Page 45 of Pine Creek Lodge
She felt tears welling up in her eyes as she wrapped her arms around Sofia, holding her close. "I can't believe you did this. You're making all my dreams come true, and I don't just meanthe hotel." She pulled back slightly to meet Sofia's gaze, noticing the shimmer of tears in her eyes too.
"You did the same for me," she said softly, her voice wavering slightly. "You showed me what it means to belong, to be part of a family. This isn't just about making your dreams come true - it's about building our future together." She sniffed and wiped away a tear. “Do you want to have a look inside? It’s a mess but the contractor told me it’s safe to explore.”
She took the keys back from Nat's still-stunned grip and unlocked the heavy front door. It creaked open, revealing a dusty but beautiful entry hall with original hardwood floors and an elegant staircase sweeping up to the second and third floors.
Nat stepped inside, her footsteps echoing in the empty space. Sunlight streamed through the dirty windows, illuminating patches of original wallpaper and intricate crown molding. Despite the years of neglect, the bones of the building were strong, its character intact.
"The contractor says it needs work, obviously," Sofia said, following her in. "But structurally, it's sound. And all the historical features can be restored." She watched as Nat moved through the space, taking it all in. "What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking... I'm thinking about how beautiful those windows will look when they're cleaned and restored. About putting a check-in desk right there, with comfortable chairs where guests can relax while they're getting their keys." Nat moved toward what must have been a formal dining room. "This could be the breakfast room, with tables arranged to take advantage of the morning light..."
Sofia's smile grew as she listened to Nat's ideas tumbling out. "So... is that a yes?"
Nat stopped her mental decorating and turned to face Sofia. "Are you kidding me? Of course it is, but… areyousure about this?"
"I'm sure about you," Sofia said simply. "About us. And I believe in your dream." She stepped closer, taking Nat's hands in hers. "Think about it – you'll be your own boss, creating exactly the kind of place you've always wanted to run. And I'll be able to spend more time with you." She squeezed Nat's hands. "Plus, Moxie can be the resident cat."
Nat laughed. "She'll probably terrorize the guests and steal their food."
"Probably," Sofia agreed with a grin.
Nat looked around again, seeing not just empty rooms now, but their future taking shape. "This is amazing," she said. "Thank you for believing in me."
Sofia pulled her into another tight embrace and kissed her temple. "Always," she whispered, holding her. They stood like that for a long moment, surrounded by dust motes dancing in the sunlight, their dreams taking solid form in the empty rooms around them. Wrapped in Sofia's embrace, Nat finally understood what it meant to have everything she'd ever wanted.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Nat watched as her father wiped tears from his eyes, still processing the news about the hotel. Her mother had already hugged them both multiple times, and even Zoe seemed uncharacteristically emotional, though she tried to hide it by fussing with her napkin.
"I just can't believe it," Martha said, reaching across the dinner table to squeeze Nat's hand again. The remains of their meal - her mother's famous pot roast - sat forgotten as the family absorbed the magnitude of what Sofia and Nat had shared. "Our little girl owns her own hotel. And such a beautiful building too!"
"Well, technically Sofia owns it," Nat corrected, glancing at Sofia beside her. "I'll be buying shares as we go along."
Robert cleared his throat, clearly still emotional. "I always knew you'd do something special, Nat. Ever since you were little, helping out in the bakery, you had such a way with people." He turned to Sofia. "And you - you're making our daughter's dreams come true. I don't know how to thank you."
"Please don't thank me," Sofia said, her voice warm. "It’s for both of us. We’re in this together and I’m looking forward to spending more time here once the home office in our new apartment is ready."
Martha stood up suddenly, circling the table to embrace Sofia again. "Oh sweetheart, just know that you are family. The way you make our Nat happy, the joy you bring to this house whenever you visit - you're one of us, whether you like it or not."
Something shifted in Sofia's expression then - a crack in her usual composure. Her lips trembled, and to everyone's surprise, including her own it seemed, she burst into tears.
"Sofia?" Nat reached for her hand, concerned. She'd never seen Sofia cry like this before.
Sofia tried to speak but couldn't seem to find the words through her tears. Their mother kept her arms around her, stroking her back like she used to do when Nat or Zoe were upset as children.
The dining room fell silent except for Sofia's quiet sobs. Nat's heart ached as she watched her normally composed girlfriend break down, overwhelmed by what most people took for granted - the simple, unconditional acceptance of family. She squeezed Sofia's hand tighter, feeling the tremors running through her.
"I'm sorry," Sofia managed between shaky breaths, attempting to regain her composure. "I don't know what came over me." She fumbled in her pocket for a tissue, but Martha was already pressing one into her hand. "I just... I never had this growing up. We never hugged, or shared meals like this, or..." She drew a shaky breath. "My parents loved me, they still do, but it was all so controlled, so rigid. No celebrations, no warmth, no laughter…" She looked around the table, at their concerned faces. "Being here, being welcomed like this - it feels like such a blessing. Like something I never knew I was missing until I found it."
"Don't you dare apologize," Martha said firmly, still rubbing circles on Sofia's back. "Sometimes the heart just needs to let things out."
Nat felt her own eyes welling up as she squeezed Sofia's hand. She'd known about her strict upbringing, but seeing the raw emotion it still stirred in her was heartbreaking.
She noticed Zoe slip quietly from her chair and head to the kitchen, returning moments later with a glass of water which she placed wordlessly in front of Sofia. The simple gesture - so unlike her usually sarcastic sister - made her throat tighten.
"Thank you," Sofia whispered, taking a careful sip. Her mascara had smudged leaving dark smears beneath her eyes, but somehow this imperfection only made her more beautiful. More real.
Their father cleared his throat again, but this time it wasn't to hide emotion. "You know," he said, his voice gentle, "Sometimes family isn't about where you come from. It's about where you land."
