Page 99 of Muskoka Miracle

“I did. And you were.”

Dan chuckled at his little brother’s look.

“But now I know Alexa loved her time in Australia, well, she’s an even bigger catch.” She winked at Alexa.

“I’m sure I’d love my time in Australia too,” Sam insisted.

“I know you would. Don’t worry, I still think you’re a pretty good catch. Especially with your new job. Cheers!” She lifted her glass of lemonade and there was a clink of glasses.

“Thanks, Sar bear,” Sam said, using Dan’s nickname for her.

Her nose wrinkled. “Speaking of catches, it looks like Alexa has caught you.”

Those privy to the exchange laughed, except for Sam, who shifted in his seat to face Alexa more directly. “Except I haven’t officially caught you, have I?”

“Officially?” she murmured, wide-eyed.

“Well, there’s nothing like a gift at Christmas, and so I wondered if you’d like this.”

He put a ring-shaped box in front of her as the rest of the table held their breath.

“Sam,” Alexa whispered, looking up, then glancing around at everyone, her cheeks pinking.

“Open it.”

Sarah put her head on Dan’s shoulder, both hands around one of his, as they watched. He would never have expected his little bro to be so bold. At the family Christmas table, no less.

Alexa’s fingers were shaking as she opened the box. Then laughed.

Laughed?

Then she held up a Fruit Loop.

“What the?” someone muttered.

Then Sam slid from his chair and captured her hands in his. “I know this is probably not what you expected when I asked you here today, but if you’re willing to be caught by a Fruit Loop, then I’d be honored to love you for the rest of my days.”

“Sam,” she murmured. Then she kissed him. “Yes.”

“Ohh.” Sarah clapped her hands, almost vibrating in excitement. “That was just the most beautiful thing ever.” She sighed, as the happy couple kissed, oblivious to everyone’s congratulations, including Mom and Dad’s shock.

“More beautiful than a proposal in Sydney?” Dan murmured in Sarah’s ear.

“Okay, second most beautiful.”

“Good answer.”

She rolled her eyes. “Always so insecure.”

He wasn’t, but was reminded later that complacency had a soft underbelly that could be prodded. Such as when he caught Sarah watching Luc and Marguerite’s children be the center of attention. His mom seemed determined to shift the focus from Sam’s surprise proposal to a blue-haired photographer, and place it squarely on her grandchildren, almost forgetting she had another on the way. While Adam and Lucy were cute at almost four and two years old, they were a reminder that if their baby had lived, they too would be sharing in the joy of watching a little person’s excitement at their first Christmas. A couple of times he caught Sarah looking at Adam and Lucy with a pensive expression on her face. He recognized the longing. He went up to her, wrapped his arms around her. “You okay, Princess?”

She twisted in his arms, turning around to kiss him, before leaning back in the circle of his embrace. “I’m fine. I just can’t help wishing…”

“I know.”

He placed a hand on her stomach, on the little one who still lived there. “This time next year, Princess.”

She tilted her head up, smiled at him, her green eyes holding stars. “Amen.”

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