Epilogue
SKYE
ONE YEAR LATER
Snow drifts quietly from the sky as I pull out the last of our Christmas decorations. Winter babbles in her play pen on the other side of the room, waving around a plastic set of keys while Christmas music plays in the background.
Tears spring to my eyes as I look around the living room of our home.
The three-bedroom house we bought last month is finally coming together.
It’s closer to the hospital for my sake, but still a little far out for Sawyer’s.
He’s been volunteering with the mountain rescue team more and more while also picking up some work from home to look after Winter.
I never thought this would be my life. The house, the partner, the baby. When Dr Summers told me I was pregnant, I really thought I’d be doing all alone with the occasional help from friends.
And now, here I am, getting ready to surprise my man with his first real Christmas and birthday celebration. Well, it’s kind of early, but hey, December first is for decorating.
I bounce around the house to kill time until his shift ends, making sure all the decorations he never knew about are out.
Even though he’s told me before he doesn’t care that much about celebrating, I also know this man better than anyone.
And he can’t deny our girl her first ever Christmas tree decorating.
When his truck pulls in, I rush to the door, throwing it open before he can cut the engine and close the garage to the snow. Sawyer smiles when he sees me, one of those bright, genuine grins that makes my stomach flutter whenever I see it.
“Hey,” he says, sliding out of the truck. He has a small bag clutched in one hand that could be a Christmas present, but I force myself not to comment on it.
“Hello,” I reply, sidling up beside him. “I need you to keep an open mind for my surprise.”
His dark eyes find mine, pulling in a frown. “I was about to say the same thing.”
Eyes narrowing, I grab his hand. “Just think about our baby and how she’s going to love this.”
I don’t hear his muttered response as I drag him into our living room. But I do hear the sharp intake of breath, feel him tense behind me. “Skye…”
“Our first Christmas with Winter,” I say, looking back at him, taking in the uncertainty playing across his features. “I figured we could decorate the tree. Just the three of us. And then the rest of the house.”
Before Sawyer can say anything, Winter stands in her pen. “Dada!” she shouts, reaching for us.
Tears form in his dark eyes as they take in our beautiful girl. “I don’t know what’s better,” he whispers, voice thick, glancing down at me. “This, her calling me dada, or that I was going to propose.”
I whirl on him, heart racing, and watch as he pulls a ring box from the bag. “Sawyer—”
“Marry me,” he says, eyes shining. “Let me be your husband. Let me be her dad for real. And yes, I’ll decorate the tree with you.”
I throw myself into his arms with a sob. “Yes. Yes. Yes. This is the best Christmas ever,” I whisper.
Sawyer takes me in his arms with a chuckle. “That was meant to be my line,” he whispers. “You and our girl are the best things that have ever happened to me, Skye. And I’ll celebrate every year I have you. I love you so much.”
My heart skips a beat. “I love you, too.”
THE END