Chapter Eleven

Wynter

“This is too much tinsel,” Jamie declares, holding up a garland that’s dripping in silver. “We need more lights!”

“You need balance,” I smile, taking the tinsel from his little hand. “Too many lights will make the library look like a runway. But just the right amount of sparkle… that’s where the magic happens.”

Jamie wrinkles his freckled nose. “Really?”

“Really.” I wink. “Honey, can you help me with the ladder?”

Drake grabs the ladder, setting it up for me near the entrance. Noah, Evan, Riley, and Jamie are busy rifling through a box of ornaments. “Sunshine, those boys are having the time of their lives.”

“Wait until the festival tonight.” I grin. “Or tomorrow morning. You know we’ll be up all night wrapping the presents you bought last night, don’t you?”

“Truth be told, I doubt I’ll sleep anyway. I’m just as excited as they are.” Drake kisses me on the forehead as I start to climb the ladder.

“You really think this place can handle any more lights?” He teases, glancing around at all theshimmering displays.

“I told you, a little sparkle never hurt anyone.” I grin.

“You’re amazing, you know that?”

“You’re the one who’s amazing,” I whisper. “You’ve let the boys take over the library and haven’t once lost your temper with them. Not even when they raced through the history section.”

“I hardly even noticed.” He chuckles. Noah runs over, tugging on my sleeve. “Can we hang the big star now, D, please?”

I plug in the last string of lights, grinning down at Drake, watching his chest puff out at hearing the nickname the boys have given him. “What do you say, D? Ready for the big finale?” I glance at the oversized star they’ve been dying to hang up since we started. “I think it’s time.”

The boys cheer as Drake moves the ladder beside the tree.

“You do it, Wynter! You put the star on.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” they clap.

“Majority rules,” Drake holds the ladder for me. “Up you go.”

I climb the steps, balancing the star with one hand. “How tall is this tree?”

“Seven feet.”

“Wow!”

“Careful,” Drake warns.

I get to the top and glance down. “You think I’m going to fall?”

“No,” He smiles. “But I’m going to catch you if you do.”

“You are swoon-worthy, D. Very swoon-worthy.” I secure the star in place.

“Keep that thought.” He winks.

The boys jump to their feet. “Can you make the library dark and turn on all the Christmas lights now?”

Drake helps me to the floor. “What do you think? Can we give it all a trial run?”

“Absolutely.” Drake walks over to the boys. “Alright, everyone, sit on the floor and close your eyes. Don’t open them until I tell you, okay?”

The boys drop back down, giggling. “Okay, D!” They clap their little hands over their eyes. “We’re ready.”

Drake tugs me in for a quick kiss. “You, too, sunshine. Close your eyes.”

I give him one last kiss, then sit down with the boys, squeezing my eyes shut. “Closed,” I announce.

“Okay, I want you to count slowly. Ten, nine…” Drake calls out.

When we get to two, the boy’s excitement is palpable. “One!” We shout together.

“Open your eyes!” Drake commands. “Welcome to Wynter’s Wonderland!”

I look around the room, my breath catching in my throat. The lights twinkle against the darkened library, casting a soft glow over the towering bookshelves, the garlands sparkling like diamonds. The Christmas tree stands tall, the oversized star shimmering at the top like it was meant to be there all along.

It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.

The boys erupt into cheers, their little faces glowing with excitement as they take in the wonder of it all. They bounce on their heels, pointing at the lights, the ornaments, andthe way everything seems to sparkle with magic. My heart is so full it feels like it might burst.

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, and I wipe them away quickly, but it’s no use. The overwhelming beauty of it all—the lights, Drake, the boys, the love that fills the air—hits me all at once, and before I know it, the tears are flowing freely.

“Hey,” Drake pulls me into his arms, holding me close. “What’s this?” He tips my chin up to look at my face. “Why are you crying?”

I shake my head, laughing. “I don’t even know. It’s just… so beautiful. More beautiful than I ever imagined.”

Drake wipes away my tears. “You made this happen, Wynter. It’s your magic.”

“No.” I rest my head against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my cheek. “It’s our magic. You and me. And these boys. I’ve never felt anything like this before.”

He kisses the top of my head, and his arms tighten around me. “Neither have I, sunshine. But I know one thing for sure—I don’t ever want to let it go. I love you, Wynter.”

“I love you, too,” I whisper, the words as natural as breathing.

Before either of us can say more, Noah tugs on Drake’s sleeve, his eyes wide with excitement. “D, can we eat the cookies now?”

Drake chuckles, ruffling the boy’s hair. “Cookies? I think that’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.”

I grin. “I’ll grab the cookies and milk. You take care of turning the lights back on.”

As the boys race toward the kitchen, their laughter echoing through the library, I glance back at the twinkling wonderland we’ve created. My heart is full. And as I turn to follow Drake and the boys, I know this is exactly where I’m meant to be.