Page 102 of Guarded from Danger

So the bar was set pretty high.

But this year?

Spending Christmas with Xavier and my new Blade and Arrow family?

Celebrating the holiday not as Lucy Thompson, but Mrs. Lucy Stone?

It’s beyond wonderful.

Sometimes I still can’t believe how this year has turned out. From the beginning of it, living my regular life and just starting to date this intriguing man I met at the bookstore to where I am now—married to the love of my life.

Despite all the terrible things that happened in the interim, I wouldn’t change anything. Because I believe that sometimes, things were just meant to be. Sometimes we have to go through the hard things so we can really appreciate what we have. Sometimes we need to struggle so we can come out stronger at the end.

And I am. Stronger, that is.

It took some time, more than I thought it would, really. But after months of counseling, meditation, journaling, crying in Xavier’s arms, and frustrating setbacks when the very thought of leaving the ranch sent me into a panic attack, I feel like I did it.

After all the crap Peter and Kali put me through, I won.

And I won big.

At thirty-six years old, I finally found a life that’s even better than any of my stories.

“Hey, sunshine.” Xavier tightens his arm around me, hugging me against him. His lips brush my hair before he says, “Are you too tired to stay up? I know you said you want to sit by the tree and watchA Christmas Storybefore bed, but it’s okay if you’d rather go to sleep now.”

“No, I want to stay up a while longer.” I turn my head to meet his gaze, my heart melting a little at his soft expression. “This has been such a great day; I want to make the most of it.”

Plus, I have one last gift to give him. And I’ve been waiting for the perfect time.

He smiles. “It has been a great day. I loved seeing how decked out your parents’ house was. They really went all out with the decorations, didn’t they?”

“Yeah. I think my mom went a little over the top this year, but she was just so excited to have both of us over.” I kiss his cheek, feeling the soft bristle of his beard against my lips. “She loves you, you know. Both my parents do.”

Emotion darkens his eyes. “I love them, too.” He pauses. “I’ve never had a Christmas like that before. I mean, I’ve spent holidays with my friends and their families. But this year… I didn’t feel like an outsider. I felt like it wasmyfamily this time.”

Tears spring to my eyes, but I push them back. I don’t want Xavier to think he upset me when it’s the absolute opposite. Xavier deserves a family that loves him. And he has it. My parents. His team. Me. “Weareyour family,” I tell him firmly. “And you’re mine.”

Xavier blinks. Swallows hard. After a beat, he brightens. “I know. And the team…” His lips curve up. “I think we came up with some pretty good traditions, don’t you?”

“Definitely. We have to make sure to have the Blade and Arrow Christmas Eve party every year.”

It was a tradition they started last year, when it was the six of them, plus Jade. They all gathered in the communal living room and watched holiday movies and ordered pizza and handed out silly presents. This year, with a few more people in the mix, we decided to add a little more to it.

“The potluck was a nice addition,” he says. “Not that I don’t love pizza, but with Rhi’s buffalo chicken dip, and Dante’s baked ziti, and Sarah’s delicious cookies…”

“Hey, what about what we brought?” I make a mock-offended face. “What was that? Chopped liver?”

“Of course not. Our mini grilled cheeses were the best. I figured that was a given.”

“Oh. Of course.” Grinning, I lean over and kiss him again. “And the secret Santa? That’s a must for next year.”

Xavier smiles. “I think Erik really loved the gift you gave him.”

“I hope so.”

After I picked Erik’s name for the gift exchange, I spent days trying to think of the perfect present. Something meaningfulthat would show just how much I appreciate all he’s done for me this year. Something that would show how much I value his friendship.

“I know he loved it,” Xavier replies. “I’ve known Erik for a long time. So I can tell when he’s happy. And that vacation you got for him? He definitely loved it.”

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