Page 115 of Holly and Nick Hate Christmas
Oh, my heart. Still aching for Nick, but simultaneously overflowing with joy toward my family.
Thiswas what the holidays were all about, wasn’t it?
“Listen.” I took Lydia’s hands and squeezed them. “You’re a great sister-in-law, and the perfect addition to our family. I’m sorry that I got jealous and didn’t show you how much I admire you too.” I let out a breath and laughed. “Although I have to say, the burned kringle made it a little easier to admit.”
Lydia laughed, pulling one hand free to wipe her eyes again. “Hang out with me more. I’ll show you how often I mess up.”
“Well, this kringle is definitely messed up.” Ryan stepped back, holding the nearly empty piping bag, and sighed. “Not sure whose point that helps make.”
“I bet there are more powdered donuts somewhere around here. We can put them with the leftover sausage balls.” Kat headed toward the pantry, nearly tripping over Axel, who was still on the ground. “Oomph.What are you doing?”
“Waiting. Didn’t want to interrupt that sister moment overthere.” Axel gestured toward me and Lydia before beaming up at Chloe.
“Didn’t want to interrupt by standing?” I frowned at him.
He shifted in his kneeled position. “I needed to stay down here.” Then he pulled a box from his pocket and opened it to reveal a shiny, albeit tiny, diamond ring. “Chloe…”
Kat gasped. Ryan growled. Lydia grabbed my arm.
“You’re, like, the coolest chick I’ve ever known.” Axel’s eyes shone to rival the diamond. “My forever beach babe. Will you marry me?”
Chloe covered both cheeks with her hands, eyes wide. “Axel! Again?”
I clutched Lydia back.Again?
The kitchen door swung open. Mom and Dad walked in, followed by Olivia and a dark-haired man in fatigues.
“Devin!” Kat squealed in the girliest voice I’d ever heard come out of her.
We all gasped again. Kat vaulted over Axel, cleared the kitchen in two strides, and launched into his arms. Mom barely got out of the way before Devin picked Kat up and swung her around.
“Oh.” Lydia grasped Ryan’s robe sleeve in one hand, feeling the weight of the romantic moment, or holding him back from Axel?
Tears streamed down Kat’s face, causing my own eyes to well. “Sothat’swhy you didn’t answer my FaceTime.” She pulled away long enough to slap her husband’s arm, then immersed herself back into his embrace.
“Merry Christmas.” Devin pressed a kiss to her forehead and nodded at the rest of us, eyes soft and grateful. “Everyone.”
“Merry Christmas.” The kitchen fell silent as we watched the sweet reunion. The back of my throat burned with a flood of emotion begging for release. Kat deserved this.
“Hey!” Dad had apparently noticed Axel holding a ring, and his face darkened. “What’s going on in here?”
Moment over.
“Axel is proposing.” Ryan’s face matched our father’s.
Dad’s eyes narrowed.
“Again.” Chloe knelt too, coffee and all—wow, she really was in love—and joined Axel on the floor. “Babe, we’re already engaged. You didn’t have to do this.”
“What do you mean ‘already’?” A tornado would have fled the Midwest at Dad’s expression. But Mom was stronger than gale-force winds. She placed a calming hand on his shoulder. His cheeks reddened with the words he wasn’t saying.
“You’re so amazing, I’d propose every day of my life if you’d say yes.” Axel frowned. “You are saying yes again, right?”
“Of course I am.” Chloe leaned forward and pecked him on the lips.
“Alreadyengaged?” Kat disentangled herself from Devin. “What are you talking about?”
“I proposed in Cali last month, but I finally got the ring. Had to finish the payments.” Axel winced as they both ambled to their feet. “It’s also your Christmas gift.”
