Lyla

"But they're a bunch of bikers." Rolling my eyes, I pause as my hand grips the handle to the oven.

"Yes mom, and they've invited you to come to their Christmas party." Pulling open the oven door, I turn and grab the two sheets of cookies with both hands as I maneuver the phone between my shoulder and ear. "Mom, look I know this is a little different, but this was the first year the club had no drama and they wanted to celebrate as a family." I won't tell her some of that drama included myself, mom already has a hard enough time with the fact that Adrianna hangs around the clubhouse after what happened to her.

"I don't know, maybe just you and your family can go, and I'll stay with Lisa and her wife."

"Mom, Lisa is going and she's bringing Lizzy." Shutting the oven door, I lean back against the counter placing one hand on my hip while the other now cradles the phone.I have been trying to get mom to accept the fact that she is apart of our family, but she still gives us the distance we no longer need from her. Dad never came around, but last I heard from mom, he still tries to get her to come back home to him. Guess it never looks good to get a divorce, even when your entire family has left you.

"And you're sure they said I should go? Me? They didn't just say you should exclusively invite your sister and her family and you're trying to tie me into that group?" I giggle silently, loving how adorably shy my mother is about going to a biker compound on Christmas day.

"Mother, for gosh sakes, Adrianna, your almost seven year old granddaughter, is going. There will be lots of children there, grandparents and regular people. Mom, you love Shane, and he's the road king of this club."

"Oh I know that; I just don't want anyone to look at me like a bad mother." Closing my eyes, I now understand whys she feels the way she does. The club knows our history. Mom wasn't always the best mother but after these last few years, she has come around. Leaving my father and moving here with me and Lisa, she has given us our mother back.

"No one will look at you that way, because it isn't true. Whatever your past is, it no longer defines you. We all have some checkered histories, but the club is a family and in that family is love and respect. Trust me mom, it will be a lot of fun."

A few silent moments follow then I hear her huff out a deep breath and tell me the words I've been trying to get out of her for the past ten minutes.

"Fine, I'll be there, but don't be angry if I bring my disinfectant."

"Deal."

"I'll see you tomorrow honey."

"Bye mom." Hanging up the phone, I turn to put another set of snow man cookies onto a cookie sheet but stop when there is a knock at the door followed by a much louder one.

Giggling when I hear two familiar voices on the other side of the door, I walk over and open it to find a very cold Adrianna and a very scrumptious looking Shane.

"What took you two so long?" I ask grabbing Adrianna's two bags while she runs inside to see if her Christmas present bundle under the tree has grown by one. Shane follows after us, shutting the door with his foot while he brings in the rest of the groceries on one hand.

"Had to make sure I got everything on your ten foot long list." He snickers and I pinch his arm which does nothing since he is wearing his Nightmare Warriors jacket that Julia had made all the guys.

"You love my cooking." I complain walking over to wash my hands.

"Love you cooking me food darlin', not big on you making Christmas dinner for the whole damn compound." He mumbles the last part under his breath, but I hear it.

"Oh shush. And I'm not making dinner for the whole compound. Candy ordered some food, but we know a bunch of hungry bikers could easily go through that food so we're making some extra."

We were learning from our Thanksgiving mistake of getting only two turkeys and thinking between that and three giant sides, that we would had enough food. Last I remember from that night was all the men battling over the last piece of meat and someone ending up in a black eye.

"Mommy, I think I found a new one." Adrianna shouts. I laugh when I turn and see her shaking the box and placing it up to her ear, hoping to somehow figure what her gift is by noise.

Adrianna has grown so much over the last couple of years. Between everything that happened to her and having a father figure live with her, she has blossomed into such a strong and willful little girl. Her hair is longer, her vocabulary better, but overall she's still the sweet little girl that just wants to be friends with everyone she meets.

"Damn she's getting big." Shane states from behind me. I turn and watch his eyes grow soft as Adrianna shouts about one of the gifts most likely being a cell phone. His arms go around me as I turn back and watch our daughter, look around the tree over and over again.

"Yeah, she's" Before I can finish my train of thought, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer comes on the radio located directly behind me, causing me and Adrianna to scream and run into the living room and begin dancing.

"You would even say it glows, like a light bulb." We shout in unison laughing when Adrianna messes up the lyrics like she always does. We dance and laugh and sing each word gesturing the parts that call for it and it isn't until I hear a deep rumble do I stop and look over at Shane whose massive arms are crossed at his chest. He shakes his head when I catch him watching us then leans over to grab some of the appetizers I had made for the party.

"Those are for the party ya know."

"I do know. Also know I'll be at the party. So it's like I'm just getting my fair share now."

"Fair share huh?" Another deep chuckle causes my heart to skip a beat.

"Come and join us Shane." Adrianna shouts causing me to turn and watch her dance more when the song turns to Jingle Bell Rock. Since I could remember, I wanted Christmas to be special for my little girl. There was a time when I was in nursing school and Lisa was helping me to watch her, that I couldn't afford to get her any presents, but I always made sure the holiday in itself was special. One of our traditions is to dance and sing whenever Christmas songs come on the radio.

"Don't think so darlin'. Think you got me beat on those moves."

"Please daddy?" Adrianna pouts her lip knowing that will get her way, which is exactly how it works out when Shane nearly falls to the ground after her endearing word then shrugs his jacket off and walks over to dance with his little girl.

I take lots of pictures, even with Shane's threats about sending them to Max, and join in with them until we are all too tired to do any more dancing.

"Well, look at the amazing little family." My head turns to watch my sister Lisa walk into the house with her spare key in hand and catching her niece when Adrianna runs and jumps into her arms.

"What are you doing here?" Although, Lizzy, Lisa's new wife is Jewish, they try and share the holidays. This year happens to be the year they celebrate Christmas which is why they will both be joining us tomorrow over at the compound.

"Ask your husband." Lisa lifts her chin towards Shane located behind me as she carries her niece further into the living room.

I turn my head and link gazes with Shane wondering what he is up to.

"Shane what"

"Think you could have her back in an hour Darlin'?" He ignores my questioning glance as he looks straight at my sister. I turn in time to watch her nod her head then pull a very excited Adrianna to the front door to place her shoes on.

"Sure, I think I'll take Adrianna to go and pick out her Christmas gifts for you guys."

"Really aunt Lisa? I know just what I want to get my mommy." Although my heart melts at my daughter's excitement, I don't know if I feel entirely comfortable with her leaving so late in the afternoon without Shane or I with her. Especially on a busy day.

"Relax babe, your sister's got her." I cross my arms in defiance at the man being able to read me so well.

"Just be careful." I shout before the door is closed behind my very giddy child. Turning around I give Shane my attempted evil eyes but I'm sure it comes across like a pirate who desperately needs glasses. "What are you up to mister?"

"If I told you that it wouldn't be a surprise."

"Are you just wanting us to be alone?"

"That such a bad thing?" He states prowling towards me.

"Do you really have something planned?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Shane, why do you keep answering my question with a question?"

Shane reaches me and place his hands on my hips giving me a sly smirk. I lean onto my tiptoes and kiss his lips, moaning when I feel his tongue instantly slip through and collide with mine. Pushing him back I give him a stern look at which he proceeds to simply laugh at me.

"Does that mean you don't have a present for me?"

"Oh I've got somethin' for you darlin'." Lifting me in his arms, Shane drags me to our bedroom, laying me gently atop the bed. Leaning up on his knees Shane does what he always does when we ready ourselves for each other. He stares down at me with admiration and desire, lifting his shirt above his head so that I can return the favor. "See somethin' you like babe?"

"You know that I do." Using my foot I glide it up his hard chest then back down, stopping when I get to his jean clad thighs. "I want you Shane."

Shane leans down capturing my mouth once again using his hands to glide down my body, removing my leggings along with my panties. Wrapping my arms around his neck, he switches our position and pushes me on top while his back lays flat against the bed. I use the opportunity and sit up to remove my tank and bra while he undoes his pants and boxers, throwing them against the pile of our clothing scattered around the floor of our bedroom.

"Ride me baby." Not waiting a second more, I climb on top and ready myself into his hard erection, moaning in pleasure when his thick cock fills me.

Moving up and down, my pace quickens when I feel his arms go around my body and grab hold of my ass, pushing it down, making everything feel harder and deeper.

"Fuck babe, right there. Don't fuckin' stop." Shane moans louder as I ride him as hard as I can.

I can feel my orgasm building and know I need just a little more of a push. Apparently Shane does as well because he suddenly flips us back into our original position, keeping our connection, then pounds into me with the force that I needed. The force that I always desire from him. I release everything into my orgasm as bliss finds me and Shane follows shortly.

"Fuck." He pants, as he lies beside me while I catch my breath.

"If that was your present, I approve." Smiling when I hear his chuckle, I turn my head and watch as he does the same then connects our fingers together. I'm just about to sit up and say more when I feel my hand become heavier. Looking down, I gasp when I see why. "Shane? Sugar, what the hell is this?"

"Trying to figure out a way to make this as romantic as I could, but I figure naked with you lying beside me is as perfect as it's going to get."

Sitting up, Shane pulls me to sit up as well, while I cover the blanket around my naked form. I stare down at the emerald cut diamond engagement ring laying atop my finger ever so gently. "Hate to break it to you honey clam, but we're already married."

"Yeah, I got that babe. But everything was so fast, and when I asked you to elope with me I could tell it wasn't exactly what you wanted."

"Shane, I never regretted doing that with you."

"I know that Ly. But I wouldn't be honest with myself if I said I couldn't tell if that was really what you wanted."

He isn't wrong. I always dreamed of a big southern wedding with all the bells and whistles. I figured it was never a possibility since Rory was such an ass. Shane was my forever and when everything went down with Rory and the Kings a few years back, I didn't need all those things to make our marriage feel more real.

"You don't strike me as the man that will get up in front of everyone and say your I do's." I smile still shocked that he even did this.

"I'll do anything for you babe. And if Max says something to me, I'll just punch him in his teeth." Throwing my head back and laughing, I kiss the man of dreams crazy and then stare into his eyes.

"Then maybe you should ask me the proper way." Shane lifts his eyebrows, giving me the smirk I ever so adore on him. But instead of making a smart ass comment or kissing me silly like he does whenever he wants to get out of a romantic gesture, Shane steps out of bed, naked as the day he was born, and bends down on one knee. Grabbing my hand, the one carrying the most astounding engagement ring I have ever laid eyes on, he says the words I had only dreamed of hearing when I was a little girl.

"Lyla Matthews, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

"I don't know honey; I've got to think about it for a while. I mean I've got a kid to think about."

Shane pops up immediately, tickling me until I give. After a few seconds of me saying yes and another round of kissing. We wind up laying on the bed once again, me lying on top of him while I admire my ring.

"I think Adrianna should be our flower girl." I say moving my hand side to side watching as the ring bounces off the light beaming in from our window drapes.

"Think our girl will want a more important job babe."

"I think you're right." I can feel Shane's chest shake as we both laugh at the fact that Adrianna will no doubt want to be my maid of honor.

"Have you thought about who you want to give you away?" Closing my eyes I allow his breathing to settle me as I turn my body and place my ear against his chest, listening as his heartbeat continues to settle my nerves. This has always been my favorite spot to lay on.

"Would it be strange if I had my mother do it?" Since my father refused to be apart of mine and my daughter's life, I want no part of him during one of the most important days of my life, but my mother has proven to not only to be a great mom, but an amazing grandmother.

"Not all babe. If that's what you want."

"And what do you want Shane?" I look up meeting his gaze with mine watching as his expression grows soft.

"You at the end of the isle."

"That's a good answer." I lean in, kissing his lips softly then jump out of bed and laugh when I see his confused glance.

"Where the hell are you going? We still got some time before your sister gets back with Adrianna." My answer is to ignore him. I simply get dressed and throw his clothes at him then walk backwards slowly out of our bedroom content when he dresses and follows suit. "Ly?"

"Over here." I turn and watch him follow me as I lead him outside and to the garage. It's not often we are out here, which gave me the perfect cover to hide his Christmas present.

"What the hell are you" All speech goes to a dead stop as I pull open the garage door, clapping my hands and jumping up and down as he takes in his Christmas gift from me and Adrianna.

I had debated for so long what to get the man that tends to only like to grunt all day. Shane is nearly impossible to shop for and anytime I had asked in the past what he wanted, I only ever got one answer.

Me naked with a big red bow.

This year I wanted to get him something a little more practical.

Well as practical as a new Haley could be.

"Merry Christmas Shane."

"You got me a new bike?" He says walking into he garage slowly as if the bike is made of python.

I had asked Max to help pick one out and when he told me that he found one and just needed to fix it up, I went for it. Shane loves his bike but has often complained in the past about getting a new one. Max has expressed that although Shane would love a new bike, Adrianna and I were now his priorities. So I saved and came up with what I could to get the bike.

"Shane, I wanted you to have something that you could say is yours. Your mother and I pitched in together and Max helped me pick it out, and before you say something smart, I've already checked everywhere to make sure there was no bright pink parts or stored didoes anywhere."

I won't tell him that I did find one, but made Max come out and get rid of it.

"This is." My finger shake with anticipation. I didn't want Shane to be angry that I went around and spent a lot of money on him. He hates it when I use my money at all, but I wanted him to have something special, something special from me.

"Well?"

"It's Perfect babe." He turns his head and gives me a small smile. One of my favorite smiles from him. "You're prefect. Thank you." Wrapping me tight, I close my eyes and let out my breath that I had been holding since we came out here.

"I'm glad you like it."

"More than like it. I even love that one of my brothers helped you with it, although remind me to kick his ass about not telling me beforehand." Smacking his chest gently I turn when I hear the door open and swinging pigtails tackle the both of us as Adrianna comes barreling in, squealing with delight.

"Do you like it daddy? Do you?" Picking her up and throwing her in the air, Adrianna giggles become infectious as Shane throws her up over and over again.

"I love it darlin'."

"Merry Christmas Dad."

"Merry Christmas baby." I wipe the tears from my eyes then roll them when I see Shane look over at me with a sappy expression.

Clapping my hands, I grab their attention and point towards the door where Lisa stands with her arms crossed at her chest. "Alright you two let's get inside before you both freeze out here and get everything ready for our Christmas Eve traditions."

"Yay, let's put on the matching pj's mommy bought us." Adrianna screams as she jumps down from her father's hold and runs inside. Shane looks to me with shock at which I simply laugh and pull his arm with mine.

"Oh come on Mr. Matthews, your family wants you in something embarrassing, surely you won't disappoint us."

"Of course not babe. Of course not."