Niyol walked into the sitting room and handed Jill a glass of milk, leaning down to kiss her on the forehead. It had been a week since Jill had come back from the hospital with the order to rest. The whole family had surrounded her since then, pampering her constantly.

They heard a commotion at the back of the house, and a few moments later, Margery and Ainsley walked in, hand-in-hand. Smiling, Niyol stood to give Margery a kiss before scooping Ainsley into a hug.

Ainsley giggled. “Niyol, can you help me with my homework?”

“Of course,” Niyol answered, setting her down.

He settled down next to her, and she pulled out her homework, the two of them whispering and laughing together. Margery smiled down at them and then crossed over to check on Jill.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m feeling better,” Jill answered. “A little bored, but Rose is keeping me supplied with books. I’m thinking of going down to the library tomorrow and getting some for myself.”

“Sounds like a good idea,” Margery mused. “I can take you if you want. I love to read and can offer a few suggestions.”

“That sounds great,” Jill exclaimed, smiling.

“What kind of books do you like?” Margery asked, returning her smile.

The two women talked about their favorite books for a little while before Niyol sidled up and asked Margery if she would like to take a walk.

“Don’t worry,” Luke offered before Margery could ask. “We’ll keep an eye on Ainsley.”

Margery nodded her thanks and let Niyol lead her out the door. Rose had already decorated for Christmas, so the grounds twinkled with lights. It looked like a fairytale forest, the snow and the trees glowing warmly even in the fading light.

Niyol led her down a path that ended next to a small stream. The sound of the trickling water filled her ears, and Margery sighed contentedly.

“Margery,” Niyol said, his voice soft and near her ear.

“Hmm?” she asked, distracted by the perfectness of the moment.

“Margery,” he repeated. “I think I fell in love with you the moment I met you. And I’ve only fallen more in love with you since then. I want to grow old with you, to spend our lives loving each other.”

He now had her full attention, and her eyes grew wide as Niyol took her hands and knelt down in the snow. He produced a small black box and, flipping it open, showed her a beautiful diamond ring nestled in the black velvet. Her shocked eyes searched his face.

“Margery, will you marry me?”

“Yes,” she gasped, smiling.

With a whoop of joy, he scooped her into his arms and twirled her around before setting her down so he could slide the ring onto the third finger of her left hand.

“I love you,” he whispered, leaning his forehead against hers.

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you, too,” she murmured, pulling him in for another kiss.

They eventually made their way back to the inn. On the way, Niyol told Margery he had one more thing he had to do, but he refused to answer any of her questions. When they returned to the small sitting room, everyone seemed to be waiting for them, which told Margery they probably all knew about Niyol’s plans beforehand.

Niyol knelt in front of Ainsley, taking her small hands in his big ones. “Ainsley, I need to ask you a question.”

She looked at him expectantly. “Mmhm?”

“I need to know if it’s okay if I become your second daddy by marrying your mom.”

They all waited for the little girl’s answer. Ainsley looked around the room, catching her mother’s gaze before turning back to Niyol. “Okay,” she said slowly. “But I want a new dress for the wedding.”

“Deal,” Niyol said, laughing. Then he grew serious. “And I can do you one better.” He took another little black box out of his pocket and opened it to reveal a small promise ring. “I love your mother and you, and I want to keep loving you forever. This ring is yours. It’s called a promise ring, and I give it to you with the promise that I will always treat your mother and you with love and respect. I will always do what is best for you and take care of you in every way I can. Can you accept that?”

Ainsley nodded, smiling.

Niyol slipped the ring onto her little finger and then hugged her tightly. The room erupted in cheers as Margery wiped tears from her eyes. She glanced over at Luke, Rose, and Danny who all had misty eyes.

“Well, get over here and hug me, you three!” Jill called from the couch. “I’m not supposed to get up, but I will if you don’t get a move on!”

Laughing, they all tackled Jill, making sure not to hurt her but wrapping their arms around her in a group hug. Luke joined in, followed by Rose who pulled Danny down with her.

We’re an odd family, Margery thought. But we’re a family, nonetheless.

Snow flurried to the ground outside as the growing Callahan family tried to untangle themselves from their pile, every face alight with laughter. This really was the season of love, and nobody knew that better than Rose Callahan. She smiled to herself as her family’s joy enveloped her, already thinking of her next project.