Epilogue
Carla
One Year Later
Christmas music drifts through the air as I stand in the doorway, watching the guests gather around the Christmas tree in our home.Our home.It still feels surreal to think of it that way. A year ago, I couldn’t have imagined being here—surrounded by the people I love, with Grady by my side, and the warmth of the holidays all around.
Grady comes up behind me, his hands slipping around my waist, pulling me back against his chest. I can feel him smile against my neck as he presses a kiss against my skin, the strands of his fake Santa beard sending shivers down my arms.
“Hey, Angel,” he murmurs. “You look like you’re deep in thought.”
I turn in his arms, looking up into the hazel eyes that still make my heart skip a beat. “Hey, Santa Claus. I was just thinking about how lucky I am, how happy you’ve made me.” I smile softly. “And last Christmas Eve when we spent some time in the gazebo.”
He wiggles his brows. “That was a spectacular night. We could sneak out of here and go back to recreate the night. Or we could shift over there,” He points to the living room. “And stand under the mistletoe. You won’t be able to resist this Santa’s charm under the mistletoe.”
I roll my eyes, laughing. “We’re hosting the party, silly. We can’t leave. And don’t worry, keep that Santa suit on, and Santa’s Angel will show you a jolly good time tonight.”
Grady laughs, the sound deep and rich, filling me with more joy than I can imagine. “Santa’s Angel,” he chuckles, leaning down to kiss me softly. “I love that. And I love you.”
I smile against his lips, my heart swelling with happiness. “I love you more.”
He pulls back slightly, looking around the room where our friends and family are chatting, sipping eggnog, and admiring the beautifully decorated Christmas tree we picked out together. Everything is perfect.
“You know,” Grady’s voice turns serious, “I wanted to wait until we had a moment alone, but I can’t wait any longer.”
I furrow my brows, confused. “Wait for what?”
He reaches into the pocket of his candy-red jacket and pulls out a small velvet box. My breath catches in my throat as he drops to one knee.
“Carla Griffin,” his eyes never leave mine, “you’ve been my angel, my miracle, my second chance. I’ve spent this past year proving that I’m not the same man who walked away. And I want to spend the rest of my life showing you I’m not going anywhere. Ever.”
Tears well up in my eyes, and my hands fly to my mouth as he opens the box, revealing a stunning diamond ring that catches the colorful lights from the Christmas tree.
“Will you marry me?” he asks. “Will you let me spend every Christmas, every day, for the rest of our lives, loving you the way you deserve?”
I’m crying now, nodding so hard I’m surprised my head doesn’t fall off. “Yes, Grady,” I manage to choke out. “Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!”
He slips the ring onto my finger, and the entire room erupts into cheers and applause. Before I can catch my breath, Grady pulls me into his arms, spinning me around as I laugh, every cell of my body filled with nothing but pure joy.
When he sets me back down, he takes me across the room and kisses me under the mistletoe again. The kiss is sweet and slow, full of love and promises.
He weaves his fingers through mine and we stand there, surrounded by our friends and family, and I know that this—this is the real magic of Christmas.
The magic of finding your way back to the one you love and never letting go.