Holiday Hire (The Cartwright Family #2)

Chapter 30

30

Phoebe

Christmas Eve

A lexander sneaks up behind me, sliding his arm around my waist. He murmurs in my ear, "What are you doing?"

I turn my head and look up, smiling, feeling so much joy and happiness. I'm still unable to believe he asked me to marry him. I answer, "I have to get changed."

"Phoebe, I have a serious question to ask you."

"Why does that make me nervous?"

He grins. "Why are your clothes still in this room?"

I glance at the closet, then back at him, "I don't know. Are they not supposed to be?"

He shakes his head. "No, they're supposed to be in my room. Don't worry, I've made plenty of room in my closet."

"You have?" I ask, grinning like a fool.

"Yep, the boys helped me all morning."

"They did?"

"Sure did. Now, let's get this stuff moved over." He releases me and steps in front of my closet, grabbing a big armful of clothes on hangers.

"I'll get her shoes," Ace states, running into the room.

"Should I go through your dresser?" Wilder questions.

"No, I'll do the dresser," I say, not wanting him to go through my panties.

Alexander reprimands, "Yeah, don't go through her dresser. That's private stuff."

Wilder holds his hands up. "Sorry, just trying to help."

I tousle his hair. "It's okay. I appreciate it. If you don't mind, please help your dad with my clothes in the closet."

"Okay." He goes over and pulls a pile of shirts off the shelf.

Alexander steps in front of me. He kisses me on the lips. Then, he grins at me mischievously. He teases, "Do you want me to go through your dresser?"

I laugh. "No, I got it."

"Okay. I made room in my dresser too." He wiggles his eyebrows.

I laugh, and more joy fills me. It's like I'm living a fairy tale. I have two boys I love and a man who's way more than I ever could have expected.

It only takes a little time before all my stuff is neatly organized in Alexander's closet and dresser.

Wilder asks, "What will we do with your bedroom now?"

"It's going back to the guest room, duh," Ace states.

"Maybe it could be my man cave," Wilder declares.

Alexander arches his eyebrows. "You need a man cave?"

"Yeah, every man needs a man cave."

"According to whom?" Alexander asks.

"TikTok, duh."

Alexander groans. "I told you not to be on that app. There's craziness on there."

Wilder shrugs.

Alexander crosses his arms. "I mean it. I told you you're not allowed to use social media until you're older. How did you get on there anyway?"

"Ah, Dad, everybody at school is on it," Wilder whines.

"I don't care. How did you get on it?" Alexander repeats.

Wilder doesn't answer.

Alexander warns, "I'm waiting for an answer."

He finally admits, "Uncle Jagger and I were looking up stuff when I stayed at his house."

Alexander sighs. "You're not staying at his place again."

"Aw, Dad, come on!"

I stifle a giggle.

Alexander turns to me. "You find this funny? There's inappropriate stuff on that site eleven-year-olds shouldn't see."

I try to keep a straight face and shake my head. "No."

"I'm almost twelve!" Wilder claims.

Alexander narrows his eyes further. "It'll still be inappropriate."

"Ugh. It's so unfair. The other kids in my class?—"

"I suggest you change the subject," Alexander threatens.

Wilder huffs. "Fine. But can I turn the room into my man cave?"

Alexander shakes his head. "No. Now, it's time to tend to the horses. Boys, you want to come?"

They practically run out the door.

Alexander pulls me to him and slides his hand in my hair, giving me another long kiss until I'm breathless. "Don't forget you're mine, Phoebe," he says and squeezes my ass.

I giggle, shoving his chest. "I won't. Now, go."

He grabs my hand and stares at the ring. "It looks good on you. It's just how I imagined."

I bite on my smile. It really is the perfect ring. I never imagined what my ring would look like, but Alexander nailed it.

"Admit it. I did good," he teases.

I rise on my tiptoes and give him another peck. "You did more than good. It's perfect," I praise.

He grins, gives me another kiss, and pats my ass. "I'll see you at breakfast."

"Sounds good."

I stroll over to the main house and go into the kitchen. Georgia's been baking all week, and this morning she's making sugar-free muffins for Sebastian.

"Hey," she says, beaming at me.

"Hi. Where's everyone else?"

"Paisley and Willow went out last night. They didn't get in until late." Georgia's lips twitch. She adds, "Ruby went to give them some headache medication and get them out of bed. Evelyn called to say she's struggling a bit too. She'll be over later."

I admit, "It's strange only seeing one person in this kitchen."

She nods. "Yeah, I know. I don't think I've ever been in it alone before."

"Really?"

She shakes her head. "No, not that I can recall. By the way, I'm happy you're joining the family."

"Thanks, so am I."

She chirps, "It's a great family."

"Yeah."

She softly adds, "We're lucky," and a little sadness crosses her expression.

I cautiously agree. "We are. Are you okay?"

She forces a smile, answering, "Yes. I just get a little nostalgic sometimes around the holidays, thinking about my parents and grandparents."

A wave of sadness hits me too. "I can understand that."

She tilts her head. "Sebastian said Alexander told him your mom and sister are in different places?"

I take a deep breath and release it, admitting, "Yeah. I wish they were closer. They were far away from me when I lived in Pismo Beach as well, but I could at least drive to see them. I was kind of in the middle of where they both were."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," she says, offering me a sympathetic look.

I force a smile, stating, "It's okay. I've gotten used to it."

"Well, I'm glad you're joining the family." She hugs me, and I squeeze her back.

"Thank you. I heard your cupcake business is doing well. That must've been scary starting a business all on your own."

"It was, but I had Sebastian by my side. He's a business whiz."

"He says you are too," I tell her.

She laughs. "I'm learning a lot, but I couldn't have done all I've done without him."

"It's nice that you two work together so well."

"Yeah, it is." She turns on the mixer.

I open the fridge and take out the bacon, eggs, and other ingredients to start breakfast.

The other women arrive to help, and we spend the morning cooking and laughing. Around ten o'clock, I ring the bell and shout, "Breakfast!"

The men slowly filter in, and soon enough, we're all around the big dining room table, including the kids. The usual joyful presence of the Cartwrights fills the room, and I soak every detail in, still not believing this will now be my family. I get to stay here with Alexander and the boys and everyone else, and nothing has ever made me so happy.

After breakfast, Alexander pulls me aside, declaring, "Hey, I have a surprise for you."

"You do?"

"I do. We have to go somewhere though."

"On Christmas Eve?" I ask.

He glances at his watch. "Yeah. Don't worry. We won't miss anything, and you'll be happy, I think."

"You think?" I ask, my stomach filling with nerves.

His expression turns anxious. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure."

"Why am I nervous all of a sudden?" I ask.

He chuckles. "No reason to be. Come on." He kisses my hand and leads me to the front door. He helps me into my coat, and we go outside and get in his truck.

He turns on country music, and we sing on the way into town. Then he pulls into the lot of a facility called Crossroads and parks near a building decorated for Christmas.

"Where are we?" I question.

He glances at me, again looking nervous.

"You're making me feel like I'm in a mystery movie," I tease, but my anxiety grows.

He smiles, then it falls, his expression turning serious. He strokes my cheek. "You know how you said your mom and sister are far away?"

"Yes," I say, unsure where he's going with this, and finding it odd I'm talking about them twice in one day when I don't talk about them very often.

He studies me.

My pulse shoots through the roof. "Alexander, what's going on?"

He releases a breath. "I arranged for a tour of this facility. It's a long-term home. They have different solutions for different needs. And it's the best in the county."

I break out in goose bumps. I glance at the building again, then at him. Still confused, I cautiously say, "Okay?"

He announces, "I thought we could move your mom and sister here."

I gape at him, the blood draining from my face.

"Would you like that?"

"Are you being serious?" I manage to get out, my voice shaking with emotion, my eyes tearing up.

"Yes. I wouldn't joke about this."

"But I can't pay for this place. This looks really nice," I fret.

He grunts. "Don't worry about the money, Pheebs. We have plenty."

I look at him as if he's crazy.

He declares, "You're going to be my wife. Your family should be near us just like mine."

Tears spill down my cheeks. "Alexander, are you being serious right now? I swear to God, this is a really cruel joke if you're not being serious."

He shakes his head. "No, baby girl. This is real. As long as you approve. But let's go tour it, okay?"

I can't say anything. I'm too caught up in emotions and speechless. He gets out of the truck and comes around to open my door. He helps me out, then pulls me into him and quickly kisses me. "Are you okay?"

"I just can't believe you're serious about moving them here."

"I am."

"And we can afford this for the long term, not just for a week or something?"

Amusement lights his features. "Yes. And we haven't gone through finances yet, but we should do that soon. Why don't we do it after the holidays though? I don't like mixing business with Christmas fun."

I stare at him like he's crazy. I start adding up what a facility like this might cost for just a day, much less a month, a year, or several, and times it by two.

"Come on, baby girl," he says, tearing me out of the spreadsheet forming in my head. He slides his arm around my waist and leads me into the facility.

Shawna, the director, has me sign documentation to transfer my mother's and sister's records so we can discuss their needs in more detail. We spend several hours on a tour, then return to her office.

Her assistant hands her two folders. "Here's the information you requested on the basic medical needs."

I gape.

Shawna takes them. "Thank you."

Her assistant leaves and shuts the door.

I blurt out, "How did you get these so quickly?"

"We know how to do things pretty thoroughly around here," she says with a wink.

I stare at her, still unable to believe I'm having this conversation and that my mom and sister might be right down the road from me.

She takes a while reviewing their charts.

I sit on pins and needles, hoping nothing will prevent my mom and sister from moving to this facility. It's beyond nice, and there's no doubt in my mind they would get better care here.

Alexander holds my hand. His other arm is firm around my shoulders. He kisses the top of my head.

I glance at him.

He orders, "Stop worrying."

Shawna glances at us and puts the file folder down. She declares, "It doesn't seem like there's anything here that we wouldn't be able to handle."

"Really?" I question.

"Yes. Would you like your mom and your sister to live here? Mr. Cartwright has assured me that you can pay for an expedited transfer."

I glance over at him once again, gaping. It's like he's thought of everything.

He chuckles. "Pheebs, you have to answer."

I ask him, "Are you sure about this? Because once we do this, I don't know if I'll be able to get them back into the facility they're in."

His face turns serious. "Yes. As long as your mom and sister need medical care, we will take care of it. They will be here near us if that's what you want. They will have the best care available. Now, is this what you want?"

Tears escape and roll down my face. I can barely answer. I'm overcome with emotions—mostly gratitude and shock.

"You just have to say yes, baby girl."

"Y-yes. Please," I choke out, crying harder.

He pulls me into him and holds me, telling Shawna, "Please start the process."

Shawna smiles. "Great. I'm going to give you two a moment." She rises and leaves her office, shutting the door behind her.

I'm hit with a wave of relief. I sob against his chest, wondering how I got so lucky. Years of guilt and frustration swirl inside me.

He lets me cry for a while, and I finally retreat from his hold. He grabs tissues off the director's desk, dabs my cheeks, then teases, "Don't worry. This isn't your Christmas present." He winks, and mischief lights up his expression.

"Don't be crazy. This is more than a Christmas gift. You never have to get me another gift again," I quickly proclaim, meaning it.

He laughs. "Don't be silly."

"Alexander, I don't know how I'll ever repay you for this. This is beyond generous," I declare.

"Pheebs, you're going to be my wife. There's no paying me back. Our families are each other's, and we're going to take care of our families. Understand?"

More emotions hit me. He swipes a fresh tear that escapes my eye. "No more tears. Come on. I didn't mean to make you cry. I'm sorry."

"You're not doing a good job not making me cry," I tease, then wipe another one. I blink hard until they stop, then I take a deep breath.

He rises and reaches for me. I take his hand and stand next to him. He says, "Let's go home, baby girl. After all..."

I arch my eyebrows.

"It's Christmas!" he shouts gleefully.

I laugh, wondering how this man, who loves me so hard, could ever have been put in front of me.