Page 56 of A Gift of Time
Epilogue
One year later
“Did you remember to get the vanilla extract?” Caden asked over the phone.
I smiled as I drove home that Christmas Eve. “Yeah, babe. I got it.”
I’d had to work that day, but I’d only stayed until noon, telling Rick I had plans with my husband. I wasn’t able to make the parade, unfortunately, because we had a meeting with a new client that morning, but Caden had understood.
I wasn’t missing anything else, though.
“Oh! What about the flour?” A cabinet creaked open before shutting. “I just looked and I don’t think we have enough.”
“Will you calm yourself?” I said with a laugh. “I got everything we need. Breathe, Cay.”
A sharp exhale sounded on his end of the phone. “Okay. Sorry. When will you be home?”
“Look outside.”
I pulled into the driveway and shut off the ignition.
The living room curtain opened, and Caden peeked out. When he saw me, he squealed over the phone and hung up as he disappeared from my sight. The front door swung open and he ran outside.
My heart leapt, as if aching to touch him, too.
I got out of the car and was wrapped in his arms seconds later. He kissed my neck and cuddled against my chest. I returned his embrace, resting my cheek on the side of his head.
His hair hung past his ears and waved in such a sexy way.
That past year, he’d decided to try a new look, and even though he looked amazing no matter what he did, I fucking loved his longer hair. He’d had it wavy before, but this was the longest it had been, which emphasized the curl more.
Tilting his chin up, I kissed him. He tasted like chocolate, and I grinned against his mouth, knowing he must’ve gotten into the stash of Christmas candy.
Snow started falling, and we broke apart, staring up at it.
“I didn’t know it was supposed to snow today,” he said in awe, reaching forward and trying to catch snowflakes in his palm. “Did you?”
I shook my head. “Not that I’m aware of. Maybe someone made a wish for it. Christmas wishes are the most powerful, you know.”
Caden beamed and nuzzled his nose against mine. “You’re my Christmas wish, Jack Taylor. Now and always. Every day I’m with you, I fall even more in love.”
Kissing him again, my heart nearly burst with love. Just when I thought I couldn’t be happier, he said or did something that proved me wrong.
He helped me carry in the groceries, and we sat the bags on the kitchen counter before unloading them. It was mostly ingredients to make his mom’s homemade sugar cookies, and also a few things for dinner later. And white wine.
More decorations adorned the house, and I glanced around the room, seeing green garland draped above the doorways, along with glittery red bows and mistletoe.
“You’ve been busy,” I said, admiring his work. “You’re like a little Christmas elf.”
Caden giggled and bumped against me. “Enough making fun of me. Here.” He handed me a recipe book. “Read me the first step.”
For the next twenty minutes, I read him the instructions, and he made the cookie dough. I offered to help, and he’d smiled before letting me crack open one egg into the mixing bowl. We’d laughed when I cracked it too hard and caused pieces of the shell to fall in, too.
Needless to say, I went back to just reading the recipe after that.
Once the dough was wrapped in plastic foil and placed in the refrigerator to cool, I tugged him against me and kissed his jaw.
“How was work today” he asked, gently rubbing his hands up and down my lower back. “Did the client like your pitch?”
