Page 19 of One Golden Ring

“Don’t you worry,” I scoop him into my arms. “Santa Clause will not miss you. I promise.”

“But what if we’re not asleep? Won’t he pass by our house?”

“Not on your life, pumpkin.” Wynter kisses his cheek. “Santa will sneak down the chimney even if you’re awake.”

“But not if we’re bad.” Riley chimes in. “We know Santa Claus skips over all the bad kids. And last week, I didn’t brush my teeth every night before bed. And Evan said a bad word. And Noah forgot to put away his shoes.”

I squat down and gather the boys around me. “Making a mistake or forgetting something doesn’t make you bad kids. Santa Claus knows who’s naughty and who’s nice. Trust me, you’re all nice boys. So, I want you to stop worrying, okay? As a matter of fact,” I lean in close. “I called Santa last night to make sure he had our address.”

“You did?” Four pairs of eyes stare at me, filled with wonder.

“I did.”

“He wrote it down and gave it to Mrs. Claus. She won’t let him forget either.”

“Wow!” Riley grins. “Heiscoming, isn’t he?”

“Yup,” I nod. “He is coming with all of his reindeer, too. Don’t be surprised if you hear them land on the rooftop tonight.”

“Should we feed them?” Evan asks. “We can give them our special Christmas cookies.”

“You are such good boys,” Wynter pulls them to her for a hug. “You’re the best boys ever.”

I stand up and kiss my fiancée. “Thank you for saying yes. Now, I have everything I ever wanted.”

“Not yet, you don’t.” She pulls my face down. “I’m wearing part of your Christmas present underneath this dress.”

“Is that so?” I nip at her bottom lip. “Lucky me.”

“Come on,” Noah tugs at the hem of Wynter’s dress. “You have to show Auntie Rachel your ring.”

The boys drag a beaming Wynter across the floor, leaving me standing in the middle of thefloor with a heart full of hope and love. From bouncing between foster homes to standing here with everything I ever wanted, I never thought I’d be this lucky.

“Thank you,” I whisper to the universe. “Thank you.”

Epilogue

Drake

One Year Later

Snow falls softly outside, dusting the streets of Pinegrove in a perfect, sparkling white. Inside our home, the warmth of the fire crackles in the hearth, the scent of freshly baked gingerbread cookies filling the air. Laughter echoes down the hallway, and I pause for a moment, standing at the doorway to the living room, taking it all in.

Our first official Hudson Christmas.

The boys are huddled together on the floor, eagerly tearing through boxes of ornaments, their excitement infectious. They’ve already decided this is going to be the biggest tree yet—taller than last year’s, taller than anything they’ve ever seen. And as I watch them work, my heart swells with a kind of love I never imagined was possible.

"Drake?" Wynter’s soft voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I turn to see her standing beside me, cradling a steaming mug of cocoa in her hands. Her eyes are bright with the glow of the firelight, her smile just as radiant as the day we said: "I do."

She steps closer, leaning into me as I wrap my arm around her waist. “You’re staring at them again,” she teases, nudging me in the ribs.

“I can’t help it,” I murmur, kissing the top of her head. “Look at them.”

Wynter’s gaze follows mine to the boys, who are now untangling lights in a wild mess of cords and laughter. Jamie is wearing his Santa hat, tilted sideways, while Noah is attempting to string popcorn garland without eating half of it first. Evan hasblinking reindeer antlers on his head, while Riley is decked out in suspenders and a bright red bow tie.

“They’re perfect, aren’t they?” Wynter whispers.

“They are.” I nod my throat tight with emotion. “They’re ours.”

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