Chapter 26 #2
“Well, I had a little help, but everyone agreed that this was well deserved and long overdue.”
“Go, Hal!” someone yells.
There’s more cheering and whistling as I take hold of the plaque. Seeing my name engraved there, I run my fingers over it in amazement.
“I’m overwhelmed and don’t know what to say.”
Skylar hands me the mic and smiles. “Just speak from the heart, babe.”
I swallow thickly and turn to face an audience full of faces that are all dear to me, and I realize there isn’t anyone here that I don’t know.
“I-I’m truly honored to receive this award.
Mystic Hollow is the home I spent a long time trying to find, and once I did, I knew I wanted to give back to it every day.
I’m so grateful that I get to live in this special place among so many wonderful folks.
” I swallow thickly. “This town is a Sanctuary Haven unlike any other out there. Each of them is special, of course, but I like to think ours has something precious—we’ve built a community here that looks out for each other and fosters connection, compassion, and mutual aid.
There will always be challenges in life, and we can’t know for sure what lies ahead for us, but so long as we continue to work together for the collective good, we’ll be able to overcome any difficulty that might come our way.
United, we can continue to preserve the special healing powers of this place that has offered salvation to many a weary heart and soul.
Mystic Hollow has given so many of us a new lease on life and sparked inner joy and hope for the future.
Let’s continue to make Mystic Hollow the most welcoming Sanctuary Haven in this realm! ”
The thunder of applause and enthusiastic cheers is deafening as I give a self-conscious wave to everyone and step back from the mic. When I turn to face Skylar again, I gasp and nearly drop the plaque in my hands.
He’s going down on one knee and holds up a handmade stuffed penguin toward me.
Time slows, and my heart feels so full I worry it might burst.
“Halcyon Maple Atwood, I love you more than anyone or anything. You once told me that I’m your penguin and you’re mine. Tonight, I want to ask you if we can continue to be each other’s penguin for the rest of our lives. You’re it for me, and I’m all in, babe.”
What did I do to deserve this brave, beautiful man?
With a trembling hand, I lift him to his feet and pull him into my arms.
“A thousand times, yes,” I say, unable to hold back a sniffle, my eyes filling with tears.
“I love you so fucking much, babe,” he whispers fiercely.
“By the Light, I love you too, Skylar. More than life itself.” The words come from me with the reverence of an oath.
Then I pull him into an embrace and kiss him like there’s no tomorrow. Like he’s the oxygen I need to breathe. Like he’s my one true mate.
And I am his.
As we kiss, the crowd cheers again, but I’m focused on Skylar and this incredible moment that burns itself into my memory.
Once we finally pull apart and get off the stage, we’re met with congratulations from every person we see. I don’t know how long we receive well wishes from folks, but by the time the music starts, Skylar and I decide not to stick around for the battle of the bands. We head home together instead.
We hold hands while he carries my plaque for me, and I clutch my brand-new stuffed penguin that I can’t stop looking at. I already know this is going to be one of my most prized possessions. But I’ll probably need to hide it from our hellhound.
The journey from the park to the B&B is a blur.
When we step through the front door, we’re met by Elvira, who greets us with quiet enthusiasm. Angelica must have laid down the law about keeping the noise levels down.
Once we’ve both given our Little Ms. plenty of pets, we move into the living room and sit on the couch, where I pull Skylar into my arms and bask in the familiar smell of his leather jacket and him.
“Tonight was a massive surprise. I’m still trying not to pinch myself to make sure I’m awake.”
He strokes my back. “I promise it was real, and so well deserved.”
“I didn’t have the faintest idea you were planning anything.”
“Heh, I’m stealthy like that.”
I tickle his side and he pulls away, laughing. “Hey!”
“How did you make this all happen?” I ask, curious.
He shrugs. “I talked to Max first. To say he was enthusiastic about my idea is an understatement.”
That makes me laugh. “I don’t doubt it.”
“Anyway, once he said it was a great plan, I reached out to everyone else on the committee and they immediately agreed too. Now the award is going to be an annual thing given out at the festival, but you will always be the first and most famous recipient.”
I position the plaque in the center of a bookshelf in the living room. “It’s truly an honor. I’m so touched and humbled by this recognition.”
Skylar pulls me down to wrap his arms around my neck. “I wanted you to know how fucking amazing you are, not just to me, but to everyone in this town. I wasn’t exaggerating when I said you’re the heart and soul of Mystic Hollow, Hal. It’s the gods’ honest truth.”
My cheeks flush and I lower my eyes, shy all of a sudden. “No one’s ever done something like this for me before. Thank you.”