Page 34 of Mistletoe Kisses at Cwtch Cove

‘Indeed we do,’ Billy said. ‘You’re amazing, Ellen.’

* * *

‘She’s perfect,’ Jack said that evening as he gazed at the baby in Ellen’s arms.

‘I know.’ Lucy brushed a hand over her swollen eyes. She’d cried all afternoon. The birth had been an incredibly moving experience and Billy arriving in the nick of time like he’d caught a lift on Santa’s sleigh had been the icing on the Christmas cake.

They’d tidied the lounge while Ellen had showered with Billy’s help, and now they were all sitting in the lounge. The fire was lit, the tree lights twinkling and there was a brand new person with them. A person who already had them all wrapped around her little finger. Jack had called round after his shift to meet the baby and Lucy had been delighted to see him.

‘Do you want a hand making something for dinner?’ Jack asked.

Lucy looked at him, at the dark shadows under his eyes and his pale complexion following his Christmas Eve shift and shook her head. ‘It’s fine, thanks. I’ve got homemade chicken noodle soup bubbling on the stove and some crusty rolls in the oven. Will you stay for dinner?’

His smile made her heart leap. ‘I’d love to if it’s no trouble. I mean… I don’t want to intrude.’

‘You’re not intruding, Jack,’ Ellen said. ‘You’re very welcome here. We can always use another pair of hands to help with the poopy nappies.’

Jack laughed. ‘I’m actually pretty good with nappy changing. Have to be in my line of work because you never know when the skills will be required. Have you decided on a name for her?’

Ellen and Billy smiled at each other then Ellen nodded. ‘We’re going to call her Peggy.’

‘Oh!’ Lucy’s hand shot to her mouth.

‘That’s a lovely name,’ Jack said, placing a hand on Lucy’s arm. ‘You OK?’

‘It’s our mum’s name. She’d be so happy.’ Lucy wiped away fresh tears.

‘That’s lovely.’ Jack took her hand and squeezed it and she held on tight.

‘Right then…’ Billy stood up. He’d changed from his travelling clothes into lounge wear, but he still looked tired, and Lucy suspected he was trying to deal with the emotion of the day too. ‘I have something I need to do.’

‘What?’ Ellen frowned up at him. ‘Now?’

‘Yes. Right now.’ He cleared his throat then he dropped to one knee. Ellen gasped. ‘Ellen Chenery… mother of my child… love of my life…’ He pulled a small box from his pocket and opened it. ‘Will you make me the happiest man in the world… actually, you’ve already done that once today… but will you make me even happier by agreeing to be my wife?’

Ellen’s eyes filled with tears that overflowed and ran down her cheeks. In her arms, the baby wriggled so she instinctively rocked her, but she didn’t take her eyes off Billy.

‘Really?’ she squeaked.

‘Of course, really. This would be a very mean joke.’ Billy laughed.

‘I’d love to be your wife,’ Ellen said, and she held out her left hand. Billy removed the ring from the box and slid it on her finger then he leant over and kissed her gently, being careful not to squash little Peggy. ‘The stone is Norwegian Labradorite. Legend has it that it helps with clarity and communication, which every marriage needs in order to go the distance. While we communicate well, it doesn’t hurt to get a little help along the way.’

‘Wow.’ Lucy’s vision had blurred and her throat was tight with emotion. ‘Could today get any better? What a Christmas Eve!’

‘Amazing,’ Jack said. ‘Just like you.’

She smiled at him through her tears. Not only did she have a new niece and an engaged sister, but she also seemed to have something special developing with Jack. The way he was looking at her, the way he was holding her hand, and the way she felt connected to him meant that there was no denying that this was real. Real and special and wonderful.

‘Shall we go and check on the soup?’ she asked. ‘Give them some time alone together.’

‘Good idea.’

In the kitchen, Lucy dabbed at her cheeks with a tissue. ‘That was very romantic. I had no idea Billy was going to propose.’

‘It was very romantic. Nothing like a Christmas proposal.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I uh… kind of have one of my own.’

‘What?’ Lucy’s eyes widened but Jack laughed.

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