40. The Most Wonderful Time
The Most Wonderful Time
Normally, the holidays either feel like any other day or they bring a looming dark cloud and a sense of loneliness. This year had, surprisingly, felt different since being with Allie. Her family had made me feel even more welcomed than I thought possible.
Thanksgiving started bright and early at eight a.m., with being cuddled on the couch, each of us with a steaming vanilla latte in hand, and a warm, gooey cinnamon roll in the other.
Making homemade cinnamon rolls weekly had become a tradition in our relationship that I thoroughly enjoyed.
We sat bundled up watching the parade, followed by a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and then the hard work began.
The day was filled with the most delicious food Allie had busted her ass on.
She was determined to have all the traditional food, except a honey ham in place of a turkey, and enough deviled eggs to feed a small army.
At first, I questioned the amount she made, but once Emma, her mom, and sister were there to dig in, I made sure to keep my hands out of the way so I didn’t lose my finger.
Eventually, we all sat around talking after eating, and I dozed off on the couch, given how full I was.
It was the happiest Thanksgiving I could ever remember having.
Since Allie, her mom, and sister couldn’t take their annual girls’ trip to the mountains this year, her mom was able to get the same cabin for the first weekend of December.
This time, though, her mom insisted we all go because there was plenty of room.
And because she may or may not be in on my little plan.
She also invited Emma to come so she wouldn’t be alone, and she insisted that Carson and Jacob come as well.
The cabin was even more beautiful this time of year with lights strung all along the house and porch, and a beautiful flocked Christmas tree in front of the giant window.
There was a small fire going in the fireplace, and we all sat around chatting before we headed out for dinner.
Allie was upstairs in our room finishing up getting ready with Emma, so I sat next to Carson.
My leg continuously bouncing was the only thing that gave away how nervous I was.
“You all good, man?” Carson asked with a raised brow. He knew what I was planning because I couldn’t keep the secret to myself anymore.
“Yeah, I’m good, just really nervous. I mean, this is a big thing.” I took a deep breath to help calm my nerves and saw Emma come down the stairs.
“She’s about to come down. Remember the plan?” Emma asked once she reached us.
“Yep, I remember. Now let's hope my mouth doesn’t get ahead of my brain and ruin everything.” I could feel my heart start to race and my palms slick with sweat. I quickly wiped them down the front of my pants to dry them off.
“Okay, ya’ll, sorry, I’m ready!” Allie’s melodic voice carried down the stairs as she came down.
She was stunning in a black skirt and an oversized cream sweater tucked in, with tights and a knee-high pair of boots, with a hint of cream, thigh-high socks peeking over them.
Her hair had grown even longer now, too, and it flowed in loose curls past her shoulders.
Once she hit the last step, she bounded over to me, and I pulled her into a hug and let her, now, warm, vanilla scent soothe my nerves.
It was cute how she changed her lotions and perfumes to match the seasons.
“Oh, look how precious you two are. Here, let me get a picture of you! Come on now, get in front of the tree.” Donna, the sly fox, played her part smoothly to get us into position.
“Mama,” she dragged out, her southern accent thick. “Come on, I’m already the reason we’re running behind. We can do this later.”
“Nonsense. Does anyone here have a problem with it?” She cocked her hip out and gave everyone a look that promised hell if they disagreed.
A murmur of “no ma’am” circled the room before she turned around, smiling, waiting for us to get in front of the tree.
Allie gave everyone an apologetic glance and a small huff before standing next to me.
We posed naturally for a couple, my pocket weighing heavier and heavier, when Emma stepped up.
“Oh girl, wait, I think you have lipstick on your teeth. Smile real big for me.”
“You’re joking, right?” She turned around and let Emma rub the nonexistent lipstick off her teeth.
While she did that, I quickly pulled the deep emerald green velvet box out of my back pocket and dropped to one knee.
“Okay, let's hurry up—” She let out a little gasp when she turned around and saw me, tears starting to pool in her beautiful hazel eyes, making the green truly pop.
“Allie, my beautiful, sweet, and wonderful girl. You’ve shown me a love that I never thought I was worthy enough to receive.
You’ve shown me that there’s strength in weakness, and that it’s okay to lean on others when you need it.
Before I met you, I didn’t believe in soulmates or fate, but when you came into my life, that changed.
I knew that there was something tethering us together since the very beginning, and we didn’t know it yet.
I want to love you in all the ways that you deserve to be loved and cherished.
I want to spend my life showing you how worthy you are, so there’s never a doubt in your beautiful mind.
Will you please do me the incredible honor of becoming Mrs. Allie Grace Parker?
” I opened the box to reveal an oval-cut engagement ring with diamonds lining the band on each side on a white gold band.
She was choking back tears and kept nodding her head until finally the sobs broke free.
“Yes, Spencer, yes, of course, I’ll marry you!” She launched herself at me, nearly toppling us over in the process. I cradled her head and kissed her slowly, pouring my heart into it. Pulling back, I grabbed her left hand and slid the ring on her finger, placing a small kiss on it.
“Come on, sweetheart, let's get out of the floor.” We laughed, and everyone around us burst into cheers.
Emma pulled her into a giant hug, and Carson and Jacob hugged me and told me how excited they were for me.
Olivia came in and hugged me as well and pulled away, letting me know if I ever hurt her sister, there would be cataclysmic problems. I thoroughly believed her too.
Donna came up and pulled both of us into her.
“I gained another baby today, and I couldn’t be more blessed, Spencer.
You’ve become a major part of this family, sweet pea, and I know you’re gonna take real good care of my baby girl.
She’s sacrificed a lot for people when she shouldn’t have, and she deserves so much.
” She was crying now, trying her best to rein in the emotion while she talked to us.
“We love you, Spencer, don’t ever doubt that yourself, alright?
” I could feel the tears sliding down my cheeks now, and they were starting to fog up my glasses too.
“Yes, ma’am, I won’t, and thank you. Thank you for everything.
For giving birth to this amazing woman, and for welcoming me and loving me as your own.
” She squeezed me tightly and then stepped back from us.
Allie was full-on crying now and was staring at her ring with so much love and affection.
I pulled her into me and held her hand up in front of us.
“You know what makes this even more special? We used the diamonds from your granny’s ring.” I turned her hand left and right in the light, letting it reflect off and cast little rainbows everywhere.
“How did you manage to do that?” She gasped as she continued to look at the ring.
“With the help of Emma and your mom. They were more than thrilled to help me plan this. They all love you so much.”
“I’m just so happy. I truly had no idea you were planning anything at all.”
“Well, now I get to spend the rest of our lives surprising you and showing you how much I love you.”
“I like the sound of that. We have forever to make new memories together.”
“I love you so so much, Allie Grace. More than you’ll ever know.”
“I love you the most, Spencer James. I’m honored to be your wife and best friend.” She reached up and gently wiped away the tears from my face, and then wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me, causing another round of cheers from our friends and family to break out.
Surrounded by everyone, celebrating such a huge moment in our lives, I could feel the love and joy wrap around us.
I finally found the peace and family I was searching for.
A safe space to call home, a wonderful best friend and partner to make new and exciting memories with, and I couldn’t think of anything to make this more perfect.