She rubbed her hand over his arm. “And now we’re going to have really good hello sessions.”
He grinned. “And every-day sessions.”
“Blossom Glen has been my home forever, but it’s not home without you, Leo. So I feel like we’re starting a brand-new phase of our lives. And that’s why I want to tell you—wait.” She glanced out the window, a puzzled expression on her face. “Why are we headed downtown?”
He’d made a right turn, in the opposite direction of home. “Oh, I just thought you might like to see how downtown is decorated.” Which sounded lame, because she was obviously tired. “What were you going to say?”
“Oh, um, nothing important,” she said as they approached the restaurant. The neon spaghetti sign in front of Castorini’s Family Restaurant was lit, and the little blue meatball that suddenly appeared atop the noodles before the entire sign flashed. The roofline of the restaurant was strung with festive multicolored lights for the holiday.
“I see you kept the flashing meatball,” Tessa said. “I especially love the Christmas lights you strung around it.”
“Thanks.” He gave her a little smile. “My dad kind of got used to it.”
“It’s a town landmark,” she said. “Tradition is important.”
“Yes, but so is innovation. And taking the business in new directions.” He pulled up in front of the restaurant and held his breath. And waited for her to see the surprise.
…
Yep, Tessa thought, she and Leo were about to take life in a whole new direction, too, but she didn’t have time to tell him about that now, because apparently he was planning some kind of surprise. In front of their parking spot, Bonjour! Breads stood as it had for a hundred years, awash in white icicle lights. In the window, her mom had placed a big lit-up angel with a halo of stars and sparkling fiber-optic wings, her favorite Christmas decoration. But the parking lot between the buildings was gone, and in its place was…
A little shop with a big plate-glass window, built on to the side of the building in between the restaurant and the bakery.
Tessa’s mind went blank. “Leo.” The word came out as a hoarse, mangled whisper, her throat choked with emotion. She stared at her husband, then the building, mouth agape. Leo was sitting back in his usual relaxed posture, but his eyes were waiting. For her reaction. And they were filled with love.
That’s when she started to cry.
Leo parked the van at the curb and turned to her. “Come on in, sweetheart.”
“Leo, I—” She tried again to speak.
He ran around and opened the van door for her, then led her to the new front door of the shop. The door opened to a little tinkle, a detail that didn’t go unnoticed. She looked at Leo, who was grinning from ear to ear. “Your mom’s idea,” he confessed.
Suddenly, all the lights flooded on, and there, in front of her, standing on the black-and-white-tile floor, was everyone she loved—her mom, her grandmother, her sisters. Lilac. Leo’s dad and Gia. And Noah and Jack.
The first things she noticed were the big squares of black and white tile that made it feel like she was stepping into an old patisserie in Le Marais.
The space inside was empty—except for all the people—her people—and except for a sparkling pink chandelier hanging down from the ceiling.
“Just like the one in Paris,” Vivienne said with a little clap. “We found one online!”
Her mom was the first to approach her. She took her hand and said, “There aren’t any display cases yet, and we wanted you to have the final say about how you wanted your kitchen, so there are plenty more decisions to be made.” Her mother was right there to hug her. “Welcome to your pastry shop, Tessa.”
“Welcome home,” Gram said.
That’s when the waterworks really started up and she felt like she was going to lose it. Leo grabbed onto her with a firm hand.
She looked at her husband’s smiling face. Then she walked into his arms, where he enveloped her in a welcoming embrace.
Home. She was home—right where she belonged.
Home with a twist. The same place, but she was different.
“I told you I hated giving you a shelf in the boulangerie,” her mother said. “Because you deserve your own shop. We’re all so proud of you.”
“It’s your time, babe,” Juliet said, handing her a bouquet of blue irises and giving her a hug.
“We love you, ” Viv said, taking her photo, of course.
“Look up.” Lilac pointed to the ceiling while hugging her. “I painted the sparkly stars up there.”
“What a romantic touch,” Tessa said. “Thanks, Lilac.”
And just as she got used to the shock of having everyone there, Leo dropped to one knee.
You could’ve heard a pastry drop.
“Leo, what are you doing?” she whispered. “We’re married already.”
“We are married, but we were never engaged.” Her husband flashed that beautiful Castorini smile that made her knees go weak. “And this time, I want to ask you properly. Tessa Marie Montgomery, will you be my wife—for real, forever?”
He was holding something in his hand. A box.
“Leo.” This was over the top. But, she had to admit, so much fun.
“Just open it.”
She did, to find an engagement ring. A beautiful solitaire, surrounded by a band of tiny diamonds and sapphires.
“It matches the wedding band,” he said.
“It’s too beautiful.” She had no words. Actually, she couldn’t see it very well because of all the tears. But she didn’t much care. Because she had everything—make that everyone—she loved the most in the world, right here in this room.
Leo beamed. “Nothing’s too beautiful for you.”
She kissed her husband. “I love you,” was all she got to say before their family crowded in.
“Welcome back, Tessa.” Leo’s dad kissed her on the cheek. “Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.”
“We’re proud of you, Tessa,” Noah said.
“Hear, hear.” Jack lifted a bottle of champagne and handed it to Leo’s dad. “You do the honors, Mr. C.”
“Leo’s been really mopey without you,” Gia said, hugging her. “I can’t wait for more cannoli.” She rubbed her hands together. “And whatever other wonderful creations you make us.”
Leo’s dad opened the champagne and poured some for everyone.