Mom and the kids are giving the cats all the attention they could want.
James slowly makes his way over, holding a glass of eggnog for us both. He hands me mine and we watch everyone else.
“How does it feel to have your home and your house be the same place for once, Lil?” he asks softly.
I blink the tears I was holding back. “I didn’t know what I was missing. But now that I do, I can’t believe I lived that way.” I wipe my cheeks. “It’s like I was underwater this whole time and now I’ve surfaced, and I’m breathing for the first time.”
“I’m really happy for you,” he says, leaning in.
“Thank you.”
We’re silent in observation for a minute before he speaks quietly, “Totally off topic, but did I tell you I ran into Brent last week? He’s going to Italy and getting married.”
“No way.” I gasp, excited. “He and Sarah are finally doing it?”
“Yeah. He’s really happy.” James smiles.
“It’s amazing what the right person can do to your life.”
“And the wrong person.” He smirks. “Rod and Elaine are selling their house.” He presses his lips together, fighting a grin.
“Ahhh,” I mutter. “Arthur told Sam that Elaine’s been trying to hang out. She said she’s single. So that makes sense.”
“I hope Rod learns from this and stays single for a long time. He needs to figure himself out.” James pats me on the arm and walks into the living room to join the conversation Shawnee is having with Liz about the trip to Istanbul she and Anthony are taking in a week. Shawnee lifts her hand, her dazzling engagement ring catches the lights. And I can’t believe we both found love inside such a sad time.
Sam returns from the tour and sees me watching them. Our eyes meet and my stomach flutters. He’s gazing at me with those sparkly eyes. I realize in that moment he always has.
“Hey, guys, I have something I’d like to say”—he speaks loudly, getting everyone’s attention—“to Lil.” He holds a hand out for me.
I walk to him, wondering what he’s up to. He’s always up to something.
He glances at my dad who pulls a small turquoise box from his pocket and hands it to Sam.
My insides tighten.
Sam takes a knee and lifts the box. “It’s taken us the better part of two decades to get to this moment. And now that we’re here, it’s much more than I could have imagined it would be. I want the rest of our lives spent living like this. Grateful for each other. For family. For love.” His eyes dart to Romeo who gives him his closed-eye cat smile. “This is something I’ve wanted to ask you for a really long time. Marry me, Lil.”
He opens the box to a beautiful diamond ring.
My whole body tingles. “Yes,” I say to him for the second time.
He stands and places the ring on my finger. It’s a perfect fit and not a single person in the room seems surprised. Liz was obviously involved in this.
He presses his lips against mine, muttering, “Merry Christmas. I love you.”
We kiss and I make a concerted effort to give as much as I take.
Because that is what life with Sam is like.
The end
Happy Holidays from me and my cats!
ALSO BY
ROMANCE
by Tara Brown
The Serendipity Series
Fling Club
He Loves You Not
The Royals Series
A Royal Pain
A Royal Affair
A Royal Wedding
The Puck Buddies Series
Puck Buddies
Roommates
Bed Buddies
Girl Next Door
Baby Daddies
Standalone novels
Must Love Cats
My Side
The Long Way Home
For Love or Money
THRILLER/SUSPENSE
by Tara Brown
Blood and Bone
Blood and Bone
Sin and Swoon
Soul and Blade
The Single Lady Spy Series
The End of Me
The End of Games
The End of Tomorrow
The End of Lies
The Lonely Duet
The Lonely
LOST BOY
Standalone novels
Ophelia
Castaways
Lucid
Tara’s Pen Names
MYSTERY
by Meg Browne
Crimson Cove Mysteries
Pretty Girls Die First
The Little Crimson Lies
Third Time’s a Charm
Four Crimson Corners
When The Lights Fade
EROTICA
by Sophie Starr
Sinderella
Beauty’s Beast
The Club
SCIENCE FICTION BOOKS
by AE Watson
The Born Series
Born
Born to Fight
Reborn
The Girl Who Lived
The Seventh Day Series
The Seventh Day
The Last Hour
The Earth’s End
The Last City of Men Series
Imaginations
Duplicities
Reparations
Standalone YA Science Fiction
The Reverse of Everything
FANTASY BOOKS
by AE Watson
The Roses Series
Cursed
Bane
Hyde
Witch
Death
Blackwater
Midnight Coven
Redeemers and Betrayers
The Pengrove Witches
The Last Star
The Raven’s Hollow
The Stones of Amaria
Sword of Mist
Sword of Stone
The Light Series
The Light of the World
The Four Horsemen
The End of Days
The Blood Trail Chronicles
Vengeance
Vanquished
Valiant
Standalone YA Fantasy
First Kiss
Sunder
In the Fading Light
Tara Brown is the international bestselling author of over sixty books. She is represented by Natalie Lakosil from the Bradford Literary Agency and is published traditionally with Montlake Romance and Skyscape Publishing.
https://www.tarabrownauthor.com
http://TaraBrown22.blogspot.com