When he pops the trunk, I see he already has our luggage ready to go to his parents’, and next to them are ice skates, ready to go. We strap them on and push onto the ice.
With the snow falling lightly and the lights twinkling all around us, it’s the perfect Rockefeller Christmas moment. One I want to remember forever. Hunter takes my hand, and we slowly make our way through the crowd and around the ice. There are couples having their special moments, just like us, as well as families showing their young children how to skate for the first time.
No matter how many people are around us, everyone is enjoying what it is truly like to spend Christmas in New York City. These are memories every single person will remember, and maybe they will make a tradition of it. Thinking of having traditions with Hunter makes my heart so happy. This week marks the first year we’ve been together, and all I can think about is how many more I want to spend with him.
As we approach the Christmas tree set up at the edge of the rink, I feel him slow down, so I pause and turn to him. When my eyes take in the handsomest man I’ve ever seen, down on one knee, my hands immediately cover my mouth, and I have to steady myself, so I don’t lose my balance.
“Katie McGee. My Katie McGee. You are everything I’ve ever wanted when I think about who I’d spend the rest of my life with. You’ve become my world, my partner in crime, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I don’t want to spend another day without calling you my wife. Katie, will you marry me?”
He opens a box, showing off a diamond ring that’s both understated and absolutely beautiful. It’s exactly what I would have chosen for myself, and the man of my dreams is holding it up for me, promising me his love.
I keep my hands covering my mouth as I nod my head, and tears stream down my face. Cheers are heard all around us as he slips the ring on my finger and then takes me in his arms.
As he kisses me, I feel the tears falling down his eyes as well.
If I thought I loved Christmas in New York before, it was nothing compared to how much I love it now. There will never be one that beats this year.
I wipe my eyes as people around us congratulate us on the engagement. Seeing Hunter’s proud face makes me laugh. I lean over to kiss him again and almost fall to the ground when my skates slide out from underneath me. His large frame wraps around me, holding me securely and making me feel his promise to always be there for me.
“Come on, kid. Let’s get you off the ice. I’m sure my niece is dying for us to arrive, so she can have some pie.”
Heading to another Johnstone Christmas has been on the top of my mind for the last month. This time, I’m prepared, and I can’t wait to share my worst gift. I haven’t even let Hunter see it. When it comes to this game, all gloves are off, and I’m going to win!
I spend the drive with the biggest smile on my face, and my cheeks are starting to hurt because of it.
Then, I realize something. I jump in my seat and reach for my purse. “I have to call my parents.”
Hunter turns and smiles as he nods. “Put it on speakerphone, so I can hear their reaction.”
I hit the Call button and am bummed when Mom doesn’t answer. After I leave her a message, trying not to give anything away so I can hear her reaction firsthand, I try my dad but have no luck either—though for him, that’s not a surprise, as the man never has his phone on him.
Hunter pouts his lip at me, being funny and trying to brighten my mood because I wasn’t able to get ahold of them. “It’s okay. You’ll be able to tell them when they call you back. Didn’t you say they were going to their friend’s house tonight?”
I glance at my watch and realize that’s exactly where they are, so it’s probably a good thing they didn’t answer. The last thing I’d want when I told my parents I was engaged is them having a hard time hearing me because there was so much commotion around them and asking me to repeat myself. I can just see it now—me saying, I’m engaged, and them saying, Huh? I can’t hear you. What did you say?
I giggle to myself as I tuck my phone away, feeling better about not being able to reach them.
Hunter grabs my hand, rubbing his fingers over my ring. I place my other hand over his and lean to the side, resting my head back to take in the amazing view that is Hunter Johnstone for the rest of the drive.
When we pull into his parents’ driveway, memories of being here just one year ago make me smile. At the time, I wondered if they would even like me, and now, here I am, arriving as the future daughter-in-law.
Then, it hits me.
“Do they know you were proposing tonight?”
Hunter grins. “Why don’t you go in and find out?”
I narrow my eyes before jetting out of the car and racing toward the front door.
“Hey, wait for me. I’m getting married too. Don’t forget about the groom.”
I stop and wait for him to wrap me in his arms.
“Are you ready for your next surprise?”
“I can’t wait.” I lean up to give him a chaste kiss and head toward the door.
Before I can knock, it swings open, and everyone yells, “Surprise!”
I’m taken aback suddenly—not by the words said, but by the people standing in front of me. “Mom! Dad! You’re here!” I rush to hug them both at the same time. “When did you get here?”
My mom pulls back to see me more clearly. “We got here a few hours ago. Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”
“Merry Christmas, Mom. Merry Christmas, Dad.”
“Hey, what am I? Chopped liver?” I hear my brother say as he pushes through the crowd.
“Liam?” I ask in disbelief as I give him a big hug. “I can’t believe you’re all here.”
“Yep, thanks to this man right here. Thanks again for setting this up,” Liam says to Hunter as he reaches out to shake Hunter’s hand.
“So?” I hear Ella ask loudly from beside us.
I glance to Hunter and nod.
“She said yes!” he shouts out, and they all cheer.
He wraps his arms around me and kisses me in front of everyone we love and during my favorite holiday of the year.
Only this year, my Christmas miracle came true.
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About the Authors
Jeannine Colette
Jeannine Colette combines humor and angst in her sexy, stand-alone romance novels. Her stories feature dynamic heroines, and swoon-worthy heroes, who have to abandon their reality in order to discover themselves . . . and love along the way.