Page 21 of The Santa Surprise

Aspen

I open the first box and it’s a Pearl Jam t-shirt. I hug it to my chest and point to one of Alex’s boxes. “You better open yours.”

He rips it open and when he pulls out the same t-shirt we smile widely at each other. “Great minds think alike.” Alex grabs the front of my pajamas and pulls me toward him, kissing me deep, but all too soon pulling away. “Thank you. Now open your other box.”

“So bossy,” I mutter, before ripping off the paper. It’s clearly a jewelry box and my heart starts to race. I lift the lid and gasp because inside is the most beautiful necklace I’ve ever seen. He’s looking at me expectantly and all I can do is look like a fish, with my mouth opening and closing, but no sound coming out.

Instead I tackle him on the couch, kissing him with everything I have. We roll, falling off the couch and hitting the floor with a thud. Of course, Alex takes the brunt of the fall. I push up to look down at him. “Are you okay?”

He brushes my hair back with both hands. “I’m better than ever.” Alex pulls me down to him, kissing me slowly and thoroughly. I open my mouth to him, our tongues doing that familiar dance.

I’m not sure what our future holds, but I know that I want to see what happens.

Epilogue

One year later

Aspen

So much has happened since Alex came back into my life. We moved in together about two months after Christmas. Like everything else with us, it was easy getting used to cohabitation. Hell, we were practically living together from the very beginning.

Right after he moved in, he took the detective’s exam, passing it with ease and then got the title of Detective James.

My most favorite thing is watching Dakota with her dad—she’s thrived having him around, of course it’s not like she was doing bad before. He is sometimes a pushover for her, and if she cries when she gets in trouble, he can’t handle it.

I told him to deal with it because I didn’t want her thinking she could use tears to get out of punishments. Alex agreed and said he’d work on it . . . I’ll believe it when I see it.

We’re on our way to his parents’ house for Christmas morning breakfast and presents. Unfortunately, Tyler is overseas and won’t be there, but we put together a care package for him so hopefully he feels like he’s home.

I chance a glance at Alex, he’s been quiet this morning. Oh, he was enthusiastic when our daughter opened her presents, but other than that he’s been almost somber. Is he not happy with me? Maybe he wants to split up. No, I need to stop and just silently be there for him.

When we get to his parents, I can’t even get out before Cameron is coming out to get his little peanut out of the backseat. Her aunt and uncles spoil her, but I love it. I grab Tiny’s leash and help him out of the back, while Alex grabs the gifts.

After greetings are exchanged, I help Alex put the presents under the tree. I place my hand on his arm, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, why?” He stands up and holds his hand out to me to help me up and we head into the dining room to eat.

***

“Thank you for doing the dishes, sweetheart.” Ripley kisses my cheek. I give her a smile and dry the last plate. “Are you okay?”

I paste on my best fake smile. “Yes, of course. Just tired, Dakota was up early.”

She nods in understanding. “I miss those days. Enjoy them because all too soon you have to go wake your children up because if you don’t, they’ll sleep all day.” Ripley gives me a side hug, and then leaves me to wipe down the counters.

“Mommy, hurry up,” Dakota shouts from the other room.

I take a deep breath before heading out to the living room where my daughter eagerly sits. She’s ready to rip apart some wrapping paper. I take a seat next to Mara since Alex is sitting on the floor.

It takes us a while to open presents. I take pictures of Dakota as she opens all her gifts. She has to hug and kiss whoever the gift is from and tell them thank you. She’s so sweet, but it takes her forever.

I take a sip of my coffee and Alex gets up, coming over to me. I smile up at him, but then freeze because he’s getting down on one knee in front of me.

Someone gasps, maybe it’s me. I can’t stop it when I begin trembling. He grabs my hand in his. “Aspen Winters, you are everything I’ve ever wanted. You’ve given me your love, our daughter, and a lot of happiness. Be my wife, make me the happiest man on earth.”

I tackle him to the floor, kissing him deeply.

He pulls back. “I take it that’s a yes?”

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