Page 25 of Christmas Hearts

"Ana, I'm so sorry. I was just a coward. Like my brother Michael kept telling me, I should have just asked you out. This whole lie has hurt you, and I want to apologize to you for that. I can't say that I would do it perfectly if I had a do-over, but I would certainly try."

I turn to her completely, oblivious to the camera, and say, "Ana Maria Gonzalez, I love you, and I want us to get married today. Can you see yourself sharing a future with me?"

She is silent and tears have been falling down her beautiful face. The silence is killing me inside, but I know I need to give her the time she needs. Finally, she squeezes my hands gently.

"I love you too, Justin. Yes, I'll marry you. When do we leave?"

That's when Lindsay interrupts us and starts asking questions about my claims that the mayor has done things illegally. I tell the viewers about Sam Bower's many manipulations by the mayor and how he even blackmailed my future sister-in-law, Mandy.

I finish by giving them the information the private investigator found on how Mayor Douchebag bribed someone at the telephone company to get him the records of Ana's text messages. When all was said and done, Gene Mitchell was going to be in a ton of trouble.

Wanting desperately to get out of there but knowing this livestream was important, I answered all of Lindsay's questions. We gather outside the Gazette's offices with my family and make immediate arrangements to drive to the next town so Ana and I can get married. Neither of us want to wait.

Green Brooks is a little bigger than Woodland Falls by about five thousand people. We get to their courthouse and get our license. We wait for the judge to marry us. Both Ana and I are nervous. I can see it in her eyes, but we wait with about three other couples.

We didn't have any fancy vows or flowers or even a fancy reception, but neither of us minded those things. I hope to make it up to Ana in every way during our marriage. We lucked out, and that fancy restaurant let my whole family attend without a reservation.

When it came time for the toast, I was a bit scared of what my brothers would say. I saw them talking earlier, and when Michael got up, I realized they'd chosen a representative for them all.

"I love my brother Justin, but when he told me about the cute librarian, I told him to ask her out on a date. Whenever he mentioned the library and the cute girl, I told him to ask the girl out on a date. Five years later, he still hadn't asked her out on a date. You could say he's stubborn, but I'm going to go with chowderhead."

Everyone laughs, and I shoot daggers out of my eyes towards my brother.

"Thankfully, life has a way of helping things along. Justin reached the end of his rope and knew he wanted Ana Maria—that she was the most important thing to come into his life and that he had to put a ring on it."

My family and the other restaurant guests clap at Michael's words, and Ana smiles at me from her seat at my side.

"Ana, we all welcome you with open arms to our family. My brother will make you an amazing husband, and you are Daisy's favorite person in the world. Let's lift our glasses to Mr. and Mrs. Justin Hoffer."

There is shouting and more requests for champagne, but I just clink my glass with my wife and give her a soft kiss on the lips. My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I bring it out to see who is reaching out to me. I got a lot of texts from friends regarding the livestream. I can view those later. The one that I'm waiting for is there. I lean in to whisper into Ana's ear.

"We can have our honeymoon at our favorite bed and breakfast. Unless you want to go back to Woodland Falls?"

"Let's stay here. People will want to talk about the livestream, and I don't want to think about it just yet."

"Okay, let's eat dessert, and then we can make a break for it."

"I don't mind being with your family."

"I have other ideas on what to do on my honeymoon, and they require we be alone and naked in a bedroom somewhere."

"We'll eat fast, then. I love you."

"I love you too, gorgeous."

Chapter 11

Ana Maria

We're at home with all the Hoffers getting ready to go to Woodland Falls Park, where they'll announce the winner of the municipal election. I've just come out of the bathroom and feel clammy and queasy. Before we leave, Justin calls for everyone's attention.

I move to his side, and he takes my hand in his squeezing it gently. The gesture fills me with warmth and a feeling of safety deep inside. I gesture to Daisy so that she stands next to her father. We already told her the news last night.

"Hello, family. Thank you so much for being here and for all the support you've given Ana and me during these past months. We have a little announcement before we all leave for the park."

"Is this about Ana rushing to the bathroom every five minutes for the past hour?" Michael says.

"My brother, the comedian. Yes, we're expecting."

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