“Me too!” I sob, all but tackling my big sister and Owen, hugging them tight. “Oh, Go-Go! That’s such wonderful news!” I cry, earnestly. I beam at her, clutching her hand in mine. “I can’t believe all this amazing news everyone has to share!”
Laying his hand on my shoulder, Ethan clears his throat. “Actually, I might have some amazing news for us, too.”
I turn around to meet his shy grin. His green eyes twinkle with nervous excitement again.
“What are you talking about?” I ask.
“Your parents are coming back a little sooner than expected.”
I gasp in shock as questions rush out of me. “What? Why? When? Is everything okay? Go-Go, did you know about this?”
My sister looks as floored as I am, but I catch the twinkle of mischief in Owen’s eyes. Just what are the Hall brothers up to?
“Don’t blame Margot. I kept her out of this,” Ethan says.
My sister’s hands find her hips. “Um, mind explaining why?”
“Oh come on, babe,” Owen says. “Everyone knows you can’t keep a secret.”
“I can so! I kept this a secret,” she says, pointing to her belly.
“And for how long?” Owen teases.
Margot throws up her hands. “Okay fine, I can’t keep a secret, but good news is meant for sharing.”
Ethan laughs. “Then I guess it’s about time I share mine.” He takes my hands, which is a good thing because my whole body is suddenly shaking with anticipation. “Your parents are coming home for a surprise wedding on New Year’s Eve.”
“Whose wedding?” I ask in a barely audible voice. “Ethan, please don’t tell me you booked a wedding here at the lodge. Do you know how much goes into planning a wedding? It’ll be impossible to pull off last-minute!” Suddenly, I bite my tongue, fearing I may have just put my foot in my mouth. I turn to my new friends. “Chloe, Donovan, this isn’t your wedding, is it?”
Chloe and Donovan both shake their heads, smirking like they know something I don’t.
What am I missing?
Ethan squeezes my hands, pulling my gaze back to him. I stare into his green eyes, letting that calming way of his wash over me before he shifts close enough to kiss me. “The wedding is ours,” he says, quietly. “I'm done waiting for the perfect moment, Chloe. Every moment with you is perfect.”
“But . . .” I start only to be cut off.
Ethan shakes his head, still grinning at me. “I’ve taken care of all the details. All you need to do is show up at the altar.”
“Seriously?”
He nods. “What do you say, babe? Want to make it official already?”
“Ethan . . .” I whisper, clinging to him as he kisses me again.
He brushes my hair back behind my ear, smiling at me warmly, and all I can do is stare at this incredible man who I love beyond words. I’m barely aware that tears are streaming down my cheeks until Ethan reaches up to gently wipe them away.
“I hope those are happy tears,” he teases.
I nod vigorously. “Very happy tears.”
“Well?” Margot cries. “Don’t leave the guy hanging. Say yes, Co-Co! Say you’ll marry him!”
I leap forward into Ethan’s arms, holding on to him tight. “I’ll marry you! Yes, yes, yes! I love you so much, Ethan Hall.”
“And I love you too, babe,” he grins back. “Forever and always.”
Wiping delighted tears from my eyes, I look out over our newest friends. “And please, everyone, consider staying with us a few more days? I’d love it if you were at our wedding.”
Immediately, they all start nodding and clapping with enthusiasm.
“There’s nowhere else we’d rather be!” Stacy says. “This is a place full of Christmas miracles. I mean, look around! We’ve all gotten something so special. And Chloe, I didn't even have to threaten Donovan to make your Christmas wish come true.”
Chloe blushes. “How did you know about that?”
“The wish tree,” Stacy says, matter-of-factly.
Donovan looks confused until Chloe explains. “Stacy and I added Christmas wishes to the wish tree while you were snowmobiling. I wished we’d set a date.”
Jake tugs Stacy against him. “And what’d you wish for?”
“For our baby not to have a giant football helmet-sized head.”
Jake snorts, pulling Stacy closer as he puts a protective hand over her belly, causing Margot and me to gasp.
“Oh yeah,” Stacy says, sheepishly. “We’re expecting, too.”
“I knew it!” Margot shouts as we rush over to congratulate Stacy and Jake.
It’s a while before the room settles from all the exciting news. Honestly, I think it’ll be weeks before I come down from this exhilarating joy. And as I look around at all the smiling faces surrounding me, I know my friends and family feel the same way.
Stacy sighs as we settle in to watch the kids play with their new presents. “I’m so happy right now,” she says. “I just have this feeling that the surprises aren’t over, and that I won’t be the only mom for long. Everything is working out the way it’s meant to.”
“I guess that’s what happens when you’re with the one you’re meant to be with,” Ethan says, wrapping his arms around me.
All of the happy couples seem wrapped in their own private joy as the Christmas music lifts around us.
I close my eyes, snuggling closer to my almost-husband, knowing that every Christmas from here on out will be just as extraordinary as this one, if only because we have some extraordinary new friends.
Donovan Dunn
Eric’s deep voice fills the lodge’s lounge as everyone gathers close to listen to his strapping rendition of O Holy Night. Morgan leans against his side, her head on his shoulder as he skillfully strums his guitar.
The hours have slowly passed between sips of spiked cocoa, watching the children play, and singing Christmas carols together. Even another batch of Christmas cookies has been baked and scarfed down.
“You’re sure you’re alright with staying through New Year’s?” Chloe asks, leaning into my chest as she gazes at me.
“More than alright,” I assure her.
