Page 78 of Soldier's Chrismas Hope
He held her close and pressed his lips to the crown of her head, and Nora felt the bond they shared from across the room. Only real love could survive honesty and hard conversations, and that was exactly what she was witnessing.
When his mom let go of him, his dad wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
“I’m glad you’re doing what you want with your life,son,” he said gruffly as River squeezed him back. “You’ve never been a quitter, just a creative problem solver.”
Nora had to smile at that.
“I wanted you to hear that too, Nora,” River said, turning to her. “And the kids. When I commit to something, I commit, no matter what I have to do or how winding the path might be to get there. And I want to commit to you now. If it’s what you want.”
His eyes were filled with longing, and she felt a tug at her heart as if it were attached to his with a cord pulled taut between them.
Pixie was whispering something in John-John’s ear now, and Nora looked over at them, trying to figure out what was happening.
“Say yes, Aunt Nora,” Pixie whispered loudly, nodding her head up and down.
John-John smiled a big, happy smile at her, and she couldn’t help smiling back.
“I guess we can give it a try,” she heard herself telling River.
“Sorry, but that just won’t work for me,” he told her, his voice deep with emotion. “It’s got to be all or nothing. And I want it all.”
Before she knew what was happening, River was dropping to one knee and holding out a wooden box with a sparkling ring inside.
“Will you marry me, Nora?” he asked her. “And let the four of us be a family?”
She knew she should stop and think, weigh what was best for the kids and for herself, question what their liveswould look like and every other facet of this major life decision. But hadn’t that been exactly what she’d been doing all this time already? And was it really so impulsive to go after the things in life you were sure you wanted?
She sobbed out a quickyes,not trusting herself to say anything more without completely breaking down.
Everyone burst into cheers as River slid the pretty little ring onto her finger and pulled her close, cupping her cheek in his big hand and tilting her face up to look at him.
If she’d been holding onto any doubts, the heat in his eyes would have melted them all away.
“I’m glad I’m not the only one letting their heart lead the way,” he murmured, his eyes sliding down to her lips for a second before he bent to kiss her.
The moment his mouth claimed hers, she felt radiant with joy and peace.
This is it. This is everything. We’re all going to be okay.
“I still don’t understandhow yougota ring,” Edward said later, while they all sipped hot chocolate and watched the kids play with the wooden blocks that had been Edward and River’s when they were children. “It’s Christmas Eve.”
“Valerie owes me one,” River said, shrugging. “And she lives over the shop, so I thought she might open up for me.”
His dad chuckled and nodded, and Nora wonderedwhat favor Valerie could possibly owe River for her to work on Christmas Eve.
“Anyway,” River went on. “When I got there, the shop was already lit up and I wasn’t the only one there. I guess with the storm, no one could pick up their Christmas gifts.”
“You were back so fast,” Nora said wonderingly. “I had no idea.”
“Well, as soon as I told Valerie I was looking for a ring, she already knew it was for you somehow,” he said with a crooked grin. “And she pulled out the one you’re wearing. She said I could look around, but that would be the one. She was right, of course.”
“That girl has a gift,” Mrs. Young said firmly.
“Well, I love it,” Nora said, gazing down at the delicate golden band with a pretty blue topaz flanked by tiny diamonds.
“The blue is so cheerful. It makes me think of your eyes,” River said, then cleared his throat.
She smiled up at him, knowing she looked like a lovesick fool and not even caring.
