Epilogue
Christmas Day, the following year…
“Well? Was this Christmas better than last?”
They were at Holly’s house—which was now their house for the time being—and had just gotten home from Lucas’s family’s house.
Holly kicked off her boots and shrugged. “I don’t think it was better, but it was certainly less eventful. Fun, but not nearly as wild as last year.”
“Yes, the lack of the fire department helped.”
“Oh, stop. You guys haven’t let your mom live that down!”
“She’s actually proud of it!” he reminded her. “Did you hear how many people she told that story to at the party last weekend? And every time she told it, the flames got bigger and the rescue was more dramatic!”
She laughed. “I did notice that, but I didn’t want to correct her. I will say that tonight’s dinner was spectacular! When you first told me about your traditional Christmas Day meal, I thought it sounded a bit pretentious, but…wow! It was so good!”
“Surf and turf is always delicious, and our family chef knows the way everyone likes it and always makes it perfectly every year.”
“I thought it was very sweet when your mother asked him to join us.”
“Are you kidding? I almost fell out of my chair! She’s never done anything like that in my entire life!”
“She looks so much happier than I’ve ever seen her,” Holly said, just thinking about the amazing transformation his parents made in the last year. “She claims their therapist has worked miracles in both of them.”
“I believe it.”
He walked over and sat on the couch, staring at their tree. Over the last year, they had traveled a bit, and everywhere they went, Holly encouraged him to pick out a Christmas ornament. This year, the tree had a little bit of their story on it and she loved it.
“So? Did you get everything you wanted for Christmas?”
Holly looked at all the opened gifts under the tree; some were from her family from last night, some were what they just brought home from his family, and some were their gifts to each other that they exchanged this morning.
Sitting down beside him, she nodded. “I did! I love every single gift I received. I don’t think there’s another thing I could possibly want. ”
“Oh.”
Turning her head she frowned. “What’s the matter?”
“It’s nothing. I just…I had one more thing for you.”
“Lucas, you didn’t! You already gave me so much! My bracelet and the earrings, my new boots and that purse I wanted…there was nothing else on my list!”
“Well, I wanted to get you something that wasn’t on your list. Because…I don’t know…sometimes the element of surprise is the best part.”
“You really didn’t have to do anything else for me. I loved all of my gifts.”
“Should I take it back then?”
“Um…” She pretended to think about it. “No! Definitely not!”
“Okay, then. I’ll be right back.”
Lucas stood and went to the kitchen—which she thought was odd—but sat back and got comfortable. A few minutes later, Shmoop came in with a little Santa hat on.
“Oh my goodness! Look at you and your little hat! Why didn’t you have this on earlier, huh?”
The dog sat in front of her, wagging his tail and looking very pleased with himself.
Then Lucas came back with absolutely nothing in his hands.
Huh.
“You bought Shmoop a hat? That is so sweet! I love it! Thank you!”
He grinned as he sat back down. “It’s a very special hat.” Then he looked over at Shmoop. “Isn’t it, boy? It’s a good hat, right?” He nodded and Shmoop mimicked the move.
That’s when she heard a jingle.
“Is there a bell on it? That’s amazing! A little jingle bell!”
“Why don’t you check it out?” Lucas prompted.
“Okay…” Reaching for Shmoop, she gently scratched behind his ears and examined the hat a little more closely. On the fluffy pom-pom, she spotted something silver beside the tiniest little bell. “What in the world…?”
Beside her, Lucas got down on one knee and carefully removed the object.
A ring.
“Holly Brown, you are everything to me. You are light and love and happiness. You are everything that is good in this world. I love the life we are creating together, and I desperately want so much more with you. I want you to be my wife. My forever. Will you marry me?”
As usual, whenever Lucas did anything incredibly sweet or romantic, it made tears come to her eyes. She nodded and slid down to the floor with him, hugging him tightly.
Shmoop barked and danced around them like he was already celebrating.
But she didn’t mind. She was kissing Lucas and he was kissing her back, and it was perfect. And when they broke apart, he slid the ring onto her finger, and it was gorgeous.
“Okay, now this Christmas is definitely better than last year’s!” she told him. “I love you.”
“Love you too!”
And Shmoop got the last word, barking in agreement.