The memory comes rushing back. “Oh my God, I was so sleepy that I forgot! You brought it with you?”
“I did.”
Casey pulls me up off the ground so that I’m sitting, and he reaches inside his jacket. It’s only a second later that he’s kneeling in front of me. On one knee. “Oh my God.”
“Carley Farrell,” he says. “I know you just got out of an engagement. So if you’re not ready for this, I understand. But I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, and I’ve wanted that for as long as I can remember. No matter how long it takes, I’ll be there. I’m telling you now that I want you forever, no matter what.” He opens the small box that’s in his hand. “But I’m asking you now to marry me. Whenever you’re ready.”
“Yes.” The word flies out of my mouth almost as soon as he’s done speaking. “Yes, I’ll marry you. I don’t need time. I want you forever too.”
I launch myself at him, and he catches me, kissing me hard. And then I’m laughing. This is the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. Bar none.
“That’s the best fucking Christmas present you ever could have gotten me,” I say. “You’re never going to top this.”
He smiles and slips the ring on my finger. “That doesn’t mean that I won’t stop trying.” I look down at the ring, a small cluster of diamonds on a silver band of flowers and swirls. “It belonged to my mother,” he says softly. “And my parents were the happiest couple I knew. I’m hoping that we’re as happy as they were in that house for the rest of their lives.”
Tears fill my eyes, and he kisses me one more time. “Should we go watch the rest of the fireworks?”
I nod, and he leads me back through the woods, out into the field and nearby where my parents are both standing. I’m still smiling, and I can’t stop. My mom sees us coming and looks at our joined hands. She freezes when she sees the ring on that finger.
Slowly, she comes toward me, and pulls me into a hug. No words. Nothing. But she holds me fiercely before retreating and tucking herself under my father’s arm.
I’m trying not to cry. I’m overwhelmed with emotion and the perfection of this moment. This wasn’t the trip that I had planned, but it’s exactly the trip that I needed.
Casey wraps his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder. We sway to the music and watch the lights fill the sky. For a moment I close my eyes, leaning back into his embrace. “I love you,” he whispers in my ear.
I smile. “I love you too.”EpilogueCarleyOne Year LaterI curl up on the swing on the porch, wrapped up in our thickest quilt. It’s been a particularly cold winter so far, and even with the heater on full blast, it’s still chilly.
The music starts to play from the barn, blaring classical music. Everything should go to plan so the cows will be fine again this year. But some of the younger ones are still nervous, so we decided to stay close by this year just in case.
This year, too, the festival at the Christmas village went all day, and Casey and I had our fill of walking around and eating the treats. Especially the amazing hot chocolate that I’m absolutely addicted to. It was a beautiful clear day, and we thought about going back to the woods this year and continuing our tradition, but I’m happy to be home. Away from our still inquisitive neighbors and curious eyes who are continuously looking to see if there’s any sign of us starting a family.
The first firework fires into the sky and explodes. It’s time.
Not even five minutes later, Casey joins me on the porch, pulling out his ear plugs.
“They okay?”
“Yeah, they seem good. Didn’t even flinch when the first one went off.”
I smile. “Perfect.”
Opening the quilt, Casey slips underneath it with me and puts his arm around my waist. His hand splays over my stomach as it usually does when we sit together yet. I’m not showing yet, and we want to keep the news as possible for as long as possible for obvious reasons. It won’t be practical to hide it forever, but for now it is our little secret. One that gives me a thrill of joy whenever I remember.
We don’t know if it will be a boy or a girl, and it doesn’t matter. I can imagine us having either and being completely blissed out either way. But I do want to know as soon as we can. I am too impatient to wait to be surprised.
Too much happened this year for me to want any more surprises. We didn’t waste any time with the wedding, a small ceremony surrounded by the budding mums. Of course we were the talk of the town, and everyone wondered if the shotgun wedding was like Jessica’s because I was already pregnant.