Epilogue
DREW
Christmas Morning
One Year Later
“Do you know what you need to do?” I whisper as I kneel in front of Izzy.
She nods, her smile now missing its first tooth. “Yes.”
I attach the ring to Maya’s collar while Izzy grabs a mug of hot chocolate with extra marshmallows.
The three of us sneak into Willa’s and my bedroom where she’s still asleep.
I can only keep Izzy from the pile of presents on the floor for so long.
I’d let Willa sleep a little longer if I could; she had a long day on the slopes yesterday.
But there are three sets of parents here to celebrate and surprise her, her parents, mine, and Izzy’s grandparents from Florida. We took a vacation to visit them during Izzy’s spring break, and they took so quickly to Willa.
It made me feel so relieved to know they were okay with me dating someone.
I obviously wasn’t ever romantically involved with Crystal, but having her parents' approval in who I chose to raise Izzy with is huge. As far as I’m concerned, the more people who love and support my daughter as she grows, the better.
I pat the bed in invitation for Maya to jump up and then Izzy climbs on next. Willa yawns and stretches as she wakes, her blonde hair escaping from the bun she piled it into on top of her head last night.
“Merry Christmas,” Izzy says. “We brought you something.”
Willa sits up and takes the offered hot chocolate. “Thanks, sweetie. Merry Christmas.”
“Good morning.” I lean over and press a kiss to her lips.
“We have something we want to ask you.” Izzy bounces on her knees.
“Okay,” she says before taking a sip.
“We got Maya a new collar, is that okay?” I ask.
“Yeah, of course. You don’t need to ask for permission—” She leans forward, eyes locked on the white gold and aquamarine ring dangling from Maya’s neck.
I drop to one knee beside the bed, while Izzy unbuckles the collar, and Willa sets her mug down with shaking hands. Her eyes are coated with a sheen of tears when they catch my movement.
“Oh god.” She presses her hands to her face.
“Willa.” I reach for her left hand, placing it between both of my sweaty palms. “You are the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.
Your drive, the way you love so hard and deep, and your generosity are just a few of the things I love about you.
I hope you’ll allow me to spend the rest of our lives appreciating and loving you. Will you marry me?”
“Yes.” She nods as tears slip down her cheeks. “Of course. I love you, too.”
I stand and kiss her, my palms holding her face and wiping her tears away.
“I have a question, too.” Izzy crawls up on the other side of the bed and snuggles beside Willa, holding the ring out for her to take.
“What’s that, pretty girl?” She slips the ring onto her fourth finger, the gem sparkling like the sky against fresh fallen snow.
Izzy looks at me nervous for once in her life. I reach over Willa’s lap and take her hand, squeezing to give her encouragement.
“I was wondering if you’d be my mom?” Izzy asks quietly, looking away from Willa.
A sob tears free from Willa’s throat as she fully turns to Isabel. She pulls her onto lap and presses her forehead to Izzy’s. My chest feels torn open from the love pouring out of my heart for these two.
“Isabel Ackers, it would be the honor of my lifetime to be your mom.”
We’re all crying now. I gather all three of my girls, because Maya won’t be left out of anything, and collapse beside them.
We lay there for a few minutes, laughing and crying the happiest of tears together.
At least until Izzy remembers she’s a kid with presents waiting under the tree and drags us out into the living room.