Page 9 of The Mountain Man's Christmas Angel
A bitof weight lifted off my shoulders. Some of the pain, the guilt, the horrible feelings were lighter on my chest, leaving me with more room to breathe.
I didn’t ask her to, but Jewels took away some of it for me. Perhaps it was her soothing presence, the way she made me feel like it was okay to be myself, mistakes and all. Or maybe it was her comforting spirit. Whatever it was, I couldn’t get enough.
We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas at the shelter, while carving out some time just for us. But we didn’t exchange gifts. We were just happy to have found each other. I told her she was my Christmas angel. If it weren’t for her, I may have never enjoyed the holiday again.
As the days slipped by and new year came and went, I became a regular fixture at the shelter, even picking up a small part-time job there. I mean, I was there often enough. So much so Jewels joked she might as well put me to work, right?
Marley had become my new little sidekick and while it was tough at first to open my heart to a child, it didn’t take long for it to happen. They had their special ways.
I talked about my son more and gathered up the courage to retrieve a box of his belongings from storage. Jewels sat beside me as I looked through the items one by one, telling her the story behind each.
“You’ve been kind enough not to ask me Jewels, but yes, I’d love to start a family with you.”
Tears slipped down her cheeks as I kissed them away before kissing her. “How do you know me so well?”
“I can tell by your face. Honestly, I think it’s great you want children. I want them too. I always wanted a big family after not having one myself. You’ll be an amazing mother, and I’d be proud to bring a child into this world with you.”
“Thank you for your sweet words. I love you so much Wyatt.”
“I love you too, beautiful.”
By February I planned to put a ring on jewels finger. As cliche as it was, I wanted to propose to her on Valentine’s Day. Considering it fell on a Saturday this year, I wanted to make the proposal perfect. Thankfully, she had moved in with me which made it a lot easier.
Hundreds of dollars later I secured a scenic spot, a camerawoman, and too many flowers to count. But she was worth every penny, and I wanted to make it an afternoon she wouldn’t forget.
When the day came to finally propose, I moved around the cabin aimlessly and not very discreetly.
“What’s going on with you today? You seem nervous.” Jewels studied me with a questioning look.Damn it, be discreet dude!
“No, I’m okay. Just a few things to work on at the shelter. A little stressed over some paperwork. Meet for dinner later?” Ijumped up from the kitchen island and dumped the rest of my third cup of coffee down the drain.
Jewels nodded her head and kissed me goodbye. “You sure there’s nothing wrong?”
“Positive. See you tonight, babe.”
While Jewels was at the shelter all day, I enacted my plan. I turned our backyard into a flower wonderland, including a path leading to an archway made of flowers and balloons. I would be at the end on bended knee, hoping she made me the happiest guy on earth by becoming my wife.
Now I just needed to wait for her to come home,
I busied myself by reorganizing my coin collection and working on a new model, but all I could think about was my girl saying yes. I wanted her as my wife. Needed her as my wife. For all Christmases to come.
The sun was setting when Jewels arrived home. The sky would be a pretty array of colors for our special moment. I heard Jewels’ laughter and voice as she made her way through the numbers inside, a set of instructions with each one, before finally landing herself outside. The chilly February air blew through the yard, and I tugged my coat tighter.
Jewels stepped outside under the light, and I fell to one knee, holding out the now open box, her ring tucked safely inside.
Her mouth fell open, and she dropped her purse as she ran over to me. She looked down at me and jumped up and down, happy tears leaking down her cheeks. At least I hoped they were happy.
“Jewels, my beautiful baby girl, do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“Omg yes yes a thousand times yes!”
I stood up and slipped the ring on her finger, the beautiful diamond shining in the setting sun.
She jumped into my arms and wrapped her legs around my waist. I brought my mouth to hers and kissed her soft and slow, picking up speed only to slow down once more. I savored her like she deserves to be, especially on this day, our special moment.
“I’d marry you tomorrow if you wanted.” I confessed, before burying my face in her neck.
Jewels laughed. “Why am I not surprised? But gosh Wyatt, all these flowers. Who helped you?”
