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“Thank you for having us again.”
His mom made her rounds before suggesting that they open a bottle of wine. Gina was the one driving this time, so Gemma was excited to be able to drink. The cork had barely popped when Dan found the presents under the tree. There was no way of stopping him, so they took to those first. Dan read the names on the tags and handed out every single one before opening his present first.
He screeched when he held out his new jersey.
“Maybe you can start wearing this one so we can save the signed one,” Gina suggested, helping him change into the new one.
“Open the other one,” Rider muttered, just as Dan ripped the paper on the second gift.
It was a large frame, big enough to hold his signed jersey. He didn’t seem as excited about that as Gina was, who mouthed a thank-you to Rider when Dan was occupied with helping Mandie open her presents. Everyone got small gifts, with Dan having opened his bigger ones that morning.
When it came to Gemma’s gift, Rider was nervous—terrified, but there was no turning back. Gemma let Dan open the wrapper, then took the small wooden box engraved with flowers and hearts.
“It’s so pretty,” Dan cheered, huddling next to his aunt to see what was inside.
Gemma’s eyes sparkled, a wide smile gracing her blushing face. “Yes,” she whispered, lifting the small key for everyone to see. Then she grinned at Rider. “If this is your way of asking if I want to move in, my answer is yes.”
“It was, but you shot out the answer before I could even ask.”
Gemma crossed the room and kissed him, her lips soft and sweet from the wine. “I would love to move in with you.”
Both their mothers hugged each other as they showered them with love filled gazes. While Gina excitedly clapped her hands. “You two are just so adorable!” she cheered.
Dinner was wonderful and not just because Gemma had her hand on his thigh the whole time. In the span of a few months his little two-person family had turned into a chaotic six-person full house—and Rider loved every bit of the noise. Soon, he and Gemma would make thistheirspace. Their safe haven.
Their home.
Gemma
Though she still had a few months left on her lease, Gemma had started to pack the day after Christmas. Rider had been busy prepping for the final games starting in January, so she used the time to clear out her apartment. She always took the days between Christmas and New Year’s off to watch Dan while Gina got in some extra hours at work.