Page 61 of Christmas Promises

The room had gone silent. Even Lily and Jack were silent, staring at their Uncle Nolan with wide eyes.

Nolan dropped to one knee in front of her. “Laney, since the first moment I saw you sitting in the corner of your aunt’s bookstore reading, I’ve loved you. I can remember the exact moment—how the sun from the window shone on your hair and made kind of a halo around your head. You looked up at me with those eyes, sweet and curious and unspoiled, and my heart felt like it might explode. That summer was the best time of my life. Until you came back to me, to everyone else, it might feel fast, but to you and me? We know exactly what this is.”

“We do,” Laney whispered.

“Soulmates, separated too long, but back together now.”

“For good,” Laney said.

Nolan took a ring from his pocket, a diamond solitaire sparkling right along with the lights of the tree. “Laney Gray, will you be my wife? Create beautiful memories together? Make a family? Grow old with me?”

“Oh, yes, I will. The sooner the better.” She held out her hand, and he slipped the ring onto her finger.

The room erupted into applause. As it died down, Max stepped forward. “Mom, don’t freak out but I have become an ordained official, via the internet, to marry people. And I propose we do it right now.”

Laney and Nolan stared at him.

“Now?” Nolan asked. “In our ugly sweaters?”

“Think of the stories you’ll have to tell your children.” Max grinned, clearly delighted with himself. “Not everyone has the chance to get married at an Ugly Sweater Party.”

Laney thought about the elaborate wedding she’d planned for her and Josh. All the details and choices to make it a wedding her mother had wanted for her but at the end had been hollow and soulless. This moment? It was full of goodwill and laughter, and everyone she loved in the world was standing right there.

“Mom?” Laney asked, glancing at her mother.

“Whatever you want,” Mom said, “is what I want.”

Laney looked up at Nolan, whose shining eyes told her everything she needed to know. “Let’s do it.”

“Excellent.” Max adjusted his antlers. “You two—stand in front of the fire.”

“Wait,” Sophie said in her high-pitched voice. “Uncle Nolan needs a ring.”

“Not to worry.” Max leaned down to loosen a piece of rustic twine from around a package. He used his pocket knife to cut it, then tied it into a circle. “This can do for now.” He handed it to Jack. “You’re the ring bearer, buddy. Are you up for it?”

Jack nodded, knowing what do to since he’d done it not long ago for Abby and Luke. “I’m on it, Uncle Max.”

Laney’s father raised his hand. “I would like to escort my daughter down the aisle.”

“Oh, Dad, that would be nice, but I don’t know that we have an aisle,” Laney said.

“That can be fixed right away,” Luke said. “Come on, Hayes family, let’s make this happen.”

The room seemed to come alive after a long slumber. Suddenly, everyone was hustling about, moving furniture around to make an aisle and seating. Aunt Edna made a makeshift bouquet for Laney out of poinsettia blossoms, twigs, and a touch of garland, tying it with a red ribbon. Sophie ran out of the room, coming back seconds later with a tuft of tulle.

“She needs a veil,” Sophie said to Abby.

“Yes. She must have a veil, at least.” Abby nodded, taking it from her daughter. “Does anyone have bobby pins?”

Grace, of course, happened to have some in her purse. Before Laney knew what was happening, Abby had secured the piece of white tulle to her hair. “I’m glad to have another Mrs. Hayes join the family,” Abby said, hugging her.

“I’m glad too,” Laney said, hugging her back.

Then Abby had her and her father stand at the beginning of the hastily put together aisle. The rest of the party sat wherever they could find a seat.

Someone, somehow, started Canon in D over the speakers.

“Places, everyone!” Max called out. “Let’s get my little brother married.”

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