“Have I mentioned how good it smells in here?” He releases me and wanders into the kitchen.
“Why are you changing the subject?”
“Kara, I’ll go where you want. I’ve got a lucrative job in a high-demand field. If my friends don’t like you, I’ll get new ones. Maybe yours will have pity and adopt me into your circle.” He flashes a beaming smile at me, and I melt.
“You’ve always been charming. I’m sure Donna will love you.”
“And what about you? Do you still love me?”
“Ben …” Why is he being so strange and in my face all at the same time?
“Kare bear … answer the question, please.”
He laces his fingers in mine and squeezes my hand.
“I’ve never stopped. Is that what you want to know? How pathetic I am that I never let go of my anger because I’d have to face the fact you’ve always owned my heart?”
His lips meet mine in a slow, tender kiss. I part my lips and allow our tongues to meet for a harmonious dance. Unlike our previous kisses that were fueled by passion, this one is driven by love.
Ben caresses my cheeks as we kiss, and I slip my arms around his waist. I need to feel his body against mine. I’ve missed him more than I ever allowed myself to admit. His thumbs brush over my cheeks as our kiss ends.
“I love you, Kara, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. You’re the only woman I ever want in my heart and in my life.”
Tears stream down my cheeks and my chest heaves.
“Kara, what’s wrong?”
My body trembles in his arms as the floodgates open. It’s everything. There’s so much emotion right now. Losing my parents, being with Ben again, knowing he still loves me. I’ve felt so alone and here he is, lifting me from the bottomless pit of grief and bringing me back to the surface—bringing me back to life.
Ben wraps me tightly in his embrace and waits for me to get it all out. When I’m finished, I’m a snot-nosed mess and squirm out of his arms, excusing myself to go clean up.
“Well, that was embarrassing,” I say as I walk back into the kitchen.
Ben has opened a bottle of wine and poured two glasses. First, he hands me a glass of water.
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It seems like you needed to let it all out.”
Nodding, I take the water glass and drink. “It’s been a rough year, but you … Ben, you brought everything full circle when I needed it most.”
“If I’d known sooner, Kara, I would’ve come. No matter what, I wouldn’t have let you go through that alone.”
“I believe you. I should’ve called. Our families were friends. There wasn’t a service; I figured the world has enough chaos. I thought when things calmed down, I’d invite close friends to a celebration of life up here in the summer. They deserve to be remembered in the place they loved most.”
Ben squeezes my free hand.
“In good time, that’s exactly what we’ll do. We’re in this together now. Promise.”
Chapter Eleven
BEN
Dinner was one on the best I’ve ever had. Kara has some killer family recipes, and I’m looking forward to having them for many more years.
She’s cutting some fresh pumpkin pie for us while I add another log to the fire. The lights are off, but between the fire and the Christmas lights the room has the perfect ambience.
The snow continues to come down outside, creating a picturesque scene in the window behind the tree. I couldn’t imagine a more romantic setting.
“Yum, pumpkin pie with whipped cream. I’m in heaven.” Kara sets our plates on the coffee table and eyes the small gift bag. “What’s that?”
“Something for you, for later. It’s not quite Christmas yet.”
Before she sits, she grabs a bag from behind the tree. “I guess we had the same idea.”
I take a bite and the spices from the pie explode in my mouth in the best way. She laughs as I groan in appreciation. “I can’t believe I’ve been missing out on this pie since we were thirteen.”
She takes a bite and closes her eyes while she savors it. “Yeah, you’ve totally been missing out.”
“You can say that again.”
Our eyes meet and it’s very clear she understands I’m not only talking about the pie.
“Ben, do you believe in Christmas miracles?”
After chewing my last bite of pie, I put my plate on the table next to hers. “I believe in miracles. I’ve never given much thought to holiday-specific ones.”
We’re facing each other on the couch, eyes locked and knees touching.
“My mom loved Christmas stories and movies with the miracle theme. The kind with the impossible coming true because of Santa or a guardian angel.” Kara’s brown eyes shine.
“Do you believe in them?”
“I’ve always loved the idea of it but also thought it was reserved for movie magic or a miracle on the page, you know?” She places her hand on my thigh and squeezes.
“I’m real, Kara.”
A blush creeps into her cheeks. “That obvious, huh?”
“Trust me, I’ve pinched myself a time or two the past few days. You’re not alone.”
“I think you’re my miracle, Ben. My final gift from my parents. They knew I was too stubborn to reach out but that I would bring them home. Do you think they could be my angels?”
I drop to my knees on the floor in front of her and take her hands in mine. “I think they’re our angels. They knew I needed you as much as you needed me.”
Kara leans forward and kisses me softly. “Thank you for not making me feel like an idiot.”
The clock on the wall shows a few minutes past midnight. Reaching behind me, I take the giftbag off the coffee table and place it on the floor next to me.
“Close your eyes.”
Kara arches a brow.
“Trust me.”
She complies, and I take the gift from the bag. “Open them.”
With wide eyes, she looks from me to the open ring box in my hand. “Ben,” she gasps and covers her mouth.
“Kara, I promised myself that if I ever got the chance to right the wrongs of the past, I would do it and not waste a single second.”
Tears stream down her cheeks, but I think they’re happy tears.
“It might seem fast, but to me it seems like forever. You were right when you said we were the real deal. I was a fool to ever question our connection. I’ve missed you for six years and I don’t want to miss you for a single second more.”
“Ben,” she whispers as I pull the ring from the box.
“Marry me, Kara. Be my miracle for eternity, share my life, be my wife. I want to grow old with you and bring our kids here so we can share our traditions and our story with them. You’re the only gift I want this Christmas.”
“Yes!” she cries out, nodding emphatically.
Christmas music plays in the background as I slip the ring on her finger.
“Oh my God, I can’t believe we’re getting married. How is this my life?”
She pushes me back on the floor and lies on top of me. Her lips meet mine with renewed fervor as I slip my fingers into her hair. We kiss until we’re breathless and then curl into each other’s arms in front of the fire.