Epilogue

"Damn it," Eli grumbled as he struggled to assemble the pink bike, eliciting laughter from Lorna. He shot her a glare. "Could you lend a hand? These training wheels are kicking my ass."

"Nope, this was your idea to get her a bike for Christmas. You can figure it out on your own."

"She specifically asked for a bike," Eli defended.

"And since she asked, you got it," Lorna pointed out.

"Well, yeah. Marcus and my parents aren't the only ones who spoil her." He grinned.

"You should've started earlier than Christmas Eve."

Eli let out a sigh and set down his screwdriver and glared at her.

"Gee, ya think?"

Lorna fell back onto the sofa in a fit of laughter, causing him to chuckle along with her. She then got up and asked, "Would you like something to drink?"

"Could I have a glass of water, please?"

"Of course." She leaned in for a kiss before heading to the kitchen.

While Lorna was gone, Eli resumed working on the bike and breathed a sigh of relief when he finally finished putting it together. He placed it on its wheels and smiled proudly.

"She's going to love it," Lorna said as she handed him the glass of water.

"Thanks, darlin'." He drank it down and set the glass on the coffee table. As Lorna reached for it, he grabbed her hand and pulled her onto his lap. They shared a sweet kiss before he gazed into her eyes and said, "I love you, Lorna."

"I know. I love you too."

"I'm so glad you do, baby."

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down for another kiss.

"You kiss so good," she whispered against his lips, making him grin.

"Right back at ya." He moved her off his lap but held onto her hand. "I want you to open a present."

Lorna looked at the tree and the array of gifts underneath it.

"I have a feeling Lily won't be the only one getting spoiled this Christmas."

"I'll spoil both of you as long as I can." He kissed her nose.

"Okay, which one?" Lorna asked eagerly.

Eli stood up and pulled a small package out of his pocket before sitting back down on the floor with her.

"This one." He couldn't help but laugh at the shocked look on her face as she stared at the gift. He handed it to her, but she just sat there staring at it, then back at him, and back at the package. "Lorna? Baby, open it."

She took a deep breath and tore off the wrapping paper, revealing a black velvet box in her hand. He noticed her hands shaking slightly and placed his hand over hers.

"If you're not ready—" He was cut off when she pressed her lips to his.

"I'm more than ready." She laughed. "Oh, boy. If this isn't what I think it is, I might have to take back saying I'm ready."

He leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "I love it when you're ready," before grunting when she playfully elbowed him. "Open it."

Lorna nodded and lifted the lid, gasping at the sight of a beautiful diamond ring set in white gold. A tear rolled down her cheek as she continued to stare at it in awe. Eli slid his hand under her hair and lightly squeezed her neck.

"It's breathtaking," she whispered.

"Just like you."

She shook her head, disbelief written all over her face. "I never thought I could be happy again, but you changed that, Eli. When you were injured, I was terrified, but I knew that if you pulled through, I would always be by your side. No matter what. I would never ask you to give up your job for me. You have a passion for it and you, along with the other agents, make a real impact. And I couldn't be prouder of you." She gently held his face in her hands. "I love you more than words can express."

"And I love you too. I asked your dad for your hand in marriage. He got a little emotional, but said yes, so now it's up to you, sweetheart." He took the small box from her hand, removed the ring, and slid it onto her finger. "Lorna Doone Palmer Carter, will you do me the honor of marrying me?"

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she nodded, overwhelmed with emotion. She held out her hand and admired the sparkling diamond in the light before pulling him into a tight embrace, knocking him onto his back and peppering his face with kisses.

Eli cradled her face in his hands, rolled on top of her, and kissed her deeply. He knew without a doubt that she would stand by him through thick and thin, and he couldn't be happier.

"Don't worry, Mac, I've got this," he whispered against her lips before kissing her again.

"He knows," Lorna said with a smile.

Eli grinned. "I'm sure he does."

It was a long time before they got up from the floor to head for bed.

****

Lorna heard the bedroom door open on Christmas morning and pretended to be asleep as Lily crept toward the bed.

"Mama?" Lily whispered, but Lorna kept her eyes closed. She heard Lily sigh before running over to Eli's side of the bed. "Eli?" Lily patted his cheek and let out a scream of delight when he grabbed her and pulled her onto the bed with them.

"What do you think you're doing, young lady? It's still dark out," Eli joked.

"Santa was here," Lily exclaimed.

"Is that so? And how do you know that? Did you sneak to the living room to peek?" Eli asked playfully.

Lily put her hands over her mouth and giggled. "No, because I've been good," she said confidently.

Eli and Lorna couldn't help but laugh before Lorna reached for Lily and set her on the floor. "Let me up, and we'll go check for sure, Lily."

"Okay, Mama. Hurry! You too, Eli!" Lily ran out of the room excitedly.

"To have even half of that energy," Eli sighed with a yawn.

"I'll meet you in the living room," Lorna promised before kissing him and heading to the kitchen for some much-needed coffee.

As she passed through the living room, she couldn't help but smile at the sight of Lily sitting on her new pink bike, playing with the handlebar streamers.

"It's pink, Mama! I love pink!" Lily exclaimed happily.

"I know. Looks like Santa was very good to you this year," Lorna replied with a grin.

Lily jumped off her bike and sat on the floor among all her presents, eagerly waiting for Eli to join them.

"I'm here now. Go ahead and open your gifts, Lily," Eli said as he settled down next to her on the floor.

"I'll get you some coffee, Eli. Sit here with her," Lorna offered before heading to the kitchen to make them both a cup.

When she returned, she found Eli watching Lily open each present with a look of pure joy on his face. She felt her heart swell with love for both him and Lily as she handed him his coffee and sat down next to them on the floor.

"I made you something, Eli," Lily declared as she handed him a folded piece of paper.

Surprised, Eli took the paper and unfolded it gently. Lorna held her breath as he looked at the drawing and saw a tear roll down his cheek. He glanced at her, his eyes filled with emotion.

"Did you know about this?" he asked quietly.

Lorna nodded, trying to hold back her own tears as she watched him run his finger over the stick figure family drawn in crayon. Above Lorna was written "Mama" and above Eli was written "Daddy."

"I had to help her with it, but it was all her idea."

It was an emotional moment for all of them, and Lorna couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with happiness when Lily leaned into Eli's arms and asked, "Will you be my daddy?"

Eli cleared his throat before answering, "Yes." A tear slipped down his cheek as he hugged Lily tightly.

Lorna couldn't stop smiling. She kissed them both and looked out the window to see snow falling outside. It was the best Christmas yet, and she knew that their future together would be filled with love and happiness.

***The End***