Weston at one point had reminded me that, despite having family around, it wasn’t the same as having a partner in life. I’d agreed, obviously. But only now did I truly understand what he meant. That night I texted him, calling out for him, telling him I needed him and only him, I’d never felt so alone. Yet, I’d been surrounded by family and friends. People I loved and cared about.
Today, just a moment ago, I’d been surrounded by family and friends—some strangers too, yes. But tons of family and friends. And still, my focus had been on none other than Weston and pretty much only Weston, and I’d never felt so complete.
It was almost overwhelming how full I felt. For one final moment, everyone who mattered to me was with me for Christmas.
Weston walked out of the tree line, his arm slung around Butch’s shoulders, who was laughing, both of them grinning from ear to ear. And I sighed. We couldn’t disappear. No matter how much I wanted to be alone with Weston, that needed to wait. Right now, he should be with his family. I should be with mine. And both of us should be with those people together.
The man I loved more than anything, the man I yearned for so deeply, locked eyes with me.
And he knew. I saw the understanding flash in his eyes even from this distance.
Whatever ill will was still floating amongst those that he loved no longer mattered. It was all in the past. It was time to celebrate Christmas as it was meant to be shared. Together as an entirely large and messy family.
Chapter 25
**WESTON**
Leaning back against the couch, I planted a kiss on top of Tenley’s head, pulling her closer into my shoulder. She smiled, curling up into a small ball as my family laughed. The fire crackled in front of us, drawing the evening to a close. The kids ran around the house, playing with the one new toy that Santa had dropped off tonight: aka, me.
Tenley said something to her dad, who wheezed hoarsely. He was looking quite frail, barely able to move, but his heart was in good spirits and she had spent much of today fawning over him. My mom replied with something else, but I wasn’t really listening to the words. It was the feeling I cared about right now, not what was being said. I took a swig of my beer as a hand plopped against my shoulder. Looking up, Cassidy grinned, winking as if he knew something.
My suspicions rose, but he took off before I could say anything else. Wait, where had he come from? Where was he before? I could’ve sworn he’d been sitting with us a few minutes ago, but his hands were cold, like he’d been outside for a while.
Shaking it off, I let it go. This was Cassidy, we were talking about. Always up to something. Glancing at my watch, I rolled my eyes. He was probably out finishing up with the cattle.
The night whirled on, fading quickly, and yes, I eventually broke out my guitar. The eyes that Tenley gave me during all of that had me struggling to focus. My entire body was alive with flames, roaring and begging to leave. To seek out that alone time we still had yet to have. One date. I craved a single date alone with her.
But it was okay. I’d accepted that things weren’t quite going to go that way. Perfection was impossible to attain and right now, we were meant to be with everyone who cared about us.
My boots crunched across the snow as I carried a sleeping Tenley up the steps to my house. Christmas Eve had quickly come to a close, and I found myself gently laying her in my bed.
No protesting had come from her parents, from anyone around us, that we were spending the night together again. In fact, it was the opposite. Charlie was upset that we even considered staying the night at his house again. I’m not sure what he whispered to Tenley at one point, but her worry about leaving for the evening was gone after that. It seemed even he knew that this was just how life was going to be from now on. Tenley was mine. My heart beat steadily, syncing with hers to form whatever new path we shared. She was the one thing in my life that had reminded me there was more good than bad in this world.
She was the Christmas magic I’d been searching for this entire time.
I gently pulled the pins from her hair, piling them quietly on the nightstand as it fell in waves around her shoulder.
It took me forever to figure it out, but I saw it now.
She had me going into town. She had me joining parties, laughing again, and forgiving those that wronged me in the blink of an eye. She’d brought my family and hers together.
All this time, the longing and pleading for a miracle to fix everything, it had been her. With little sprinkles to boost it along from people like my brother, and even Keaton. That kid. I think he inherited every ounce of my mom’s meddling genes.
Smiling, I tugged the last pin from Tenley’s hair and leaned forward, placing a gentle kiss against her forehead. It was time to rest before tomorrow. Before Christmas Day.
My family usually held their big celebration in the morning, finishing with a simple lunch of leftovers and stocking candy.
I inhaled sharply. Dinner.
I could take Tenley out for our first alone date for a magnificent Christmas dinner. Racing from my bedroom, I took the stairs two at a time, ready to call down to the main house. Everyone already knew about us, so instead of trying to sneak off, I would approach this final date attempt differently.
The moment my foot landed on the top stair, my doorbell rang.
I froze, hesitating as my hand swung to the gun stuck in its holster on my waist. Hidden away, but easily accessible, I crept forward with adrenaline pumping through my veins. Reaching the knob, I slowly twisted and then jerked it open.
“Hi, Weston, honey,” my mom said, her voice a little tired, as my gaze met hers. “Can we talk?”
I stared at her for a moment and then, without a word, swung the door open wide.