I bury my face in his chest once more to hide my laughter, but the feeling of his hand wrapping around my hip and the gentle pressure he adds to it tells me there’s more to our future if we want it. Because just when we thought time could be running out, it turned out it was just catching up. Emmy is the added bonus—a gift that’s better than I could’ve imagined.
My smile stretches wide, letting the joy of the moment and the fact that we’ve finally made our way back to each other sink in. A part of my soul recognized his soul from the beginning. Somehow—someway—we’re each other’s. In the changing of seasons, in the heartache and the disappointment, in the missed connections and the choices, and in the strangers and the loved ones, we’ve passed each other, and we’ve been brought back together.
Emmy rushes off to her aunt to grab another cookie from Four Leaf Cookies in the kitchen. I think we’ll be revisiting that tradition during the holidays from now on—cookies and hot chocolate—though, of course, coffee for Jace.
I turn to look back at the man I love, the ease in his expression and the openness of his smile warming me from the inside. When I reach for him, he pulls me close, nuzzling into my neck.
“You’re so swoony,” I admit. I feel Jace’s chuckle through my rib cage. He straightens to his full height, one eyebrow perfectly arched.
“I’m not sure a boxer is the type they write love stories about.”
I rise up on my toes, steadying myself by anchoring my hands around his neck. “Jace, you’re my love story. And that’s all that matters to me.”
At my confession, his hands are in my hair, and he’s kissing me, his passion enough to warm me up until next Christmas. We match each other in every way, and our story is one for the ages. From a fateful night at an ice rink, to losing touch with each other, then somehow finding our way back, the magic of the season couldn’t be clearer. There’s enough love between us to build a life we’ll be proud of. We’ll build a family to hold and a home to grow old in. As we treasure each other and enjoy what it means to be fully and purely ourselves, all the nights I spent alone were simply the fuel for me to hold on tightly to love if that means they’ve led me here. After all, it’s because of the chill of winter that we appreciate the warmth from the light.
I’ve been searching but never found. I’ve been lonely, though not alone. I’ve been dancing while on my own. I’ve wandered in an attempt at finding peace in the dark. But now, in the winter wonder that is the Christmas season, a light in my heart turns on, and my whole soul knows that I love him like home.
Epilogue
Jace
SPRING
Daddy!” Emmy yells, standing between the open front doors of Birch Borough Elementary, acting as if she hadn’t just seen me this morning over the homemade waffles I made for her last day of school before spring break.
Resin sits patiently beside me, but at the sound of Emmy’s voice, he perks up, tail immediately wagging. My daughter rushes toward me, and I prepare to catch her when she launches herself, waiting for the moment when her tiny hands—getting bigger by the day as she grows—wrap around my neck.
“Emmy Bear,” I say affectionately. When she wiggles out of my arms, I set her down gently so she can hug Resin, who’s now groaning and impatient for Emmy’s attention. “How was your day?”
“Fantastic!” she yells again with her hand raised to the sky. Emmy has clearly been spending more time with Grey if her vocabulary is any indication. And she’s thriving in class as well. The love she has for her teacher and classmates is a testament to this town and the way it really emphasizes community.
“That’s excellent.” I nod to the staff member on duty for pickup, reaching for Emmy’s hand so we can walk together toward the house that we moved into a few weeks ago. It tooka few months before I finally moved out of Angie’s apartment and put down permanent roots. The house contains a few extra bedrooms, because I have plans. My heart warms at the thought.
Now, the leaves are starting to return, colors appearing where there once was only winter white. There’s a balminess in the air that wasn’t there until recently. The thought of getting ready for a new season and seeing both of my girls continue to thrive and grow is intoxicating. Christmas, once again, is my favorite holiday, but I’m looking forward to the rest of the year. I’ve already got fresh flowers waiting in the garage, ready to plant in the garden as soon as the weather is warm enough. But, for now, I’m ready to move through another year, and a lifetime, with Ivy by our side.
“Okay, Emmy Bear, you’ve got to get ready for dance class. And I’m keeping Resin for our surprise.”
“Yes, can’t be late for Miss Ivy. Let’s goooo!” she shouts happily once more.
I assess her hair, knowing I’m going to have to spend extra time getting it smooth and in place before we can leave the house, given the amount of fun she clearly had while at school. I would pin it back in the morning, but nothing seems to tame her curls. She definitely got those from me.
The three of us walk back to my house, and when we enter, the gift I have for Ivy catches my eye in the entryway. I’ve spent months working to get it just right, knowing the whole time that this was my plan. I’m hoping to surprise Ivy in a way that, hopefully, she’d never expect but will be delighted by.
When we finally get out the door again, we run toward the dance studio. Our house is only a few streets away, which was intentional. I know how much Ivy loves this town, and I wanted her to be able to get to her studio no matter the weather.
While I didn’t take the position in Florida, an opportunity opened shortly thereafter for me to work with a companyin Connecticut. Now, I work remotely and provide pieces of furniture that are soon to be manufactured throughout New England. They even let me keep my signature mark on each creation. I also have pieces displayed in shops throughout town, and In the Ring is close enough to walk to on days I teach classes or one-on-ones as well. It works.
We pass Sparrow’s Beret, the smell of the maple croissants enough to beckon me to pause. Rafe was right; they are the best things on the menu. Although, I think the bakery’s cinnamon rolls are a close second, for reasons Lily has banned us from mentioning in the presence of young children. Apparently, kissing a certain way in public is not encouraged by people who just want a latte.
“Daddy, can you get us croissants for later?” Emmy runs next to me, and the sight of her little legs in tights but the rest of her frame covered by a hoodie makes me laugh. Resin keeps pace beside us, clearly wanting to see Ivy as much as we do.
Arriving at the studio, I open the door and let Resin walk in first, taking in the sight of dance moms and little ones fixing their hair, getting slippers on, and more as they wait for class to start. It’s a tight space, and I do my best not to make too much of a disruption with my entrance.
“Ladies,” I say to the women, knowing that the only lady I’m interested in seeing is on the other side of the wall.
“That’s it for today. Take a bow!” Ivy’s muffled voice rings through.
I hear the clapping of hands before the studio door swings open, and the exchange of this class leaving for the next takes place. Harlow gives me a knowing look from the front desk as Emmy bounces excitedly beside me. Resin sighs, impatient.
