Page 177 of The Blessings of Christmas
“Just say yes. Say yes and make me the happiest man in the world.”
“Yes, oh yes.” And everyone at the tables nearby erupted into applause. If she hadn't been so dazed with disbelief and delight, Josie would have been embarrassed. This was like the ending of every great rom con she'd ever seen. This was Richard Gere sweeping Debra Winger into his arms and marching through the airplane hanger with her. Or Colin Firth cuddling Renee Zellweger into his coat out in the falling snow.
But this time it was her. And the ring fit. When she was handing back the box, she noticed a construction paper tree crumpled inside. Josie pulled it out. “Really? My Christmas Wish?”
Malcolm smiled. “We’ve had a lot of help. Phyllis gave this to me.”
“I'm almost embarrassed.” She glanced down at the wish where she’d scrawled “husband and family,” never dreaming that her wish might come true.
“Well, we have part of it anyway.” Fingering her Christmas Wish, she held that sweet baby in her heart. And looking up, she thought she recognized the same longing in Malcolm’s eyes. “We have each other.”
“Yes, yes I know. And I am more than grateful.” His kiss reassured her but yes, they would be happy with whatever the future brought them now that they were together.
Apparently Derek had overheard. “Sometimes Christmas wishes are granted,” he said with a mysterious smile.
EPILOGUE
FATHER’S DAY
“Make one of the chicken breasts without the hot sauce, please,” Josie called out to Malcolm as he stood at the grill. One of Josie’s hands rested on her stomach, where their little boy was making himself known. No need to make him even more active with some spicy sauce. She'd been having enough trouble herself with indigestion lately.
Her father came to sit next to her. “Happy Father's Day, Daddy,” she said.
“Just don't expect us to come up here every Father's Day,” he said in a gruff voice that didn't fool her one bit. He loved being a grandfather and it was hard keeping him away from Sweetwater Creek.
“You just want me to bring the kids down to Florida so you can show them off to your friends.”
When her dad's face flushed, Josie knew she’d hit the nail on the head.
With Luz in her arms, her mother joined them. She'd been walking the baby around the yard, pointing out the different wildflowers. “You're going to spoil her,” Josie said. Luz was onlyfive months old and probably didn't understand a word her grandmother was saying. Not yet.
“That's what grandmothers are for,” her mother said proudly. Josie didn't think she’d ever seen her mother this happy.
“Exactly what I've been telling my son,” Aurelia said, trailing behind Carol. Malcolm's mother refused to hold the baby unless she was sitting down. Said she didn't trust herself. The two grandmothers had become fast friends although they often competed with their outrageous gifts for Luz. Right now Luz’s dark curls were framed by a ridiculously frilly bonnet.
Over in the distance, Bryn and Emily were setting out bowls of coleslaw and potato salad for Father's Day. In the corner of the yard, the men were playing horseshoes, the clank of metal filling the summer air. Seated in a pack 'n play nearby, Alex cheered each time he heard the racket. Sheldon seemed to be studying a stuffed turtle Trevor had given him. He already was calling pine treesgenus pinus, a botanical term Trevor had taught him. When that kid began to talk, he would turn into a walking dictionary.
With Luz in her arms, Josie's mother left to check out the buffet table and Malcolm's mother sat down next to Josie. “How are you feeling, dear?” Aurelia asked.
“Happy beyond belief.”
Her mother-in-law nodded. “I know. I feel the same way.” Aurelia’s eyes swung to her son who had turned out to be a master at the grill. “Maybe you should never rule something out when the medical field says that it can't happen.”
Her dry comment made Josie laugh. “And so soon after the wedding.” Josie and Malcolm had been married on Valentine's Day, not seeing any reason to wait. Neither one of them could believe that she’d become pregnant so soon after that, but it hadhappened, defying all odds and everything the doctors had told them.
“Do you think you'll have room enough here for your growing family?” Aurelia glanced toward Josie's rental cottage where they’d started their marriage and their family.
“We talk about moving. But I kind of like this location.”
“Time will give you the answer. Malcolm tells me that his new business is going quite well.”
Josie settled back, fanning herself. “I'm so proud of him.” Who else would think of an app that would bring together donors who wanted to make a difference with an underserved population?
“Do you think he misses the library?” Aurelia asked.
“Malcolm comes to have lunch with me sometimes, and he brings Luz. Right now, he's also working as a consultant to Amblebury. Have you heard that Victoria's father has funded a library for the town?”
“Isn't that wonderful?” Aurelia had become very interested in everything going on in the area. When she visited, they could hardly pry her away from her lady friends at Victoria's Pantry.
