When I step back out of the closet I almost fall over. Now Dasher is wearing matching pajamas, and he’s got a smirk on his lips.
“I thought you’d like the idea of a new tradition,” he says as I walk over toward him. He picks up a wrapped present I didn't see a moment ago and hands it to me.
“You already got me this.” I show off my ring that fits perfectly.
“This one isn’t for just you.” I pull off the bow first before unwrapping the gift. When I see what’s inside, I once again burst into tears. It’s the same matching pajamas we have on now, but for a baby.
“You’re crazy, you know that?” I say, but I don’t care if we’re going too fast. I guess maybe that makes me crazy too, but life is short, and this love is forever.
“And you love it.”
“I really do.”
My dad was so over the moon for my mom, so I knew I wanted the kind of love they had for each other. I know that’s exactly what I’m going to get with Dasher because he’ll do anything to make our lives perfect.
He takes my hand as he leads me out of the bedroom and downstairs to where Rae and Jillian are already sitting on the floor by the tree.
Rae jumps up and runs over to me, wrapping her little arms around my waist. Jillian watches with a smile as they both make it clear they want me to be a part of their family.
“Can we give it to her now?” Rae asks when she unlocks her hold on me. Before Dasher and I answer her question, she’s grabbing my hand. “They are getting married!” She jumps up and down. “Can I be the flower girl?”
“I don’t see why not,” I tell her.
“I thought you were going to be my best man,” Dasher says.
“Oh.” Her eyes widen, and I can tell she’s fighting an inner battle of which she would rather be. “Mommy could be your best man.”
“We have time to work out all the details.” Jillian stands up and comes over to give me a hug. “Welcome to the family. You’re stuck with us now,” she whispers into my ear before placing a kiss on my cheek. She was right to warn me about Dasher. He’s an intense man that stops at nothing to get what he wants, and it’s one of the many things I love about him. I’m just happy to be the lucky girl he wants to have for the rest of his life.
“Not too long,” Dasher grumbles.
“No, not too long,” I agree. He tucks me into his side.
“Now can we show her?” Rae asks. She’s wiggling all around, clearly excited about whatever it is she wants me to see.
“I think she’s ready.” Dasher smiles down at me.
He’s my life now, and I’ll never need another Christmas gift. I was happy with only Dasher, but I lucked out with so much more.
“We want you to feel like this is your home too.” Gosh, when I think he can’t get any sweeter, he proves me wrong. Who knew this would be the same man who shouted at me through a phone a week ago?
Rae and Jillian walk over toward the fireplace. It’s then I realize a sheet is hanging over the top of it. Jillian reaches up to grab it and gives it a small tug. The sheet drops to the floor, and I stand there in shock.
The picture over the fireplace is of my first Christmas. I’m sitting in my mom’s lap in front of the tree, and my dad has his arm wrapped around my mom. We’re all smiling and I’m thinking Dasher must have snagged the picture from my place and had it done. I turn my head, burying it in Dasher’s chest.
“You’re home, Eve,” he says softly, and I look up at him to meet his eyes. This man, who has changed my whole world from the moment he came stomping into it, has made this truly the best day ever. “Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas,” I say back, pulling Dasher down for a kiss.
I have no doubt my Dasher will live up to his word, and every Christmas here will be filled with love and happiness. How could it not be when Dasher is at my side?
Epilogue
EVE
Two years later…
I stand in front of the Christmas tree, my hand resting on my stomach. I still haven't told Dasher that I’m pregnant again. We’d barely gotten the all-clear to have sex and we managed to make baby number two. Not that I’m upset about it, because I want our son to have brothers and sisters.
I see how Jillian and Dasher are together, and they know that no matter what they will always have each other. It would’ve been nice when I lost my parents to have had someone there with me. It makes me crave a big family. A craving I know my husband will fulfill.