Epilogue

DIANA

Returning to Cold Springs for Christmas with Hudson made me beyond happy. I loved that I got to share my family with him. He shared his with me and now it was my turn.

"Are you sure I don't need to wear a tie?" Hudson asked.

"I'm sure," I said. "No ties. No dresses, unless one of us is feeling cute. But I'm wearing my jeans and sweater. You can wear your jeans."

"It feels weird," he muttered.

"Babe, unlike the extravagant Bancroft Christmas gatherings that you're used to with every detail meticulously planned and executed, the Halstead Christmas is simple and cozy," I told him. "There won't be any lavish decorations or elaborate spreads. It will just be the comforting warmth of family and the joy of being together. We don't need all the bells and whistles."

"You think my family does?" he countered.

I laughed. "I think your family shows love and care through their attention to detail and their desire to make everything perfect. That's their way of expressing how much they value each other and the traditions they hold dear. You guys have millions of dollars to spend on gifts and catering. But here at my family's Christmas, it's about being present in the moment and appreciating the simple joys of togetherness."

Hudson nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I can see the beauty in that too," he admitted.

"Trust me, it's going to be okay. Maybe even boring."

"Boring is good," he said.

"I'll be ready to go in about ten minutes," I said. "And you look hot. Really hot. I like you in black."

He looked down at his black sweater. "I always wear black," he said.

I grinned. "I know. And I like it."

"I'll keep that in mind," he said.

I finished getting ready while Hudson put the bags of gifts for the family in the car. I hoped he understood we weren't the kind of family that gave each other cars or expensive jewelry. Expensive anything.

"Alright, ready," I said.

We arrived at my parents' house with the inflatable Rudolph slumped over in the front yard. We walked into the house that was decorated in the same way it had been decorated since I was kid.

Jessie was lounging on the sofa, still clad in his sweatpants and a festive Christmas sweater. It was the ugly sweater he wore last year and won fifty bucks for the ugliest sweater. It was a far cry from the elegant attire one might expect at a Bancroft gathering, but here in my family's home, there was no need for formality. We were all comfortable in our own skin, free to be ourselves without any pretense.

"Hey." Jessie nodded.

"Where is everyone?" I asked.

"Troy and Abigail will be here in a few," he said. "Mom's in the kitchen and Dad was calling a few of his friends."

"I'm going to help Mom," I said. "You guys be good."

Hudson leaned in and gave me a quick kiss. My mother rushed around the kitchen, checking on the ham and preparing the rest of the meal. She was wearing a new pair of Christmas slippers.

"Hey, Mom," I said.

"Diana!"

"Do you need any help?" I asked.

"Nope. We've got about an hour. I was just checking on the ham. I did most of the cooking last night. Today is all about hanging out. Go sit. I'll be in soon."

I walked back to the living room and flopped on the couch next to Jessie with Hudson on my other side.

Troy and Abigail arrived and quickly found a spot in front of the fireplace. It was a scene straight out of a Christmas movie. The fire in the fireplace, the tree in the corner, the old garland hanging on the mantel—it was all home. The stockings hanging from the mantel were bursting with small hand-wrapped gifts. That was a family tradition.

"Did you make that?" Hudson asked, pointing to my stocking.

I laughed. "Yep. I think I was six."

"Seven," Jessie chimed in.

"Mom had us make them," I said, remembering the day we sat around the table with glue and glitter.

Hudson turned to me with a smile. "They're beautiful. Your mom always knows how to make things special."

I nodded, feeling a swell of pride for my family's simple traditions. It wasn't about the money or the extravagance. It was about the love and effort we put into every little detail, creating memories that lasted a lifetime.

"Do you remember why we made them?" Jessie asked.

"Wasn't there an ice storm or something?" I asked.

"Yep." Jessie nodded. "We lost power. We were supposed to watch Christmas movies, and then we lost power. Mom had to come up with something to keep all of us busy."

"That's right." I nodded.

Hudson got up and moved to look at the tree. "Is that you?" he asked.

I looked at the ornament that had my picture inside. "That would be me." I laughed.

I moved to stand beside him. The tree was covered in ornaments that were lopsided and mismatched, with glitter and glue smeared haphazardly.

"Not exactly Neiman Marcus," I said with a laugh.

"Did you guys make all of these?" he asked.

"We did." I nodded. "I think they probably start around the time we were all two or three and go through about twelve."

"That's cool," Hudson said as he inspected each one.

I shared the stories behind some of them—the reindeer with one antler missing, the snowman with googly eyes that always seemed to be looking in different directions. Each ornament had its own tale to tell, a reminder of the joy and creativity of our childhood.

"My mom made it a tradition," I explained. "Every year, on the day after Thanksgiving, we would decorate the tree together as a family. It was chaotic and messy, but it was our tradition. We would play Christmas music, drink hot cocoa, and reminisce about previous years' ornaments as we hung them on the tree. Even as we got older, my mom insisted we keep adding new handmade ornaments to the collection. We had craft days. I think there are some Christmas village pieces we painted. They're so ugly she doesn't put them out."

Hudson laughed. "I doubt that."

"She's right," Jessie said. "They were hideous. Diana painted her house orange. Who has an orange house?"

As we reminisced, my father stepped up beside us. "That's my favorite ornament," he said.

I groaned. It was a muddy brown ceramic bell that I painted with my fingers when I was three years old. It was easily the ugliest ornament on the tree, but to my father, it was a cherished treasure.

I leaned my head on my father's shoulder. "Merry Christmas, Dad," I said.

"Merry Christmas, sweetheart," he replied.

I looked at the tree, admiring the familiar ornaments when something caught my eye. Something shiny was tucked in the branches. Frowning slightly, I reach out to investigate. "What's this?" I murmured to myself.

"What's what?" Dad asked.

"Is this a new ornament?" I asked.

"I don't remember seeing that one before." He shrugged.

"Look, it opens," I said. "Oh, maybe Mom put this on here for you."

"I don't think so," he said.

"Don't tell her I peeked," I whispered.

I pried open the ornament, unsure of what to expect. My breath caught in my throat when I looked inside. Nestled inside the ornament was a stunning ring.

I turned around to look at my family. I looked at Troy. Was he giving the ring to Abigail? Had I just ruined his surprise?

He grinned and shook his head. "Not mine."

Hudson dropped to one knee in front of me. He reached for the ring nestled inside the ornament. My heart pounded in my chest as he looked up at me, his eyes filled with love and nervous anticipation. I felt a lump form in my throat as he began to speak. I couldn't believe this was happening. I mean, I thought it might eventually, but not today. I knew they were there, but I couldn't look away from Hudson. My family was all around us, but he was the only one I saw.

"Diana, ever since I met you, my life has been brighter, fuller, and more complete," Hudson started. "I was lost. Beyond lost. You know I was in a downward spiral and then you came into my life. You bring out the best in me. I can't imagine a day without you by my side. I love you more than words can express, and I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy. Diana, will you marry me?"

I was speechless, overwhelmed by a whirlwind of emotions. Tears streamed down my face as I nodded vigorously, unable to form words through my joyful sobs. Hudson's face lit up with pure happiness as he slid the ring onto my finger. The ring sparkled in the soft glow of the Christmas lights. Cheers and applause erupted from my family as Hudson stood up, wrapping me in his arms and planting a tender kiss on my lips. It felt like a dream, a moment frozen in time that I never wanted to end.

"Finally!" my dad exclaimed. "A wedding!"

Mom rushed over to give me a hug. "You are going to make a beautiful bride." She sobbed.

Abigail hugged me next. Troy and Jessie shook Hudson's hand before hugging me.

"Well, my goodness," Mom said. "Dinner is ready. Shall we eat?"

We all moved to sit at the table with Mom's Christmas dishes. They were cheap, bought at Wal-Mart a long time ago, but they were our traditional dishes. Hudson sat next to me, his hand resting on my thigh under the table.

I couldn't stop staring at the ring on my finger, feeling like the luckiest woman in the world. Hudson never ceased to surprise me with his thoughtfulness and love. It didn't take long after the dishes had been passed around before Mom delved right into our wishes for a wedding. My head was spinning with all the possibilities, but one thing was certain—I couldn't wait to start this new chapter of my life with Hudson by my side.

As we discussed wedding plans over Christmas dinner, I couldn't help but steal glances at Hudson. He seemed happy. Really happy. I slipped my hand under the table and patted his knee. It was a silent promise of what was to come once we were back home. Mom was already scribbling down ideas on a napkin.

Once the dishes were cleared away and the last crumbs of dessert vanished, we gathered in the living room near the crackling fireplace. We opened our cheesy gifts to each other before Hudson and I left.

We stepped out into the cold night air, the snow crunching softly beneath our feet as we made our way to my car.

"I love you," I said on the drive to my house.

"I love you."

I held up my hand. "I know." I giggled. "I've got a chunk of the moon sitting on my finger that proves it."

Hudson and I were really going to get married. The thought both thrilled and terrified me. We got to my house and changed into our pajamas. We sat on my couch, cuddled under a warm blanket, basking in the glow of the Christmas tree lights on the tree we put up together. Hudson traced circles on my hand, his touch sending shivers down my spine.

"Can you believe it?" I whispered, leaning into him.

He chuckled softly. "Believe what?"

"That we're engaged. That we're going to get married."

Hudson's warm breath tickled my ear as he replied. "I've never been more certain of anything in my life. I can't wait to spend forever with you, Diana."

I nuzzled closer to Hudson, savoring the feeling of his arms around me. "You make me so happy," I told him. "Right now, sitting here with you, I don't know if it's possible to be any happier."

"It is," he said. "I would say you have a couple more chances to feel this kind of happiness. The day we get married. The day we find out we're having a baby. And then the days our babies are born."

I couldn't help but laugh. "You really have this all planned out. But that's what I love about you. You always see the bigger picture, the beautiful future ahead of us."

Hudson smiled, his gaze filled with love. "I can't wait to make that future dream become a reality."

"I can't wait to walk this journey with you, hand in hand, for the rest of our lives," I said.

***

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***

Want more Bancroft Brothers?

Start at the beginning and check out My Last Love Affair!

Get Married. Have a child.

These are the only two rules to get my inheritance.

Neither of which I want. My billionaire life doesn't play well with either idea.

But no one asked me. My father's company is up for grabs, and whichever of my brothers makes it to the finish line first wins.

In no time, I've found the perfect woman to play my fake fiancée while I figure things out.

Beautiful. Smart. Strong.

Everything I crave in a relationship and more.

But there's a problem. She's got a past I can't ignore.

Not with just anyone.

With my younger brother.

To top it all off, she gets pregnant.

And the one person she doesn't tell?

Me.

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