Page 347 of Screwged for Christmas

“Okay.”

So much hope shone in her eyes it nearly fucking killed him to let her talk instead of kissing her worries away.

“Last night,” she began slowly, “after I told Lewis I didn’t want anything else to do with him and we came home. I had a long sleepless night and a very long talk with Gran and I realized something. That plans are worthless if they don’t make you happy. Full. I want to feel full, Aspen.”

He opened his mouth to agree but she held up a finger.

“I had everything worked out, so I thought, and coming here showed me how wrong I was. You showed me how wrong I was.”

“And now? Are you wrong to be here? What about your job in New York?”

She pressed her lips together but she couldn’t hold back a broad smile that lit her entire face up like an angel’s.

“With the revelations of the sleepless night and morning coffee, a better idea occurred to me. The job in New York was a means to an end but didn’t make me happy. The security made me happy but not full. Does that make sense?”

He approached the sign. “Trust me, baby, it does.”

His gaze locked on her as she came to stand in front of him. “Aspen Kennedy, I love you. I’ve loved you since kindergarten. Since you pulled my pigtails in fifth grade and that first kiss on the football field and since the day you took me to bed and claimed my virginity. And even the day I walked out of your life. I’m sorry I hurt you, I know I’ve said that before but I need for you to hear it again. I walked out of your life and the day you walked back into mine with firewood and coffee, of all things, I realized you and me were meant to be each other’s soul mate.”

He gathered her face in his hands. The love she talked about radiated from her like a beacon to guide him home. “I’ve never stopped loving you, my angel. You’ve been my world and I could never get over you. You stole my heart on that field and I didn’t even know it. Hell, you took it that first day of school.”

“I have something for you. Us. Close your eyes.”

She pulled him to the side, not far from where he was standing to begin with. “You’re sounding nervous again.”

“I know. Just let me get through this. Okay? No peeking. Promise?”

He chuckled. She knew him well. “You have it.” The sound of rustling tempted a peek from him, but he kept his word.

“Okay, now.”

He had no idea what was under the tarp. Words didn’t come easy as he stood there and read the sign for the third, fourth time. “Ivy, what is this?”

“My new plan. Our new plan,” she added hesitantly.

He nodded toward the sign. “Aspen and Ivy’s Christmas Tree Farm,” he read aloud, still stunned by what they meant. The tension between his shoulder blades since walking away from her the previous night eased a notch. “Are you asking me on as a partner?”

“You can have your dream, Aspen and not do it alone. What do you say? Just thetreeof us.” She giggled at her own pun.

He turned determined eyes her way. “No.”

Her shoulders dropped and a little crease formed across her brow.

Aspen grabbed her hand between his and took a knee. The surprise in her eyes nearly made him stand back up but he bulldozed through his doubt. This time he would not miss this second chance. “Ivy Sunday Winters, I want to be more than partners. I want to be your husband. For now, forever. To love you, hold you and make so many happy memories together our grandchildren will hear of our happy tales and strive for the same happiness.” He paused long enough to take the ring box from his pocket. He popped the lid and took it out.

“Yesterday, or even this morning I couldn’t tell you why I still have this in my pocket, but now I know. Ivy Sunday, will you marry me?”

He pressed his lips into a firm line, and didn’t dare breathe. Tears trailed down her cheeks and he stood, wiping them away.

“Aspen! Yes! Aspen, I’ll marry you!” She threw her arms around him and he twirled her.

“It’s snowing!” Ivy raised her face skyward and he held her tight, protected her as she took in the moment.

He looked down at her as he placed her feet firmly on the ground. “The only thing we’re missing now is mistletoe.”

“I don’t need mistletoe,” she said, smiling.

“Oh, what do you need, Mrs. Kennedy?”

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