Chapter Nineteen
The last fewmonths had been like a surreal experience for me. When I had moved to this quiet town all those months ago, still recovering from Troy and searching for something of my own, I never would have thought that by Christmas I would have almost everything I had wanted and more. Ladd was perfect for me, and we were still more in love with each other than we’d ever been even after all of the drama we’d had to endure. Now it was Christmas and to me, the last few months really did seem like a Christmas miracle.
Parker Radcliff’s trial had been a little bit of a letdown. He’d eventually accepted a plea deal to avoid an attempted murder charge and had been sentenced to five years, with eligibility for parole in three. None of us were happy about it, but we were glad it was over. We had been staying in the main house guest suite until the repairs had been finished on the carriage house. I was excited to learn it had finally been finished yesterday and we’d made quick work to move ourselves back. Now it was Christmas Eve and thanks to the combined efforts of Aunt Helen, Aunt Lillian, and my mom, family dinner had been transformed into a combined family celebration at my new pub. They hadn’t gone completely overboard, but it was so nice having all of my family, both old and new in one place on this special holiday night.
We’d kept the name The Falling Star for the pub and had commissioned Remy to make me the custom sign. It was hanging over the outside door and showed a giant shooting star with sparks shooting out behind it in all the colors of the rainbow. It was a true art piece and captured the spirit of the place. The inside was bright and sparkling, from the glass and crystal at the bar, to the light fixtures and the silverware on the tables, but it held true to its history with the classic mahogany bar and the refurbished moldings and plaster work. It was a perfect blend of old and new. Now, I just needed to find the staff I needed to run the place.
But tonight was about family. Both my family and Ladd’s were here. It was the first time we had blended together, and I hadn’t been sure what to expect. So far everyone all seemed to get along perfectly and already acted like one big extended family.
I looked up from my musings and noticed Lachlan making his way from the back to my place behind the bar. “Connor, your bathroom smells like someone shit an apple pie in there! Whose idea was it to have air fresheners in the bathroom that smells like food? I was torn between being hungry and horrified while taking a piss. No bathroom should be filled with that kind of conflict.”
Remy came over and slapped Lachlan on the back, “Hey, Lachlan. Thank God! I told Ladd the same thing.” Lachlan and Remy shook hands and then both got mischievous smiles on their faces. “Let’s go take those things out of there and see what else we can find to replace them.” Then my brother and Ladd’s brother turned to head to the bathrooms.
I yelled after them, “Don’t you dare take those air fresheners out of the bathroom, you two! I do not want my new place smelling like whatever you two choose to put in there.” But they just ignored me and kept walking. Nothing, and I mean nothing, good could ever come of that instantaneous friendship. I made a mental note to check the bathrooms before I left tonight.
“Connor, how is the search for your staff for the bar going?” James asked as he came over with Rhett and Dean. “You’re planning on opening New Year’s Eve, right?”
I nodded and tried not to look concerned. “I’m still looking, James. I have the kitchen sorted, and the servers are all set, too, but finding an experienced bar back and bartender is posing a big problem. Who knew there was a shortage of bartenders in the area?” I tried to joke about it, but I was envisioning a very long night and very long lines if I had to tend the bar all by myself.
“Well, you’ll find someone, I know you will, Connor.” Dean chimed in. “You’re one of the luckiest people I’ve ever met in my life. Everything you’ve ever wished for you’ve gotten. Just make a wish, and it’ll happen for you for sure.”
Rhett scoffed and said, “Wishes don’t come true, that’s just a bunch of superstition. If it’s not logic and science, it’s not real.” He chugged the last of the beer he had brought over with him and walked away to go talk to Isobel and Mom.
“Don’t listen to him, Connor, he’s always a spoilsport like that. He’ll find someone someday that’ll turn his world upside down and then he’ll believe in magic and fate.” James sounded like he was handing down a prophesy, but he stopped with the seriousness and laughed it off just as quickly as it had come. We all made small talk for a while and then the men drifted off to other areas and other conversations.
A little while later, I looked around and smiled when I saw everyone sitting around laughing and talking together like they’d been spending Christmas Eve together for years. I loved this sense of family. I spied Ladd over in the corner talking thoughtfully to James, and suddenly I needed my man. I stalked over to where they were standing but was caught up short when Ladd turned toward me, grabbed my hand and said to everyone assembled, “Everyone, I’d like your attention, please. I have something I’d like to say.” Everyone hushed quickly and gave us their complete attention. He laced our fingers together, turning to face me. “Connor McDaniel, I love you. I know I tell you every day, but I especially wanted to tell you tonight. I wanted to tell you how happy I am that you’ve finally made your dream a reality. The Falling Star is a beautiful place, and I know you’ll make it a huge success. But most importantly, I wanted to say how happy I am that you’re in my life, and I have a gift to commemorate everything we’ve gone through to get to this night.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. I looked over at James, and he just smiled at me, giving nothing away.
“Connor, I want you to have this ring with my promise to you that you’ll always have a place in my heart, but you’ll also always have a place in our family.” He held my right hand and placed it onto my ring finger, then gave me a lingering kiss of promise and love. When he pulled back, I examined the ring and found it matched Ladd’s family ring perfectly. He had given me his heart, but he had also given me his second most prized possession, his family bond.
Everyone was clapping and wiping their eyes, especially my sister Isobel and my mom. They were hugging each other, then they looked back at me, covering their mouths as they teared up. “Oh, Connor, I’m so happy for you!” Isobel said before giving me a hug to rival the one she’d shared with mom. But the night wasn’t over just yet. I let her go, then held my hand up this time.
“Okay, now it’s my turn.” I announced. Ladd raised his eyebrow slightly in question, and I just took him in for a second. He had dressed carefully tonight in his midnight blue velvet jacket, black trousers, red and navy plaid vest, white shirt and red bow tie. I was still a complete sucker for those ties although I hadn’t gotten my real life version of my dream just yet. I held out hope though.
“I have a few words I’d like to say also.” I lightly clasped his small hands in mine, “Ladd, thank you so much for my gift, you haven’t just given me a promise, you’ve given me your family, and I’ll cherish it always. But I also have a gift for you.” I reached into my jacket pocket and pulled out my surprise, kneeling down in front of my love. “You gave me a ring and promised family tonight. Ladd Eldridge, I’m presenting you a ring, too. With this ring, I’m promising you forever, my family and my name if you’ll have it. I love you so much, babe. Will you marry me?” I slid the ring on his left ring finger and held his shaking hand in mine while he just stood there tears escaping from his beautiful smiling eyes that I loved so fucking much.
“Of course I’ll marry you, Conn. I love you so much!” He launched himself at me and with me kneeling my head was only slightly lower than his. He buried his head into my shoulder for a minute, then whispered into my ear, “I wished for you, Conn. How ironic is it that we both made wishes and now tonight we’re standing in a pub named The Falling Star where both of our wishes came true?”
“It’s not irony, my Laddy, it’s fate,” I whispered back.
