Another Epilogue
Burk
All I can do is read and reread the words on the paper. I can’t believe she did this.
When I look up once more, I see worry filling her stunning green eyes, and I realize she doesn’t know how much I love this gift. Setting the paper down, I move to my knees and pull her in for a kiss. “Thank you. I love it.”
“Yeah?” she asks, hesitation still evident.
“Absolutely. When do we leave?”
She clears her throat. “New Year’s Day.”
“I can’t wait to show you around and have you see my parents again after all this time,” I confirm, excited to return to South Carolina for the first time since moving back to Colorado.
I’ve thought about going back for a quick visit, but it just didn’t work out.
My woodworking business took off, especially during the summer.
I was making outdoor patio furniture day and night, everything selling before I could even get it on the showroom floor.
Then fall hit and the tree farm picked up and has stayed busy through the holidays.
But now we can relax a bit and enjoy a week away.
“You’re good with taking the time off from the bakery?” I ask, knowing this is a huge deal for her too.
“I am. I’ve worked out the details with Jan, and Krista is going to take some paid time off from her job to help too. Plus, Eve and Mom volunteered to work when they can. We’ll have a smaller pastry menu that week, and there are no cake orders to worry about. It’ll be just fine.”
I’m relieved she’s been able to get a week’s trip away figured out, but more so, I’m excited for her to see my parents. They’ve talked on video chat and Joy and my mom text, but this will be their first time meeting face-to-face, since we’ve been together.
The lines of communication have remained open between my parents and grandparents too.
Over the last year, a lot of phone calls have been made and a lot of talking has taken place.
I’m certain an in-person visit will happen with them soon too, as long as they continue to talk and take steps to repair their damaged relationship.
“Thank you for this,” I tell her before sliding my hands into her hair and moving forward to kiss her lips once more. I’ll never get tired of kissing her. Her mouth was made for mine.
“You’re welcome,” she replies when we finally come up for air. “And thank you for my gifts too. I love them all.”
“I have one more for you,” I reply, my heart rate starting to climb.
This is it.
“You do?” she asks, glancing under the empty tree, but I know she won’t outwardly see the last gift there.
“I do,” I confirm. “It’s in the tree.”
Her eyebrows draw together as confusion sweeps across her angelic face. “In the tree?”
“Well, on it. See if you can find it.”
She climbs off the floor and stares at the tree we spent so much time decorating.
She still has a tree over at her apartment, but I don’t think it’s been on but one or two nights since we put it up.
She’s been staying with me here, at my house, more times than not, which is exactly how I want it.
I want her here every night from this one moving forward.
I know immediately when she spots the extra ornament I hung on the tree early this morning while she was still sleeping. She smiles and reaches for the small trinket box I made. I swear I’m not breathing as she runs her finger across the top of the new ornament on our tree.
“I thought we could start a new tradition,” I tell her, causing her to look my way. “We hang a new ornament on the tree each year to signify something important that happened that year.”
She smiles down at the square. “I love our first one.”
I engraved a few different items on the small box. A cupcake on one side, a bare tree on the other to signify our jobs. The front has the year, and the top a pair of ice skates.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Open it.”
Joy looks back down at the box and gently lifts the top. I get into position and smile when she gasps. She spins to the side, her head volleying between the diamond ring inside the box and me on one knee.
“You’ve been my best friend for as long as I can remember. Every single memory I have in Snowflake Falls features you, and I want you in every single one moving forward.” I take a deep breath and ask the most important question of my life. “Joy Campbell, will you marry me?”
She smiles through her tears as she nods emphatically. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
I reach for the box and pull out the ring, my fingers shaking as I slide it on her hand.
It’s a perfect fit.
Just like her and me.
When the ring is on her hand, I stand up and kiss my fiancée. Her hands rest on the sides of my face, and even though I can’t see it, I feel the weight of that ring adorning her left hand. “I love you,” I whisper against her lips.
“I love you too.”
She pulls back and smiles down at the solitaire princess cut diamond ring. It’s not huge or extravagant. I know Joy wouldn’t want that. It’s timeless and breathtaking and looks amazing on her hand. “I can’t believe this,” she whispers.
“Believe it, Easy-Bake. Or should I call you Mrs. Easy-Bake Whitman.”
She barks out a laugh. “I think that would look perfect embroidered on an apron.”
“Done,” I reply, making a mental note to get that ordered ASAP. “Now, let’s get ready to go.”
She makes a face. As far as she knows, we’re not going anywhere until lunchtime, but that was all part of the plan. “Where?”
“Your sister’s,” I tell her, pretty proud of myself for keeping this secret. “Everyone’s there waiting.”
“What?”
“Lunch is actually brunch, and everyone will be there. Your parents, John and Eve, and my grandparents. We’re going to celebrate John and Eve’s first anniversary, but also our engagement.”
She snorts and shakes her head. “Pretty sure of yourself that I’d say yes, huh?”
“Well, I’ll admit, I was a little nervous, but I was very hopeful.”
She steps into my embrace and rises on her tiptoes. “I would always say yes to you, Burkey Turkey. Always.”
“Always, huh?” I ask, waggling my eyebrows suggestively. “We do have a little time before we need to be next door.”
She giggles and slides her hands down my chest. I grow hard instantly, before her hands have a chance to wrap around me. “Always a yes.”
Picking her up, I throw her over my shoulder. Her laughter fills the air as I practically run back to the bedroom, slapping her ass as I go. It’s not hard, especially with pajamas and a robe covering her, but it gets a response, nonetheless.
“You’re gonna pay for that,” she hollers.
I carefully set her down on the floor and frame her face with my hands. She covers mine with her own, the diamond sparkling like the bright white lights on the Christmas tree. “I have no doubt about it.”
Then, I claim her mouth with mine, cementing her in my heart forever.
My best friend.
The woman I love.
My future.
For eternity.
THE END
Did you miss Eve and John’s story? You can grab your copy of Merry Little Mix-Up, Snowflake Falls book 1, HERE!