Page 69 of Baking it Merry

“No,” he gruffly said, reaching up and caressing her cheek.“I’ll missyou.It’s you I need to see every day.And for the record, your original gingerbread house is safely stored away.I didn’t get rid of it.Your family helped me take it down.”

That’s when she noticed her parents and cousins tucked in the middle of the crowd.

“If you don’t like this one, I’ll gladly make any modifications you’d like,” he went on.

Tears stung her eyes because she was so completely overwhelmed.“I can’t believe you did all of this.Especially for a seasonal thing.”

“Sweetheart,” he said, gently cupping her face.“We all want you here permanently.Well…semi-permanently.I’m designing some luxury executive condos one block over and they’re holding a space for you if you’d like to put your bakery there.It was one of my stipulations for the plans.”

“What?!”

“And maybe you could still have your booth here as a remote spot.You know…if you’re so inclined.”

It was all too much to take in.Her head was spinning.“So you didn’t…it wasn’t you who complained?I feel like this is all a lot of information to process.”

“I promise to explain it all to you, but why don’t you come out here and let everyone congratulate you and wish you a merry Christmas?”

All she could do was nod.

Stepping out of the booth, she found Tristan waiting right there for her with his hand held out.“Nice sweater,” she teased.

“This old thing?There’s a battery pack in here and the tree lights up!”

Unable to stop herself, she tugged him close.“You are full of surprises, Mr.Grinchy Grincherson.”

He laughed loudly.“I deserve that, but just like the cartoon Grinch, thanks to you, my heart has grown too.Maybe not three sizes, but…it’s definitely grown and filled with love.For you.”

Whispering his name, she rested her head on his chest before saying, “That’s the best gift I ever could ask for.”

It took forever to finish letting everyone talk to Daphne.He had to admit, it was amazing watching her smile and all the play of emotions on her face.She was so beautiful and animated, and the way she gushed over her new space filled him with pride.

“You did good, Son,” his father said, coming up beside him.

“Dad?What are you doing here?”

“Faye told your mother what you were doing, and we wanted to come and join the celebration.”

“Mom’s here too?”

“She’s over there talking to Daphne’s mom.”He clapped Tristan on the shoulder.“You did a lot more than build something for Daphne.You were a fine example to your employees, Tristan.They watched you be humble and vulnerable, and then they watched you give your time and sacrifice for the woman you love.I’m proud of you.”

He’d waited years to hear him say those words regarding his job, but they meant so much more on a personal level.“Thanks, Dad.”

“Now, let me congratulate Daphne on her beautiful new space.Oh, and we’re going to invite her family to join ours for dinner tomorrow.I hope that’s okay with you.”

“More than,” he said.“We haven’t had any time alone to talk, but I was hoping when we did that she’d want to spend at least part of the holiday with me.With us.”

“Then let’s go make that happen now that the crowd’s almost gone.”

It was amazing how the Noelles and his parents were suddenly like old friends, laughing and joking and making plans for tomorrow’s dinner.The only thing missing from this incredible moment was Daphne.

Glancing around, he found her inspecting her new gingerbread house.“Mr.and Mrs.Noelle, thank you for all your help with this and for keeping it a secret.I never could have done it without you.”

“Thank you for wanting to do it,” her dad said, shaking Tristan’s hand.“Now let her play around with it.And good luck convincing her to leave.”They all laughed.“Tell her we’ll see her at dinner.You’re more than welcome to join us too, if you’d like.”

“Thank you, sir.”And after saying goodbye to his parents, he went over and joined Daphne.“How’s the inspection going?”he teased.“Did I miss anything?”

“It’s magnificent, Tristan!I don’t know how you got it done so fast!”Stepping around to one side, she asked, “What are these hooks for?”

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