It was a long way to say that I love you.I loved you as a kid, and now I love you as a woman.And I hope you have a very special Christmas.
Love, Holly
His gaze rose to meet hers.“You do?”
She smiled and nodded.“I love you.”
He breathed his first full breath since his big confession to her.“That’s good.I was starting to worry that I’d made a mistake with my big show of sweeping you off your feet.”
Her smile broadened.“Not at all.It was very romantic.”
“Good.I have one more present for you.”
“Another?”
He got to his feet and held his hand out to her.She placed her hand in his, and he helped her to her feet.He led her over to the Christmas tree.He took a sprig of mistletoe from the tree and held it over their heads.
“You’re standing under the mistletoe.”He grinned at her.
“I guess this means I better kiss you.”
“Yes, it does.I might be taking out stock in the company that sells mistletoe.I’m going to need some year-round.”
“Oh hush and kiss me.”
“Yes, ma’am.”He ducked his head and pressed his lips to hers.
Epilogue
Christmasevening,Bishophome
It had been a day of firsts.
Holly had spent her first holiday with the Bishops.They were a big, loud, loving family.And they never let her feel like she was an outsider.
It was her first Christmas without her grandmother.Holly liked to think her grandmother would have been happy about how it had worked out.Gran always did have a soft spot for Colin.She would give him the last cookie because she knew how much he enjoyed them—she would make him lunch after he mowed her yard because, as she said, “He’s a growing boy.”A smile tugged at the corners of Holly’s lips as she thought of her grandmother.
Holly had her first Christmas photo taken with Colin.It appeared to be one of the Bishop’s traditions.Everyone wore a Santa hat and had their picture taken in front of the Christmas tree.Tricia, Colin’s mother, pulled out the photo albums to show her pictures of Colin as a kid wearing a Santa hat.He was so cute, even back then.
It was also her first Christmas with Tater Tot.Colin’s parents had graciously invited him too.After such an exciting day, Tater Tot was now curled up between Michael’s puppy, Tank and Belle’s puppy, Odie.The three puppies were reunited for Christmas.
With three puppies asleep in front of the fireplace, they looked Christmas card perfect.Holly made sure to take their picture.It was worthy of being framed.
And Holly played her first game of charades that afternoon.She was teamed up with Colin, and to put it mildly, they didn’t win.But they did laugh.A lot.It felt really good.So much better than staying home and thinking of how much she missed her grandmother.
“Are you ready for dinner?”Tricia asked her.
Dinner?Hadn’t they just cleaned up after the huge lunch?Holly’s stomach was still full, but she wasn’t about to admit it.
Instead, she plastered a smile on her face.“Of course.How can I help you?”
Tricia waved off her offer.“No help is necessary.I’ll have it on the table in no time.”
“Okay.Thank you so much for everything.It was a wonderful Christmas.”
Tricia stepped up to her and hugged her.“We’re so happy you spent the day with us.I’ve never seen Colin happier.”
Holly hugged her back.“Thank you for having me.”
