If the Ring Fits (18 page)

Something beautiful she would be proud to show off. Something practical that would make life easier. Something that would show her once and for all, that unlike her ex, being with her and the boys was the only place Travis wanted to be.

W
hen Travis first mentioned celebrating Christmas in September, Mary Karen envisioned a quiet affair. They’d have takeout, the boys would open their gifts and that would be it.

Now she stood in the doorway waving goodbye to the last of family and friends who’d stop by with platters of food, bottles of wine and gifts for the boys.

Travis’s hand rested lightly on her shoulder. Before the evening had begun she’d agreed to set aside her concerns for one night and enjoy the evening. And she
had
enjoyed it. He’d been by her side most of the night, greeting their guests and whispering how beautiful she looked.

Surprisingly, despite her increasing bulk, Mary Karen felt beautiful tonight. She’d twisted her hair into a stylish knot. Her new red cascade cardigan with silver threads running through it made her feel festive and
fashionable. It seemed only fitting she’d have a handsome man at her side. In his chinos and brown-striped shirt, Travis made her heart go pitter-pat. Just seeing him brought a surge of possessive pride.

A possessive pride she had no right to feel.

“You were right.” Mary Karen turned and pushed the door closed.

“I usually am,” Travis quipped. “What was I right about this time?”

“The fishing poles. The boys loved them.” She smiled, remembering their exclamations of delight. “Of course, I shouldn’t have been surprised. They’re still talking about last weekend’s trip to the park.”

“Next time, you’ll have to come with us.” Travis followed her to the kitchen.

Mary Karen thought about telling him there might not be a next time but instead she commandeered a half-empty bottle of sparkling grape juice from the counter and held it up. “Care to help me finish this off?”

“Absolutely.” Travis grinned. “I’m into living dangerously.”

Mary Karen laughed softly and emptied the bottle in the last of the clean wineglasses. “I never thought when we told people about our early Christmas that they would stop by and help us celebrate.”

“I’m glad they did.” Travis couldn’t remember a better party. “It felt like a real holiday, having our friends and family around.”

“By the end of the night, the boys were bouncing off the walls.” Mary Karen placed her glass on the counter. “I’m surprised they went to bed so easily.”

“I bribed them,” Travis said without apology. “I told them if they went to bed without complaining, we’d go out for chocolate chip pancakes in the morning. After
ward, we’d come home and they could play with their toys.”

“Sneaky.” Mary Karen winked. “I like your style.”

“Good.” He put his glass next to hers then pulled her close. “Because I like everything about you.”

“You’re such a flatterer.”

“Keeping it honest, babe.” His arms tightened around her. “You know what it’s time for?”

“More sparkling grape juice?”

Travis laughed. “Opening our gifts.”

“Okay.” She exhaled a breath. “Let’s do it.”

“Don’t sound so excited,” he teased, lacing his fingers through hers.

Mary Karen knew she should pull away, but she told herself it was okay,
just for tonight.
They walked to the living room hand in hand.

The lights from the tree twinkled brightly and the delicious aroma of roasted chestnuts still lingered in the air.

“I want to open mine first,” Travis said, sitting next to her on the sofa.

Despite her nervousness, Mary Karen managed to keep a smile on her face. She pointed to the gift wrapped in shiny silver paper and topped with a big red bow. “It’s that one.”

Travis leaned over and tugged the package out from under the tree. “This is heavy. I wonder what it is?”

He settled the gift on the coffee table in front of them. Before he could tear the package open, Mary Karen closed her hand over his arm. “I chose this gift so you’d know marriage isn’t always about giving up things we love.”

“Now you’ve piqued my curiosity.” He ripped off the paper and for a long moment simply stared.

“They’re specially made for the Z4. When it’s wet and sloppy outside, they’ll keep your carpets dry.” Mary Karen flushed, realizing Travis still hadn’t said anything. Maybe he didn’t like them. Maybe he didn’t want ugly rubber floor mats in his expensive sports car. “I’m sorry. It was a bad idea.”

“It was a very sweet thought,” he said with a reassuring smile. “Thank you.”

She noticed he hadn’t said he liked them.

“I have the receipt in my purse,” she offered, hoping he wouldn’t accept. “If you want to take them back.”

He just smiled and reached beneath the sofa, pulling out a box. “I have something for you.”

It was smaller than the box a necklace would come in, but not as thick as ones used for rings. The paper was red-and-white stripes with a white bow, tilting slightly off center. It looked as if he’d wrapped the gift himself.

When she reached for it, he pulled the package to his chest. “Let’s go outside. You can open it there.”

She must have looked as confused as she felt because he smiled. “Under the moonlight will be more romantic.”

Without saying another word, Travis grabbed his jacket then helped her with her coat. Taking her arm, they stepped outside and moved to the porch rail. The air was crisp but not cold. Thousands of stars filled the dark night sky. Overhead the moon cast its golden glow.

“You’re right.” Mary Karen put her hand on the railing and breathed in the sweet mountain air. “It’s lovely out here.”

“Told you so,” he teased.

“Can I have my gift back now?”

He handed the package to her, his gaze as watchful as hers had been only moments before.

With trembling fingers, Mary Karen removed the wrapping and opened the box, expecting a necklace or a bracelet. Instead a fancy laser-cut key lay nestled inside.

When she made no move to take it, Travis picked it up pressed it into her palm. “With all my love.”

Mary Karen cast him a curious glance. “What does it open?”

Travis gestured to a beautiful vehicle sitting in the next-door neighbor’s driveway.

“Mr. and Mrs. Pettigrew’s new van?”

“That’s not their new van,” Travis explained. “They simply let me borrow their driveway. It’s
our,
or rather your, new van.”

There were very few times in Mary Karen’s life that she’d found herself struck dumb. This was one of them.

“I drove down to Afton to pick it up today. I thought you’d like the dark-cherry pearl color best but they said we could exchange it for another if you didn’t like it.” He spoke quickly, one word tumbling out after the other. “It seats eight so if we end up having another baby down the road, we’ll still have room.”

“You’d want another baby?”

He smiled. “I’d like to keep our options open.”

She didn’t know what surprised her more, that Travis had bought a minivan or that the once confirmed bachelor might want another child. She raised a hand to her head, hoping to stop the spinning. “Let me get this straight. You traded in Ethel for a new minivan?”

“Ethel isn’t going anywhere.” He smiled. “We need two vans, not one. I sold the Z4. You get the new van. I
get Ethel. It’ll take her a while to adjust, but in the end I’ll win her over.”

Mary Karen pulled her brows together. “But why would you get rid of your sports car?”

“You don’t like the van?” Was that hurt she heard in his voice?

“Like it? I love it. Ohmigod, it’s gorgeous.” Mary Karen let her gaze linger on the vehicle’s sleek, modern lines. “But you’ve wanted that sports car for as long as I can remember. Now that you have it, why would you give it up?”

“Because I realized it’s just a car.” His eyes never left hers. “Having two vans will mean I can take the twins to school and pick them up. When the weather is bad you won’t have to take the babies out at all.”

“But taking care of the children is my job.”

“It’s
our
job.” With gentle fingers he tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “You’re not alone anymore, sweetheart. You’ll never be alone again. I’m not going anywhere. I’m right where I want to be, a proud member of this family.”

Tears slipped down Mary Karen’s cheeks. “Oh, Travis.”

“I love you, M.K. The best thing I ever did was marry you in Vegas. If I had the chance, I’d do it again. I thought I had my life just the way I liked it. Until I became your husband I didn’t know all that I was missing. I didn’t realize that this—a home, a family and most importantly—you, my sweet wife, was exactly what I needed.”

“Just having you as my husband is the only gift I need.”

He lifted a brow. “Are you saying I should send the van back?”

“Not if you value your life,” she warned. “Now kiss me, and then I can check out my new van.”

“That’s my M.K.” Travis chuckled and pulled her into his arms, knowing he wouldn’t want her any other way.

Three months later

“S
ofie has my mother’s red hair and fair complexion.” Travis’s eyes softened as he studied his newborn daughter, seemingly not bothered by her piercing cries.

“Benjamin looks a lot like your baby pictures.” Mary Karen gazed at the contented baby wrapped in blue in her arms. “Speaking of pictures, take a look at the ones July dropped off. They’re from Thanksgiving.”

With his free hand, Travis picked up the photos lying at the end of the bed and flipped through them. A smile lifted his lips. “I like these. They’re really good.”

“My favorite is the one of all of us together.” Mary Karen’s voice grew thick with emotion. If she hadn’t already known Travis loved her, the picture would have convinced her. The boys were draped all over Travis. His adoring gaze was fixed on her, his arm around her
waist. Connor was making devil horns behind Travis’s head. Logan had stuck his tongue out at Caleb. They were a family. A happy family.

“That picture is destined for the mantel. Until we get one that includes Ben and Sofie, that is.”

“You realize Connor and Cal were counting on boys.” Travis gently rocked the crying baby in his arms and raised his voice to be heard over the din.

“They’ll adjust.” Mary Karen knew it wouldn’t be long before the little girl had the boys eating out of her hand.

“What about her? Can you imagine what it’s going to be like for her? Growing up with four older brothers?”

“Benjamin is only older by two minutes,” Mary Karen pointed out.

“He’s still older. Isn’t he, baby girl?” Travis cooed to the red-faced infant who’d finally stopped crying to stare up at him.

“Something tells me Sofie will hold her own.” Mary Karen’s eyes met his. “And one day, when she’s all grown up, if she’s really lucky one of her brothers will have a friend. He’ll be handsome and funny and smart—”

“Wait, I think I know this story,” Travis interrupted, moving to his wife’s side to sit beside her on the bed, his gaze never leaving hers. “They’ll be best friends and then lovers. In the end they’ll get married in Vegas on a wild whim and live happily ever after.”

Mary Karen sighed, a wave of utter contentment washing over her. “Just like you and me.”

“He’ll be the luckiest guy in the world.” It was all there in his eyes.

“And she’ll be the luckiest woman.”

Her gaze settled on Travis.

Friend. Lover. Husband. Family Man.

Who said a woman couldn’t have it all?