22. Epilogue

Cole

One year later

The fire roars to life, and I watch the flames grab the air. Heat lulls me into a sense of peace that's been a constant companion for the last twelve months. The constant pop from the kitchen tells me that my wife is making popcorn for the dreaded garland.

This past year has flown by, and I can't believe it's Christmas again. Noelle and I are alone in the cabin. Mike and Mel are spending this year with their parents for Micah's first Christmas.

Noelle was right, and Mel was indeed pregnant, almost six months along, when they told us about their baby secret. Waiting until the second trimester to tell anyone was the smart thing to do, especially considering their past disappointments.

I waited as long as possible to ask Noelle to marry me, which was all of 60 days. Even though I was ready to hop on a plane and do a quiet destination wedding, heck, the courthouse would've been fine, Noelle wanted Mel by her side.

Mel, on the other hand, wasn't willing to wear a bridesmaid gown at eight months pregnant, so we waited. Having Mike, Mel, and baby Micah there was the perfect addition, and I wouldn't have changed it for the world.

I add another log to the fire just as Noelle leaves the kitchen.

"I've got the popcorn." She chirps happily, carrying a bowl and some Twizzlers. I might have groaned except for the smile on her face that made my breath catch. I swear this woman gets more beautiful every day. Her skin is radiant. "What, no complaining?"

"You want popcorn garland, Bug, you get popcorn garland." I stand up and take a seat on the couch.

The smile she beams my way is worth the torture I'll endure for the next unknown amount of hours threading popcorn. So is the kiss she leans in to give me. Next year, we can talk about something other than popcorn, but this year, she can have whatever she wants.

"Where are you going?" I ask when she heads back into the kitchen.

"Getting the hot chocolate," The glint in her eyes has me smiling back at her. "I couldn't carry it and the popcorn."

I nod, pick up the bowl she just put down, and throw a handful of buttery goodness in my mouth.

"Cole Nichols!" She scowls at me, holding two mugs as she walks back to the couch. "If you eat any more of that popcorn, we won't have enough for the tree."

"A man can hope," I mumble.

"What did you say?"

"Sorry, honey." She glowers at my use of the nickname as she hands me my cup. But I can tell she's pressing her lips together to keep a smile from breaking free.

"Here! Drink this and keep your hands off the popcorn."

"Yes, ma'am." I give her a two-finger salute and lift the mug to my lips. I stop it before the lip touches my mouth.

I read the words in front of me multiple times before looking up at Noelle. Her eyes are shiny, and she nods at me.

I look back to the mug and read the words one more time. New to this Dad thing.

"Is this a mug Mel got Mike?" My brows pull together, still struggling to grasp the meaning of the words I'm reading.

Noelle's laughter rings through the cabin. She sits beside me on the couch and hugs my arm, leaning into me.

"Cole," she turns my face toward her and presses her lips to mine before saying. "You're going to be a dad."

"How is this possible?"

"Dear." Her eyes widen and a smirk lines her lips. "Please don't tell me I need to explain to you about the birds and the bees."

I chuckle and roll my eyes at her. "Okay, I guess I stepped in that one."

"You could say that." Her smile is so bright and her eyes are gleaming, making my stomach flutter.

"Are you pregnant?" Shock rolling off of me in waves. She gently wraps her hands around my face and kisses me. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her on my lap as she giggles. "As much as I enjoy that, it doesn't answer my question."

"Yes." She whispers against my lips. "I'm pregnant."

I cup her cheeks with my hands as a smile stretches my face so far I swear my cheeks are going to crack. My chest feels as if a firework just went off and I can't fully comprehend how my life has changed in a three hundred and sixty-five day period.

"Are you happy?" Noelle whispers, as she turns her face to the palm of my hand and kisses it.

"I think I understand why Brian looked the way he did in that photo." She bursts out laughing and I can't help but join her.

She leans her head against my shoulder and I take in a deep breath, the familiar smell of lavender and citrus calming my nerves. I've wanted a family forever…with Noelle. And here I am getting everything I've ever hoped for.

"Seriously, though, are you okay?" She cups my face and tilts my chin to her so she can see what emotions are in my eyes. "I can't tell if you're excited or panicked."

I pull her in closer to me and tuck my head in her shoulder. "I am excited. And maybe just a little panicked. But mostly excited."

I feel her cheek as it lifts against my forehead and I smile. A feeling of warmth spreading through my entire body.

Jingle Bells softly plays in the background and Noelle laughs.

"Mel knows something is up and is dying to find out what it is." She giggles.

I pull away from her and she looks at me with a raised eyebrow.

"You told me first?" My voice is husky and a bit wobbly. Tears burn the back of my eyes.

"Cole," she cups my face and kisses me with such tenderness and love that my entire body feels like jelly. "Mel is my best friend, but you are my best friend and my husband. This is yours to hear first."

She runs a thumb across my cheek and tears well in her eyes as she looks at me.

"I love you, Bug," my voice cracks, and Noelle grins. I put my hand over Noelle's stomach and whisper. "I love you too, baby bug."

She puts her hand over mine as tears stream down her face. I look up at her and just stare at my beautiful wife.

She leans in and gives me a kiss filled with promises of futures to come. "I love you so very much."

I roll my eyes as I think of my gift to her. It feels so small now.

"What was that for?" She looks at me confused.

"Huh?"

"You rolled your eyes when I told you I loved you," her eyebrows knit together and confusion lines her face.

"I know," I say without thinking. "Wait! No. I didn't mean anything by it."

She sits up and crosses her arms while looking pointedly at me.

I move her off of me and her eyes nearly pop out of her head. I walk out of the room and come back with a small box wrapped with a red ribbon and hand it to her.

I know I'm acting like a child, but I was so excited to give her this gift, and now I feel like no matter what I do I can't top hers.

I mean how do I give her something like she's given me?

"Open it," I nod my head at her.

I watch her as complete and utter confusion is written all over face.

"Wait!" She freezes and I take the box back. I don't want to be throwing a temper tantrum when she's opening this present. "Let me try this again."

I take the box from her and go back into the kitchen, this time coming out wearing a smile.

"Wow, you really are in shock." She shakes her head and giggles at me. I smile and hand over the present.

I watch her open it. She looks at me, then looks back at the ornament. She pulls it out and holds it in front of me. I can only imagine that the look on her face mirrors mine when I first read the words written on the mug.

"A key?" She asks, looking it over, and I nod. "What do we need a key ornament for?"

Just as I get ready to say her face lights up and she throws her arms around my neck and kisses me. Squealing in excitement the entire time.

"Did we get the house?" I can't stop the grin that covers my face.

"We got the house!" The tightness in my chest loosens, and I relax for the first time since finding out that I'm going to be a father.

"A baby and a house," She climbs into my lap and smiles. "I think it's official. We're adults!"

"It's official." I wrap my arms around her and pull her close.

"I love you, Mr. Cole Nichols."

"Does this mean we can skip the garland?"

Noelle turns to me with eyes so bright that my heart stops. She leans in and kisses me. I feel a smile curve on her lips as she pulls away.

"No," She kisses me again. "This doesn't mean we can skip the garland."

I shrug. "Can't blame a man for trying."

She throws her head back and laughs. When she brings her gaze back to me my breath hitches.

"I love you too, Ladybug."

The End.