Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Four Months Later

Spencer sat in the cramped waiting area of the bustling Burlington hospital next to Margo, with Caroline, Rhonda, and Donovan sitting across from them. It felt a little strange, being in the waiting room of a busy hospital instead of in the middle of the action, but he wanted to be there to keep Margo calm.

They'd already been there for what felt like an eternity to him, even though he knew how these things went. He'd done a rotation through the maternity ward when he was in medical school, and he'd been reassuring Margo and Caroline, just as Rhonda had, that it was normal that it was taking a long time. After all, Nora had only been in labor for a few hours.

Everyone was on edge, anxious anticipation hanging in the air as they all awaited the arrival of the newest member of the family, and Margo squeezed his hand constantly. He knew how bad she was at sitting still. It had been hard enough to get her to follow her care instructions when she'd been in the cast, and the minute he'd gotten it off and her leg was healed, she'd been off like a rocket, never slowing down. He had worried, at first, that she'd realize that Evergreen Hollow was too small and confining for her after all, but that hadn't happened. Everything had continued to be perfect, just as it was now.

And Margo, even though she was clearly nervous, had a visible excitement about her. She'd integrated back into life in Evergreen Hollow without issue, finding happiness and passion in her job at The Gazette , even though it was so much slower-paced than what she used to do. He'd seen her find pleasure in the slower pace, just like he had, even though his job had once been much more thrilling than what a small-town clinic offered. She'd learned to enjoy the benefits of having a home, and regular hours, just as he had.

He watched her eyes dart nervously back and forth between her family members, her excitement palpable, and he felt a warm satisfaction at the thought that Margo would be here for this new expansion of her family, that he would get to share in it with her, and that everything had come together better than he could have ever hoped. It made him happy in ways he'd never known were possible.

The fundraiser for The Mistletoe Inn's roof had been a smash success, and he had been thrilled to share in the joy of seeing the beloved town landmark repaired, celebrating along with Margo and the rest of the Stoker family. He knew it was a weight off her parents' minds to have the roof fixed.

After a little while longer, a nurse came out to meet them, clearing her throat. "You can come back and see Mrs. Masters and the baby now," she said, and they all shot up at once, ready to go back and see Nora and the new little one.

Aiden was in the room with Nora, standing next to the bed, the doctor saying something to them that Spencer couldn't quite hear. He was too focused on Margo, on her radiant expression as she saw her sister and the small bundle in her arms.

"We picked out a name," Nora said, leaning her head against her husband's arm tiredly.

"Madison Sophia."

She looked exhausted, but her eyes were shining with the look that Spencer had seen before, on other mothers in his rotation on maternity, completely drained from labor but still over the moon with happiness.

Margo's face lit up, and she walked to Nora's bedside, handing her the teddy bear that she'd been clutching since she left the house. It was soft-looking with brown fur, and the word No matter where you roam were written in a curling pink script in a heart on the belly.

Nora's eyes welled up as Margo tucked it in next to her. "Madison has such a courageous and adventurous aunt to look up to," she said softly. "And I couldn't be happier that she's going to get to grow up with you here."

Spencer saw Margo look over at him, meeting his gaze with hers in a meaningful glance, and his heart swelled.

Together, he and Margo had finally found a reason for her to put down roots. For her to slow down, as much as she ever could, and find happiness in one place. And while he had been happy in Evergreen Hollow before, nothing could match the joy that he'd found in sharing his life with her.

In that moment, he was overwhelmed with happiness and contentment, everything as perfect as he could have imagined. And it would only get better, in time.

He couldn't wait to see what the next Christmas would bring.

The series continues in Mistletoe and Memories ! Click HERE to get your copy and soak up more holiday joy with the Stoker family and the residents of Evergreen Hollow!