Page 78 of Take Me Home for Christmas

“Guess Pedro listened to my dating advice,” Brax said between kisses.

My mouth dropped open. “You gave him dating advice?”

I could feel him smile against my neck. “When you find someone special, you lock it down.”

“You’re ridiculous. Want your present now?”

He frowned. “I’ve already had the best Christmas I could ever have. A real Christmas, a family, and most of all…you.”

“That’s sweet, babe,” I said with a laugh, “but I’ve got something else for you. I mean, after that dress and the snow globe, you were a hard act to follow.”

I got up and crossed the room to an envelope I’d hidden under my sadly neglected mail pile. I walked back and held it out to him.

He ripped it open. Then he tossed his head back with laughter. “Packers tickets? Ha, against the Eagles?”

I nodded. “I figured it’s time you start switching your loyalties.”

He looked puzzled. “I didn’t know you liked football.”

“Actually, Caleb’s dying to go. Now that you’re his new favorite person, I thought you might want to ask him.”

“Thanks for the great gift.” He laughed again. “Caleb’s okay, you know? I’d love to go to the game with him.” Then he reached around behind his back and pulled out a wrapped gift. “One last one,” he said.

I pulled out fuzzy, warm reindeer slippers, which I promptly put on and made sure to light up the noses. Thrilled, I flashed him a smile. “They’re almost as awesome as you.”

He took me in his arms. “Happy New Year, honey,” he whispered in my ear. “Happy new beginning.” And then he kissed me until the Christmas lights blurred, and all that remained was him, his lips, his big arms, and his love wrapped around me tight.

Epilogue

Six years later, December 23rd

Mia

“Dr. D’Angelo?”

I looked up from my final chart of the day to see a bright-eyed teenage girl leaning into my doorway, peeking into my office. She casually flipped her long dark hair over her shoulder as she waved a piece of paper excitedly in the air.

“Rylee!” I exclaimed from my desk chair. Clearly, she had news. And I could tell that it must be really, really good. I squeezed the underside of my center desk drawer, trying to act cool.

“I’m so glad you’re still here!” she said, a little breathless. “My mom said you’d probably be gone already for the holiday, but I had to take the chance.”

“Is your mom here too?” I didn’t see anyone standing behind her in the hall.

“I drove here myself.” She was grinning from ear to ear. “Mom said I could. And Reagan’s at art class. But I kind of wanted to come on my own.”

My heart sped up a little as I stood, turned the corner of my desk, and met her in the middle of my office.

I knew why she was here. Part of me still couldn’t believe she was nearly eighteen, bright, beautiful, and most of all, healthy. Life was so…wild.

And at the moment, she was also very, very happy. “I got in!” she said, shoving the paper in front of me.

Congratulations,I read.It is with great pleasure that the faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the University of Wisconsin-Madison welcome you!

Oh, my heart. I jumped and squealed and hugged Rylee, both of us making quite a commotion. Good thing I was the last one in the office, or someone just might’ve called a code.

“You did it,” I said, wiping my eyes. “I’m so proud of you!” And so, so grateful she was here to experience this moment, this life, and the sparkling future ahead of her.

I calmed down enough to keep reading. “Admitted into the College of Letters and Science, Department of Biology.” I looked up to see her beaming. “You always loved science.” She’d even placed second in the state science fair last year.

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