Page 28 of Christmas Kisses

"Your family is great, Ben. Thanks for inviting my parents."

"Your family is great too, beautiful. I'm glad we could all be together tonight."

"I take it you have special plans for us on New Year’s Eve? Is that why you didn't let me take your brother up on his offer?"

"Yeah, sorry." I feel the blood flow to my cheeks as I blush with embarrassment.

"Before that, though, I wanted to talk to you about something," I say.

"What's on your mind, handsome?"

"We've only known each other for a short time, but in that time, we've become extremely close. Don't you agree?"

"Yes, that's true. I really like being with you, Ben. As a matter of fact, I wanted to talk to you about that."

"Do you want to go first?"

"No, you go ahead."

Her cheeks turn rosy, and I'm floored by how much I love this woman. I take her hand in mine.

"Sam, you've become my everything. I've fallen head over heels in love with you, and being away from you is driving meinsane. I need us to be closer together. Will you move in with me?"

"What?"

"I know it's fast. But we've only got one life to live, and we need to take advantage of it. Take the bull by the horns, so to speak. Please, what do you say?"

"It's fast…"

My throat constricts, and I'm having trouble breathing, but I don't let go of her hand.

"Sam…"

"No, listen. It's fast, but I feel it, too. I'm in love with you, Ben Hoffer. Let's do it. Let's move in together."

I kiss her softly. Her lips are cold from the weather, but they warm up fast as we deepen our kiss. I want to take her to her place so she can pack right now and move in tonight, but I need to have more patience. The door opens behind us, and my father's voice comes booming out.

"You two lovebirds, stop smooching and come eat some dessert. Your mother slaved behind that stove all day long to make this food, and you're going to eat it."

I get up and help Sam stand. She immediately goes into my arms, and we hug one another as if we're never going to let each other go. We won't if I have something to say about it.

"Your place or mine tonight?" I ask her.

"Let's go to my place. I want to pack tomorrow so we can spend the rest of the year together."

"I like how that sounds, Sam. I like it a little too much, actually."

"Then let's make it happen."

We go inside and sit down with the rest of the family and indulge in tasty treats like a yule log and rum cake. I spend most of the time feeding Sam the dessert, and my family keeps givingme weird looks. They can do that all they want, but I know that I have found a treasure in Sam, and I'm not giving her up. Ever.

Epilogue

6 months later

Sam

It's summer, and it's scorching hot in Woodland Falls. We're on a boat on the lake, and I feel Ben's presence behind me. He's rowing us across the expanse of the lake, and I've got to admit that the sound of the water against the oars is soothing to my nerves.

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