“Ready!” Charlotte cheers next to me, already shifting the boxes hiding in the back closer to our feet.
I reach under the tree and pull out two boxes wrapped in paper covered with tiny corgi butts. The same kind we used for Ember’s birthday. Ember immediately recognizes the print and starts dancing in place, her nub tail spinning.
“Your turn, Ember,” I say, mouth full of sugar cookie and pet Ember between her ears.
Charlotte wraps her arms around my neck, and we watch Ember tear into her first gift. “I still can’t believe you almost gave her up when she was first assigned to you. Can you even imagine how boring our lives would be?”
“I’m glad I didn’t.” That’s an understatement. I chuckle, recalling last year’s butter heist. Charlotte’s right. Ember has brought so much joy to my life. I turn and face the woman of my dreams and peck her lips. “And thank you for being here. I love you.”
Something squeaks, and Ember pounces on the scrap pile, digging until a plush sock-shaped dog toy with her name embroidered on the side tumbles out.
She grabs the toy and starts twisting her head, squeaking it like her life depends on it.
“I think she likes it.” Charlotte laughs, scratching behind Ember’s ears.
“Open the other one, Em. I’ll help you with this one,” I say.
When Ember tears the paper from gift number two, I open the small box and hold up the K9 pendant. Ember’s badge number is engraved next to Duke’s. Warmth spreads through my chest at the jewelry I thought I’d lost last year. Turns out the raccoons gave me a Christmas miracle.
Charlotte rubs my back as I clip it onto Ember’s collar.
“I’m honored to have you as my partner. I love you,” I tell Ember, voice full of emotion, meaning every word. Ember drops her toy in my lap long enough to lick my face, then goes right back to squeaking like a maniac. I shake my head with a smile, and we play tug-of-war. Ember’s nothing like what I wanted originally, but over time I realized she’s everything I needed in a partner. I’m proud to have her by my side.
Charlotte wipes her eyes. “I’m so glad you found your necklace.”
I squeeze her hand. “Me too.”
Charlotte’s phone dings, and her face beams when she checks the screen. “I just received another client email thanking us for their incredible experience at Bed & Boudoir. They reallyenjoyed the treehouse’s layout. I’ll tell Rory when she and Paige come over for dinner.”
Seeing Charlotte happy and her dream flourishing makes me smile like an idiot. It was Rory’s brilliant idea to take the settlement money from the cabin dispute and build a luxury treehouse south of the pond. Bed & Boudoir’s grand opening was a massive hit this past summer. Rory designed the treehouse, which looks like something straight out of a magazine. Plus, it means we get the cabin to ourselves and can make all the noise we’d like.
I feel the weight of Charlotte’s gaze and snap back to the present. We share a smile. Words can’t express how grateful I am that our second chance didn’t pass us by and, after everything we’ve been through, we live in this home. Together. Building a beautiful life with a chaotic corgi we’ve grown to love so much.
My heart pounds as I reach behind the tree where the small velvet box is hidden.
“Charlotte.” I shift to face her fully. “Your turn.”
I open the box and her face glows in a way I haven’t seen before. The diamond ring catches the morning light and shimmers in the most perfect way.
“Last Christmas Eve, we stood on opposite sides of a property line,” I say, overwhelmed with emotion, struggling to keep my voice steady. “And you chose me. You gave us a second chance.”
Tears are streaming down her cheeks, causing mine to fall.
“Words can’t express how much I love you and the life we’ve created.” I take the ring out of the box. “Charlotte Harrington, will you marry me?”
She tackles me with kisses before responding. Then she blurts out, “Yes!”
I slide the ring onto her finger, and she pulls me close, gently pressing our lips together.
She kisses me again, staring at the ring on her finger, then around the cabin. “This Christmas is perfect.”
Ember squeaks her toy in agreement. We crack up laughing. I let out the nervous breath I’ve been holding for what feels like years.
A wrapped box lands on my lap with my name written on the tag.
“Open it,” Charlotte urges, bumping my shoulder.
She squeals with excitement while I tear the box open. My eyes brighten at the nostalgia in front of me. “A View-Master? I had one of these when I was a kid. Same red color, too.” I pick up the chunky plastic toy and hold it against my eyes like a pair of binoculars. A round film reel sits inside a plastic sleeve, ready to load. “What’s on the reel?”
