CHAPTER 12 | What’s one more announcement?
CHAPTER 12
What’s one more announcement?
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“A nd the babies are both fine?” Chloe asked, fidgeting with the bangles on her wrist.
James nodded as he turned his car onto Main Street, one hand holding Alice’s as the other steered to avoid a pothole. He swiped his thumb over her knuckles as he smiled. Even with all the chaos of the babies’ arrival, it had been one of his favorite Christmases to date. “Yep. Just got a text from Anthony. Mommy and babies are fine, but don’t ask me their names.”
Alice threw her head back and laughed. “Are you serious? We just read the text as we left the diner. It’s Eva and Charlie, both perfect names.” Chloe and Addison ooed and ahhed from their spots in the back of the car.
The snow had finally slowed to the big fat flakes that were perfect for snow globes, the air crisp and cool. The clouds had dispersed, allowing the stars to twinkle and add another layer of magic to their drive home. Frankly, if the scenery got any more serene, James would have to lock himself away in his studio to create another masterpiece. He squashed his creative mojo, too eager to spend time with three of his favorite people.
Oblivious to her husband’s musings, Alice quickly fired off a series of texts to both her brother and friends sharing their congratulations. Talk about a Christmas miracle!
After the bedlam of CeCe’s labor, the vibes at the diner varied between excitement and trepidation. As soon as Anthony got word that everyone was okay, the holiday celebration continued as everyone chipped in to tidy up the diner and make sure everyone’s kids and belongings were taken care of.
Unfortunately, the birth of the twins did little to crush Chloe’s concerns that they were third and fourth wheels to the festivities. “Are you sure we can crash at your place?” Chloe asked from the back seat, feet bobbing in time with her racing heart.
Addison leaned against her, her head resting on her shoulders. “No, Chloe, they’re going to make us sleep in the car.” She gestured with her free hand out the window and chuckled. “Or worse, left on the mean streets of Buckeye Falls. I don’t know if we’ll survive the night.”
Alice swung around in her seat and frowned. “Chloe, we’ve known you for nearly a decade. Can you please remember that we love you?”
James snickered from the driver’s seat. “Sometimes more than Addy.”
“Hey,” Addison admonished, causing Chloe to giggle.
“Thank you. We weren’t sure what we wanted to do for the holidays, and I suddenly got homesick for cliched Christmas traditions and some snow that wasn’t gray from cabs and loud New Yorkers.” Chloe hefted out a sigh that deflated her, causing her to melt into Addison’s hold. “But then when CeCe went into labor, I started doubting we were where we needed to be.”
“You’re always welcome,” James and Alice said in unison.
James pulled into the garage and helped the ladies with their luggage. Alice strode ahead to plug in the Christmas tree and start a pot of tea. “Anyone in the mood for a Christmas movie and some tea?”
“That sounds heavenly,” Addison agreed, tossing her bags in the guest room before falling onto the couch, limbs splayed all over three cushions. She made enough room for Chloe to join her, causing James to laugh.
“Wow, Addy. You really are a couch hog.”
“You should see how she hogs the covers,” Chloe teased.
James clapped. “I knew it! There was no way you weren’t a blanket hog.”
Addison pulled herself upright and eased back into one cushion. “All right, you’ve all made your points.” She took Chloe’s hand and kissed her palm. She whispered something only Chloe could hear, causing her to turn a worrisome shade of violet.
Alice emerged with a plate of cookies. “I managed to hide these from Otis.” Behind them, the kettle sang its tune.
“I’ll grab the tea. Everyone drinking?”
Chloe beamed. “Yes, please!”
Addison huffed. “Do you have anything stronger? We just witnessed the miracle of life, and, frankly, I need something to take the edge off.”
Alice popped a cookie in her mouth and headed back to the kitchen. “That’s actually a good point, Addy. I’m still drinking tea, but I might start with a little of the good stuff.” She retrieved a nice vintage malbec and sauntered up to Addison.
“You open, I’ll pour,” Addison promised, lining up their glasses.
Chloe ate a cookie in silence, tucking her legs under herself. “I’m impressed, by everyone here.”
James joined them, sliding mugs across the coffee table. “How so?”
“I don’t know. I guess it’s the sense of community. A woman’s water broke in the middle of Christmas dinner, and everyone jumped to attention.” She snapped her fingers. “Just like that. No hesitating, no pausing for selfies, you all just sprang into action.”
Alice cocked her head. “In fairness, these were her friends and family.”
“I think Chloe’s right.” Addison nodded, sipping from her glass. “This was more than friends helping friends. I felt like everyone stepped up without thinking.”
“If that happened in New York, there’d be some asshole with their phone trying to go viral,” Chloe said, with more venom than anyone expected.
“Wow, babes. I didn’t know you were so against New Yorkers all of a sudden.” Addison blinked in surprise.
Chloe shrugged, her attention back on the plate of cookies. “I don’t hate New York, but sometimes I miss the quiet times.” She gestured around her. “Like this, don’t you just want to have a quiet life with your wife?”
At the mention of wives, both James and Alice stilled. Alice’s eyes darted to her husband in a silent question of Do you know something I don’t?!
James shook his head, nearly choking on a cookie. “You ladies want to tell us anything?”
Addison slowly sat up, knocking her cushion to the floor. “Chloe?”
Chloe looked at their friends before snagging Addison’s gaze. “I, uh, wasn’t going to say anything until we were alone.”
“Oh my God!” Addison exclaimed, jumping to her feet and sprinting to the guestroom before anyone could breathe. Her footfalls disappeared down the hallway until they heard the door slam shut.
Alice, James, and Chloe all sat in stunned silence, their jaws on the floor. “I didn’t think she’d literally run from the idea of marrying me,” Chloe muttered, dropping her head to her chest. She took a few long breaths before reaching out for Addison’s wine glass, downing it in two long gulps. With trembling fingers, she slid the glass back onto the coffee table and groaned. “I’ve been planning on proposing for years, and when I finally get the courage, I muck it up.”
Alice wordlessly refilled the glass, pressing it into Chloe’s hand. Turning to James, she mouthed, “What the hell do we do now?” James merely blinked in response, as if he’d swallowed his tongue.
Finally, the sound of a door opening echoed down the hall. Addison rejoined them in the living room. Her hands were balled into fists at her sides, her gaze anywhere but on Chloe.
For her part, Chloe looked mortified and took another pull from the wine glass. “Look, Addy, I shouldn’t have ...” But her words were cut off as Addison strode forward, slowly dropping down to one knee.
“I will admit,” Addison said, licking her lips and catching her breath, “I had a better plan than this.” She brought her balled hand up and opened it, revealing a white gold band studded with emeralds, Chloe’s birthstone.
Chloe gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. Her dark eyes shone with unshed tears. James and Alice mirrored her reaction. “Addy?”
“Chloe, I’ve been in love with you since the first time I ordered the tofu eggrolls. Since I left you my number you’ve calmed me, motivated me, and cherished me. I can only hope I’ve done the same for you.” Lost for words, Chloe merely nodded. “So, the point of this is to say, would you do me the honor of being my wife? Let’s find that cabin in the woods and live a beautiful life together?”
Chloe slid off the couch and got to her knees, now eye-level with Addison. “Absolutely, I’d be honored to be your wife.” She held up a finger and fumbled in her cardigan pocket. “There’s just one thing,” she said as she pulled out a tiny velvet bag. Overturning the bag in her hand, a gold band with a solitaire diamond landed with a small thud. “I was going to ask you the same thing.”
Before anyone could react, Alice screamed and jumped to her feet, sending her empty wine glass clattering to the floor. James hurriedly picked it up before tugging Alice onto his lap and shushing her. “Let them finish,” he urged.
“Of course, sorry.” Alice pursed her lips shut, her eyes darting back and forth between Addison and Chloe like she was watching a tennis match. She bounced like a child on Santa’s knee until James pinched her elbow and stopped her fidgeting.
“Of my God.” Addison panted, reaching out and sliding the ring on her fourth finger. “Yes, of course I’ll marry you.”
Both women giggled, staring at their rings in wonder. Chloe pulled Addison in for a kiss, while James and Alice tiptoed into the kitchen.
“Did you have any idea?” Alice stage-whispered to James.
“If I did, don’t you think I would have said something?” He was incredulous. “I’m a terrible secret keeper, almost as bad as you.”
Alice scoffed. “I’m not a bad secret keeper.” She nibbled her lip a moment before bursting out into a fit of laughter. “Yeah, okay. We’re both pretty bad at keeping secrets.”
From the living room, Addison shouted, “You’re both the worst!”
“Love you, too, Addy,” James replied, tugging his wife closer.
“This is the best Christmas, ever.” Alice melted against him, chasing his lips for a kiss.
“I have to agree. How about we give these two a little privacy? I have an idea.”
Alice took his hand and followed her husband into the studio. The space was equipped with bright overhead lights, but for the holidays James had hung twinkle lights around the space. He turned them on now, ushering Alice to the far corner where a small loveseat waited for them.
While Alice got settled into her seat, James pulled a bottle of wine from one of their many travels. It was a special bottle they were saving for a special occasion. “We’ll share with the girls in a minute, but first,” he said, popping the cork and pouring two portions into old paint glasses, “a Christmas toast.”
“I love you, you know that, right?” Alice teased, clinking glasses and opening her arms for James. He gracelessly fell onto the couch beside her, pulling her close until they were flush against each other. His heart rate slowed as they clicked into place. No matter where they were in the world, James never felt more at home than in Alice’s arms.
“I love you more, Alice.”
And there they sat, surrounded by twinkle lights in their creative space. To their left sat a bunch of James’s completed canvases ready for their next showing. To their right was Alice’s writing nook, her typewriter ribbon replaced, and a stack of paper at the ready. Despite all their journeys and adventures, Alice couldn’t think of a better place to be for Christmas than right here, in Buckeye Falls with her husband, friends, and family.