Chapter 10

TEN

Noelle

Five Years Later…

The scent of evergreen and cinnamon fills the house as I carefully pull the last ornament from its box, turning it over in my hands with a smile. It’s a simple wooden heart with “Our First Christmas” painted across it, the year nestled below in white. That first holiday together here in the cabin feels like a lifetime ago, yet somehow it also feels like just yesterday. Each year since has been better than the last.

I hang the ornament carefully, straightening it until it rests perfectly on a branch in the middle of the tree. It’s one of Ansel’s favorite decorations, and I can already hear him teasing me about “fussing” over it when he walks in from the kitchen. He loves reminding me how it doesn’t matter if the ornaments are “perfect,” but secretly, I think he likes the care I put into it.

A smile sneaks onto my face as I step back, admiring the twinkling lights and the little collection of memories we’ve accumulated over the years. There’s an ornament for each big moment—the first Christmas tree, our wedding, the time we spent backpacking in Colorado, and of course, the arrival of our little one.

Just thinking of him makes me check the clock. Nap time is almost over, and I know it’ll only be a few more minutes before I hear his little footsteps thumping down the hallway.

“Everything good out here?” Ansel’s voice rumbles from the doorway, and I turn to see him leaning against the frame with that half-smile I’ve always adored. He’s holding a mug in each hand, one filled with hot cocoa and the other with my favorite peppermint tea. Even after all these years, he still knows me better than I know myself.

“Perfect,” I say, taking the tea and settling onto the couch. “Thanks.”

He sits beside me, close enough that our legs touch, and wraps an arm around my shoulders. “You outdid yourself this year,” he says, nodding toward the tree. “Didn’t think it could look better than last year, but you proved me wrong.”

I laugh softly, leaning into him. “Guess it’s all about practice, huh? Five years of decorating trees together means I’ve had time to perfect it.”

“Everything about these five years has been perfect.” His hand rubs gentle circles on my shoulder, and I feel the warmth and comfort of him settle over me. “I love that every day with you just feels… right. More right than the last.”

I close my eyes, savoring his words, the feeling of his arm around me, and the faint memory of the years we waited to get here. Every obstacle, every challenge—each one was worth it.

Right on cue, the sound of little feet padding down the hallway makes us both look up, and there’s our son, blinking sleepily as he stumbles out of his room. His hair sticks up in all directions, and he’s clutching his stuffed bear, the one Ansel bought him on a whim when he was barely a month old.

“Hey, buddy,” Ansel calls out softly, patting the spot beside him. “Come here and see the tree.”

Our son shuffles over, rubbing his eyes before climbing up onto Ansel’s lap. Ansel wraps his arms around him, holding him close, and I can’t help but smile at the sight. The love that radiates from Ansel is so strong and unwavering, not only for me but for our little family. It’s something I used to dream about and now get to live every day.

“Is Santa coming soon, Mommy?” our son asks, peering up at me with big eyes that look just like his father’s. Hazel with flecks of green, they sparkle with the curiosity and excitement only a child can have during the holidays.

“Very soon,” I reply, brushing a hand over his soft hair. “But only if you’ve been very good.”

He nods solemnly, squeezing his bear. “I’ve been super good.”

Ansel chuckles, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. “That’s right, bud. You’ve been the best.” His gaze shifts to me, warmth and love shining in his eyes. “And you’ve made this place feel like home for us both.”

I take a sip of my tea, feeling my heart fill with gratitude. This life, this family—it’s everything I never knew I could have. There was a time when I felt trapped, but now, with Ansel by my side, I feel free.

As the evening fades into night, we settle down to a cozy dinner by the fire. Ansel and I chat about plans for the next year, our son bouncing between us and sharing bits of his “plans,” which mostly revolve around digging holes in the backyard and learning to climb trees like a “real adventurer.”

After dinner, Ansel helps me clean up, our movements familiar and easy. Just as we finish, he pulls me close, his hands warm on my waist as he gazes into my eyes. “Thank you,” he murmurs, pressing his forehead against mine.

“For what?” I whisper, reaching up to stroke his cheek.

“For choosing me. For making this life with me. For every little thing you do to make it feel like home here.”

“I’ll always choose you,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck. “You’re my home, Ansel. Always have been, always will be.”

He smiles, and for a moment, it feels like we’re back in those early days, just the two of us discovering what it meant to be together. But now, there’s so much more—a life we’ve built, memories we’ve made, and a future that’s ours.

As we put our son to bed that night, I linger in the doorway, watching Ansel tuck him in and read him a bedtime story. Their voices are soft and warm, and I can see the bond between them, the love that’s grown with every passing day. It’s in moments like this that I know, without a doubt, that I’ve found my forever.

Once our son is asleep, Ansel and I return to the living room, curling up together on the couch to watch the snow falling softly outside. It’s quiet, peaceful, and perfect, just like every day since I found my way to him.

“Here’s to forever,” he whispers, squeezing my hand as we sit together in the glow of the firelight, our hearts full of everything we’ve built together.

And as the snow blankets our little cabin, I feel an overwhelming sense of contentment, knowing that this—this is my happily ever after.

Want more of Ansel and Noelle? Then be sure to check out this bonus scene !

Looking for Kip and Huxley’s books? Then check out A Very Grumpy Christmas and A Very Grumpy New Year !