Epilogue Hunter
Tuesday December 25, 8:23 a.m.
Rosa sat next to Hunter on the loveseat in his living room, their fingers interlocked, wearing their bracelets from Emily.
The little girl picked up the first gift of the morning. “What is it, Miss Flores? I mean, Rosa?” She ripped open the wrapping and held up the framed picture of Emily, Hunter, and Rosa on the stage in front of the set piece Hunter had built. She hugged it to her chest. “I love it. Okay, next present!”
Hunter and Rosa laughed. Since the day of the school play, they had been inseparable. Hunter and Emily took Rosa to the Nutcracker Museum. The three of them listened to more performances at the gazebo. Rosa even baked and brought items over for gingerbread cookie decorating.
Hunter took her on a few hikes, just the two of them. He stopped often for what he deemed “essential kissing breaks.”
“These are for your safety, you know,” he had told her, pulling her in close.
“Oh, is that so?” Rosa asked, her arms reaching into the warmth of his coat to grab around his waist.
“The closer you are to me, the safer you’ll be.”
Rosa shook her head. “We’d better kiss as often as possible, then.”
Thankfully Aunt Lucia wasn’t very sad that Rosa had a different invitation to Christmas.
“But you have to tell me everything,” she told her. “And I need a picture of you two!” Rosa sent her a selfie of her and Hunter on one of their hikes, in front of the Christmas tree downtown, and the three of them sledding.
AUNT LUCIA: His beard! 3 3 3 He’s so manly. You look good together. Can’t wait to meet him.
As Christmas morning went on, Rosa drank from her mug of hot cocoa. Emily handed her a gift. “Here Rosa, this one is from Daddy, I think.”
“Oh.” Rosa set down her mug and opened the small box , pulling out what was inside. “Oh, look at that! Three tickets to a live theater show in Seattle.”
Hunter put his arm around her. “I thought you could show us around the city, then Emily could see some professional actors on stage.”
Emily picked up another package. “This one is from Rosa to me and you, Daddy. What is it?” She shook it.
Hunter glanced at Rosa. “To both of us?” He smiled as he considered Rosa, who bit her lip and nodded.
Emily ripped open the packaging. “Oh! It’s a craft kit.” She turned the box around. “For making Christmas ornaments?”
“So, I was hoping we could make some today–for your mom.” Rosa sighed. “If that’s okay. And we can bring them to her gravesite tomorrow. I got a little tree, too.”
Tears gathered in Hunter’s eyes as he looked at Rosa and stroked her hand. “That’s a great idea.” He cleared his throat. “Thank you.”
She offered a smile in return. “It’s the least I can do. We want to always remember Megan, especially this time of year.”
Emily put the gift on the floor and hopped up and gave Rosa a hug. She climbed down off the loveseat and headed back towards the Christmas tree. “What’s this one?” Emily asked, picking up a little gift bag. “It says, to Rosa, from Santa.” Emily bounded over to Rosa and handed it to her, Rosa narrowing her eyes at Hunter.
“Santa, huh?” She fished in the gift bag and pulled out a photo. “What is this?” Tears moistened her dark eyes. “It’s a…are you serious?”
Hunter pointed at the photo, which depicted a bench with a plaque on it. “A buddy told me they were going to install a few memorial benches up on Icicle Ridge Trail, and I knew the perfect people to remember for their first bench. They’re going to install it this spring.”
Tears flowed down Rosa’s cheeks as she held tight to Hunter. “I figured you could go up and sit and talk to them. You know. Let out your feelings. Remember the good parts,” he said.
She let go and wiped her eyes. “It’s the most thoughtful gift I could have ever received. Thank you.” Rosa took a deep breath and smiled. “Wow. This is some Christmas.” Hunter smiled and grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze.
“Oh! There’s one more p resent from Daddy to Rosa.” Emily grabbed a big package under the tree. “Here.” She set it on Rosa’s lap.
Inside was a box of the same brand of hiking boots Rosa had bought at Bavarian Boots the day after arriving in Leavenworth.
“What? Oh my gosh.” Rosa opened the lid and laughed. “No way? Pink hiking boots?”
Hunter pulled them out and set them on his lap. “Special rush order. Oh, and they’re made for spring hiking.”
Touching the boots, her face softened. “Thank you.” She leaned in and gave him a kiss. “These are perfect.”
Hunter took a deep breath. “I hope this means you’re staying through spring?” He put the pink boots back in the box and set them on the floor .
Rosa offered a mischievous grin. “That brings me to your present.” She pulled an envelope out from behind her and handed it to him.
He ripped it open and read the letter inside. “Wait. What is this?”
“It’s a contract. Mr. Straus decided to retire after this year. And the school offered me a position for fourth grade next year. I start certification in January.”
His eyes went wide. “So, wait. You’re staying for..for…like forever?”
“Yeah.” She smiled, her eyes brightening.
Emily jumped up and down. “You’re going to be my teacher next year! Whoopee! Okay, so I had this idea for a play. Let me go get my notebook.” She ran off down the hall to her room.
Hunter dropped the paper and wrapped his arms around Rosa’s waist and pulled her closer.
“This is the best Christmas gift ever,” he whispered. His lips were soft on hers, the kiss tender. Like th ey had all the time in the world .