Page 41 of Snowed in with My Pucking Ex
I shrug. “Until I can get back on my feet and figure things out at least. Maybe find a new job, one I’ll actually enjoy this time around.”
“What if you didn’t have to work? What if you could help with the farm and spend your free time doing whatever makes you happy?”
I laugh. “Yeah, dream come true. Where’s my winning lottery ticket to make it happen?”
His finger gently rubs over my cheek as he says, “I want you to stay here, Winter. Only if it’ll make you happy. But I don’t want you living with your parents, I want you building your life with me instead.”
“A life with you? What would that look like?”
He nods, a small smile tipping his lips, “Yes. Help me find a house that we can make into a home, or we can have one built, whatever would make you happier. Start your own business if you want to, or maybe start a family with me? Only if you’re ready. I won’t pressure you on anything. I just need you in my life. Now that I’m playing for the Blizzards, and we’re close to your family, I can finally offer you what I’ve always wanted when it comes to you.”
“Oh, Sean. You dumb, gorgeous, considerate hockey man. I would’ve followed you across the world with nothing in our pockets, if you’d have asked me to.”
“I know, but you would’ve been miserable being so far away from here, and I never could’ve lived with myself if I made you unhappy. So what do you think? Will you stay here and finally be mine?”
“I can’t believe you haven’t figured it out by now.”
His brow furrows, “What?”
“I’ve been yours from the moment you looked my way, and I always will be. I’m hopelessly in love with you. In fact, I’m pretty sure I’ve loved you from the first time you danced with me at the Jingle Bell Swing, and I’m just now realizing that’s why it hurt so badly to think about you over the years we’ve been a part.”
“I promise to spend the rest of our lives making them up to you. I’ll always be the bell to your jingle. The berry to your holly. The tree to your ornament. The nog to your egg. The toe to your mistle-”
I interrupt with a laugh, “I’m going to hold you to that. Tinsel to my tangle.”
He winks, “Exactly. And I hope you do. Winter tomywonderland.” He says softly, leaning down until he’s close enough that our noses nearly touch.
My arms move up around his neck, shimmying my body closer to his. He slides his hands around my waist, and then his lips are on mine, needing no mistletoe to tell us what to do. He holds me tightly in the middle of the skating rink and kisses me like I’m his only Christmas wish.
Like I’m his entire world.
I already know he’s mine, and this Christmas, I’m getting everything I’ve asked for.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Sean
Two weeks later…
“Is this the one?” I ask, glancing around at the open concept floor plan of the recently renovated home we’re currently standing in. Winter told me it’s her least favorite type of house setup, but the wall of windows with the view of the snowy mountains in the back of the property has left her a bit speechless. I don’t think the open concept matters much anymore with a view like that, and I don’t blame her.
“Do you like it?” She questions with a glance in my direction, but she doesn’t need to. I will literally love anything that makes her happy. I want her to pick whatever house or land for us to build on that will have her wanting to spend the rest of her life with me, because that’s the next step. My ultimate goal. She glances around, hands resting on her hips as she comments, “It’s a lot of money. Nancy even said it’s a bit over-priced.”
“The only thing that matters to me is if you’ll be here. Anything else is a bonus. If the floor plan is throwing you off, but you love everything else, then we’ll remodel. We’ll do whatever we need to so you’re comfortable and happy in a home you love. I want to grow old with you, Winter. Everything else is just details we can figure out as we come to them.”
She steps closer, her head tipped back so she can meet my gaze as I wrap my arms around her. “You’re right. Sometimes I still feel the need to pinch myself, to make sure this is all real. That you’re actually here and with me.”
She’s already got an understated promise ring on her finger that I put there a couple of weeks ago, right after I asked her to be my girlfriend in the middle of the park’s ice rink. She’s crazy if she thinks I’m not putting the biggest diamond I can afford on her next. I don’t care if she’s afraid to draw attention to it or not; I want everyone to know she’s mine. I told her I’m going to propose, but I’m trying to wait at least a few months so herfamily doesn’t think we’re rushing things too quickly. While this is our relationship and her happiness is my ultimate goal, I still respect her family and want to cause the least amount of stress on Winter as possible. I explained my reasoning to her and I think she appreciates it more that I was open about everything, rather than her left believing I’m not ready to fully commit. Because I most certainly am.
If I could put her in my pocket and carry her around, I would. I’m that certain about us, and there’s no way I’ll be changing my mind. Ever.
“I don’t want to be anywhere else but with you. One benefit of this place being move-in ready is that we’ll get to start sharing a bed each night.” Without worrying about ruffling our families' feathers or getting randomly snowed in at the cabin. That can’t happen again until the season’s over and I’m finally able to spend all my time with her like the needy man I’ve turned out to be. Capable, yes, however, I want to spend all my time with my woman, and when we’re a part, it kinda feels like the end of the world if I’m being honest.
“And there’s already a Christmas tree. Kind of ironic, since we got snowed in together all in the name of cutting a tree down.” She gestures to the massive real spruce centered in front of the windows. It’s undecorated aside from white twinkle lights. The rest of the place is bare, just a blank canvas for however my woman wants to decorate it, but putting a tree in the space was a nice touch. I know my Christmas crazy girlfriend will certainly appreciate having it here to admire, and also one less thing on her new to-do list will be checked off. “I say if the tree’s here, then we’re here,” she shrugs, and I grin like a fool because she’s so freaking cute.
“The tree and the mountains…” she trails off for a beat before continuing, “We could put some chairs right out there on the porch with one of those small gas fire tables so we could sitoutside and take in the fresh air. Maybe make some smores,” she smirks. She’s already making plans, seeing us in the space, so it’s a done deal. This is the house where we’ll make all of our future important memories, and I can’t wait for every single one.
“I like that suggestion, and also how there are thirty acres. Plenty of room for us to do what we want out here. Big shower, enough room for two.”
