Epilogue
MADDOX
The weekend away at the B and B was exactly what we needed to reconnect and get our relationship back on track.
Eve was adjusting to the idea of delegating things at work. If she took on too much, Clara and Natasha stepped in to help.
The town was becoming a place where everyone worked together to make it better.
The shop owners were invested in making it a tourist hub that was enjoyed by all.
Or at least most of them were. A couple were still salty that the town was sold, and new shops had been allowed to lease space on Candy Cane Lane.
When we got back, Eve planned a party for recipients of the toy drive and those who donated and volunteered to collect and then deliver the toys.
On the day of the party, Eve, Clara, and Natasha decided to make getting ready for the party a girls' day.
I was on my own while they prepped and primped. They'd even insisted that Sofia was part of their girls' friend group and had to be included.
I was starting to feel like I was outnumbered by women. But Sofia was excited to be surrounded by so many people who loved her.
I'd gotten ready early and met Tucker at a small bar in Christmas Town with Ford, Hudson, Cooper, Morgan, and a few of my fellow firefighters.
Like the rest of the town, there were garland, lights, and a large, decorated tree in the corner.
"Are we celebrating your promotion tonight?" Tucker asked when he arrived and ordered a beer.
"I think we're celebrating everything: the promotion, Eve's first successful holiday season in Christmas Town, and everything the Sterlings are doing to revitalize the town."
"Here, here," Steve said, and we clinked bottles and glasses.
Tucker sat next to me, tipping his bottle against mine. "Congrats, big brother. You deserve to be fire chief."
"Thanks."
His face pinched. "I'm happy to celebrate with you. But do I need to go to the party afterward?"
I gave him a pointed look. "Eve wanted me to invite you."
He tipped his beer back. "Just because you're dating her doesn't mean that I have to be involved."
I shook my head. "Yeah, it kind of does. Eve will be my family soon enough."
Tucker's eyes widened. "It's like that, huh?"
I smiled. "It's like that."
"I guess congratulations are in order. When are you planning to propose?" Tucker asked.
I inclined my head to the other guys. "I want to keep that a secret."
He was quiet for a few seconds, and then he said, "I didn't know you had it in you."
My brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"
He turned slightly so that he was facing me. "Don't take this the wrong way. But I wasn't sure you'd give yourself permission to date after Marla died."
I tipped my bottle back. "I wasn't tempted until I met Eve."
He raised a brow. "So you're saying that everything changes when you meet the right person?"
I thought back to that moment when I saw Eve standing in the fire house's kitchen in that dress, talking to Steve. "I guess it does."
He sipped his beer, placing the bottle on the bar. "I don't plan on meeting anyone for a long time."
"Good luck to you," I said wryly, knowing that he couldn't plan these things.
Ford stood. "Natasha texted to say that they're ready to go. We need to meet them inside and escort them into the ballroom."
Tucker gave me a pained look.
"Stick with the Sterling brothers. Most of them are single," I suggested as we grabbed our coats and paid our tabs.
Outside, flurries fell. It was the last town event before Christmas.
After this, we could relax and enjoy being together as a family. I was looking forward to more down time.
Inside, holiday music played on the speakers. The single guys proceeded to the ballroom, and I stood with Ford at the bottom of the grand staircase.
Ford cleared his throat. "Now that you're officially with Eve, we should spend more time together. We'll be family soon enough."
I smiled. "Like a double date?"
"Yeah."
"That would be nice." I never thought I'd be dating, much less become part of someone else's family again. But it was a good feeling.
Ford nodded to the top of the stairs. "They're here."
My gaze raised to see Eve and Natasha's arms looped together and Sofia in front of them. She bounded down to meet me, holding her dress out. "What do you think?"
"You're a beautiful princess. As always."
"I love balls." She twirled on the carpet as Natasha greeted Ford, and he led her away.
Eve stood on a step above me which made her the same height as me. Her sleek hair was pulled back into a low bun, and a tiara was perched on top of her head. Her gold dress shimmered in the light.
"You're gorgeous." There were no words for how stunning she was in that dress.
I held my elbow out for her. "I'm here to escort you ladies to the ball."
"Why thank you, kind sir," Eve said, quickly falling into my playacting.
Sofia skipped ahead of us, and when the doormen opened the double doors, music filtered out. The room was filled with families and the men and women of the fire department.
Everyone was talking, laughing, and a number of people were on the dance floor.
"I'd say your party is a success," I said, smiling down at Eve.
Her eyes sparkled with happiness.
An announcer came over the microphone, introducing us as if we'd just been married. "Introducing Ms. Eve Palmer and her escort, Mr. Maddox Knight along with his daughter, Miss Sofia Knight.
Sofia dropped into a deep curtsy before running off to find her friends.
"That was a nice introduction," Eve said.
I guided her farther into the room. "You didn't plan for everyone to be introduced?"
She shook her head. "I don't know if they did that for everyone or just us."
"You're essentially the mayor. You've done so much to support this town. You deserve all the accolades."
Her lips curled into a smile. "I like the sound of that."
"Want to get a drink at the bar?" I asked her, spotting the rest of the guys.
"Sure."
We got champagne, then moved around the room, talking to people who participated in the toy drive or were recipients. Everyone was grateful and happy to be here.
I was proud of Eve for all the hard work she'd done to make the toy drive a success. After we'd made one round of the room, I coaxed her onto the dance floor.
I breathed a sigh of relief once she was in my arms. "I finally have you to myself."
She gazed up at me. "This is nice."
We danced around the floor until Sofia ran up to us. "You guys have to see this."
Eve gave me a look before I took Sofia's hand and let her lead us onto the balcony connected to the ballroom. Outside, there were large, decorated trees on either side, the columns were wrapped in garland and lights, and there was a seating area with champagne on the table.
"What's this?" Eve asked, probably realizing the seating wasn't here before.
Sofia took Eve's hand and guided her to sit next to her. "We have something important to ask you."
I remained standing like we'd practiced, waiting for Sofia to start.
"Okay," Eve said.
Sofia sat primly on the edge of the sofa, her hands folded in her lap. "I asked Santa for a stepmom for Christmas."
"I remember," Eve murmured.
"And he gave me my wish." Sofia looked up at me.
Eve's startled glance met mine. "But it's not even Christmas yet."
I moved closer, my voice lowering. "It's close enough, and sometimes, Santa does his magic, but it's up to us to deliver the gift."
Eve's brows furrowed. "Maddox?"
I dropped to one knee. "I was a total grump when I met you. No one could tolerate being in the same room with me. But you changed everything. You made me reevaluate what it meant to be alive and to enjoy life."
She sniffed, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
"You made me see there was more to life than remembering everything we'd lost. You made me hope for a future, one that is bright and exciting.
Life will never be boring or uneventful with you in it, and I wouldn't want it any other way.
" I pulled out the box, opening it so that the lights reflected off the diamond. " Eve, will you marry me?"
"Will you be part of our family?" Sofia asked, and that's when the tears spilled down Eve's cheeks.
"Yes to both of you. Of course." Eve squeezed Sofia's hand and held her left hand out to me.
I placed the ring on Eve's finger, and we kissed. When we pulled away, Sofia stood. "It's time for your first dance as an engaged couple."
Slow music came over the speakers, and Sofia went inside.
"I guess we are by ourselves." I stood, holding my hand out for Eve to take it. "I didn't plan for this. It must be Sofia's idea."
Eve dropped my hand and wound her arms around my neck, pressing her chest against mine. "We're engaged."
"We are," I said, my heart full.
Eve worried her bottom lip. "Are you sure it's not too soon?"
"It's the perfect timing. Besides, Sofia asked for you, remember?" We moved slowly around the small space.
"She asked for a stepmom."
"She meant you, and there's no rush to get married. We'll move as slow or as fast as you want."
"I want to enjoy being engaged for a while," Eve said, playing with the hair at the base of my neck.
"I want to be with you. However that happens is fine with me."
A slow smile spread over her face. "I want that too."
We kissed and danced in the moonlight, the warmth of the heater keeping us insulated against the chill. It felt a little like our midnight meetings when we were alone together, and everything felt right.
I couldn't have asked for a more perfect proposal. I hope you loved Eve and Maddox’s story!
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