Chapter 32 #2
We exchange curious glances as she pulls out four wrapped packages, each one labeled with our names. I take mine, the weight of it feeling solid in my hands, and for a moment, I’m almost nervous. It’s been a long time since I’ve opened a gift that wasn’t some practical thing for work.
“Go on, open them!” Emily urges.
We all tear into our gifts at the same time. I glance at Tanner, who’s already grinning from ear to ear as he pulls out a leather-bound sketchbook and a set of drawing pencils. “How the hell did you know I needed this?” he asks, looking genuinely touched.
“Lucky guess,” Emily replies, her eyes twinkling with satisfaction.
Ben pulls out a vintage watch, one I know he’s had his eye on for ages but never got around to buying. He runs his thumb over the smooth metal, a small smile tugging at his lips. “This is perfect,” he says quietly, his eyes meeting hers.
Jace’s gift is next—a rare vinyl record of his favorite band from back in the day. He’s speechless for a second, just staring at it before letting out a low whistle. “You seriously found this? I’ve been looking for it everywhere.”
Emily just shrugs like it was nothing, but I can see the pride in her smile.
Finally, I tear into my own package and pull out a finely crafted hunting knife, its handle engraved with intricate designs.
It’s sturdy, practical, but beautiful. Something I would’ve picked for myself.
I run my fingers over the blade, feeling the weight of it, and for a moment, I’m caught off guard.
And there’s something else, a smaller package.
“I get two?” I say.
“Just open it,” she says impatiently.
I nod. When I tear off the wrapping, I’m hit with something unexpected—a small, framed picture of me with Raffle from the day I first brought him home. She must’ve tracked this down, somehow. It’s overwhelming.
“Wow,” I say. “Wow.”
“You like it?”
“Axel is out of words,” Ben says. “I think you’re good.”
I just manage to nod.
It’s more than just a gift—it’s the thought behind it, the way she always seems to know exactly what we need. Even when we don’t. That’s when I know I’ve made the right decision. I just hope she agrees.
Emily gets up and walks over to me. “Now come on, I’ve heard there’s a party happening.”
The place is decked out with decorations—twinkling lights, wreaths, the smell of pine filling the air. The party is bustling, full of guests from the lodge. A few of them throw us curious glances, but I’m immune to it by now.
Collie finds us right away, her eyes lighting up when she sees Emily at the center of our group. She grins. “Look who made it.”
“Heard this was the best party in town,” Tanner says.
“Damn right it is,” Collie says, looking at Emily before her gaze sweeps over us. “You four better be treating her right.”
“We wouldn’t dare do otherwise,” Tanner says.
Collie nods approvingly, looking genuinely happy for us. “Good. You all seem to fit together better than I would’ve thought,” she adds before heading off to greet other guests.
We dance the night away, each of us stealing a kiss from Emily whenever we can. It’s the first time we’ve stepped out in public together like this, and I can tell Emily is a little nervous.
After the party, we sneak up to the terrace, slipping away from the bustling crowd below.
The crisp night air hits us when we step outside, cold but refreshing.
The sky above is studded with stars, more than I’ve seen in a long time.
It’s quiet up here, just the five of us—me, Emily, and the guys—and it feels like the world has fallen away.
“Oh,” she groans. “This is so pretty.”
She’s standing close to me, leaning against my chest, and I wrap an arm around her to keep her warm. Tanner’s on her other side, his arm slung casually around her waist, while Ben and Jace stand just behind.
The stars above us are brighter than I’ve ever seen them, scattered across the sky like diamonds, and the soft glow from the lodge below is the only light cutting through the darkness.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a night like this,” I murmur, my voice low.
Emily tilts her head up, her eyes reflecting the starlight as she looks at me. “Me neither, but it seems to be perfect with us here. Like we’re meant to be here.”
My grip on her tightens. “We are. So I think it’s fate that we’re meant to do this here.”
“What—” she splutters, her brows knitting together.
I drop down onto one knee first, followed quickly by Tanner, Ben, and Jace. The cold ground presses against my knee, but I barely notice. My heart is racing.
Her eyes widen, a sharp intake of breath escaping her lips as she looks down at us. “What’s happening?” she starts, her voice trembling.
“You’ve been everything to us this past year—more than we ever could have imagined. You brought us together, you made this work, even when we didn’t think it was possible. We love you in our ways and want to spend the rest of our lives with you.”
“Axel…” she begins.
“You’ve kept us on our toes, sweetheart. We never stood a chance with you. We’re all in—have been for a long time. You didn’t think you’d get away without marrying all of us, did you?” Tanner says.
Emily stares at him, her eyes darting from his face to mine, to Jace’s, to Ben’s.
Ben reaches for her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.
“We know this isn’t exactly…traditional. But nothing about us has ever been normal.” He pauses, meeting her gaze. “You’re everything to us, Emily. We want to spend our lives with you.”
“Oh my God,” Emily manages to breathe.
“I never thought this could work. Not like this. But here we are, a year later, and I can’t imagine anything else,” Jace says. “Please marry us, Emily.”
Emily covers her mouth with her free hand, her eyes welling up with tears.
“Are you guys serious?” she whispers, her voice cracking with emotion. “This…this is real?”
“It’s real,” I say softly, nodding. “As real as it gets.”
She blinks, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, her breath coming in shallow gasps. “But…how…I mean, you’re all sure? All of you?”
Tanner grins, leaning in closer. “Come on, sweetheart, you already know the answer to that.”
“We’ve never been more sure of anything,” I say.
For a moment, it’s like time freezes. The wind brushes through the trees, the stars twinkle above us, and the world feels still, waiting for her answer. Emily looks down at us, her eyes moving between each of us, overwhelmed but filled with something more—something like certainty.
Finally, she lets out a shaky breath, and a tear rolls down her cheek. “Yes,” she whispers, her voice barely audible. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
We rise to our feet, and before any of us can say another word, she’s pulling each of us into her arms, hugging us tightly.
Tanner kisses her first, a quick, playful peck on the lips, followed by Ben’s soft, lingering kiss. Jace steps forward, cupping her face as he kisses her deeply, and then I lean in last, pressing my lips to hers with everything I have.
The night sky is full of stars, but none of them shine brighter than the way she looks at us at that moment. This is it. This is forever.