Page 83 of Tell Me Lies

“The elf-a-bet. Obviously,” he says proudly, handing her the gift. “This is from Mommy and me.”

“Daddy, that is not funny,” she says matter-of-factly but smiles as she takes the gift. “Thanks, Daddy and Mommy.”

When Amelia first called me Mommy, I can’t lie; a big part of me inside was scared she was just doing it because she felt like she should. But as time went on, I realized she meant it wholeheartedly. And each time she says it, it just makes my heart grow even bigger.

“You’re welcome, babe.” I smile and watch her tear the paper off and hold the Highland cow stuffie to her chest. “Now, you can add that one to the other ten.”

Clyde lies right in the middle of all of the gift wrap, rolling onto his back and yawning, and Amelia pats his head, kissing it.

“Love you, bubba,” she whispers.

We’re going back to Santa’s Village next weekend with my mom and sister. We plan to start a new tradition to go there yearly—only now with Amelia and Logan too. And Logan’s family is coming later today, and I can’t wait to spend time with all of them. But having Christmas morning with just us three and Clyde? I can’t think of anything more perfect.

Amelia leans into her dad, cups her little hands around her mouth, and whispers something, and I frown, wondering what it’s about.

Standing up, Logan walks over to the tree and grabs a huge box and carries it toward me.

“The boss and I talked, and the next gift should be for Mom.” He sets it down in front of me.

I wave toward the pile of things beside me. “You guys got me way too much.”

And they did, and each thing was extremely thoughtful. That’s the thing with Logan; everything he does, he puts his heart into it and really thinks about it.

“Well, this is the last one, so get excited, Boston!” He leans down, kissing my head.

Tearing the paper slowly, I get it unwrapped and open it, just to find another box that’s also wrapped. I go through the process again, only to find a smaller third box.

“Are you guys playing a joke on me?” I narrow my eyes playfully.

“It could be coal in there.” He shrugs, keeping his voice low. “After all, you have been a bad girl.”

“You’re one to talk,” I mutter, unwrapping the third and finding a fourth.

When I get to a fifth box, it’s tiny, and I’m still not convinced my boyfriend isn’t playing a joke on me. After all, he has the mind of a child most of the time.

When I open the box, there’s a velvet one inside of it, and I swallow thickly. My heart rate begins to pick up, even though I know I’m getting ahead of myself here because it’s likely not a ring.

“Why don’t I give you a hand with opening that, Boston?” Logan drawls sweetly, holding his hand out.

With shaky hands, I hand him the box, and he sinks to one knee. Amelia comes beside him and smiles up at me in her Christmas pajamas and messy morning hair.

As he opens the box, the most beautiful diamond ring stares back at me.

“Amelia and I have been wanting to ask you something for a while now.” He glances at Amelia for a second before looking at me. “Honestly, I’ve had this ring since the book party we threw you, but it didn’t feel right that day. Not because I wasn’t ready, but because I wanted it to just be us.” He pauses. “We’ve had so many moments before that, but this one … it’s my favorite. It’s just the three of us—and Clyde. In our home. A house that, honestly, didn’t feel like home until you moved into it. And everything today is what I’m looking to have for the rest of my life.” He smiles, his dimple popping out, making me swoon.

“I know I leave my underwear on the bathroom floor after my shower. I shave my face over the sink and make an absolute mess and can never clean it up correctly. When I cook dinner for you guys, I take out everything and put it back in the wrong place. And I know I tell too many dad jokes for my own good. But I love you, Maci McKenzie.”

He nods toward his daughter. “But it’s not just about me, but about her too.” He takes my hand in his. “We’re already a family,but would you do me the absolute honor of marrying me and sharing the same last name as me and Amelia?”

“Yes,” I blurt out, unable to stop myself as I blink the tears from my eyes. “Yes.” I nod quickly.

He slides the ring onto my finger, and Amelia throws her arms around my waist. Lifting her up quickly, I put my forehead to hers, and Logan wraps his arms around us.

“My girls,” he says, kissing Amelia’s cheek and then my lips. “This is the best Christmas of my life.” He wipes his own eyes.

I can’t even croak out a response because I’m so close to falling apart in the very best way.

These two are my greatest blessings. I never knew it was possible to love or to be loved this much because, for years, I was convinced that to be fully and completely loved, I would have to mold myself into something else. Someone more … lovable. More chill. More fun. Less uptight. Now, I know the truth. That, for the right person, those aren’t flaws, but the opposite.

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