Page 26 of Christmas Rings

With just two days left of school, Alissa was looking forward to having the summer off to spend with friends, and maybe even take a trip home to see Mom. Jed had mentioned he’d like to take her somewhere warm and tropical for a week or two, which sounded like heaven.

While the children were at lunch, she opened the doorsand windows to let the fresh air into the classroom. The walls were bare of their art projects and papers, as they’d spent the morning tidying up and preparing their packets to take home. She ate a sandwich standing by the windows. The children, having finished their lunch in the multipurpose room, were now leaping and running around the playground. She would miss her little students. They’d come so far since the first day, bonding with one another, learning how to be part of a group and take direction. Every year since she’d started teaching, the last few days of school were emotional. Saying goodbye was not something she enjoyed about her job.

Her assistant teacher, Megan, poked her head through the open door. “Alissa, there’s a message for you in the office. They asked you to go down there.”

“Really? That’s weird. Do you mind getting them to settle down at their desks when they come in? I’ll be as quick as possible.”

“Happy to,” Megan said.

She headed down to the office. One of the secretaries was at the main desk and smiled when Alissa walked in.

“These came for you,” she said, pointing to a bouquet of pink tulips.

Embarrassed, Alissa opened the card.

Happy end of school. I love you. Jed

She gathered the bouquet and walked back down the hallway to her room. Pushing the door open with her hip to keep from dropping her bouquet, she froze at the sight before her. The children stood in a semicircle around the rug where they had story time. They each held a piece of cardboard in their hands. Jed stood by her desk, dressed in a one of his dark blue suits and looking pale and nervous.

“What’s going on?” Her stomach fluttered.

Megan took the flowers from her, then pushed a button on her phone. The song “Will You Marry Me” played through the Bluetooth speaker.

Then, one by one, starting from the farthest left and so on, the children raised their signs. Each child had one letter that eventually spelled out the sentence:Alissa, will you marry me?With the comma and the question mark, it equaled exactly twenty-two students.

Jed approached and fell down on one knee. He had a small velvet box in his hand, which he lifted toward her. “What do you say? Will you make me the happiest man in the world?”

The song continued softly in the background.

“Yes, I’ll marry you.” Tears flooded Alissa’s vision.

All the children cheered, as Jed slipped a solitaire diamond ring onto her finger. He rose and pulled her into an embrace, then kissed her chastely on the mouth.

“I can’t believe you,” she whispered. “This was so perfect.”

“And now we get to have a party with cake,” Megan said.

The children cheered once more, then all rushed toward Alissa. She knelt on the floor, hugging them each in turn. Taking her cue, Jed did the same. Seeing their little bodies hurl themselves into his big frame made the tears start again.

The breeze carried a scent in through the open windows, her mother’s perfume mixed with her father’s pipe tobacco.They’re here, she thought. They see how happy I am.

And after this, she would call Mom and her sisters, and tell them the good news. They would be so glad for her and would want to start planning the wedding before the phone calls even ended.

She looked over at Jed just as another boy hurled himself into his arms. He smiled back at her. That smile was everything she’d ever wanted. This man would be her husband. She couldn’t have asked for anything more.

Chapter 6

December, the month of the wedding, finally arrived. The day after school was out for the Christmas holidays, Alissa held the pair of glittery silver wedding pumps against her chest before setting them inside her suitcase. Almost everything was packed, other than her wedding dress. She’d had the shop send her gown directly to the lodge, where the attentive staff had promised to take good care of it until her arrival.

They’d quickly decided on a Christmas wedding, agreeing to keep it small and only family. Mom suggested Cedar Mountain Lodge, and after a trip out to see it, both she and Jed had fallen in love with the rustic yet elegant lodge and grounds.

Her apartment lease ended in February, so she and Jed had agreed to pack up her things after they returned from their honeymoon.

With Mom’s help, she’d been able to nail every detail. Once they’d decided on dusty blue and gray for the color scheme, everything had fallen into place. She and Jed had chosen just one attendant each. She’d worried that Sophiewould be hurt that she’d chosen Hailey as her maid of honor, but her friend had understood perfectly. Of course, Alissa would have her sister Hailey. They’d been through so much together. And anyway, Sophie said, she wouldn’t be able to come for the wedding. After her recovery, she’d taken a nanny job in England and couldn’t afford to fly home. They’d promised to celebrate together later.

Jed had chosen his best friend from childhood, Mitch. Sadly, she had wanted to introduce Sophie to Mitch, but it would have to wait. As long as Sophie didn’t fall in love with some English guy while she was away, Alissa felt certain they were perfect for each other.

She could hardly wait to walk down the aisle on her mother’s arm toward Jed. She squealed with delight at the thought that in less than a week she’d be Mrs. Marsh. Technically, her new name would be Alissa Mann Kirby Marsh. All of the last names of the people who’d loved her seemed just right, if quite long on a driver’s license.

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