One year later on Christmas morning, Owen heard feet hitting the floor outside of his bedroom door and rolled over, jumping out of bed, intending to grab Luke before he ran down to the tree to see the loot from Santa.
He went down the stairs after him and heard laughter in the living room. There was Luke pointing at the TV and showing Jill that Santa must have played his Wii the night before because his name was on the screen with a really high score.
“He would have beat you at dance, Jill,” Luke said jumping around the room. “Daddy, look, Santa beat Jill’s score.”
“I see that,” Owen said, wondering how that happened. The console wasn’t out when they went to bed last night, which meant she got up before them and came down here and somehow managed to get that score with no one knowing in the house. Speaking of his house. It was like a holiday festival of decorations this year. Luke couldn’t get enough of putting everything up with Jill, making sure no room was left untouched.
“I can’t believe you didn’t hear him jumping around, Luke,” Jill said. “It’s not like he’s on the skinny side.”
Luke laughed again and was bopping around the living room, checking out all of his gifts and sending pleading eyes back. “Go on, Luke. Start opening your gifts.”
“Yay.”
“I’ll go get us some coffee,” Jill said. “It’s already made.”
“No, stay,” Owen said, reaching his hand out to hers. “Let’s watch him together.” This was a special Christmas for everyone in his eyes. Jill’s enthusiasm over this day had rubbed off on him too.
He pulled her down onto his lap on the floor and they watched Luke rip into gifts, leaving paper littering the room like a twister just blew through town.
“Who’s this pink one for?” Luke asked, wrinkling his nose. “I don’t like pink wrapping paper. Wow, it’s heavy.”
“It’s for the only girl in the room.”
“I guess it’s for you then, Jill,” Luke said, handing over the box, almost dropping it on her legs. “I thought we had something else.”
“Shhh,” Owen said, smiling at his son.
She looked at him, confused. “What could it be?” she asked.
“Open it and find out.”
She ripped it open and lifted the top of the box to see some of his college textbooks staring back at her. “One semester left for your bachelor’s. I expect you to start getting ready for med school soon.”
Her jaw dropped. “I don’t know,” she said. “It’s been so hard to work full-time and go to school full-time nights. I’m not sure I’ve got it in me. I really wanted my bachelor’s but going on for more…it’s hard.”
“It would be if you did it while trying to work, but I think it’s time you just focus on school now. It’s time to make your dream come true. I know mine is going to. Luke, bring it here.” Luke started to dig around in the tree until he found where the little box was hidden the night before. He handed the small gift over to Jill. “Go on, open it up.”
Her hands were shaking and there were tears in her eyes. “Is this what I think it is?”
“Find out,” he said encouraging her.
She ripped the paper off just like Luke had done his gifts, then lifted the lid to reveal a diamond ring. “Oh God. This is huge.”
He shook his head. “Only the best for you. Now tell me yes and then on Monday you can officially hand me your resignation. It’s time for you to prove everyone wrong and me right. It’s time to go after what you’ve always wanted.”
She was crying now. “I should make you ask me, but I’m just too happy. Yes. Yes, to marrying you and yes to quitting my job and going after my dreams. Though I’ve got to say I’m thinking one of them came true just now.”
“Sweet,” Luke said, jumping around. “Then there’d be two doctors in the house. Can I call you Mom?”
Owen looked over, startled by that question. So far Luke had been pretty open about everything in his life, but he never once asked if he could call Jill Mom.
“Of course you can,” she said, holding her arms out and pulling him in. “And now all my dreams have come true!”
The End!
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The Road Series-See where it all started!!
Lucas and Brooke’s Story-
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Ryan and Kaitlin’s Story-
The All Series
William and Isabel’s Story —
Ben and Presley’s Story –
Phil and Sophia’s Story –
Alec and Brynn’s Story –
Sean and Carly’s Story —
Drew and Jordyn’s Story—
Finn and Olivia’s Story—
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Cole McGuire and Rene Buchanan –
Zach Monroe and Amber Deacon-
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