Page 66 of Winter Break Up

“They’re here!” Emily’s voice hits me before I see her, and then there she is, skipping down the steps in an oversized red sweater.

She looks like the embodiment of joy, and my heart hammers against my breastbone with how much I love her. It was only an hour that I was away from her, leaving her at the farm to go get Grandpa, and I missed her so terribly it’s almost insane. We live together, have for the last two years, and I’ll still never get my fill.

“How are ya, Em?” Grandpa chuckles as she gently pounces on him, helping him from the car and smacking a kiss on his cheek.

“It’s good to see you.” She smiles as they hug, and my heart vibrates it’s so happy.

“Driving your grandpa, or driving like a grandpa? Took you long enough.” Charlie appears at the top of the porch steps and I flick him off.

But then he’s walking to me, catching me up in a bro hug and we’re slapping each other on the back.

“Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas! Oh, all my favorite people in the same place!” Em’s mom comes out next, chirping over all of us like the mother hen she is.

We all migrate inside, talking loudly and animatedly, catching each other up on everything that’s been going on. Mr. Palmer meets us in the kitchen where a feast of appetizers has been spread, plus some of the delicious homemade cookies that Em and her mom make every year. Pulling out a stool for Grandpa, we all stand around and recap the past few months.

The last time we were all together, minus Grandpa, was at one of my games in the late summer. Charlie and his parents flew out to stay in town with us and attend a match, then hit a couple of our favorite spots with us. Other than that, though, we’ve all been so busy that we haven’t seen each other in months.

The entire time our family chats, my hand is on Em’s back. Or my fingers are laced with hers. Or her head is on my shoulder. Or our arms are wrapped around one another. I can’t not touch her when we’re around each other, even after all these years it’s like a natural instinct to feel her under my fingertips.

Throughout the conversation, my girl looks up at me with a glow in her eyes that translates to how radiantly happy she is at this moment. All her people at home for Christmas, and in love with me. I know it’s what she wished for when we were apart.

“Should we go read?” Charlie claps his hands like it’s time to finish up the noshing.

“You? Excited for the reading tradition?” Em pretends to be shocked.

He rolls his eyes. “I’m halfway through this series that’s really good.”

“Adulthood has changed you.” She pats her brother on the cheek as she passes him for the living room.

Mama Palmer instructs the kids to all go unwrap their books. She’s gotten me a sports biography, a sci-fi novel for Charlie though he opts for the book he’s brought with him, and a billionaire romance for Emily. I raise my eyebrows at the cover but know there will be some good inspiration for later when we’re forced to be quiet in her childhood room.

Grandpa pulls out his own paperback, having been briefed on the Palmer tradition, and then everyone takes a comfy spot on the couches and chairs.

Except I nudge Em, knowing we can’t settle in yet.

“There is another box under the tree for you.” I nod my head toward the massive tree in the corner.

“We only do books on Christmas Eve, you know that.” She smiles and wags her finger at me.

“Yeah, but I got special permission from your mom for this one.” And her dad but saying that will absolutely give away what I’m about to do.

Em tilts her head in curiosity before she rises from the couch to walk over to the tree. While her back is to me, I slip into position, waiting for her to start unwrapping the small box I placed there hours earlier.

A gasp behind me indicates that even though she knew this was coming, Mama Palmer can’t keep her cool. Em must hear it, because as she rights herself with the box in her hand, she turns to see what’s going on.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Her free hand flies to her mouth when she sees me on one knee in front of her. “Mercer …”

Smiling up at her, I reach up to take that hand away from her mouth and hold it.

“I’ve thought about this moment for a very long time. Mainly, I’ve thought of you in this moment. How I can make you happy. What I can do to make sure I fulfill every wish you have for the rest of your life. From the very start, you’ve always been the one for me, Emily Palmer. You grew up on this farm, among the Christmas trees, and this is where we fell back in love. I couldn’t think of a more perfect place to ask you to marry me than in this spot, with the people closest to us. And my God, do I want to marry you. Let me make you the happiest person on earth? Let me love you for the rest of our lives? Will you be my wife?”

My mouth is dry, my hands shake, my heart beats double time. And I’m not nervous about her answer. I’m just so exhilarated that this moment is finally happening.

Emily stares down at me with tears in her eyes, the wrapping paper still firmly on the ring box she’s holding. All the love we share shines in her expression, and I know I’m going to do everything in my power to make her happy forever.

“Yes. Of course, a thousand percent yes,” she whispers, a tear rolling down her cheek.

“Oh, yay!” her mother shouts, and I’m pretty sure she’s applauding.

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