Epilogue

The candlelight from the chapel cast a warm glow through the stained glass windows, creating patterns that danced across the snow-dusted ground outside. Megan stood just beyond the heavy wooden doors, her daughter's small hand warm in hers as she breathed in the crisp December air. The scent of pine and cinnamon drifted from the garlands woven throughout the chapel, mingling with the salt breeze from the nearby shore.

"You look like a princess, Mama," Ruby whispered, bouncing on her toes. Her white dress swished with each movement, the red sash a perfect match for the roses in her basket. Her curls, carefully styled by Miss Doris that morning, bounced with her excitement.

Megan smoothed her hand over her own dress, the delicate lace of the sleeves catching slightly on her engagement ring. The gown was simple but elegant, exactly what she'd wanted for a Christmas wedding. "You look like a princess too, sweetheart," she said softly.

Behind them, she could hear the quiet murmur of voices from inside the chapel. James and Sarah Winter had arrived earlier dressed in their holiday best. Mary had bustled in shortly after, declaring that wild horses couldn't keep her from seeing "her favorite Santa" get married.

The thought of Scott waiting at the altar made Megan's heart flutter. A year ago, she'd been lost, searching for direction and stability. Now, standing here with Ruby beside her and their future stretching bright before them, she felt nothing but certainty.

"Are you ready?" Lauren appeared in the doorway, her bridesmaid's dress a deep crimson that sparkled in the candlelight. "Everyone's seated, and I'm pretty sure if we make Scott wait any longer, he might actually explode from anticipation."

Ruby giggled, clutching her basket tighter. "Can I go first, Mama? I practiced my flower-throwing with Miss Doris all week!"

"Of course you can, sweetheart." Megan bent to press a kiss to her daughter's forehead, careful not to disturb her curls. "Remember what we practiced?"

Ruby nodded solemnly. "Walk slow, smile big, and save some petals for the end."

The first notes of music drifted through the chapel doors—not the traditional wedding march, but a soft, beautiful arrangement of "Silent Night" played by the string quartet. Lauren gave Megan's hand a quick squeeze before taking her place.

As the doors opened fully, Megan's breath caught. The chapel was transformed into a winter wonderland, with evergreen garlands draping the pews and tiny white lights twinkling like stars. Faces turned toward them, warm and familiar—the community that had become their family.

Ruby started down the aisle, tossing red and white rose petals with careful precision. A collective "aww" rose from the guests as she paused to give Cupid, who sat proudly on display near the altar, an extra handful of petals "for good luck."

And then Megan saw Scott.

He stood at the altar, handsome in his dark suit, a sprig of holly adding a festive touch to his lapel. But it was his expression that made her heart stop—the pure love and wonder in his eyes as he watched Ruby approach, then shifted his gaze to her. In that moment, every doubt she'd ever had about coming to Palmar Island, every fear about starting over, melted away.

Megan's steps were steady as she moved down the aisle, though her heart thundered in her chest. Miss Doris dabbed at her eyes from her front-row seat, while Mary beamed beside her, looking proud enough to burst. Through the stained glass windows, the last light of dusk painted everything in soft, magical hues.

Ruby reached the altar first, carefully dropping her last handful of petals before moving to stand beside Lauren. She clutched Mr. Bear, dressed for the occasion in a tiny bow tie, and watched with shining eyes as Megan approached.

When Scott held out his hand, Megan took it without hesitation. His fingers were warm and solid against hers, anchoring her in the moment.

"Hi," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion.

"Hi," she whispered back, and somehow that simple exchange held everything they needed to say.

The minister, an elderly man who'd known Scott since childhood, smiled warmly at them both. The ceremony began, its words washing over Megan like a gentle wave. She was aware of Ruby swaying slightly beside them, of the soft candlelight, of Scott's thumb brushing across her knuckles. But mostly, she was aware of the rightness of this moment.

When it came time for the vows, Scott's voice was steady and sure.

"Megan," he began, his eyes holding hers, "you and Ruby walked into my life like a Christmas miracle, bringing more joy and love than I ever thought possible. I promise to spend every day showing you both how grateful I am for that gift. I promise to be your partner, your best friend, your family. To build a life filled with laughter and wonder, to face whatever comes together, and to love you both with everything I am."

Tears pricked at Megan's eyes as she began her own vows, her voice wavering slightly but growing stronger with each word.

"Scott, you showed me what it means to find home in a person. You opened your heart not just to me, but to Ruby, loving us both with such completeness that it took my breath away. I promise to trust in that love, to build our future together, to fill our days with joy and our nights with peace. You are the gift I never knew to wish for, and I promise to treasure that gift every day of our lives."

Ruby tugged gently at Scott's sleeve. The minister nodded, smiling, and Scott knelt down to her level.

"I promise too," she said solemnly, her voice carrying in the quiet chapel. "I promise to be the best family ever. And to help take care of Cupid, and to always believe in Christmas magic."

A ripple of gentle laughter and sniffles moved through the guests. Scott gathered Ruby into a quick, fierce hug before standing, his eyes suspiciously bright.

The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur of emotion. When Scott kissed her, gentle and sweet, the chapel erupted in cheers. Ruby threw her remaining flower petals into the air, where they drifted down like snow around them.

As they turned to face their guests, now husband and wife, Ruby slipped between them and grabbed both their hands. Together, they walked back up the aisle, through a shower of confetti that sparkled in the candlelight.

Outside, the evening had turned magical. Tiny flakes of real snow—rare for Palmar Island—drifted down, catching in Megan's hair and on Ruby's eyelashes. The chapel bells rang out joyfully, their sound carrying across the quiet town.

Scott pulled them both close, dropping a kiss on Ruby's head before pressing his forehead to Megan's. "I love you," he murmured. "Both of you."

Megan closed her eyes, savoring the moment. The snow falling softly around them, the warmth of her family in her arms, the sound of celebration spilling from the chapel behind them—it was better than any dream she could have imagined.

Mary's Diner glowed like a jewel in the winter evening, its windows frosted with delicate snowflakes and twinkling lights. As Megan stepped inside, her hand tucked in Scott's, she caught her breath at the transformation. Poinsettias and evergreen garlands adorned every table, their rich reds and greens complementing the soft glow of fairy lights strung across the ceiling. The usual booths had been rearranged to create an intimate reception space, with a small dance floor cleared in the center.

"It's perfect," she whispered, squeezing Scott's hand.

Mary bustled over, her eyes bright with pride. "Just wait until you taste the pies," she said, pulling them both into a warm hug. "I made extra peanut butter ones—they are the reason we're all here, after all."

Ruby darted past them, joining a group of children near the jukebox. Her laughter carried across the diner as she twirled, showing off her dress to her new friends.

"She's absolutely glowing," Miss Doris said, appearing at Megan's elbow with a cup of hot cocoa. "Though not quite as much as her mother."

Megan felt her cheeks warm as she accepted the drink. "I still can't believe you all did this," she said, gesturing to the transformed space.

"Believe it," James Winter said, approaching with his wife Sarah. "This community takes care of its own. And you three?" He smiled warmly. "You're family now."

The evening unfolded like a dream. Lauren caught her for moments between dances, their heads close together as they laughed about the perfectly imperfect ceremony. Mary kept everyone's plates full of comfort food and decadent desserts, while Miss Doris held court near the counter, telling anyone who would listen about how she'd known all along that Scott and Megan were meant for each other.

"May I have this dance?" Scott's voice was warm in her ear as the jukebox began playing "White Christmas." He held out his hand with an exaggerated bow that made her laugh.

"Always," she said, letting him lead her to the dance floor.

As they swayed together, Megan caught glimpses of their gathered family and friends. Sarah Winter was helping Ruby practice her twirls while James looked on fondly. Lauren and Mary were arranging something at the dessert table, their heads bent together in conspiracy. Miss Doris watched it all with satisfaction, occasionally wiping away a happy tear.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Scott murmured, drawing her attention back to him.

"I was just thinking about that first day at the Santa Village," Megan said softly. "When you handed me that elf costume. Did you ever imagine we'd end up here?"

"Hoped," Scott replied, his eyes crinkling with warmth. "Dreamed about it. But this?" He spun her gently before pulling her close again. "This is better than anything I could have imagined."

"Daddy Scott!" Ruby's voice rang out as she bounded toward them. "Can I dance too?"

Without missing a beat, Scott lifted her up, settling her on his hip. "Of course, princess. Though I think we need your mama to make it perfect."

Megan stepped into their embrace, and they swayed together, a family complete. Ruby's head dropped to Scott's shoulder, her excitement finally giving way to sleepiness.

"I love you," she mumbled, her words slightly muffled. "Both of you."

Megan caught Scott's eye over their daughter's curls, her heart so full it felt like it might burst. The diner glowed around them, filled with the warmth of friendship and family, the promise of countless moments yet to come.

"Merry Christmas," she whispered, rising on her toes to kiss her husband softly.

Scott smiled against her lips. "Merry Christmas, Mrs. Callahan. Here's to forever."

As if on cue, the snow began falling harder outside the windows, turning Palmar Island into a winter wonderland. But inside Mary's Diner, surrounded by love and laughter, Megan had never felt warmer. This was her happily ever after—not a fairy tale ending, but a beginning. A lifetime of Christmas mornings and summer adventures, of quiet moments and loud celebrations, of building a future with the man who had shown her that sometimes, the best gifts come when you least expect them.

And as Ruby's soft snores mixed with the gentle music, as Scott held them both close, Megan knew with absolute certainty that she was exactly where she was meant to be.

Home, at last.