head. “Smith. You're ridiculous. Ridiculously perfect.”
“So, what will it be? Does this have you running for the door or come down with baby fever?”
Sugar sighs. “Smith. I've wanted to be a mother all my life. I played with baby dolls way longer than most girls. I think I always wanted to be a mom because… well, I wanted to give a child the love I never received. I wanted to complete the circle.”
I step toward her, her compassion and love filling this workshop in a way it's never been filled before.
“That’s really fucking sweet,” I say as her eyes meet mine.
“Not pathetic?”
I cup her cheek with my hand. “Not pathetic. I'd say it's fucking perfect.”
She smiles softly a single tear runs down her cheek. “You really are the best thing that's ever happened to me,” she says. “I feel like pinching myself because this is all too good to be true. I’m scared I'm going to wake up from a dream.”
“This is no dream. This is our life now, Sugar, yours and mine.” I drop down to one knee. “I know we just met, and I know we have a lot to learn, but let's do it right. Marry me,” I say holding out the engagement ring. “Be my wife.”
Sugar covers her face with her hands overwhelmed with emotion.
“I need to see your eyes when you answer me,” I say pulling down her hand.
“Yes,” she says. “Yes, I will marry you, Smith. I will be your wife. Together we can make traditions, all sorts of them. You and me.”
I slip the ring on her finger, then stand, pulling Sugar to my chest kissing her softly. I run my hands through her long honey hair, her lips on mine. Our bodies linked. Our hearts pound.
“You are mine now, Sugarplum.”
Epilogue 1
Sugar
One Year Later…
I press my hand to my breasts, feeling like I'm about to burst. Smith notices and chuckles from the living room. He's sitting in a rocking chair with Susie in his arm. “You okay there, Sugar?”
“I'm just so full. I was so busy wrapping gifts that I lost track of time.”
“Well, I think Beth is ready to eat,” Smith says, looking over at our daughter in the cradle next to the Christmas tree, her arms stretched out.
I step toward her and lift her from the cradle. Her pink swaddling blanket is snug around her three-months-old frame, She’s the most perfect thing I've ever seen. Well, one of the most perfect things.
We wanted to get pregnant, but twins ended up giving us a package deal. Two for the price of one. We couldn’t have been more pleased.
I offer Beth my breast and she begins to nurse. Smith sets the now sleeping Susie in the other cradle next to the Christmas tree and tells me he's going to start fixing us dinner. Christmas music circles around the room, the song I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus begins to play throughout the house, and I smile as I look around my cozy home.
The cabin that my husband built that has become my house as much as his. I've added some feminine touches, a few throw pillows, scented candles, and a few new ornaments to the Christmas tree. On the mantelpiece there are four stockings hanging there this year. One for him, one for me, and two pink velvet stockings for the girls.
Everything about the room feels magical. As Beth nurses, I close my eyes catching a few minutes of sleep. Delicious smells from the kitchen wake me up and Smith comes up behind me, kissing me on the head.
“I feel like the luckiest man on earth to have three girls to take care of at Christmas.”
“We are pretty lucky, aren't we?” I place the now-sleeping Beth gently in her cradle, knowing the two of them will sleep for a few hours before they demand another feeding.
In the kitchen, I smell the sweet scent of cinnamon. “Were you working on your French toast while I was nursing?”
There's a stack of French toast, a jug of syrup, and mimosas.
“It's our Christmas Eve tradition, isn't it?”
I laugh. “Yes, but it’s only five o’clock. It's not quite midnight.”
“I know, but considering the girls run our schedule these days, I figured we might as well eat while we can.
“Good call,” I say. Then licking my lips, I add, “But can we eat fast?”
Smith frowns.
“It has nothing to do with the food. I'm starved and this looks delicious,” I say filling a plate and sitting down at the kitchen