Ruins (The Jewel Project #6)

The Christmas Bonus

Christmas Eve 2019

Jerry watched Sarah twirling in her holly-green dress, his heart filling with both unbridled happiness he never thought possible and a worrying amount of dread.

"Look how adorable these are!" She turned around with a huge grin on her face, holding up one of the onesies she'd picked up for Kyle's twins. It read Little Christmas Miracle and was indeed very fit for the occasion.

She didn't even wait for an answer but continued to pour over the Christmas presents they'd gotten for everyone. Jerry watched her digging through the plushies, mumbling about whether it was too stereotypical to get Jenny a unicorn.

And suddenly, just like she'd gotten excited, she seemed to deflate. Jerry's heart sank, too, and the feeling of dread smothered the happiness. The sadness on her face broke her heart.

"We don't have to go, you know," he whispered.

Sarah jumped and the clouds over her face cleared. "What are you talking about? Of course we're going. If Kyle and Kay invited us and organized a whole Christmas party, we're not going to miss it." She smirked. "Especially when we're bringing all the food."

Jerry grinned back, aware that Kyle had told him it wasn't necessary. Of course it was. As brand new parents, he and Kay needed all the help they could get. But that didn't mean that having more babies in the family didn't take its toll on Sarah. She loved Sammy and loved kids in general, and the more the times passed and their relationship became deeper, Jerry knew she sometimes thought if she'd ever be able to have kids of her own. Their own. The pocket of his jeans seemed to burn.

His hand drafted to the other pocket, feeling for his cellphone. It would be so easy. Just send a text that they'll be late. Because he'd planned to do it tonight, after they returned. But it wouldn't be fair. He'd be distracted and this was a joy he wanted to share with his brothers as well.

His stomach contracted, but the nerves felt like butterflies rather than snakes. Yes, he could do this. He wouldn't even be the first. Nor the second or third. And he was sure. More certain than he'd been about anything else in his life recently.

He took his phone out and opened the group chat and sent the text he needed.

"Who are you texting?" Sarah asked, putting the presents in order.

"I just let Kyle know we'll be running a little late."

She frowned. "Why? If we pack up now, we have more than enough time to get there. You always plan everything perfectly."

"Well, true. Except for one thing."

She tilted her head, the curiosity on her face adorable. She was, as a whole, the most wonderful woman he'd ever met and he was sure that whatever happened, she'd be there for him. There was absolutely no reason not to prove that he'd always be there for her as well.

"Ria..."

"Yes?"

He'd had something else planned, really. Wine in the dim lights coming from the tiny Christmas tree, a much bigger build up, but the result would have been the same. He took her hand and pulled her against him.

She circled her arms around his neck, smiling. "What are you plotting?"

"Do you think I'm trying to be too perfect?"

"You?" She laughed. "Never!"

"Yes, you do."

"Yes, I do."

"Well, then, for something that's supposed to be perfect, I'm making it a little less perfect mainly because I'm being impatient."

She smirked at him. "You, impatient? For what?"