Epilogue - Tobias

"I lied. There's one more thing." I gripped the wheel of my truck and turned toward the hotel I'd booked a few nights before.

"More? I'm ready to go home," Lumen whined. After we had hot cocoa in the morning, we called the police to tell them our version of events. Three masked people invaded her home, and she'd fought them off all night. When I arrived to surprise her for Christmas, we called the cops, who insisted we go to the hospital while they did an investigation.

"I know. Me too. I want to get things cleaned up as soon as we can. Thankfully they ruled it all self-defense and are letting you go back to everything."

"I don't know if I want to go back to everything." Her voice grew soft as she stared out the window.

"What do you mean?" I asked, pulling into the hotel parking lot.

"Well, going back to what I was doing before feels... lonely. I was trapped in my own mind, afraid to leave the house. I don't want to go back to that."

I parked and reached for her hand. "That's not going to happen. In fact, if you don't want to, you don't ever have to stay there again. We can move you into my place and sell this one. Whatever you choose, you're not going to be alone."

Her bright brown eyes lit up. "Really?"

I laughed. "Of course. Now that I finally have you, I'm not letting you go. You were my Christmas wish, Lumen."

I knew it was cheesy, but I couldn't help it. I needed her to know just how much I needed her. I'd never been this obsessed with someone in my life. I couldn't imagine a life where she wasn't part of it.

"Now," I changed the subject, "for your Christmas wish."

I hopped out of the car and hurried to the other side, helping her out. I urged her to lean on me as we went straight to the elevator.

"I got here a few days before, to make sure everyone was settled in before the big night," I explained as we walked to my room.

"Everyone?" She looked up at me. I grinned.

"You'll see."

I scanned the key card, allowing us entrance, and slowly pushed the door open.

"Daddy's back!" I sang to the room as tiny, excited barks flooded the room. I opened the door fully just as three little puppies ran toward us, nipping and wagging at our feet.

"Tobias! What is this?"

"These are my latest rescues. I travel the country, helping areas that have large number of unhoused pets. I get them basic healthcare and help find them homes." I scooped up the three Dachshund puppies and cradled them in my arms. "They are from the same litter; I couldn't bear to separate them."

"How did you know I wanted a dog?" She reached her hand out, letting the puppies lick her. I grinned. If only she knew just how much I'd obsessed over her this year. I knew everything there was to know about Lumen Morgan.

"Last year, I saw you looking at the puppies at the mall. Puppies are forever, but so am I."

Lumen took her eyes off the dogs and looked at me with such awe, such admiration, such... love.

"What do you say? Want to take us home? At least for the holidays?" I asked, adding that last part out of sheer nervousness she'd say no. My stomach tightened, worried for a brief moment her answer wouldn't be what I wanted. And then, she grinned, straining on her tiptoes to kiss me.

"That's all I want… forever."

THE END