Chapter 16 #2
He dropped to one knee and reached into his pocket, pulling out a small box. When he lifted the lid, a sparkling diamond twinkled at her under the winter light. “Mauve Callahan, will you marry me? Make a home and family with me? Please say you will.”
“I will.”
He took hold of her hand, and they both laughed when they realized she had gloves on. She hastily got rid of her left glove, tossing it on the snow and holding out her now ungloved left hand, beaming at him.
“I’m ready,” Mauve said.
He slid the ring on her finger and then stood to pull her into his arms, kissing her.
“Can we make this work?” Mauve asked.
“Are you willing to make a few sacrifices?”
“Yes. You know I am.”
“Then we can make it work. We’ve been ridiculous, letting our old demons hack away at our logic. And our love. I don’t want to lose you. Not now. Not ever.”
“I’m here. With you,” Mauve said. “Where I’m supposed to be.”
He launched into his prepared speech about how long the Prague shoot would be and that maybe she could come out for a week or so in the middle if she had vacation time.
“I do,” she said.
“After that, I have a month before I have to get back to filming the show. We usually film for two weeks and then have a week off. I’ll come home every chance I get. In the meantime, Roan will help you supervise the house build. He’s already offered to be there for whatever you need.”
“Oh, Jason, this means I can be here for Reese’s baby.”
“And hopefully one of our own.” He took her hand and walked over to a spot by the creek.
“I’m imagining the kitchen will be here so we can have a view of the mountains while we’re making dinner or whatever.
” He walked her another ten feet. “And this would be the great room, if you want that style. We can have a bank of windows here to catch the morning light. At the back of the house, we can put in a patio to watch the sun set.”
“What about my little house? I’ll miss it.”
“I had an idea about that too. If you wanted, and they were open to it, we could give it to your mom and David. It would be a great second home for them.”
“And that way I wouldn’t have to give up something I’m so proud of.” She smiled up at him. “You’ve thought of everything.”
“Do you like the ring? We can have it set however you’d like, but I wanted you to have the diamond to get started.”
She held up her hand, the diamond casting droplets of light in every direction. “This one is just fine. I love it. Even if it’s a little big.”
“Go big or go home, right? Also, in case I haven’t mentioned it, I love you.” He pulled her close again and kissed her.
They remained that way, wrapped in each other’s arms as the sun settled lower on the horizon, creating bars of gold through the trees. She knew with certainty. This was the man to build a life and family with. Grow old sitting on their front porch holding hands.
“Can we have rocking chairs on the front porch?” Mauve asked. “Actually, can we have a front porch? I’ve always wanted a front porch.”
“Of course we can. We’ll have rocking chairs and a porch swing, in case the kids want to sit with us,” Jason said.
He kissed her again before they settled down on the log to eat sandwiches and toast each other with cold champagne.
Never in her life had she imagined a love like this one or the utter joy it would bring to her ordinary life.
She hadn’t seen it coming that day last year when she’d met him for the first time, sharing laughs over a pizza.
In fact, she would never have believed it if someone had told her that a year later they’d be engaged.
The sun was setting behind the mountains when they finally packed up their picnic and headed back toward town. When they arrived at her house, all the lights were on and she could see people moving about behind the windows.
“Reese insisted we have an engagement party tonight,” Jason said. “Before the Christmas madness.”
“She was that sure I’d say yes?” Mauve asked, laughing.
“Can you imagine how embarrassing it would be if you hadn’t?”
“That would put a damper on the party for sure. But, fortunately, I said yes. Let’s go celebrate with our family and friends.”
Everyone greeted them with cheers and hugs when they came in the front door. Her mother and David were there, clearly delighted. “We’re excited for this next chapter for all of us,” Cynthia said to Mauve. “Thanks for letting us be a part of it.”
“Mom, I can’t tell you how nice it is to have you here.” They hugged, and then Mauve hugged David. “Jason has an idea about a house for you.”
“Can’t wait to hear it,” David said.
Walter and Grace rushed forward to give their congratulations and reassurances that Walter would also be available while the house was being built.
“We’re tickled pink you’re going to build on the Hayes family property,” Walter said. “Means a lot to us.”
“It means a lot to us too,” Jason said.
“I’m around too,” Grace said. “For tea or coffee or walks around the property when you’re missing Jason. Now that you’re going to be a Hayes, you don’t have to be lonely for long.”
Walter laughed. “Maybe she’ll wish for a little peace, rather than another Hayes family member stopping by unannounced.”
“It sounds lovely,” Mauve said. “Thank you for making me feel so welcome.”
“Okay, the best friend needs her hug.” Reese pushed through the crowd to hug Mauve so hard she was afraid it would hurt the baby.
“I’m so happy for you,” Reese said. “And do you know what this means?”
“We’ll be sisters for real.”
“It’s a dream come true,” Reese said.
Roan pulled her into an embrace. “Welcome to the family.”
“Thanks for introducing us,” Mauve said, tears blurring her vision.
“Thanks for bringing my twin home. Where he belongs,” Roan said.
The party began for real then. Grace had made lasagna and a Caesar salad that could feed a small orphanage.
Some of Grace’s Christmas cookies were brought out for dessert.
There were toasts and more hugs and then someone put on Christmas music.
Reese grabbed Roan’s hand to dance and soon everyone had joined them, crammed into Mauve’s small living room.
A big messy, loud family. Just like Mauve had always dreamed of.
Finally, everyone donned coats and gloves and headed home. Jason and Mauve stood on the porch holding hands as cars pulled out of the driveway. When the last car faded from sight, they turned to each other, smiling under the porch light.
“What a night,” Mauve murmured.
“The best.” He held open the door, and she walked into the house first, hearing him close the door firmly behind him.
“Welcome home,” she said.
Jason made the sign for happy, then took her hand and led her over to stand in front of the Christmas tree.
She took a moment to gaze at each of the ornaments her grandmother had chosen for a much younger Mauve.
They were a part of her past but would also be part of her future.
For those lucky enough to be rich in love, the past was never forgotten nor the future taken for granted.
Whether they were together every moment or not, it didn’t matter.
She and Jason had chosen each other. As long as that was true, nothing that came her way would scare her or cause worry.
Because she knew she would always have a warm place to land.
Jason Hayes might be known around the world for his acting credits, but to her he was more than his job or money or fame.
He was her soulmate. They’d finally found their way to each other at long last.
That was a good Christmas present. The best, actually.
She smiled up at him, the tree lights twinkling merrily as she rested her cheek against his sturdy shoulder, taking in the moment, as happy as any person could be.