Page 35 of Wrapped Up

I feel it, warmth spreading from my heart outward. It's trust, hope. A belief that whatever is between us is genuine and worth fighting for.

I press my lips to his again, sealing our new truth. When I pull back, I can’t help but grin, unshed tears in my eyes. “You know what, Jack?” I say confidently.

He raises an eyebrow in anticipation.

“I'm holding you to that promise.”

With those words, I commit myself to him and this exhilarating journey we’re embarking on together. Despite the unknowns and risks, I’m all in. For the first time in a long time, I’m not afraid. I’m alive. And most importantly, I’m in love.

Chapter11

Epilogue

One Year Later

I wake to the scent of pine and cinnamon, a smile already tugging at my lips before I even open my eyes. Jack's arm is draped over my waist, his breath warm against my neck. For a moment, I just lie there, savoring the peace.

Then I remember what day it is.

I bolt upright, nearly knocking Jack off the bed. “It's Christmas!”

Jack groans, reaching for me. “Five more minutes, Princess.”

“Not a chance, Christmas Prince,” I tease, dodging his grasp. “We've got a tree to decorate!”

An hour later, we're standing in our living room, surrounded by boxes of ornaments and tangled strings of lights. The seven-foot Douglas fir we picked out yesterday towers over us, filling the room with its fresh, woodsy scent.

“Ready?” Jack asks, holding up the first string of lights.

I nod, grinning. “Let's do this.”

What follows is a whirlwind of activity. We weave lights through branches, hang glittering ornaments, and playfully argue over the perfect placement of each bauble. Jack lifts me to reach the higher branches, his hands lingering on my waist longer than necessary. I retaliate by “accidentally” brushing against him as I pass, enjoying the way his eyes darken with each touch.

As I hang the last ornament, a delicate glass snowflake, Jack wraps his arms around me from behind. “Look at us,” he murmurs, his chin resting on my shoulder. “Who would've thought we'd be here a year ago?”

I lean back into him, my heart swelling with emotion. “Certainly not cynical old me.”

He chuckles, the sound rumbling through his chest. “You've come a long way, Princess.”

And I have. The woman I was last Christmas would hardly recognize me now. I'm more open, more willing to take risks. I've learned to trust not just Jack, but myself.

“We both have,” I say, turning in his arms to face him. “Remember our first Christmas together? When I showed up at your door with a bottle of Jack and a silk tie?”

His eyes darken at the memory. “How could I forget? Best Christmas gift ever.”

I laugh, swatting his chest playfully. “Well, I hope this year's gift can live up to that.”

Jack's eyebrows shoot up. “Oh? And what might that be?”

With a grin, I break away from him and hurry to the bedroom. When I return, I'm holding a small, gift-wrapped box.

Jack takes it, curiosity written all over his face. As he unwraps it, I hold my breath, suddenly nervous. Inside is a custom-made Christmas ornament. It's a miniature replica of the club where we first met, complete with tiny flashing lights and minuscule Jack and Jennifer figures dancing inside.

He looks up at me, his eyes wide with wonder. “Jenn, this is...”

I take a deep breath. “Turn it over.”

On the back, engraved in small letters, are the words:Thank you for making every day feel like Christmas. Here's to a lifetime of adventures together.

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