Page 76 of My Secret Santa Daddies

She lets out a watery laugh, her eyes shining brightly with tears. “Yes, I’ll give us a chance. I’ll try.”

I slip the ring onto her finger, my hands still shaking. “I love you, Sierra. I always have.”

She throws her arms around my neck, pulling me close. “I love you too, Griffin.”

The crowd erupts into cheers, and somewhere in the distance, I hear Jack’s excited shout. But all I can feel is Sierra’s warmth, her heart beating against mine. The noise of the crowd fades as Sierra and I stay locked in a tight embrace. Her tears dampen my shoulder, but her grip is steady, and sure. I feel her heart beating against my chest, her warmth floods through me, filling all the empty spaces I thought were long gone.

Then, there’s a sudden burst of movement, and I feel two more arms wrapping around us—Cody and Wyatt, closing the circle, their familiar laughter joining the mix.

"Well, it’s about damn time," Cody mutters, a grin splitting his face as he pulls Sierra in even tighter.

Wyatt's voice is lower, filled with warmth and something deeper. “We knew you had it in you,” he says, his eyes locking with mine before shifting to Sierra. "And you too, Sierra."

For a second, all four of us stand there, tangled up in each other, sharing a moment that feels bigger than words, bigger than any plan we ever made. It’s messy and complicated, just like us—but it’s real.

From the corner of my eye, I see Jack. His wide eyes are full of awe, his smile impossibly bright as he watches the scene unfold. I extend an arm toward him, and he rushes forwardwithout hesitation, wrapping his small arms around Sierra’s waist.

Sierra bends down to his level, her eyes full of tenderness. “Hey, Jack.”

“Are you really going to be my mom now?” he asks, his voice full of hope.

Sierra’s voice catches in her throat, but she nods, her smile radiant. “If you’ll have me.”

“Yes! I want you. I want you to stay, always.”

She chokes out a laugh, her eyes wet with happy tears. “I want to stay too, buddy.”

And for the first time in a long time, I feel like I’ve finally come home.

20

SIERRA

Jack’s room is dimly lit by a soft night light in the shape of a snowflake, casting gentle patterns on the walls. He’s snuggled up under a blanket decorated with reindeer and snowmen, his tiny body half-buried in stuffed animals. I tuck the covers up to his chin, smoothing back his unruly hair.

“Are you excited for tomorrow?” I whisper.

Jack’s eyes are wide with anticipation, his grin infectious. “Yeah! Do you think Santa will come?”

“Oh, I’m sure of it,” I say, pressing a gentle kiss on his forehead. “But only if you fall asleep, okay?”

“Okay,” he agrees, though his eyes are still wide and full of wonder.

I lean in, brushing my lips against his forehead one more time. “Goodnight, Jack. Sweet dreams.”

Just as I’m about to slip out, something catches my eye outside the window—a flash of red, barely visible against the dark night. I squint.

And then I see him.

Griffin, outside in the snow, wearing a bright red Santa suit and a comically oversized hat. He’s got a big sack slung over hisshoulder and is making exaggerated sneaky movements as he creeps toward the window, trying to stay hidden.

“Jack, look!”

“Santa?” he murmurs, turning toward the window.

“He’s outside right now!”

“Santa!” Jack shouts suddenly, his voice ringing with pure delight. He scrambles to his knees, pointing at the window with wide eyes.

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