“It looks beautiful in here,” Taylor said, looking at the twelve-foot Christmas tree that was lit up in Reed’s living room.
Everyone at work knew about the relationship now and no one really said a word. She and Angie had even had a few family meals with Reed’s family and had been accepted into the fold.
She’d never been accepted into any family like she was Reed’s.
Jack knew she was dating Reed—she wouldn’t keep that information hidden—not that she thought Jack cared one way or another, but for Angie’s sake she was trying to make peace.
“Thanks. It’s the first time I’ve had a tree up in four years.”
“Since Whitney died?” she asked. Angie was running around in the kitchen looking for plastic containers to bring in and construct ramps for her trucks. She loved how Reed didn’t care if Angie made a mess and even made space for her toys.
“I figured why bother after that. It was just me in the house and I’ve never felt like celebrating until now.”
It was hard for her to believe that she was actually in love with someone and that person loved her back. She knew it with all her being that she was meant to go through what she did in life to find Reed.
“It’s completely different having a kid around for the holidays. Are you sure you want us to spend the night tonight? I told Angie Santa would know to come here instead of our house, but she was nervous about it.”
“Santa will be here. Matter of fact, I think he’s a little early.” He looked over and saw Angie playing with the trucks and crashing them into things. “I was going to do this with her, but it’s more between us anyway.”
“Do what?” she asked.
“This,” he said, getting down on one knee and pulling a ring box out. Her breath lodged in her throat and for a second she thought she might pass out.
“Reed, what are you doing?”
“You know what I’m doing. I know it hasn’t been that long that we’ve been dating and that we’ve both been burned, but when it’s right, you just know.”
“Yeah,” she said, feeling her eyes fill with tears.
“If I could, I’d adopt Angie, but I know that isn’t possible.”
There was a bigger lump in her throat now. She couldn’t ask for a better man than Reed. She knew that. “Jack probably wouldn’t care, but his parents wouldn’t allow it, and they call all the shots.”
“I know. I know they love her too and treat her well. Things are better with them too, right?” he asked her.
“They’ve been much better since I allowed Angie to spend that week with them. We’re getting there. They adore and spoil her and that’s all that matters.”
“I’ll always put her first. Both of you. And I want to be the father she’d never get out of Jack whether she has my name or not.”
She was nodding her head up and down rapidly now. How did she get to be this lucky? “I know you will.”
“So I’m asking you to take a chance and be my wife. Take my name. Make me into the man I always wanted to be. I was lost before I found you. I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to find my way and now I don’t ever want to be where I was before. I don’t ever want to be without you.”
“Yes,” she said, getting on the floor and hugging him. “And if you lose your way, just take my hand and we’ll find the way out together.”
“That sounds like a good plan to me.”
“The best plan yet. Who would have thought hating the opposite sex so much would have been the thing to bring us together?”
He grinned and kissed her softly. “Who would have thought it?”
The End!