Page 266 of The Parkers' Handsome Holiday
Suddenly Dad’s face split into a smile. “Son, I’d be honored to give you my blessing.” I felt a weight leave my chest as my father continued. “You’re a good man, and I know you want the best for her. Just keep her out of any crazy investigations in the future, and I’ll be forever grateful. I know you’ll be able to protect her, and to put up with her.”
Matt laughed. “You’ll be the only one in history who could put up with her,” he said, and I reached across the table to smack his arm. “She’s a handful.”
“She’s my handful,” Jack corrected, then came around the table to plant a kiss on my forehead. “I’d like to make a toast to the Smith family. Thank you for all that you’ve done for me.”
Dad raised his glass, and so did Matt. My asshole brother couldn’t resist adding, “And thank you, Jack, for taking Emma off our hands.”
We all laughed, and I thought my heart would explode in my chest from happiness. As we did every Christmas, after dinner we headed into the living room to enjoy the Christmas tree lights and to watch cheesy movies.
This year was the best ever, though, because I got to snuggle up close to Jack on the couch. He laughed at the same parts that I did, and when things got a little too heavy, he wiped my tears. I’d never felt so cared for, so cherished. It was really the greatest Christmas present anyone could ask for.
During a break between movies, Jack stood, getting close to the tree. “I think there’s still one present under here,” he said, leaning down and pulling out a box.
“Oh yeah,” Matt said. “Who’s it for?”
“Emma,” Jack said, coming closer to me. He held a small box out to me. It was white and had a big red bow on it. I’d put most of the presents under the tree myself, and had handed them out this morning when me and Dad and Matt had been opening them. I didn’t remember seeing any box like this.
I took the box, and Jack went down to one knee. A sudden jolt went through me, and everything slowed down. My hands were shaking when they opened the box.
Inside I found a perfect diamond ring. Jack took the ring from my hand, then slid it onto the third finger on my left hand.
“Emma,” he said, his voice somber. “I never knew what love was until I met you. I promise to make your every day as happy as this one, if you agree to be my wife. Emma Smith, will you marry me?”
I couldn’t stop the tears from spilling down my cheeks. I smiled so wide I thought my face would crack. “Yes,” I managed to bleat, “I’ll marry you!”
I tumbled off the couch and into his arms. He caught me, and I knew then that he would always catch me. I kissed him, unable to help myself, not even caring that Dad and Matt were in the room and would be staring at us.
He kissed me back and I felt the love he had for me in the kiss. It was the feeling of being a kid and coming down on Christmas morning to find all your presents waiting for you. Except this feeling was even better, because I knew it would last a lifetime.
“I love you, Jack Walsh,” I said, crying openly. “You’re the best Christmas present a girl could ever hope for.”
“You’re not so bad yourself,” he whispered into my ear. “I love you.”
“Ewww,” Matt said, then made a barfing noise. “Could you guys get a room already? You’re grossing me out.”
I heard my dad smack Matt on the back of his head and I started to laugh. “Are you sure you want to marry into this family?” I asked.
Jack smiled. “Someone has to.”
We all laughed, and Jack picked me up and spun me around. He was so strong, and I loved being in his arms.
That night, Jack asked me to stay at his place and I happily agreed. When he walked me out to the car, snow started to fall.
We paused, looking up into the night sky. Snow was a rarity in Savannah, and it was just one more Christmas miracle.
I felt overwhelmed in that moment, so supremely blessed that for a second I was afraid it was all a dream that I would wake up and it would be over.
I felt Jack put his arms around me and I looked up into his handsome face. He looked back at me with such deep love in his eyes that I knew I wasn’t dreaming. This was real, and it was forever.
He bent down to kiss me as the snow started to fall around us.
THE END
One Winter Night
Copyright © 2018 by Ali Parker
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
