The Christmas Catch

way to make things right?”
    Christine battled the heat in her eyes and forced out the words. “Just what are you saying?”
    “That I can’t imagine a life without you. I don’t want to envision my life without you. I believe there’s something good here. Something worth fighting for. I think that we stand a chance, Christine, of being together forever. I’m willing to give it my all, if you are. But here’s the thing…” He withdrew a small box from his pocket. “I need you with me, you and Tyler both, twenty-four-seven. Day in and day out. Long-distance won’t do.” John opened the box, exposing a glorious two-carat solitaire. Christine gasped with surprise and met his gaze, her eyes moist.
    “I know I haven’t done this exactly right,” he said, “but I hope you understand my intentions are sincere.”
    Christine spoke past the lump in her throat. “Yes, yes, I believe you.”
    He plucked the ring from the box and dropped to one knee as he took her hand.
    “I love you desperately, Christine, more desperately than I thought a man could love a woman. Come away with me to Vermont where we can be a family. Where we can build our dreams… But first, tell me you’ll be my bride.” He slid the ring on her finger and met her eyes with a hopeful gaze. “Say we have a future?”
    Christine fought for the words as tears streamed down her face. John was intelligent, loving, and kind. He was just the sort of man she’d always hoped would come and carry her away. Her, and her precious boy too. “The future is long,” she said with a shaky smile.
    John stood and asked tentatively. “Does that mean yes?”
    She nodded and he scooped her into his arms.
    “Oh John, I love you too.”
    “Whoohoo!” he said with a kiss.

Epilogue

    Two years later, John set Tyler on his shoulders to crown their Christmas tree with a glistening star. A tiny toboggan ornament sat on a high branch nearby. Christine sighed contentedly, massaging her blooming belly. Last Christmas, they’d shared an intimate mistletoe wedding at Winterhaven. Next year, there’d be another stocking hanging from the mantel and Tyler would have a baby brother or sister. Christine couldn’t have imagined a better existence for herself. John was the perfect husband and father, and—with his support—she’d been able to launch her business early. With the New England countryside providing ample inspiration, she’d come up with a number of award-winning designs and her Internet company had taken off, profits skyrocketing. And to think, she owed it all to her pushy best friend who’d insisted she get away to pull her life together.
    Christine smiled at Ellen and Carlos, sipping their eggnogs by the fire.
    “I’m happy to see you finally broke down and got a Christmas tree,” Ellen quipped.
    “I had a little help,” Christine said, gazing lovingly at John.
    “Yeah, and Carlos has offered to help me take it down!”
    “I what?” Carlos sputtered, as the rest of the group burst out laughing.
    “You lazy old goat,” John said, ribbing. “Nobody can get you to do anything at Christmas but eat.”
    “Oh, I wouldn’t say that’s exactly true,” Ellen said with a mysterious grin.
    Christine turned to her, her cheeks flushed with delight. “Ellen?”
    Ellen stretched out her left hand and a gemstone glistened on her ring finger.
    “Does this mean what I think?” Christine asked with pleased surprise.
    Ellen nodded triumphantly.
    John put Tyler down and patted Carlos’s shoulder. “Way to go, old man!”
    “He’s not so old,” Ellen said, her voice low and sexy.
    Carlos turned the color of Santa’s suit as Tyler looked cheerily around the room. This was just the Christmas card Christine wanted, she thought as John took her hand. The best part was she got to live it all year through. Tyler hugged Mason and the dog licked his face.
    “Merry Christmas, everybody!” the boy said, his cheeks aglow.
    Mason barked twice.

    The End