Page 114 of Christmas in Paradise

Grandpa would agree with me, then tell me to get over it and not let the best thing that’s ever happened to me get away. And he’d be right.

So I settle on the most practical reason. “I want to buy a house first. So we have somewhere to live.”

Grandpa narrows his eyes, and I wait for him to tell me that when he and Grandma got married, they lived in a room at the back of the auto shop his dad owned. The whole place reeked of oil and Grandma hated the smell so much she told him he had to find a different profession. That’s how he became an electrician.

I’ve heard this story a time or two.

“Do you have a place in mind?” he asks, and I flinch.

That was not the response I expected. “Um, not really.”

Grandpa crosses his arms and glares at me, but when he speaks, it’s in a gentler voice than I’m used to. “Grandma and I want to spend more time in Arizona. I’m too old for cold weather. You could buy our place. If you want.”

My jaw falls open. “That’s really generous, Grandpa. I’d have to talk to Hope first but thank you.”

Even as I say the words, I know Hope would like the house. Grandpa and Grandma built it not too long ago, so everything’s new. It’s got a great view of the lake. But the selling point for Hope, I think, would be that it’s close to Mom’s house. She’d be close if we needed her, but not in the same house.

“So now what’s stopping you? I want that girl for a granddaughter, and I want her daughter for a great-granddaughter.” Grandpa widens his stance like he’s still the tight end he used to be when he played football.

None of my reasons for waiting to propose are getting past him, but I try one more anyway. “I have to get a ring first. She’ll probably want a say in what it looks like.”

His mouth pulls to the side, then he spots Grandma and waves her over. She’s talking to Mom, so they both walk to us.

When they reach us, Grandpa leans over to Grandma and in a low voice says, “Who do we know who can get this kid an engagement ring fast? He needs to propose to Hope soon. That girl can’t move here without knowing she’ll have some stability.”

Grandma beams at Grandpa. “You’re so thoughtful. Always looking out for everyone.”

Grandpa’s ears turn pink, and his mouth tugs into a shy smile. And, for the first time, I see him for who he really is: a man who would do anything for his family. Including teaching a snot-nosed kid some of life’s most important lessons so he could grow up and be a responsible adult.

I’m still working on the responsible part, but I feel a deeper sense of gratitude for everything that Grandpa’s done for me than I ever have before.

“Give her mine.” Mom slips off the wedding ring I’ve never seen her without and hands it to me. “And do it tonight. No sense waiting.”

I stare between her and the thin gold ring with one solitary diamond. It’s simple and beautiful, and I think it would mean a lot to Hope, but I can’t imagine Mom’s hand without it. “Mamma, are you sure?”

“I’ve been saving it for just this moment.” She flashes a smile, then grows serious again. “But only if you picked the right girl. And you have. So quit stalling.”

I glance at my grandparents. Grandma’s hands are wrapped around Grandpa’s arm like it’s the lever to release the party balloons, and she’s just waiting for her cue to let the celebration begin.

Grandpa looks less excited and more… threatening?

No, that’s not it.

The intensity on his face isn’t about getting me to do what he wants, but about hoping I’ll do the thing he knows is best for me.

But he could look at me all day long with that face, and I’d never come around, if I didn’t know he was right. Hope and Charly aren’t only the best thing for me, they’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and the best thing that ever will.

“Okay. You’re right. I’ll do it as soon as the time is right. I’ll propose.” I expect them to meet my announcement with the same level of excitement I’m feeling. But their smiles all look a little forced.

“Tonight.” Mom says finally with the kind of smile I expected a few seconds ago. “Right here.”

“Oh, yes! What a wonderful idea!” Grandma claps. “You’ve got the ring, you’re surrounded by the people who love you best. It’s perfect!” Then she gasps, and her whole face grows rounder and fuller, likeshe’sthe party balloon. “You could have Santa do it! We’ll give him the ring, he can pull it out of his bag last, and then you propose.”

“Excellent idea.” Grandpa nods and actually smiles.

“Except that Santa’s not real,” I say slowly.

“Of course he’s not, son,” Grandpa says, likeI’mthe one who made the Santa suggestion in the first place.

---