Epilogue
One year later.
From the wide-bodied, seven-and-a-half-foot fir tree in the living room decorated with soft, blinking white lights and red and gold ornaments, to the worn-out stockings Liv, Oak, and I had owned since childhood, hanging from the mantel, it was officially another Christmas at the Gray family home.
Mama Gray had the whole house smellin’ like freshly baked cookies and tinsel as Boyz II Men crooned “Let It Snow” all throughout the main level.
But her love for the season didn’t stop there.
Inside, wreaths hung on every door, battery-operated candles flickered in every window, holiday cards were taped on the walls near the dining room, and she had an artificial tree in the foyer and another in the basement.
She probably would’ve put one in each bedroom if Mr. Gray had let her.
In the kitchen, all the cabinets had red ribbons and bows wrapped around them, and next to the cookie jar was the old-school gingerbread man that had been around since we were kids, which read, A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand.
I’d spent numerous Christmases with the Gray family, but this was different on many levels.
So much had changed for me in a year. Specifically, going from a man who played me to a man who didn’t play about me.
Oak had been patient, nurturing, and protective, showing me what it was like to be with a real man.
It was the ultimate upgrade and exactly what my heart needed, to heal and learn what it was like to be loved correctly.
He helped turn my broken pieces into peace and healed all the places I was hurting.
After the morning rush had settled, breakfast had been eaten, and gifts had been torn open, Oak pulled me to the side.
“You enjoy your Christmas?”
I nodded. “Of course. You know I love how the Grays get down on the holidays.”
“I have one more gift for you,” he announced, his voice softer than usual.
One curious brow lifted. “What is it?”
“Open it and find out,” he encouraged, revealing a small gift bag from behind his back and handing it to me.
I opened it slowly, anticipating what was inside. My eyes landed on the white Pandora box, and a slow smile stretched across my face, instantly remembering the moon charm he’d gifted me the year before. I opened it to find a two-tone home-and-heart charm that read, ‘With you, I’m home.’
By the time I looked up from it to thank him, he’d dropped down to one knee with a velvet ring box clutched in his hand. He paused, letting the moment breathe before opening it. Upon seeing the diamond ring nestled inside, my eyes broadcast surprise, and my chest rose in pursuit of air.
“Alexis Rosewood, this past year with you has been the best gift I could’ve ever asked for.
I got you that charm to remind you that you’ll always be home to me.
In a world that thrives on chaos and instability, your aura lifts me up.
You are my calm, my solid foundation, and the stillness that brings my soul the kind of peace I never knew existed until you became mine.
I promise that you’ll never want for anything as long as I’m within reach of you.
I knew you would be my wife a long time ago.
And now, I’m here to make things official.
Will you marry me?” he proposed, his deep voice warm and steady.
I realized I’d heard some of those words before.
They were the words he’d said to me when he was helping me with my vows.
He’d meant them then and meant them now.
I looked up at Oak, and my breath hitched as my hands clasped over my mouth.
Unable to speak, let alone breathe, all I could do was nod my answer.
Hearing Liv scream in the background drew me back to the present.
That was when I noticed his family standing in the corner of the kitchen watching us with bated breath.
Oak slid the ring on my finger as tears spilled down my cheeks. Everything about the moment felt as natural as breathing, although my lungs were still frozen. He hoisted himself to his feet before taking me into his arms. I tossed my arms around his neck and planted a kiss against his lips.
“I love you so much,” I declared.
“I love you too.”
I always knew that one day I’d marry the right man—the one who helped me heal and made me feel safe. Oak wasn’t just my man; he was my home, my heart, and my safe place to land. All I ever wanted was a real one, and with Oak by my side, there was no doubt in my mind that I’d finally gotten one.
THE END