You Will Be Mine (Forever and Ever #7)(25)

“No, it’s not,” Slade said. “It’s the most boring job in the world.”

“I like my job,” Mom said, offended. “Actually, I love it.”

Dad leaned toward Arsen. “She downgraded with me. But I’m not going to complain. I got a wife with looks, brains, and sass.”

“I got a lot of that last one,” Mom said.

“And I love every second of it.” He lowered his voice to Arsen. “Even when she slaps me. Actually, it’s pretty hot.”

Arsen chuckled. “Good to know.”

“And I taught Silke how to land a mean sucker-punch,” Mom said as she nudged me in the side.

“Yeah.” I looked at Arsen. “You don’t want to piss me off.”

He smiled while he stared at me. “I’ll remember that.”

I hooked my arm through his and leaned close to him. Then I gave him a gentle kiss. He responded quickly then pulled away. My parents didn’t seem to care. They weren’t even watching us.

“Present time!” Dad said.

“Alright,” Slade said.

“Why are you excited?” Mom asked. “You already know everything you got.”

“But I can’t wait to see your face when you open my gifts.” Dad grabbed a box and handed it to her.

She smiled then opened it. She held up a book. “How to Cook for Dummies?”

“It has different recipes in it,” Dad said quickly. “That’s why I got it.”

Mom didn’t look amused. “I’m taking back that helicopter.”

“No.” He grabbed another gift and handed it to her. “Here. This one is better.”

“It better be,” she threatened. She opened the small box and took out a gold necklace. It caught the light from the tree and sparkled. “It’s beautiful, Ryan…”

“Look at the engraving.”

She flipped it over and read it out loud. “To my sassy wife, thanks for putting up with my shit. Merry Xmas.” She extended her arms out to him and hugged him. “I love it, babe.”

“I knew you would.” He kissed her gently then rubbed his nose against hers.

Arsen watched their interaction closely.

“I love you,” Mom whispered.

“I love you too.” He kissed her forehead then moved away. “Can I keep that helicopter now?”

“You may.” She put on the necklace and felt it in her fingers.

Dad grabbed a present and handed it to me. “For you, kiddo.”

I ripped it open and found a coffee mug. I stared at it for a moment as I examined every inch of it. It was full of different images and colors. Two figures were in every image, stick figures. One had a bow and the other was tall. On closer examination, I recognized all the paintings from my childhood, when my father took me to the zoo, the park, and picked me up from school. I knew he made it, designed it himself since he was such a meticulous artist. My eyes bubbled as I held it in my hands. “Thank you…”

“I’m glad you like it. I worked on that thing for months,” Dad said.

“It’s beautiful.” I hugged him tightly and blinked my tears away.

“Where’s mine?” Slade demanded.

“I got you something else.” Dad pulled away and handed him a gift.

Slade ripped open the paper and saw a tattoo needle set. Everything he needed was inside the box, including different ink. “Whoa!”

“I knew you’d like it,” Dad said.

“It’s sweet,” Slade said. He kept examining it. “But Silke’s is a lot more thoughtful…”

I rolled my eyes. “Are you a girl?”

Slade glared at me then looked down.

“Maybe this will change your mind.” Dad handed him a small gift. It looked like a picture frame.

Slade ripped it open then looked at it. It was an image of a tree with green leaves. A few were falling to the ground, and the closer they got to the earth, the more red they became.

I had no idea what it meant.

“The tattoo I wanted to get…?” Slade looked at Dad. “You drew it for me?”

“Actually, I’m going to get the same one.” He stared at Slade and didn’t blink. “In the same place.”

My family knew what that meant. Dad didn’t have any tattoos besides his wedding band. He said he wouldn’t get another one unless it really meant something. The fact he wanted to share an identical one with Slade was a big deal.

“Seriously?” Slade’s jaw dropped. “You are?”

“Yeah.” My dad smirked.

“Awe…” Mom covered her face. “So cute…”

“This is awesome!” Slade moved into his arms and hugged him tightly. “It’s going to look so sick.”

Dad chuckled. “Yeah, it will.”

“I’ll do yours and you’ll do mine.”

Dad shook his head. “Um, I’ll pass. You don’t have enough experience yet.”

“Whatever,” Slade said.

We exchanged the rest of our gifts, and Mom handed Arsen a few.

He stared at them apprehensively. “Uh…what are these?”

“These are for you.” Mom gave him a bright smile. “Open them.”