Epilogue
Christmas at the cabin looks like something ripped straight out of a Hallmark movie.
Snow falls softly outside the windows while twinkle lights glow everywhere.
And I mean everywhere.
Daltyn may have slightly lost his mind decorating.
Okay. More than slightly.
There’s a massive Christmas tree in the corner covered in ornaments and at least three hundred twinkling lights. Lighted garland wraps around the staircase banister and along the fireplace mantle. Stockings hang from the fireplace while Bing Crosby croons softly through the speakers.
The entire cabin smells like cinnamon, pine, vanilla candles, and cookies.
It’s warm. Beautiful. Perfect.
And somehow? The most adorable thing in the entire cabin is Daltyn.
The Green Mountain Avalanche goalie is currently bouncing with excitement while trying to act casual about it .
Which means he’s failing miserably.
“You’re being weird,” I inform him while laughing into my coffee.
“I’m not.”
“You’ve checked the window twelve times.”
“That’s objectively false.”
“You literally ran to the window five minutes ago.”
His mouth twitches. “That was unrelated.”
“Mhmm.”
Suspicion blooms inside me. Especially when he suddenly stands and holds out a black scarf.
My eyes narrow. “What’s that?”
“Put it on.”
I stare at him.
“Daltyn Guyer,” I say slowly. “Are you trying to murder me on Christmas?”
A laugh escapes him.
God. I still love that sound.
“No murders today, baby.”
“Comforting.” But I let him tie the scarf gently over my eyes anyway.
Darkness surrounds me.
Then warm hands settle on my hips.
“Careful,” he murmurs softly while guiding me toward the door.
Snow crunches beneath my boots seconds later. Cold winter air kisses my cheeks.
“What are you doing?” I laugh.
“You ask too many questions.”
“You’re suspiciously cheerful.”
“That sounds like a you problem.”
I snort.
Suddenly, his fingers dig into my hips, stopping me.
“You ready for your surprise?”
My heart flutters. Beneath the teasing, he sounds nervous.
“Yes.”
His fingers brush gently along the knot behind my head before the blindfold slips away.
I blink against the soft snowfall... then gasp.
A brand-new dark gray SUV sits in the driveway beneath a giant red bow.
Twinkle lights from the cabin reflect against the snow around it.
For a second, I genuinely can’t breathe.
“Daltyn…”
He shoves his hands awkwardly into the pockets of his jacket. Which is somehow more emotional than if he’d delivered a polished speech.
“Now all your insurance money can go to your college fund, baby.”
My throat burns.
Because, of course, that’s what he thought about.
My future.
Tears sting my eyes as I stare at him, standing there in the falling snow, looking suddenly uncertain.
“You bought me a car?”
His shoulders lift slightly. “You needed something safe in winter.”
Emotion crashes into me so hard it physically hurts.
Before he can say another word, I throw myself at him.
Daltyn catches me with a startled laugh as my arms wrap tightly around his neck.
“Oh my God,” I choke out against him. “You ridiculous, perfect man. ”
Warmth floods my chest when his face buries briefly against my hair.
“Merry Christmas, baby.”
The bathroom glows softly with candlelight.
Steam curls through the air while bubbles overflow across the massive bathtub.
I smile. “You ran me a bath?”
His expression softens. “You were outside whining about being cold for twenty minutes.”
“I was not whining.”
“You called Vermont a frozen death trap.”
“Because it is.”
A quiet laugh leaves him before he reaches for me. “C’mere.”
Warm water wraps around us moments later as Daltyn settles behind me in the oversized tub, pulling me back against his chest.
Snow falls softly outside the windows.
Christmas lights glow beyond the bathroom doorway.
And honestly? I don’t think I’ve ever felt this content in my entire life.
Daltyn’s arms tighten around me slightly. His mouth brushes slowly along my temple. “My life feels perfect.”
Emotion blooms softly inside me.
I tilt my head back against him. “It does?”
“Mhm.” The deep rumble of his voice vibrates against my skin.
Then, after a moment, he says quietly, “Except for one thing.”
I blink in confusion .
Before I can ask what he means, Daltyn shifts slightly behind me. Water sloshes softly around us.
I flip around so I can see his face.
He grabs a small velvet box from behind his body wash.
My breath catches.
Oh my God.
Daltyn’s expression turns strangely vulnerable as he opens the box. A massive diamond catches the soft bathroom light, sparkling brilliantly.
Tears fill my eyes. “Daltyn…”
His thumb brushes shakily against my hand.
And when he speaks, his voice sounds rough with emotion. “I spent most of my life believing nothing good stayed.”
My chest physically aches.
“Then you walked into my life and made this place feel like home.”
A tear slips down my cheek.
His voice roughens even more. “So stay.”
The ring trembles slightly in his hand.
“Stay with me forever.”
Oh my God.
Emotion crashes through me so hard I can barely breathe. “I?—”
A laugh breaks through my tears.
Then suddenly I straighten my shoulders, my voice ringing loud and clear when I say, “I choose you. I’ll always choose you.”
Daltyn’s face completely breaks apart. Relief, love, disbelief, and hope fight for dominance across his face.
“Yes?” he asks hoarsely.
“Yes!”
I launch myself at him .
Unfortunately, bubble baths are slippery.
We both slide underwater with a loud splash.
I come back up sputtering while laughing hysterically as bubbles cling to my face. I swipe my hand over it.
Daltyn surfaces, laughing harder than I’ve ever heard in my life.
The ring box is somehow still clutched safely in his hand.
“Priorities,” I gasp.
“You know it,” he says as he wipes his face.
Still laughing, he slides the ring onto my finger.
And honestly?
I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful than the look in his eyes afterward.
It’s nothing but pure happiness.
The kind he once believed only existed for other people.
Later, when we finally head downstairs, I blink at the team of people assembled in the cabin.
“WELL?” Allie asks, her hands clasped together.
“SHE SAID YES!” Connor screams before Daltyn or I can say a word.
Cheers erupt around us.
Music blasts from the kitchen.
Ford nearly tackles Daltyn into the wall.
Jake starts chanting.
Cole is already opening champagne.
And Gram? She bursts into tears while pointing dramatically at us .
“THANK GOD,” she sobs. “I was starting to think I’d die before seeing grandchildren.”
“GRAM,” I choke. “We aren’t your kids. Ford is. And Harper, by extension?—”
“You’re all my kids,” Gram says, smiling brightly.
Beside the fireplace, Thelma calmly sips cocoa. “She crocheted baby booties three weeks ago.”
Daltyn drops his forehead against mine while laughing helplessly.
Twinkle lights glow around us. Snow falls softly outside.
Inside, the cabin is filled with warmth, laughter, chaos, and—most importantly—love.
And as Daltyn wraps an arm around my waist while our family celebrates around us, one thing settles quietly and completely inside my chest.
This is what a real home feels like.