Jack's Christmas Wish (16 page)

Another minute and she would be in their driveway. The closer she got the worse the anxiety. She had managed to buy Derek a tie and Jack a game while she was at work, but she felt like it wasn't nearly enough. She pulled into the drive, parked and had to calm herself before getting out. “Come on, get a grip will ya.” She blew out a nervous breath and finally got out.

“Miss Lissa, you're here.” Jack ran out to her, crashing into her with a hug around her midsection. The flutters in her heart had nothing to do with her being nervous. She had genuine affection for Jack. His bright blue eyes looked to her and melted her heart.

“I wouldn't miss being here for the world.” She opened the trunk and pulled out the presents and headed inside with Jack. Jack ran up the stairs to his room as Derek approached.

“Hi, babe, I was wondering when you would get here.” He hugged her and let go, leaving her cold. She wondered if this was a mistake. Maybe he had changed his mind about being with her.

“Where should I put these?” She held out the two small boxes.

“Under the tree. Here ,let me take them. You didn't have to get us anything you know. I know money is tight for you.”

She burned red. How did he know she financially in the hole? She had the overwhelming urge to flee and never return.

“Hey, come here. I'm sorry I shouldn't have said anything. It was inconsiderate of me.” Derek pulled her close and held her.

She stiffened in his arms, unsure if she should stay or what to say. He was right. She was in the hole and not going to be out anytime soon. Who was she kidding she wasn't in the same league with him. He was perfect and had plenty of money and she was a broke sales clerk. She pushed away from him determined to leave, when he grabbed her arm. “Lissa, please don't go. I'm sorry.” He pulled her back into an embrace.

“It's true. I don't have any money. I'm broke after paying my mother's medical bills. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come. I need to go.” She tried to pull away but he held firm.

“No. Dammit, Lissa, I'm tired of you running from me. I love you and I don't care if you have money or not. None of that matters to me. I want you for you, not material stuff.” She felt the sting of tears threatening to spill, but held them back. He didn't care about her money issues, and he loved her as she did him. For once in her life she believed someone loved her. Maybe this could work after all. She hugged him back with all her heart. She felt lighter than she had in months.

“Thank you, Derek. That means a lot to me.” His brilliant blue eyes seemed to shimmer in the flickering lights from the tree. She could almost feel her world shifting for the better.

Jack came bounding down the stairs. “Let's open presents!” He ran past them straight to the tree, pulling out the ones with his name on them. He made a pile for each of them. Lissa had two presents in her pile. One from Jack and one from Derek. One was a medium sized box a bit bigger than a shoebox, which was from Derek. The other was a smaller box from Jack. They were both wrapped in bright silver wrapping paper with hot pink sparkling bows.

“I guess he's a little bit excited.” Derek stared affectionately at his son.

“I guess so.” She watched Jack rush around, gathering and piling up his presents.

“Okay, I'm ready.” Jack announced.

“Lissa, open Jack's first.” Derek pointed to the smaller box.

She peeled the paper off, opened the box, revealing a beautiful red scarf. She pulled it out of the box and wrapped it around her neck. “Thank you, Jack. I love it.” She ran her fingers over it loving the soft texture.

“Wow! It's the new game!” Jack exclaimed. “Thanks dad.” He jumped up and hugged Derek, then went back to his pile.

As she ripped the paper from the box, she noticed Derek stopped opening his presents and headed toward her. He sat down next to her, propped his elbows on his knees and watched her. “Is it going to jump out at me?”

He chuckled soft and low. “No. Go ahead and open it.” He nodded his head at the box.

She opened the generic box and found a bunch of packing peanuts. Clearing them aside she dug to the bottom of the box and felt a velvety box in her hand. She pulled it out and gasped. “Derek?”

“Well, open it.”

She opened the box revealing a diamond solitaire. Derek dropped to one knee beside the couch. “Lissa, I know it's only been a short time, but I know you're the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. Please say you'll make me the happiest man in the world by becoming my wife.”

Her heart was hammering away. She had wanted this, since she met him. Since the first night they were together. She loved him. She truly did. She looked to Jack who nodded his head. She looked to Derek who looked a little green. She put her hand over her heart, holding the ring in the other. “Yes. I'll marry you.” He stood picked her up, spun her around in a circle, then kissed her with a tongue-tangling-toe-curling kiss.

Jack laughed. “Ha, I knew if he kissed you like the French did, I'd get my Christmas wish.”