My eyes widen as a cold sweat dances over my skin. I’m a friendly person, but public speaking makes me break out in hives. I shake my head, gripping tight to Marissa’s hand. “I’m good here,” I call back with a nervous titter.
“Don’t make me come down there and get you,” Dylan warns, winking in my direction.
“Go on,” Estelle murmurs from my right, giving me a gentle nudge. “Have to abide the mayor’s wishes.”
With flaming cheeks that I plan to blame on the brisk cold, I climb the steps to the stage, coming to stand next to Dylan. “Well, you have me. Now what are you going to do with me?” It’s the best I can manage under the circumstances. I have about ten thousand eyes focused on me at the moment.
Dylan places the microphone in the stand and grabs my hand. “You hate this, don’t you?”
“Very much so. I mean, I love Yuletide Acres, but this is so very public.” I wave to the crowd. “Can I go hide now?”
“No. You’re famous. You saved two of Yuletide’s residents.”
“Please, let’s not talk about that.”
“Everyone already knows. So, we have selected you to light the tree.”
My heart warms at his statement. “Can Marissa light the tree with me? I’d like to do it in honor of Merry West. She is the reason we’re all here.”
Dylan bites his lip and I see his eyes bright with emotion. “Yes, she can.”
Estelle brings Marissa to the stage, and she bounds up, running toward the giant pine tree in the center. “I get to light it?”
I nod, pointing toward the switch. “You sure do. It’s for your Mama, so you know it’s going to be extra beautiful.”
Marissa smiles, but she’s too young to understand the sentimentality behind my words. All she’s ever known is not having a Mom here on earth. No matter what role I play in Dylan’s life, I plan to act as a surrogate of sorts to his little girl.
It’s what Merry wants. It’s what my heart needs.
She flips the switch, and the gigantic tree comes to life, twinkling in all its glory. Then, as if by magic, straight from heaven, snowflakes begin falling and I know Merry is still here. She’ll always be a part of Yuletide Acres, and instead of being intimidated by that fact, I’m warmed.
“You did so good,” I murmur as I gather her into a hug. “Come on, let’s get some hot chocolate with extra marshmallows.”
“No, sorry,” Dylan objects, grabbing my free hand. “I’m not done with you yet.” He bends close to me, his beard tickling my skin. “Thank you for that, Sunshine.”
“You’re most welcome. Can I please go, since I’m such an agreeable person?” Come on, man, cut me some slack.
Dylan smiles, standing close to the microphone. Great, he wants everyone to hear. “A big part of the festival is that each person makes a Yule wish. You made a wish earlier, didn’t you, Poppy? Would you mind telling them what it was?”
I release a nervous chuckle. “To be around you and Marissa. To spend time with you both as friends or—”
“I’m going to have to stop you right there.” He holds up his hand. “You said you’re not compromising. But I disagree. You are because you want more. I can’t know that fact and just leave it lying there.”
Oh my God, what is he doing? “I told you. I want you. I want Marissa. I need you both in my life in whatever capacity. That’s all.”
“That’s not acceptable.”
I swallow down the unease, praying that Dylan isn’t going to morph into some Yule monster and humiliate me publicly. “So, what is acceptable?”
“I have a few yes or no questions for you. I need them answered.”
“Right now?” Breathe, Poppy, it will be okay. “Please tell me you’re not asking me terrible things in public.”
“Have a little faith,” Dylan chuckles, pulling out a piece of paper. “Do you want to be with me?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to help raise Marissa?”
Didn’t we just go over this?
“Yes.”
“I have a few from Marissa now.”
“Okay.” So far, so good. This is painless.
“Will you cook breakfast every morning?”
I chuckle, nodding at his daughter’s beaming face. “Sure, with your help, Marissa.”
“Will you live with us?”
“Um...but—”
That smile. It will always hold me captive. “Yes or no?”
“Yes?”
“Is that an answer or question?”
“An answer. Easier to cook breakfast that way.”
Dylan releases a slow exhalation, and I gear up for the worst. “Will you have children with me?”
“Wait, but you said—”
“Yes or no, Sunshine?”
“Is that your question or hers?”
“Yes or no?” Dylan links his fingers with mine, the holiday lights dancing in his brown eyes. “Please don’t say no.”
Then, for the first time, I see it all in his face. He wants this as much as I do. I don’t know if he changed his mind or if I’m finally seeing the truth. All I know is my answer. “Yes.”
Dylan beams at me, balling up the paper and tossing it over his shoulder. “Thank God, because now I can ask the one question I’ve been waiting on a decade.”
He sinks to his knee, pulling out a small box, and my heart threatens to implode, right then and there. “Oh, wow,” I whisper, my entire body trembling.
“I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember. I’ll give you everything. We can buy a different house. I’ll give you those six kids, and as many animals as you want. But I have my own request. I want to lie with you under the Christmas tree and watch Marissa open gifts on Christmas morning. I want to kiss you at midnight on New Year’s Eve and buy you a dozen roses on Valentine’s Day. I want to drink green beer with you at the pub and hunt Easter eggs with my two best girls. I want to watch the fireworks and the leaves change and then do it all again. Because with you, it’s always new. Will you marry me, Poppy Mills? You’d better say yes, because I had the ring sized and everything.”
I’m so glad I’m not wearing makeup as the tears stream down my face. But nothing can erase the giant smile as I stare down at my twin flame. “You know it, Dylan West. I would love to be your wife.”
Chapter 18
Dylan
Poppy is in my arms as soon as I slide the ring onto her finger, and my mouth seeks hers, our bodies speaking the words we can’t say aloud. The only downside to a public proposal? I want this gorgeous woman naked. Now. But that would cause a bit of a stir in quaint little Yuletide Acres.
She pulls back, her face a mixture of tears, laughter and happiness. “Are you sure?”
I smile down at her, peppering her face with kisses. Then I gaze out at the crowd, full of excited whoops and catcalls. “She wants to know if I’m sure. I just asked you to marry me in front of the entire town. I’m pretty damn serious.”
“You didn’t want to get married, Dylan. Or have more children.” I see the hint of apprehension still living there, underneath the bliss. Time to put it to bed. For good.