Page 29 of Christmas Wishes

"What do you need?"

"Can you come to the police department?"

"Let's do that."

When we get to the police station, we find the mayor there. Gene has a few words with him and then they both talk to the sheriff. There's a lot of nodding, so I'm hoping things are going well. I look beside me to see my brother is making the same connections in his head.

"Gene will take care of it, buddy."

"He's not as bad as I thought."

"Wow, that's a lot coming from you."

My brother smiles and we go back to staring at the mini show that's happening in front of us. In the end there are no charges pressed and the twins are free to go. The bad news is that they have to go back to their horrid foster family. Gene pleads withthe social services lady but she only asks him something that makes him blush.

"Why did your face get all red when you were talking to the social services lady?"

"It was nothing. She was only teasing me."

"Gene…"

"She said when I was going to ask you to marry me."

"Oh."

"She thinks we have a higher chance to foster the twins if we're married."

"Oh. I want to help the kids but that's not a reason to get married."

"That's what I told her."

"Then we're on the same page."

"That we are."

Except. I don't think we are.

Chapter 11

Gene

Lilah has been a bit short tempered with me on the days after Christmas, which is really unlike her. She's usually very sweet and sassy with me and I'd like to have that girl back. I talked to Connor about marrying his sister and he seems to be on board.

Now he's helping me get everything ready for New Year's Eve so that we can exchange our vows just before the clock strikes twelve. Mayor Hoffer even offered to officiate, and I appreciate his participation. His mother, though is driving me crazy with all the preparations.

That woman is just not hearing my 'small and intimate' ceremony. Still, the most important thing is that my reluctantbride participate as well. Which is why I'm proposing tonight at Pascale's. A small, but intimate French restaurant that serves as one of the fancy places to take a date on Woodland Falls. The owners are the parents of the Fire Chief.

We're driving towards the restaurant when Lilah starts huffing and puffing.

"Lilah, are you okay?"

"I don't see why we couldn't bring Connor with us."

"I just wanted us to spend some time together, just us. Doesn't that seem nice?"

"Mmm phh."

"I think you'll like this place. You've tasted Mrs. Pascale's food before when she donates to the school fair."

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