Page 112 of Snowed In with Four Firemen
“Axel is out of words,” Ben says. “I think you’re good.”
I just manage to nod.
It’s more than just a gift—it’s the thought behind it, the way she always seems to know exactly what we need. Even when we don’t. That’s when I know I’ve made the right decision. I just hope she agrees.
Emily gets up and walks over to me. “Now come on, I’ve heard there’s a party happening.”
The place is decked out with decorations—twinkling lights, wreaths, the smell of pine filling the air. The party is bustling, full of guests from the lodge. A few of them throw us curious glances, but I’m immune to it by now.
Collie finds us right away, her eyes lighting up when she sees Emily at the center of our group. She grins. “Look who made it.”
“Heard this was the best party in town,” Tanner says.
“Damn right it is,” Collie says, looking at Emily before her gaze sweeps over us. “You four better be treating her right.”
“We wouldn’t dare do otherwise,” Tanner says.
Collie nods approvingly, looking genuinely happy for us. “Good. You all seem to fit together better than I would’ve thought,” she adds before heading off to greet other guests.
We dance the night away, each of us stealing a kiss from Emily whenever we can. It’s the first time we’ve stepped out in public together like this, and I can tell Emily is a little nervous.
After the party, we sneak up to the terrace, slipping away from the bustling crowd below. The crisp night air hits us when we step outside, cold but refreshing. The sky above is studded with stars, more than I’ve seen in a long time. It’s quiet up here, just the five of us—me, Emily, and the guys—and it feels like the world has fallen away.
“Oh,” she groans. “This is so pretty.”
She’s standing close to me, leaning against my chest, and I wrap an arm around her to keep her warm. Tanner’s on her other side, his arm slung casually around her waist, while Ben and Jace stand just behind.
The stars above us are brighter than I’ve ever seen them, scattered across the sky like diamonds, and the soft glow from the lodge below is the only light cutting through the darkness.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a night like this,” I murmur, my voice low.
Emily tilts her head up, her eyes reflecting the starlight as she looks at me. “Me neither, but it seems to be perfect with us here. Like we’re meant to be here.”
My grip on her tightens. “We are. So I think it’s fate that we’re meant to do this here.”
“What—” she splutters, her brows knitting together.
I drop down onto one knee first, followed quickly by Tanner, Ben, and Jace. The cold ground presses against my knee, but I barely notice. My heart is racing.
Her eyes widen, a sharp intake of breath escaping her lips as she looks down at us. “What’s happening?” she starts, her voice trembling.
“You’ve been everything to us this past year—more than we ever could have imagined. You brought us together, you madethis work, even when we didn’t think it was possible. We love you in our ways and want to spend the rest of our lives with you.”
“Axel…” she begins.
“You’ve kept us on our toes, sweetheart. We never stood a chance with you. We’re all in—have been for a long time. You didn’t think you’d get away without marrying all of us, did you?” Tanner says.
Emily stares at him, her eyes darting from his face to mine, to Jace’s, to Ben’s.
Ben reaches for her hand, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.
“We know this isn’t exactly…traditional. But nothing about us has ever been normal.” He pauses, meeting her gaze. “You’re everything to us, Emily. We want to spend our lives with you.”
“Oh my God,” Emily manages to breathe.
“I never thought this could work. Not like this. But here we are, a year later, and I can’t imagine anything else,” Jace says. “Please marry us, Emily.”
Emily covers her mouth with her free hand, her eyes welling up with tears.
