"This is a little unorthodox, but I want to take a moment today to thank you all for coming out tonight." I squeezed Ember's hand and pulled her closer. "And I also want to say a few words." TomReed glowered at me for crossing the line, but I'd been pushed far enough. This needed to be said.
"These past few months, I've remained quiet on something that I should've spoken up about and I would like to take a moment now to do just that." I waited as the crowd hushed.
I knew there was supposed to be a band playing and carols, but this moment was too important to let pass me by.
"For months, Ember Harrison and I have represented the community as your symbols of hope and family and home.
"For months, we've suffered ridicule and often outright hostility from members of this community who based their gossip and slander on suspicions and rumors."
I felt her trying to shrink away and I held her tighter still. "Today, I want to tell you all that I've been ashamed at times to represent this community, not because I felt like I was a failure at this position, but because of the citizens and their behavior."
"Nate," Ember whispered harshly, but I'd finally chosen to speak my mind.
"Ember and I are dating," I said, pausing as a few hushed gasps danced over the crowd. "And I'm proud of your nickname you gave me. Daddy Claus is very fitting for me this year, because the woman I love more than anything in this world has announced to me that I am going to be a father, and I couldn’t be more grateful."
We didn’t plan any of this, and Ember couldn't have known what I would say or do, other than I told her I'd planned to set the record straight.
So when I turned to kiss her full on the lips in front of everyone, she was as shocked as they were.
I heard audible gasps and whispers, and then applause that rose and cheers as the crowd celebrated with us.
Not everyone was smiling, and not everyone was clapping, but I saw my father and mother there.
Mom was hysterical, happy and in tears, and my father stood stoic, but with pride in his expression and his chest puffed out.
That, more than anything, was what hit me.
That my father had become my corner guy, proudly standing behind me when it mattered most.
"And I am happy to have stood for what is right and noble and true this entire time! Merry Christmas, Beacon Hill! Now, where were we?" I turned to see Thomas Reed now glaring at me, but he had no footing anymore, and he'd been removed from his high horse.
The community was speaking loud and clear that they supported this relationship even if the committee elders hated it.
And with only a few last duties as Lightkeeper, I knew they had no reason to remove me or Ember.
"Nate," she whispered again, now with cheeks the color of holly berries and a beaming grin.
"I am in love with you, Ms. Harrison," I whispered as I kissed her warmly on the cheek and guided her to the edge of the stage.
I was sure there would be more trouble, that the town wasn't yet done gossiping about us, but I'd made it known to the town, andmy parents, and most importantly, to Ember, that never again would I let them push me around.
Ember and I were going to be together no matter who approved or disapproved, and I would fight to make that a reality down to my last breath.
29
EMBER
I thought the way my hands were shaking was due to the cold outside less than a week from Christmas, but now, shedding my coat at the doctor's office to Nate's capable hands, I knew it was nerves.
After everything we'd gone through for months, you'd have thought I'd be used to a bit of nervous tension, but the thought of seeing our baby for the first time on a computer screen had me jittery.
"You okay?" Nate asked as he draped my coat over his arm and nodded in the direction of the nurse who had called my name from the hallway.
"Just excited, I think?" I forced a smile, thankful that the morning sickness had almost abated entirely.
Between the anti-nausea meds, the dramatic decrease in stress levels, and finally breaking into my second trimester, I was feeling much better.
"Let's go see our boy," Nate said, winking.
