13. Rafferty

13

RAFFERTY

A week before Christmas, we woke to a layer of soft, dry snow that blanketed the landscape. That afternoon, I stood at the bedroom window as Arabella came out of the bathroom dressed in a sleeveless cranberry-red dress that showed off her shapely shoulders and toned arms. The color suited her complexion, not to mention the cut of the dress that accentuated every curve.

“You look stunning,” I said. “Are you sure you want to be with this clown?”

She laughed, joining me by the window and running a hand down the front of my shirt. “You’re not a clown, Rafferty Moon. You’re my hero.”

“And you’re mine.” I kissed her gently. Then we parted ways to go downstairs before we got carried away. I had a mission—a sparkling mission waiting in the inner pocket of my suit jacket. I’d had it planned for weeks—a proposal in front of both our families in the living room of our new home.

Arabella and I had fallen even deeper in love by the time we chose an architect to build our dream home. Our marriage was a bygone conclusion by then, although I’d promised her and myself that she would have a proposal moment. Tonight was that night. My palms dampened at the thought.

It took eight months to build, but our house was complete by Thanksgiving. We’d talked about getting married many times but had agreed to wait until the house was completed so that we could start our life together in a place new to both of us. Miraculously, Arabella’s land and house, minus the five acres she’d kept for us, had sold relatively quickly. A young man looking to run a small ranch had been waiting for the right piece of land to come on the market. He and his young family were now settled into the old farmhouse and had been welcomed into the community in Bluefern fashion. Just the other day, I spotted cattle peppering the field that had been empty for far too long.

I’d had a good year financially and was able to match her contribution, making the house truly ours and not just hers. We’d also saved a lot of money because of one man—Jasper Moon. As he had since I was nine years old, he’d enriched my life with his simple acts of love. When we thanked him for all he did to help get our house ready, he just brushed it aside. “It’s what I was born to do. Be your pop.”

In my opinion, we’d chosen the perfect spot for the house, tucked near the creek that wound its way through the property. Any time I stepped out to the back patio, I could hear water bubbling over stones. We’d picked a modern farmhouse aesthetic, with white board-and-batten siding made to last, black-framed windows that reflected the endless sky, and a charcoal-gray metal roof ready to take on whatever Montana’s winters could throw at us.

The front porch stretched along the entire front of the house, complete with a swing that creaked softly in the breeze. My brothers, Pop, and I had spent a month of weekends on the front landscape. We’d put in a paver walkway made of light gray stones that led from the driveway to the porch steps. Low- growing shrubs lined the path, their evergreen foliage dotted with clusters of red berries. A few larger bushes framed the porch, softening the edges of the house.

Around back, the patio opened up to sweeping views of the mountain range, the peaks dusted with fresh snow. We’d even added a firepit similar to the one Atticus and Annie had at their house, surrounded by Adirondack chairs.

Pop had built a small bridge that arched over the creek, leading to a meadow that would be spotted with wildflowers in the spring and summer, but today, it was dusted with freshly fallen snow. As a surprise for us, Pop had also put together raised beds to the left of the patio for a vegetable garden.

The doorbell rang as we were headed downstairs. I rushed to the door, welcoming Pop and Mama. They were looking particularly well, their active lifestyle keeping them young and the cold air flushing their cheeks. Mama handed Arabella a gift wrapped in gold paper. “This is for your housewarming, not Christmas, so you must open it after the party.”

“If you insist,” Arabella said, hugging my mother.

Casper and Elliot, with baby Madeleine in a red dress, as smiley and happy as she usually was, arrived next. Soon, she would a be a year old, which none of us could believe. She’d brought so much joy to my brother and Elliot that I suspected another one would be along soon.

Soon, Thad and Sammie, with an excited Chloe bouncing on her toes and twirling about to show everyone her tulle skirt, appeared. Sammie was pregnant and due in February, and her baby bump was more than evident on her small frame. Atticus and Annie were also expecting another baby, which was due in the early spring. Their little guy was an active toddler, running this way and that, compelling Atticus to keep a close watch on him for fear he would knock over the Christmas tree. Apparently, he’d already done so at home.

Soren and Finley were the last of my family to show. They had a newborn, only two weeks old, a little girl they’d named Ellie. The new parents looked tired but happy as they joined everyone in the living.

“It looks absolutely brilliant in here,” Finley exclaimed in her British accent. “Next year, I’m going to do more decorating.”

“You’ve had your hands full,” Mama said kindly as she held out her arms for Ellie.

Arabella and my mother had spent an entire day decorating our house for Christmas. They’d giggled with glee as they’d envisioned creating a winter wonderland in the living room. Not that I was an expert or anything, but they seemed to have accomplished their goal. A tall, snowy white Christmas tree stood by the window, adorned with shimmering silver and gold ornaments. Tiny white lights twinkled among the branches, and a delicate star crowned the top.

We’d decided on a plush cream sofa, now layered with soft, oversized holiday pillows and a faux fur throw. The rustic wooden coffee table was topped with a few glowing candles, adding warmth and a hint of holiday spice to the air. Gift boxes, wrapped in simple brown paper and tied with twine and sprigs of evergreen, were tucked beneath the tree. For whatever reason, Arabella had insisted the wrapping all match. She didn’t say, but I knew that the Christmases with her father had been stark and cold. Thus, she wanted us to do the opposite. As baffling as it was to me, she couldn’t rest until every detail was exactly as she’d envisioned. If it made her happy, it made me happy.

Arabella’s family entered all together. Her brothers were on holiday break from school, bringing their youthful energy to the party. Sally, looking lovely in a blue dress, hugged me tightly. “You all set?” Sally asked.

“More than ready,” I said. “The ring’s in my pocket. I’m nervous, though.”

“Don’t be.” Jacob pumped my hand. “She’s going to love that ring.”

I’d splurged and gotten her a solitaire the size of a small country. Not really. But it was big and sparkly, and I knew Arabella would love it. She’d hinted at the type of ring she wanted, making it easy for me.

I’d called Sally and Jacob last week to ask for their blessing. They’d given it without hesitation. Sally had called me an “answer to prayer,” which thrilled me.

An hour into the party, I decided it was time. Everyone had nibbled on appetizers and imbibed in various ways, depending on if they were pregnant or not. I turned down the Christmas music piped through the overhead speakers. I took a deep breath, feeling the small velvet box in my pocket, steadying myself. Being Arabella’s husband was why I’d been born. I’d realized that over the last few months. It wasn’t my work, which I loved and had spent so many years honing, or any of my other accomplishments that mattered the most. It was the woman standing across the room laughing at something Annie had said.

I caught Arabella’s eye and motioned for her to join me in front of the fireplace. The chatter quieted as everyone seemed to realize the time was now. As was typical in my family, there were no surprises. Everyone knew I was about to propose except Arabella. I hoped, anyway.

For a second, I took in the scene before me, hoping to sear it to my memory. Caspian grinned like a fool, and Thad’s eyes softened as he snuggled Chloe on his lap. Their wives, Elliot and Sammie, together by the Christmas tree, had wrapped their arms around each other and prepared for the show. Soren stood in the corner with his arm around his pregnant wife, his eyes glassy with tears. My grumpy brother had turned into a sentimental fool right before our eyes. That’s what the love of a good woman did to a man. I knew all about it.

Annie and Atticus shared the oversize chair with their son on his father’s lap. He’d fallen asleep on Atticus’s chest, having worn himself out by running from one beloved aunt or uncle to another for the first hour of the party.

Sally and Jacob sat together on one end of the couch, holding hands. The love on Sally’s face as she watched her daughter was enough to bring me to tears, but I had to focus. Daniel and Michael were draped over the leather chair in the corner, smiling encouragingly at me.

I looked over at Mama and Pop, who sat side by side in the loveseat. Mama had already started crying. Pop nodded at me as if to say, “You got this.”

“What’s happening?” Arabella whispered, glancing around the room, her cheeks flushing the color of a pink rose.

Her eyes widened as I dropped to one knee. I took her hand, marveling at the softness of her skin. She’d had her nails done yesterday, which I’d worried meant she knew this was coming. However, given the shocked expression on her face, I could see that she had not.

I took a deep breath and began. “If you’d told me a year ago at this time that we would be standing in our new home with our family all around us, I would not have believed it. But that fateful day—the day that brought us together—changed everything. I think I knew that morning, when I woke to see you standing by the window in the cabin, that you were my destiny. My forever love. All the years of fighting my true feelings suddenly vanished, and I saw you for what you truly are, my soulmate.”

Arabella nodded, tears spilling over her cheeks. “Yes. For me too.”

I took the box out of my pocket and opened it, holding up the ring to show her. The firelight caught the diamond, sparkling but nowhere near the same beauty as Arabella’s shining eyes. “Arabella Collins, will you be my wife? My best friend? Partner in all things?”

She covered her mouth, clearly trying to compose herself before speaking. “There’s nothing I’ve ever wanted more than to be your wife. To be part of your family. And you be part of mine.” She glanced over at her mother, who blew her a kiss. “I will be your wife, your best friend, and partner in all things.”

I slipped the ring onto her finger as the room burst into applause and cheers. She stared at the diamond on her hand as if she couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing. “It’s perfect. I love it.” She held her hand aloft to show everyone.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Pop get up to open the bottles of champagne and apple cider I’d put on ice earlier. But my gaze quickly returned to Arabella. I leaned down to brush my lips against hers. She wrapped her arms around my neck. “You’ve made me happier than I ever thought possible,” she said. “Thank you for making all my dreams come true.”

“You’re the dream-maker.”

We kissed one more time as well wishes cascaded around us like a soft snowfall. A storm so severe that it took her father’s life had also brought us together in the most profound of ways, and now here we were, surrounded by everyone who loved us. From that dark day, this one had been born.

Pop and Soren were pouring glasses of bubbly for everyone while Elliot and Finley passed them around the room. Once everyone had a glass, Pop cleared his throat.

“I’d like to make a toast, if I may?” Pop asked.

Everyone nodded in agreement and took their places around the room. I held Arabella’s hand in my free one as Pop began to speak.

He gestured toward Mama before turning to Sally and Jacob. “I’d like to welcome you to our family and thank you for embracing us with open arms. It means a lot to Stella and me to see Arabella’s family rallying behind her, loving her as she deserves to be loved.”

“Thank you, Jasper,” Sally said, wiping tears from her cheeks. “It’s an honor to be part of this family and to have such a special young man join ours.”

Beside me, Arabella sniffed. I squeezed her hand a little harder, fighting tears of my own.

Pop continued, addressing Sally and Jacob. “Many years ago, I stood before this woman—my Stella—and asked if she would be my wife. She came as a package deal, of course. Five little boys who desperately needed a father—one who would remain steadfast and loyal—one who would love them unconditionally. I knew the moment I met them that this was the reason God had put me on this earth.” He teared up, hesitating for a moment before gaining control. “And that I was the man God chose for Stella and her boys? Well, it was hard to believe, and yet here I was, an ordinary guy chosen for an angel and her precious boys. I couldn’t believe my luck then or now.”

Mama was crying and shaking her head, dabbing at her cheeks with the back of her hand. “Jasper, we’re the lucky ones.”

My brothers were all nodding and muttering the same sentiments under their breath.

Pop went on, undeterred. “Being a husband and father to you, particularly humans has been the greatest joy and blessing of my life. Through the years, we’ve endured hardships, but mostly, we’ve been blessed with the love of family and friends, of memory upon happy memory. Watching you boys grow into the stellar young men you are today—there’s nothing quite like it. Absolutely nothing makes me prouder than knowing what good people you are—how you make the world better every single day with your big hearts, work ethics, and commitment to family. Over the last few years, watching as you have found your soulmates and made them your wives and watching how you treat them as if they are your everything has filled my heart with gratitude. Stella and I may not have been perfect, but we taught you that love is the most precious of all God’s gifts. That is the singular best thing I’ve ever done.

“On a night similar to this, I stood before you all and promised to live by Slurfpig.”

“Long live Slurfpig,” shouted my brothers in unison.

“I commissioned a painting for each of you by a local artist with the promises I made that day. It would make me happy to see Slurfpigs hung somewhere in your homes. And I hope in the years to come, those promises will be a reminder to you too. Especially on days that are particularly trying. There will be some, hopefully very few, but with a foundation of love and sacrifice, choices are clearer, paths more obvious.”

He turned toward Arabella and me. “So, on this auspicious day, I would like to congratulate Rafferty and Arabella and wish for you the kind of marriage Stella and I have enjoyed.”

“Thanks, Pop,” I whispered despite the lump in my throat.

“It is what I’ve wanted for all our boys, and today, with the final proposal in our family until this new generation comes of age, I wanted to tell you once again how much I love each of you and what a blessing it has been to be your father.” His gaze swept the room. “Whether you came to me by Stella or the rascals you fell in love with, I cherish you with all my heart.” He wiped the corners of his eyes before he raised his glass. “To our family.”

Everyone raised their glasses, calling out words of congratulations. But it was Thad’s voice that rang out the loudest, an echo of that day so long ago when five little boys had listened to the promises from the man they would call Pop. “I love you, Mr. Moon.”

“And I love all of you Moons.” Pop held up his glass. “To the Slurfpig in all of us. Long may he live.”

All the Moons and our special guests raised their glasses, some of us laughing, others crying, a few of the youngest among us babbling and gurgling from their baby seats, and toasting to our family. I held my soon-to-be Mrs. Moon close, grateful to have found my purpose at long last.