Epilogue
Silas
I might have made a mistake introducing Isabelle to Christmas. Once Clara told her about Santa, Isabelle was insistent that we bake cookies that night and put them out with a cold glass of milk.
Then, at five in the morning on the dot, Isabelle was in my bed, bouncing around to wake me up. It was time to see if Santa left her presents under the tree.
I had half a mind to declare that Christmas was re-banned just so I could get some more sleep, but I decided against it when I saw her wide eyes and flushed cheeks. Isabelle was meant for Christmas, and Christmas was meant for Isabelle.
Clara was sleeping on the couch when we walked into the living room. I grinned at her as she sat up and stretched. We figured that until we had things nailed down between us, it was best if we had boundaries when we were with Isabelle.
Luckily, Clara was Mrs. Claus and had been able to produce numerous presents for Isabelle at a moment’s notice.
So while Isabelle was busy ripping into the gifts, I snuggled with Clara on the couch, watching with a huge smile at the joy my daughter was experiencing.
I had my arm wrapped tightly around her shoulders as I held her close to me.
Every so often, I leaned over and pressed my lips to her temple and whispered, “Merry Christmas,” over and over again. She just smiled and tucked herself in closer.
We spent the afternoon ice skating and having a snowball fight. As seven o’clock neared, I ushered the two of them into the living room and told them to get ready.
Isabelle was bursting at the seams to tell Clara what we were doing, but I just pressed my forefinger to my lips and prayed that she could keep quiet. We had a surprise for Clara, and I wanted to see her reaction when we pulled into town square at seven-thirty on the dot.
I will never forget the gasp that came from Clara when I turned down Main Street. Her eyes were wide as she looked over at me. I couldn’t stop grinning. My chest felt like it was going to explode.
“You didn’t,” she whispered as I pulled into my parking spot and turned off the engine. “Is that—”
“It’s our tree!” Isabelle cheered. She was already unbuckled and was climbing onto the center console between us.
Clara glanced over at Isabelle. “It is!”
“Come on, there’s more,” Isabelle said. The sound of her door opening had Clara and I reaching for our own door handles.
Clara’s eyes were wide as she took in the sight.
Todd had really pulled off something amazing.
As soon as I told him my plan and that I was repealing the ban, he told me he’d take care of everything.
The sheer number of decorations that started popping up around town shocked me.
I had no idea that the man working next to me for so many years was such a massive Christmas fan.
He did an amazing job. The town looked so…festive. And the fact that Clara liked it made me love it even more.
“We’re ready,” Todd appeared next to me. I glanced over to see him standing next to our tree, which I’d brought to his house, telling him to make it the centerpiece of town square. It was covered in strings of lights and every branch held an ornament. Todd would never cease to amaze me.
I raised my eyebrows as I nodded toward the decorations. “The whole time?”
He shrugged. “What can I say?”
Regret coated my chest. “I’m sorry I forced you to hide it all.”
He chuckled. “I knew you’d come to your senses eventually.
” Then he stepped closer to me. “For what you asked me about, I was able to find this.” He held out his hand, and nestled in his palm was a gingerbread Christmas tree ornament.
“Unfortunately, they don’t make brown, dying Christmas tree ornaments. This was the best I could do.”
I took it from him. “This will work.” I glanced up. “Thanks.”
He nodded. “Of course. And when you’re done, the tree is ready to be lit.”
“Perfect.”
It didn’t take me long to find Clara. She was laughing and talking to a group of townspeople who were all thanking her for bringing Christmas back. Their conversation hushed as I pushed through the group and wrapped my arm around her waist.
“I’m stealing you away,” I murmured into her hair.
She giggled and followed me.
When we were a good distance away, I held out the ornament Todd had found for me. Clara studied it and then glanced up at me.
“What is this?” she asked.
“An ornament. So you can start collecting our memories.”
She knit her eyebrows together for a moment before her lips made an “o” like she’d just realized what I was doing. “Because of the tree?” she asked, nodding in its direction.
“Isabelle’s tree.” I shrugged. “Apparently, they don’t make brown and dying tree ornaments, so this was the next best thing.” I studied her. “Do you like it?”
She gently took the ornament out of my hand and held it up. She turned it a few times before her gaze met mine and I could see the tears brim on her eyelids. “I love it.” She paused. “And I love you.”
I didn’t wait. I scooped her up into my arms and pressed my lips to hers. Gentle at first and then more fervently. Suddenly, someone cleared their throat and we pulled away.
“Come on you two turtle doves. There’s no mistletoe around here. You’ve got a whole town waiting for you.” Todd smiled at us.
I stepped back and Clara did the same. I didn’t let her go too far as I grabbed ahold of her hand and walked toward the tree where the town had gathered.
I wanted to just plug the Christmas lights in and have that be the end of the event, but people began to chant, “Speech!” and Clara looked expectantly over to me, so I decided to give them what they wanted.
I started out saying I was grateful that the people of Grinchland had understood that I was struggling. I told them that I’d never felt more loved or cared for. And then I apologized for canceling Christmas in the first place.
“From here on, Grinchland will now celebrate Christmas—” I boomed, and the entire crowd began to cheer. Clara louder than anyone else.
I raised my forefinger, and the celebration grew quiet. Once I had everyone’s attention, I finished the rest of that sentence. “Grinchland will now celebrate Christmas…within reason.”
With that, I grabbed the plug, stuck it into the outlet, and the lights on the tree gleamed.
***