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.
“You ready to show off all the hard work you and Mama did?” he asks Minnie, and she beams at him. Our home is covered in holiday decorations Minnie had us pulling out five minutes after Thanksgiving dinner.
“We have the best house,” she whispers, nodding her head.
“I know, but we have to play it cool,” Daniel whispers back to her as he gives me a wink.
“I’ll play the coolest,” she says, making me laugh.
“Shall we go see Santa?” I ask them both.
“Cookie me.” Minnie holds out her little hand and Daniel picks one up and gives it to her.
“This will definitely get me that Dream Dollhouse.”
“Someone’s been teaching you bribery?” I raise an eyebrow at Daniel and they both feign innocence. “I guess I’ll have to go sit on Santa’s lap myself and ask him if you two have been up to no good.” I throw over my shoulder as I walk out of the kitchen, knowing Daniel is hot on my heels. I turn the corner into the living room to see Santa already in his seat by the fireplace.
Mindy, Daniel's old assistant, smiles at me from her spot in Daniel's dad’s lap in the living room. She’s got our son in her arms and is singing to him. The two of them have become like parents to me and they’re the best grandparents, too.
I never give my father or stepmother more than a passing thought from time to time. Nor have I asked Daniel about them. The picture over the fireplace is of