“It’s the best surprise ever,” Ivy said fervently. “The best Christmas present ever.”
Hope’s grin widened even further. “Oh, this isn’t your Christmas present.”
Without a hint of weakness, she strode forward. Before Ivy knew what was happening, Hope’s strong arms encircled her from behind.
“This is your Christmas present,” Hope whispered in her ear, her cheek warm against Ivy’s.
Stunned, still with her own arms around Hugh, Ivy looked up into his face. He smiled down at her, his blue eyes soft and gentle.
“I also healed her sensitivity,” he said. “She’s not allergic to your venom anymore.”
Slowly, she released her mate. And, for the first time in her entire life, she turned around and hugged her sister.
“Okay,” Ivy said, when she could finally speak through her tears. “Now I feel kinda terrible that I only got you a laptop.”
Hope let out a shriek that nearly split Ivy’s eardrum. “You didn’t! Oh my God, thank you thank you thank you! Where is it?”
Hugh laughed as Hope flung herself at the presents under the tree, sorting eagerly through them. “And so the true spirit of Christmas appears at last. Well, before we descend into rampant consumerism, I want to—”
“No,” Hope interrupted, not looking up from unwrapping her present. “Not yet. Ivy, give Hugh his present next.”
Even though she’d prepared for this, Ivy’s heart skipped a beat. Hugh’s present felt hot as a coal in the back pocket of her jeans. She swallowed, mouth dry.
“I, uh,” she stammered. “Didn’t really know what to get you.”
Hugh cocked his head, looking a little baffled. From the sudden surge of worry down the mate bond, she knew he must have sensed her own tension.
“You didn’t have to get me anything,” he said. “You’ve already given me everything.”
Damn it, she’d practiced this. But all her carefully planned words had flown out of her head. All she could do was sink to one knee, pulling the small velvet box out of her pocket.
“Well, I was hoping you might let me give you this too,” she said, showing him the simple silver ring inside. “Hugh, will you marry me?”
For a second, he just stared down at her, looking completely nonplussed.
Then he swore, which was not entirely the reaction she’d been hoping for.
“Oh, hellfire and damnation,” he said, pulling a matching velvet box out of his back pocket. “You beat me to it.”
Ivy stared at the emerald and diamond band. Then she looked over her shoulder at Hope, who’d fallen into helpless hysterics amidst crumpled wrapping paper.
“Did you know about this?” she asked her sister.
> Hope nodded, shaking with hiccuping laughter. “He swore me to secrecy too. You both planned beautiful speeches, by the way. Pity neither of you actually remembered them.”
“Well, apparently we can just ask you to recite them for us later,” Hugh said. He still looked somewhat exasperated, but through it shone deep, profound joy. “Ivy, may I assume this means that your answer is yes?”
“If yours is,” Ivy said, happy tears streaming down her face again.
She slid the silver ring onto his finger, as he put the emerald one on hers. She turned her hand, dazzled by the way the brilliant green stone sparkled in the Christmas lights.
“Wow, I’m really being outdone in the present stakes,” she said weakly. “I’m gonna have to go all out next year.”
Hugh tilted her chin up with one finger. “Like I said,” he breathed, bending down to her, “you’ve already given me everything.”
“Ugh,” Hope called as they kissed. “Get a room.”
Ivy flipped off her sister behind Hugh’s back. She closed her eyes, her whole body melting against his at the miracle of his mouth on hers. No matter how long she lived, she would never, ever take that simple touch for granted.