Under The Mistletoe (John & Luke - Pt 2)

Chapter 25

There was a time when John would just shake his head while watching a movie in which a woman broke down by a simple marriage proposal. He'd understood the thrill they would experience at the idea of marrying the love of their life, but it had always felt surreal and he'd wondered if people in real life honestly felt that happy and excited at such moments.

All his wonderings ceased this Christmas morning as Luke made his proposal—then slipped the ring on John's finger. A literal tremor shook his hand, and his heart. The tears were real, and the joy and thrill and overwhelming happiness. He had a bad suspicion that now when he watched such scenes on the movies—he would bawl like a baby. But it comforted him to know that Luke would surely be right there beside him, crying too.

The second ring was for Luke, and a shot of excitement shivered through John as he slid it onto Luke's finger. Gotcha, he thought with great joy, a wry smile playing across his lips. He leaned close to Luke and whispered, "Your beautiful, sexy ass belongs to me now."

Luke grinned and kissed his neck. "Handle it with care, baby." He snickered. "Or not."

It was Luke who initiated the opening of Bob's gifts, which had been left under the tree. Rather than give them out all at once, he presented them one at a time, beginning with Sharon.

She held the gift in her hands for a moment, her fingertips caressing the sleek wrapping. "He didn't have to go," she whispered and blinked as her eyes grew damp. "He should be here." No one seemed to know how to respond other than nod solemnly. She discreetly cleared her throat and gently peeled away the wrapping with unsteady hands. Beneath the wrapping was a flat pink velvet box, square and about four inches in diameter. She hesitated then opened the lid. The barely contained tears filled up in an instant and a trembling hand slid over her mouth and lingered.

John moved from his place on the sofa and took a seat closer to see what it was. His eyes widened as he stared at the delicate gold chain necklace lying against white satin—and the four diamond hearts interlaced through one another. John didn't have to ask to know that the diamonds and gold were real.

A delicately penned note was placed inside the lid of the box; For the perfect woman with the perfect heart.

"The moment he saw it," Luke said softly, drawing Sharon's tear-filled eyes. "He said it reminded him of you...of this family. Four hearts bound together in love. He said he had never met a woman like you before, who loved her family the way that you did, who was so willing to open her home...and her heart...to a stranger..." Luke's voice thickened and he smiled. "Or a wayward son...welcome them as part of her family. I don't think words could express how much he admired and adored you."

Her tears broke and she hugged Mitch, quiet sobs shuddering in her throat. "There should be five hearts," she whispered against his neck.

John's vision blurred and the look on his dad's face crumbled his heart.

Exhaling slowly, unsteadily, Sharon withdrew from Mitch, plucked a tissue from the box on the end table by her chair and wiped her eyes. She carefully lifted the necklace from its satin bed and looked at Mitch. "Will you put it on me?" she whispered.

Mitch stared at the necklace a moment before taking it from her. Sharon turned and lifted her hair so he could fasten the clasp. When she faced him again, he smiled at her with a sheen in his eyes and stroked his hand through her hair. "Perfect," he murmured and kissed her softly. "Just like you."

Luke released a shaky breath and wiped his face. "Okay," he breathed and smiled. "Next contestant." He looked at John. "That would be you."

John was clueless as to what Bob had gotten him. They hadn't been well enough acquainted for Bob to really know his likes and dislikes. Luke hasn't stopped talking about you since the second we met. He watched Luke withdraw a decent sized package from under the tree. What all had he told Bob about him?