“Doyou think we bought too many decorations?”
Hazel eyeballs the half-dozen bags wedged into the back of the cab before glancing back at me. “It didn’t seem like that much when we were at the store,” she adds. “But now that I’m looking at everything…”
“No way,” I reply as I loop my arm around her waist, drawing her to my side. “There’s no such thing as too many ornaments. Or at least, that’s what my mom always said whenever my dad would complain.”
“I thought your dad liked all the decorations. Isn’t the whole Dickens Village his?”
“It is,” I agree. Grabbing the first two bags from the cab, I set them on the driveway before going back for more. “He likes to give my mom a hard timeabout it. And she likes to pretend she’s upset when he does. It’s just one of those holiday traditions they’ve followed for as long as I can remember.”
Hazel hands me the next two bags. “I love that you guys have so many traditions.” Her expression sobers slightly. “My dad and I would always make popcorn garlands for the tree. And he’d drive me around Bennington to see the houses all lit up for Christmas. Then we’d come home and watch Rudolph. It didn’t matter how old I was.”
My heart twinges. From everything Hazel’s told me, she and her dad were really close. And it makes me sad that she’s been on her own since his death, since her mother is off in Florida living her own life.
“That sounds really nice.” With all the bags retrieved, I pick all six up and loop three on each arm.
“It was.” Her expression remains wistful for another few seconds. Then she brightens. “But we can make our own traditions. Since it’s our first Christmas together and all.”
“Absolutely.” I kiss her cheek. “Starting with loading up the tree with as many decorations as possible.”
“Well.” She turns to look at the giant tree hanging partly out of the back of my truck. “We certainly got a big enough one.” With a grin, she asks, “Are you sure it’ll fit in the house? Or is this going to end like that scene inNational Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation? With the branches going through the windows and sap everywhere?”
“Hardly. I have it all planned out. Once the tree settles, I’ll trim up the branches. And shape the top so we have a perfect spot for the star.”
Hazel stares at the tree for another moment before shifting her attention to my front porch. “And while we’re waiting, we could put up the decorations outside?”
“Of course.” I angle my chin at the duo of wooden reindeer resting beside the tree. “We can put up the lights and garland, plus the reindeer, of course. Then lunch. By then, the tree should be ready to come inside.”
“While you’re putting the lights on it, I’ll make some cookies,” Hazel offers. “I think eating cookies and drinking eggnog while decorating the tree shoulddefinitelybe another Christmas tradition.”
“What about sex beside the tree afterwards?” I ask with a little smirk. “I think that sounds like a good tradition, too.”
Hazel smiles. “I think that sounds like a great idea.”
As I look at her, eyes sparkling from happiness and pink-cheeked from the cold, her hair blowing back from her face like a dark halo in the breeze, words fail me.
All I can think is,how lucky am I?
How did I find this perfect woman? What did I do to deserve her?
What would I do to keep her?
But I know the answer to the last.
I would do anything.
Since we first exchangedI love youyesterday morning, I’ve finally given myself permission to think about the long term. Not just in weeks or months, but a lifetime.
Yes, I know it’s still far too soon to bring up the topic of marriage. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about it. It doesn’t mean I didn’t wake up this morning with the remnants of a dream still lingering; a dream with Hazel all in white and glowing with happiness as she walks down a flower-strewn aisle towards me.
Who would have thought it? Back when Winter and Lark and Rory kept bugging me to date and I had every excuse in the book why I shouldn’t. Back when I was convinced being single was the best way and I didn’t want to bring anyone new into my tight circle of trusted friends.
Who would have thought that I’d be ready to drop to one knee right now, if I thought Hazel was ready?
I won’t. Not yet. Not when Hazel is still going to weekly counseling sessions and having nightmares nearly every night. Not when she still jumps at sudden noises and wants me to drive her to workand back, even though we just picked up her new car last week.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m more than happy to bring her to work. I prefer it, honestly. But I know in time, Hazel will want to drive herself. She’ll want more independence instead of sticking close to me all the time. She’ll want to go out in Bliss on her own instead of waiting for me to go with her.
Maybethenit’ll be time to propose. And in the meantime, could it hurt to check out rings online? Just to see my options? After all, when I do propose, I’ll want everything to be perfect.
