Our cousin Lucy was on her second engagement, but this was Lucy’s first party. Uncle Evan had been worse than Dad when it came to his daughters. But my theory was that Lucy’s teen years had worn him out so much, he was forced to learn to go with the flow.
“I think it will be a pleasant surprise,” my cousin, Alex, answered from behind us.
She was Uncle Evan’s salvation and probably why he’d kept the hair on his head. She excelled at school, helped her parents, and had never given them a peep of trouble. Alex was truly the yin to her disruptive sister’s yang.
“Being the good kid is so monotonous,” she teased with a smile.
“Tell me about it.” I let out a loud sigh before my sister smacked my arm again.
“Okay, I think I’m better now. Let’s go inside.” Danielle’s arm snaked through mine.
“Good.” PJ kissed Danielle’s cheek and winked. “See youthreeat the table.”
Danielle gaped at me before I pressed a finger to her lips. “She figured it out but won’t say anything. PJ is loud but doesn’t spill secrets.” I pulled Danielle into my arms and kissed the top of her head. “We won’t stay late; I still have studying to do.”
“Babe, you do nothingbutstudy. You’ll be able to take that lieutenant test with your eyes closed.”
I slid my hand over her stomach. “I have a lot to plan for. Two people to make proud now.”
“You are an amazing firefighter and a wonderful man. We already love you, so maybe get some sleep once in a while.”
I felt Dylan’s pain. I had no idea what I’d do without Danielle. She was my best friend, my biggest cheerleader, and my kick in the pants when I needed it the most. She was my entire life, and I wouldn’t know how to function without her.
“Do you think PJ suspects anything?”
I shrugged. “She thinks he’s acting weird, but hasn’t connected the dots yet. She will though, you know she’s a pain in the ass. Thank God he’s doing it tonight.” I grabbed her hand and intertwined our fingers. “Come on, sweetheart. I’ll save you from the tomato sauce.”
She laughed and leaned into me as we walked toward my family.
Who would have thought I had to almost lose it all to become the luckiest man in the world?
Second Epilogue
PJ - later that night
“Areyou sure nothing’s wrong? You’ve been so quiet for most of the night.”
I unbuckled my seat belt and stepped out of Dylan’s truck. I’d taken the redeye back from Paris this morning and hadn’t had time to speak to him alone yet. Worse, during the past couple of Skype calls, he’d seemed distracted and distant. I’d spent the entire plane ride home pondering the awful possible reasons he was pulling away. We’d been apart for almost four months, a huge adjustment as the most we’d gone without seeing each other for the past four years was a day or two. I wanted to blame my annoying insecurities on jetlag, but there was more to it than that.
“Of course, I am.” He pulled me flush to his body by the collar of my down coat. “My girl is home. Best Christmas present ever.” He kissed my lips, sweetly and sensually, and I savored it for a few minutes before letting go.
“I didn’t bring the presents I brought you from Paris. I came home, showered, and headed to the party. This is the first time I’ve stopped since I got to the airport last night.”
“I know. Come on. I have a surprise for you.” He pulled my hand and led me inside his house. He flicked on the light switch once we were inside, and Christmas lights illuminated the entire room.
“Dylan, this is beautiful!”
“Not as good a job as you usually do.” He gave me an adorable, bashful smile and stuffed his hands into his pockets. I always decorated his place for Christmas. I didn’t live here, but spent most nights in Dylan’s bed. My parents fought us at first but chose to ignore it as time went on. I missed our tradition of picking out a tree and painting his windows.
“No way! The tree is beautiful.” I traipsed inside and took in the decorations in every corner. The tree was smaller than we’d usually pick out, but he obviously spent hours placing an ornament on every branch. That was always my job since he always wanted to give up after three.
“How many days did it take you?” My grin faded when I turned and spotted Dylan on one knee before me. My hand flew to my mouth as my nose burned. It shouldn’t have been a surprise, but actually seeing him in this position knocked the air right out of my lungs.
“I wanted to be more romantic and whatever, but I can’t fucking take it anymore. I love you, Patricia. I don’t think you’ll ever understand how much. I want to be with you for the rest of my life, and I can’t wait any longer. You’re amazing, and you deserve more than I could ever give you—”
“All I want is you!” I interrupted through a flood of tears. “That’s all I’ll ever want. This is why you’ve been so—”
He raised a brow and my mouth closed. “You haven’t let me finish a sentence in four years. Let me get this out, sweet girl.”
