Chapter Twenty-Three
“Excuse me, my wife is pregnant and about to have a baby. Do you have a room we could use? I’m sorry we don’t have much money to pay for it.” Ryder played the part of Joseph well.
Sage from the chocolate shop shook her head. “I’m so sorry, but we have no room.”
“Thank you,” Chrissy said as she rubbed her fake pregnant belly.
Zach gave Tilly’s hand a squeeze. The show had just started, and there was already a large crowd following them.
“Dejected, but not ready to give up,” Kathryn said, “Mary and Joseph continued on their way to find a place where they could bring their child safely into the world.”
His mom was doing a wonderful job as narrator. She engaged with the crowd, and the smile she wore was genuine. It wasn’t the fake one he’d been so used to seeing. This was the woman he remembered.
“Your mom is amazing. I still can’t believe this is happening. I know it must have been hard.”
Zach pulled Tilly to the side, allowing the crowd to follow Mary and Joseph as they made their way down Main Street, knocking on the businesses’ doors.
“It wasn’t as hard as I thought. When Mom and I talked, I realized what an ass I’d been to you.
Asking Mom to be a part of this was the least I could do for you.
” He framed her face with his gloved hands.
“I would do anything for you, Tulip Bloom. Anything. I love you.”
The flecks of gold in her hazel eyes sparkled, and he could see what had always been there—the love she had for him. “I would do anything for you too. I love you.”
He shouldn’t be doing this. They should be following the cast, but Zach needed her. He kissed her and she kissed him back. Nothing was better than this.
They broke apart and smiled at each other. “I suppose we should keep going,” she said after a few seconds.
“We should. I really think we’re going to win this. Did you see the way the judges lit up when Mom started speaking?”
“I did. And I feel really good about it too.”
Keeping his grip on her hand, Zach hurried them down the sidewalk.
By the time they’d reached the fairgrounds, they had a huge crowd.
All the business owners had played their part, and even his friends at the fire station had seemed suitably saddened that they couldn’t help out Mary and Joseph.
The stage looked amazing, and Tilly had been spot-on with the number of poinsettias they needed.
Candles were handed out and a list, and as the light shone on baby Jesus, his mom began to sing “Silent Night,” her voice strong and clear.
He’d heard her sing before, but nothing like this.
The whole crowd was quiet. When she finished, they all cheered and clapped before the music started again and the opening chords of “O Come All Ye Faithful” filled the air.
Marietta had embraced the event, and Zach was so happy for the love of his life.
“Look at what you’ve done, Tulip. Look at what you’ve achieved. You’re amazing, and I’m so glad you’re mine.”
Tears streamed down her face, and he gently brushed them away. “I can’t believe it. This is more than I hoped it could be. Your belief in me got me through so many hard times. We make a good team, don’t we?”
“We most certainly do.”
Together they stood, holding hands, singing with the rest of the town. The Christmas spirit was alive and well in Marietta.
*
Tilly stared at the email. She hadn’t opened it yet, but she had a feeling she knew what it was going to say.
Zach would be at her place in a few minutes.
He’d been able to get off work before he should’ve as the next shift had come in early.
Whatever the reason for it, she couldn’t wait to see him.
Christmas Day had been hectic, with Zach leaving to go to his shift, but his mom stayed behind and spent the day with Tilly and her family.
Kathryn had been nothing but sweet and kind and not diva-like at all.
She’d left late on Christmas Day to go back to LA but had promised she would return to Marietta as soon as she could.
The lines of communication were definitely open between mother and son, and Tilly was happy about it.
“Honey, I’m home,” Zach called out, and she rushed down the hallway to see him. She’d given him a key before he’d gone to work, telling him that she hoped he’d consider her house his. They would work out their living arrangements in time, but for now she was glad he was there.
When they broke apart, she touched his cheek. “I missed you.”
“No more than I missed you.” He took her by the hand and led her to the kitchen. “Did you hear?” he asked.
“Yep, I got an email a couple of hours ago.”
His eyes lit with excitement. “And?”
“I don’t know. I was waiting for you to get home.”
“You didn’t open it?”
“We did this show together. It’s only right that we find out the results together.”
“Every day you blow me away. Come on, let’s do this.”
They sat at the table, their knees brushing against each other. Tilly grabbed Zach’s hand, and with her other, clicked the email open.
There it was in black and white. The results. They hadn’t won. They’d come in third overall.
She sat staring at the screen, not sure what she felt about the result.
“I’m sorry, Tulip. I know this meant a lot to you. I’m sorry you didn’t win.” Zach brushed his thumb across her cheek and her stomach dipped at the touch.
She smiled up at him, the love she had for him washing over her. “It meant a lot to you too.”
“True. But I was just the assistant. You were the director and creator. It has to hurt a little.”
“You’d think it would, but I’m okay with third. I’m proud of what we achieved and how everyone in Marietta pulled together to make it happen.”
“They really did, didn’t they?” The wonder in his voice was evident. He’d seen firsthand what his new hometown could do.
“I also couldn’t have done it without you and your mom. I know I said it at the time, but thank you.”
Zach had swallowed down the hurt his mom had inflicted on him after the wildfire rescue to ensure that she didn’t fall flat on her face only made her love him more.
“I would do anything for you. I love you.”
She would never tire of hearing him say those three words to her. “I love you too. And you said that I didn’t win, but you’re wrong. I did win. I won you.” She leaned over and pressed her lips to his.
Her very own Christmas dream come true.