Sloan's POV
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" My grandparents yelled as we all walked into my great-grandparent's house.
The entire family was already here and the Christmas festivities were already in full swing. We were told to wear Christmas colors, so the house was full of Mickayas wearing red, green, and white.
The noise from the chatter hit my ears as Carter and I walked in. Everyone was happy to see Carter more than me. But I think they were also excited to show him their signing. It warmed my heart to see, that they all learned it for him. It made me love my family even more.
I had presents in my hand and Carter had some in his. I had no idea what he got me, but I was over the moon excited to show him what I had. Especially the last one. His ring.
I've never been so nervous in my life, but my heart racing in my chest.
I got pulled away by some of my cousins, them all talking about shit that happened in school or whatever else they have going on. My grandma and her sisters were all in the kitchen cooking with my Aunts as well.
Florence and Delany sat at the bartop watching them, wanting to join in but they were still too young. And like my Aunt Kona says they need more practice when it comes to cooking soul food.
My Pops was off talking with my grandpa, and my dad was talking with Uncle Q, Uncle Vin, and Uncle Cristoff.
That wasn't even half of the people in this house right now. I'm sure there were about fifty shifters walking around here, but I loved it. The Mickayas were a big family, and we liked it that way. I hope Carter liked it too. Because I would love to fill our home up with as many pups as possible.
I walked to the giant Christmas tree that sat in the corner of the even bigger living room and placed Carter and I's gifts down. Carter and I decided to wrap ours in Car's wrapping paper so they wouldn't get mixed up with everyone else.
My hands shook as I placed the box down that held Carter's ring. I wanted to hold onto it, so it wouldn't get lost but I knew it would be way too obvious if I did. So I made a quick prayer to the goddess and was on my way.
I walked to the kitchen to make sure I said hi to all my great-aunts and my nana. It smelled amazing. I had no idea what they were cooking, but I knew it was going to make me take the biggest nap afterward.
"Look at my baby, Sloan!" My nana yelled as I walked towards her. Her face lit up with excitement as she put the spoon down and pulled me into a hug. "My big boy! I've missed you." She gave me a firm kiss on the cheek and a bright smile found its way to my face.
"Hi, Nana. I missed you, too."
Carter came into the kitchen, which caught everyone's attention. They all pulled him in for a hug and my nana hugged him last.
"Oh! Carter, let me tell you. Sloan sent the mac n cheese recipe that was from your mom and so I used that for dinner tonight. Is that okay?"
I felt my face heat up as my nana told him. I should have told her not to say anything, I wanted it to be a surprise. But the way Carter looked at me, with so much love in his eyes it made me happy that she did. He nodded and pulled her into a hug and I saw a tear fall down his face. When she pulled away and went back to cooking, Carter was before me within an instant, gripping my sweater and looking up at me with his big eyes.
'You sent her the recipe?' He mindlinked to me and I smiled.
'Of course, I wanted you to feel at home here. Plus it's so much better than Aunt Khelani's but don't tell them I said that.' Carter laughed and so did I. I felt the world fade around us as I looked at him. The only thing I saw was his bright green eyes and his perfect smile.
'You're amazing. Seriously, I don't know what I'd do without you. I can't imagine having anyone else as my mate, other than you.'
Every day felt like I was living in a dream. That Carter was actually mine and we were together. That Carter was in love with me, and we were happy together. It sometimes didn't feel real. Like all my dreams are coming true and are standing before me right now.
It made the need to put my ring on his finger even grander. To remind myself and him that this is real. And this is for life.
"Okay boys, out of the kitchen. You're taking up space." Nana said, giving us both a pat on the back and pulling us from our daze. Which is good because I was about to destroy Carter's mouth in front of my family.
I grabbed Carter's hand and pulled him out and we went to find Ezra and Ambrose talking to our cousins. I made sure that Carter was next to me, I don't think I can handle being too far from him.
As time ticked on, the more nervous I got. I kept looking to make sure that the box was still there. I also told my nana about my plan, so we were able to open our presents first. I wanted to go last but knowing me, I would spoil it if I had to wait too long.
In our family, we play a game called 'Madness' at any family event. Normally we play before we eat because we get drunk from it and then eating after makes the food taste so much better. And the naps afterward are the best naps ever taken. I made sure to ask my nana for one of the smaller rooms, just for me and Carter. Because if I knew my mate, I know that once he laid eyes on his presents he's going to want to...thank me.
And I can't get thanked properly if my siblings are in the same room sleeping.
So tonight, we are playing Madness after our naps. When we are all refreshed and the food has settled. Which will make the hangover not as bad in the morning. Thank you, goddess.
My Dad called me over and I reluctantly let go of Carter's hand to go over to him. His face lit up like the tree we had and I knew what he was about to ask.
"Are you excited? It's almost time." He was practically bouncing on his toes.
"Yes, I am but also nervous. I hope he likes it." My Dad leaned forward and grabbed my hand in his and rubbed his thumb across.
"Oh, he's going to love it because he loves you."
*****
Dinner was delicious always and everyone loved Carter's mom's recipe. He was now gifted with the task of making it for every family event in the future, which made my mate beam with joy.
The entire time he held a smile on his face. His eyes were lit as he looked at my--his family. I couldn't help but think back on all those months before. How he used to be. It was so apparent that he wasn't happy, and that he was hiding himself. But now...now he was literal sunlight. He lit up my world, and everyone's that he's around.
His smile and joy are contagious. He has the most beautiful spirit that brings people together. He doesn't even realize the way he makes people feel. How people are drawn to him. He is a natural-born leader. The definition of a true alpha.
Love wasn't enough to describe how I felt about him.
It's so much more.
'Sloan and I spent days just watching Cars on repeat because of me. And he didn't complain once. I think that was when I knew I was in love with him.' Carter signed, and all of our family had his eyes on him. They had asked how it went when I first went after him and what happened. And Carter was telling them the story. A story I'll never get used to telling.
"Listen, I like Cars. I have them all memorized too." I chimed in and got a few laughs.
"Who's idea was it to learn to sign?" Nana asked. My Papa Channing was sitting next to her, arm resting behind her chair.
'It was Sloan's. He came in all macho man and was like 'We're going to talk whether you like it or not'. But it was sweet of him.' That got laughs from almost everyone.
"Awe, our baby Sloan. He's always been quite demanding."
"Honestly I almost regretted it. Carter has photographic memory so he caught on quick, I on the other hand was a struggling mess." It was nice to see how far I've come. Now I sign so fluently that I don't have to think about it. But I can still remember all the hand cramps like it was yesterday.
'No, no, it was cute. Seeing him try so hard. It made me realize how much he cared about me.' Carter smiled at me and I felt my chest warm up from it. I'd never get used to this. To him.
I felt my eyes start to water and my breath get heavier. Not from anything bad, but from the fact that I was so in love. I was bringing myself to tears.
I was on my feet before I knew it and I was stomping my way to the tree to grab the box. I knew I wasn't going to be able to last long. I thought I could hold out until we opened presents but nope. I'm a weak, weak man.
'Couldn't hold out, could you?' Loren gruffed out but it was with amusement. I grabbed the box and walked back to where everyone was eating and all eyes were on me,
'Nope.'
I took a deep breath and I went back to my chair and stood. I was sitting directly across from Carter so he could see me fully.
"I was supposed to wait and give this to you, but I couldn't wait any longer. Carter, I love you. You make the world go round. You make my world go round. There's no one else I'd rather be with. There's actually no one else I've loved as much as you. For as long as I remember you have been the only person that occupies my heart the way you do. I've known since I was a baby that my heart belonged to you."
"I love the life we've created in the past few months together. And I am so excited about the life we will live in the future. I can't wait to see our pups running around, and I can't wait to spend every day for the rest of my life with you in my arms."
I stepped forward and I placed the box in front of him, and Carter hesitantly grabbed it. Tears were falling, as I continued my declaration. It truly felt like he and I were the only ones here. Carter slowly started to open the present and I continued.
"I bought that when I first went on my graze, in the hopes that I'd be able to give it to you one day." Carter opened it, and a gasp left his lips as he looked at the hand. He gently ran his finger against the box and even more tears flowed.
"I didn't know if and when I'd be able to give this to you. But, fuck Carter, I'm so happy and blessed that I can. You have no idea how much you mean to me. And I want you to have a piece of me wherever you go. A physical manifestation of my love for you."
I took a deep breath as I waited for a response. There were a few sniffles around the room, but I didn't take my eyes off my mate. His lip quivered and soon he was on his feet running toward me. I opened my arms as he jumped and wrapped his legs around my waist. He was crying heavily into my neck and I couldn't help but join in.
He pulled his head back with a smile on his face and cupped my face as I sat him down.
"Tiger." He spoke and I stilled. "You of course had to ruin my plan." He spoke so confidently in front of my family it was almost as if he'd never stopped talking. He put his hand in his pants pocket and pulled out a box, similar looking to mine.
"I was going to do a whole speech to, say everything you just told me to you. And give you this." I took the box from his hand and inside there was a ring. The most beautiful ring I had ever seen. It was also the exact style I had gotten him, except the stone was a color that matched my eyes. "I love you, Sloan. And I want everyone to know that I do."
I leaned forward, no longer able to resist myself, and kissed him. Hard. Cheers erupted around us and I remembered we were surrounded by people.
"Cheers to the happy couple!"
Happy doesn't even begin to describe what I'm feeling.