Epilogue - Candy
The week before Christmas, two years later
Clapping my hands together, I beam at the cast. “That’s a wrap! Well done everyone. That went really well. Let’s all get a good night’s sleep, ready for tomorrow’s full dress rehearsal, okay?”
I chat to the wardrobe assistant about the costumes for tomorrow, then pull on my coat. The heavy snow of the last couple of weeks has eased, and the sun is setting with a red glow over the snow-capped mountains. My boots crunch against the well-trodden snow on the sidewalk as I walk through the streets.
Holiday music pours out of the stores, their lights twinkling, as I turn the corner. I walk up the steps to the firehouse and the door swings open just as I touch the handle. Chief Brock and his wife Mila walk out, his arm wrapped around her.
“Happy holidays, Candy! Dalton’s in the equipment room, I think. You bought all your presents yet?” Mila grins.
“Oh, I’m so behind. It’s going to be a squeeze to get everything in before the performance. Are you coming?”
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world. Snowflake’s first Christmas play at the new theater? I bet it’s sold out,” Mila says.
“It is. We’re going to have to squeeze some extra people in at the back. See you there!” I walk inside.
I’m touched by Mila’s enthusiasm. The community has come together to help with the new theater. Thanks to generous donations from some local billionaires, we raised enough funding for the next five years. A local architect, Magnus Huckle, has provided his services to regenerate the space, which is an old converted warehouse.
I teach drama, dance and stage direction to students from local schools, and there’s a workshop every few months for aspiring playwrights. I love my new job. It doesn’t feel like a job, it’s more of a vocation. It’s like I was always meant to be doing this, as if this space was just waiting for me to fill it.
“Is that my gorgeous girl?” Dalton sticks his head out of a doorway. As always, the sight of his bearded, slightly serious face makes my heart leap, and my stomach flip.
“It’s your slightly stressed girl,” I say. “There’s so much to remember for the dress rehearsal.”
“We can go through it later. And stressed or not, you’re always gorgeous.” He gathers me into his huge arms, kissing my lips in a way that lights my core up.
“Shall we get back home?” I smile. I can’t wait to get my handsome, burly guy alone. Preferably under a hot shower.
“Yes, I just need to stop by Twinkle Town.” He pulls on his coat and holds the door open for me.
I groan. “More decorations?”
“You love them…admit it, sweetness! Can’t have too many decorations.” He puts his arm around me.
“Well, at least it’s only around the corner,” I grumble as we walk through the streets.
“That’s my girl.”
When we get close to the store, I slow my pace. “Strange.”
“What?”
“The lights are out,” I say, trying to peer inside the window.
Dalton glances over my shoulder. “You’re right. Think it’s a power outage?”
“Maybe. Mom and Dad should be there, I spoke to them this morning.”
“Let’s check inside…” Dalton pushes open the door and the maniacal elf laughter rings out. I walk ahead of him, feeling my way in the darkness across to the counter. Fumbling for the light switch underneath, I find it and switch it on.
Instead of the overhead lights coming on, red and white twinkle lights sparkle all around us. Winter Wonderland starts to play as Dalton approaches me, a broad smile across his face.
He kneels in front of me, taking out a green velvet box and popping it open. Inside is a ruby and diamond engagement ring. I suck my breath in.
“Candy, I love you. Will you make me the happiest man in Twinkle Town, Snowflake Falls, and the whole world, by agreeing to be my wife?”
Tears in my eyes, I nod. “I love you so much. Yes. I can’t wait, Dalton!”
He slides the ring on my finger. Joy to the World rings out from the speakers, along with loud clapping. Mom and Dad, Jax and Juniper, Heidi and Charlie, Grandma and Leonard are gathered around us. Rudy barks, then sits obediently.
My sister waves a bottle. “Let’s have a toast. Actual champagne, Candy!”
Dalton kisses me as the room erupts with cheers and popping corks. It can’t get any better than this.