Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 15397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 77(@200wpm)___ 62(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15397 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 77(@200wpm)___ 62(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Today’s a reminder of how strong we are together and this is a new start. We are leaving things in the past and moving towards something better. When I asked if she would let me walk her down the aisle her face lit up like I had the best idea of my life. But the day I’d told myself I was keeping her will forever be the best idea I’ve ever had.
“At least it snowed last night,” she whispers next to me. There’s a tiny amount on the ground next to us, but she isn’t getting the white Christmas she was asking for. It’s too bad because her heart was set on it.
“You wanted it to snow on us?” I ask, and she nods.
“I know it was a silly idea, I just thought it would be pretty.”
We keep walking outside towards the place where the ceremony is being performed and I hold her hand tight. The small stage area ahead is covered in white roses and just as we approach it her mouth falls open in surprise.
“Daniel,” she gasps as snow begins to fall all around us. “You did this?”
I nod as her face lights up and I don’t have to look up to know more snow is coming. It might have taken a small army to get it here, but they’re on the roof with blowers to make it perfect and it was worth every penny.
“I told you I’d do anything to make you happy,” I say, and her eyes fill with tears.
“You are completely crazy,” she laughs, even as another tear slips down her cheek and I wipe it away with my thumb.
“I’ll give you anything, too,” she says, and I lift her off the ground. Her feet kick behind her as the snow keeps falling all around us.
“Hey, you’re not even to the minister yet,” my brother yells, and we ignore him.
“I know you would,” I say to her and press my forehead to hers.
She smiles even bigger at me. “I’m pregnant,” she whispers, and I close my eyes thinking this moment could not be more perfect.
“Dream girl.” Her name comes out choked because I’m so filled with emotions.
“Merry Christmas,” she tells me before I press my lips to hers, knowing that every Christmas we’ll have for the rest of our lives will be merry.
Epilogue
Blakely
Five years later…
“I don’t understand why people want to see our house,” Daniel growls as he pops another cookie into his mouth.
Minnie and I spent most of the day making them for the guests who have already started to show up. My husband is even more adorable with that grumpy look on his face and his light-up ugly sweater our daughter picked out for him stretched across his chest. Not that he cares if the sweater is beyond ugly.
“You’re the one who agreed to it,” I remind him. His only response is to pick up another cookie and shove it into his mouth. At this rate there won’t be any left. “I’m glad we made so many of those,” I tease him. If we run out, I’ll break out the boxed cookies from the pantry.
“Give me something else to eat that’s sweet and I won’t need to eat these.” He reaches for me, and I try to dodge him, but it’s useless. He has me pinned to the kitchen counter instantly and I laugh at him. He’s been trying to get me alone all day, but one thing or another has kept interrupting us. I’m pretty sure that’s why he’s such a grouch right now.
“You can eat me later,” I say as he kisses my neck. “Behave, we have guests.” He drops his forehead to mine and takes a deep breath.
“You’re all mine when they’re out of here.”
“I’m already all yours.” I kiss him again before he finally lets me go and our little girl Minnie comes running into the kitchen at full speed towards Daniel.
“Daddy! Santa is here.” She jumps towards him and he catches her.
We moved to the same little town we got married in not long after we said our vows. We’ve been so happy here ever since, and I’m so glad we made the decision to make this our home.
It’s Christmas Eve and the town has set up a trolley that goes from house to house to see everyone’s home decorated for the holidays. We were one of the families asked, but I’m not surprised because everyone loves Daniel.
It makes me smile to see how different things are here. People enjoy his bluntness and honesty. They’ve even tried to get him to run for mayor. The town is so small that you don’t even get paid for the job, but I love that here everyone understands him. It helps that there aren’t any social hierarchies and people are who they are.