28. Lydia

28

LYDIA

Christmas morning

T he smell of coffee woke me up.

But it wasn't just any coffee; it smelled like the crème brulee from Sarah's Café. How was that possible?

I jumped out of bed and pinned my mistletoe to my pajama shirt since it was Christmas morning. There was no way I could spend the day without it; it was magical. And Christmas was a magical holiday. Excitement bubbled in my chest as I raced down the hallway. I couldn't remember the last time I felt this much joy on Christmas morning; it had to have been when I was a little kid.

In my mind, nothing could top yesterday's gift from Jake.

When I turned the corner to the living room, the Christmas tree was lit and the kitchen smelled like maple syrup and pancakes.

"Merry Christmas," Jake called out.

I turned around and watched him walk toward me with a cup of coffee. He handed it to me with the biggest grin on his face. What made it even more sweet was that he wore the matching red Santa pajamas I got us a week ago. I did it mainly as a joke, but it was funny to see him in them.

"You didn't have to put them on," I said.

He shrugged. "You said you wanted us both to wear them on Christmas morning, so I am." He nodded down at the steaming cup of coffee in my hands. "Try it."

I lifted the cup and breathed in the scent. "What is this? It smells just like Sarah's crème brulee roast at the café."

Jake winked. "I bribed her into giving me some. She also threw in the homemade creamer she makes."

My mouth dropped open in shock. "It must've been something big for her to give you all of that."

He chuckled. "Well … let's just say she and her husband are going to stay at my house for a few weeks around Valentine's Day."

"Wow. I was right . . . it was big."

"I was happy to do it." He nodded down at the coffee. "I wanted you to have it this morning."

I took a sip of the coffee, and it tasted exactly the same as the one Sarah makes herself.

"You are too good to me," I murmured.

His grin widened. "Why don't you set your coffee down for a second and look under the tree? There might be something there for you."

"Jake," I scolded half-heartedly. "You've already given me so much. I don't need anything else."

He took my coffee and set it down for me. "Go."

I walked over to the tree and all I could see were presents I'd wrapped to take to my parents' house. I moved some to the side, but there weren't any new ones.

"Am I looking in the right spot?" I asked, rearranging the gifts again.

"I don't know. Are you?"

When I turned to face him, he was on his knee and holding out a ring box which had a shimmering diamond ring inside.

My heart stopped and I slapped a hand over my mouth. "Oh my God." Slowly, I closed the distance and stood before him. The ring was gorgeous - an emerald-cut diamond in an antique setting with diamonds lining the band. "Jake."

"I know we haven't officially been together long, but it feels like I've waited a lifetime to call you mine. Your grandfather's watch says that time is precious and to make the best of it. That's what I'm doing. I don't want to waste any more time when it comes to you."

I nodded in agreement as tears flooded down my cheeks.

He pulled out the ring and set the box on the coffee table. "I want to make more memories with you, Lydia. I want to wake up every day and know that you're mine. All you have to do is say yes. Say that you'll marry me and be my wife. Nothing in this world would make me happier."

It felt like my heart would burst out of my chest because I was so happy.

"Jake," I cried, giving him my hand. "I didn't think anything could top yesterday's gift, but I was wrong. Having you as my husband would be the ultimate gift."

He let out a relieved sigh and slid the ring on my finger. His eyes glistened with unshed tears as he pulled me into his arms. "So, that's a yes?"

"Yes," I repeated, nodding my head until I grew dizzy. "Yes, yes, yes."

His lips closed over mine and I didn't want to let him go. In truth, I didn't have to. I could stay in his arms every day, all day. He was mine and I was his. My wish had come true. All I wanted was for someone to give me their heart and I give them mine. Jake had mine and I knew he'd protect it with everything he had. With him, I had found my future.

The mistletoe pinned to my shirt sent a jolt of warmth through me, confirming my thoughts. I knew without a doubt this was where I was supposed to be. This was where my happily ever after had been all along.

"I love you so much," I whispered, clutching Jake's face and watching my ring sparkle against the tree lights. "This is seriously the best Christmas ever."

Jake wiped away my tears. "I love you too. I'm ready to see what happens next."

"So am I," I murmured, kissing him tenderly on the lips. "So am I."

THE END