Chapter Twenty-Five
It was nearing midnight and Teagan and Dylan were still awake.
The air had grown colder. The couple couldn’t swear to it, but they thought they saw a few snow flurries blowing around.
“It’s almost time,” Dylan said. His voice revealed how excited he was.
Teagan hugged him as they stood there on the sidewalk. Others were out, too, waiting for the big event that officially ended Thanksgiving and ushered in that other holiday.
“I’m going to miss this town,” she said, keeping her head against his chest.
The wind blew a little harder. With his arms around her, though, she was warm.
“What if we didn’t leave?” he said.
She looked up, resting her chin on him, smiling as she said, “Kind of thought you were thinking about that.”
“I’ve done more than think about it,” he said. “I, uh, sorta talked to Bradley. You know the fire marshal?”
“Yeah?”
“Helping people is in my blood. I know that sounds hokey, but—”
“It’s not hokey, honey. It’s who you are,” Teagan said. “It’s one of the many things I love about you.”
“Well, I can still do that. Here. And on the fire department. They have an opening. Turns out, wildfires are a constant threat out here. Plus, with as many visitors as the town sees, they get some medical calls, too.” He pulled away enough to look down into his wife’s eyes. “I’m tired of carrying a gun. Unless it shoots pumpkin guts.” He grinned.
She squealed with excitement. “Dylan, we have to do it! We have to—”
“I already put in an offer on the rental house. It was accepted,” he said. “Welcome home, Teagan.”
He gave her a kiss just as folks started to countdown. It was a long, passionate one that left them both a little breathless.
They turned their focus to the street, joining the others in saying, “Four. Three. Two. One!”
Suddenly, one by one, the houses and buildings within sight all lit up, their yuletide lights shining brilliantly in the now falling snow.
“Woohoo!” Eli yelled, running into the street with Katie, Stella, Harrison, Stryker, and some of the other Littles. “It’s snowing!”
The Bigs laughed. A moment later, Leah started singing “Deck the Halls.” Aurelia and Christopher joined in next. Soon, the whole crowd was singing along.
The Christmas Season had come to Mountainville. It was going to be a wonderful time.
And for the town’s newest residents, Dylan and Teagan, it was going to be a wonderful life.
“Eli!” Nancy called as she lost sight of her husband as he ran up and down the street. “Stay out of trouble!”
Everyone laughed.
But Eli didn’t make any promises.
The End.
Thank you so much for reading!