"Keep guessing!"Claire yells, oblivious to what's happening.
But Luke's not playing anymore.
He's reaching into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box, and my entire family goes silent.
"The carol was 'All I Want for Christmas Is You,'" he says quietly."But I'm bad at charades, and I'm worse at waiting, and I know this is your family game night but?—"
"Luke," I breathe.
"I had a whole speech planned.Something about efficient code and debugging life together.But standing here, with your family watching and your phone buzzing with inn emergencies in my pocket, I realized something."
"What?"
I'm definitely crying.
Claire's crying.Mom's crying.
Even Harper looks suspiciously misty.
"I don't want efficient.I want chaotic.I want goats eating wedding cakes and midnight plumbing disasters and game nights where your mother defeats me at every single game."He opens the box, revealing a ring that catches the Christmas tree lights."I want you, Sage.All of you.Forever.Or at least until Buttercup learns to pick locks."
"She already knows how to pick locks," I manage through tears.
"Then forever," he amends."Sage Winters, will you marry me?Will you be my partner in chaos and code and questionable livestock decisions?"
"Yes," I say, dropping to my knees in front of him."Yes to all of it.Yes to forever.Yes to you."
He slides the ring on my finger with shaking hands, and then we're kissing while my family erupts in celebration around us.
"I call maid of honor!"Claire shouts.
"I call making the spreadsheets!"Harper adds.
"I call bringing better wine than whatever Buttercup's currently drinking!"Dad chimes in.
"Absolutely not letting that goat near the wedding dress," Mom declares."I don't care how cute she looks in a bow tie!"
"We'll discuss it," Luke murmurs against my lips."After."
"After what?"
"After I tell you the inn is fine.Mira handled the wine situation.Buttercup's contained.Your business is thriving."He grins."I may have been getting updates all night."
"You sneak!"
"Efficient sneak."He kisses me again."Soon to be your husband sneak."
"My husband," I repeat, testing the words."Luke Sterling is going to be my husband."
"If you'll have me."
"Forever," I promise."Even when you draw Christmas trees that look like server racks."
"They weren't Christmas trees!"
"Mom saw tinsel," I remind him."The Winters women are never wrong about tinsel."
"Champagne!"Dad announces."This calls for the good stuff!"
