Trinity looked up at her father with shining eyes. “Does this mean you have to stay home longer?”
Gabe managed a smile despite the pain medication making him groggy. “Yeah, sweetheart. Looks like you’re stuck with me for a while.”
“Good,” Trinity said firmly, snuggling closer to him.
In all the commotion and joy and relief, Christopher and Isabella managed to slip out into the hallway. They needed a moment alone, away from the chaos, the questions, and the overwhelming emotions.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Isabella threw herself into Christopher’s arms.
“Thank you,” she sobbed against his chest. “Thank you for saving my little girl. For saving Trinity. For putting Todd where he can’t hurt us anymore.” The tears came harder now, all the fear and terror and helplessness of the past hours pouring out of her.
Christopher held her, one hand stroking her hair, letting her cry. Letting her release everything she’d been holding in. When her sobs finally quieted to hiccups, he pulled back slightly so he could look into her eyes.
“I need to tell you something,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “And I know it’s insane. We haven’t even known each other for a week, but...” He took a breath. “I’m falling in love with you, Isabella. Actually, I think I’ve already fallen.”
Isabella’s breath caught, and fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. But these were different tears. “I feel the same,” she said immediately. “I know it’s crazy. I know it’s too fast. But I don’t care. I love you too, Christopher.”
Relief and joy flooded Christopher’s face. He cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs wiping away her tears. Then he kissed her. Really kissed her. Not a quick promise or gentle comfort. This was real. Full of everything they’d been holding back. Everything they felt. Everything they wanted.
Isabella kissed him back with equal intensity, her hands fisting in his shirt, holding him close like she was afraid he might disappear if she let go.
Instead of the world fading away around them like in movies, applause suddenlybroke out.
They broke apart and turned to see the hospital room door standing open. Their entire new family was crowded in the doorway, watching them. Gabe was grinning from his hospital bed despite the pain. Trinity and Maddy were bouncing excitedly, holding hands and squealing. Holly was crying happy tears. Charlie and Logan were smiling. Jack had his arm around Jane, both of them clapping. And Julie stood at the front, looking absolutely smug, as if she’d known this would happen all along and was pleased to be proven right.
Christopher laughed, keeping his arm around Isabella. He didn’t care that they had an audience. Didn’t care that they’d been caught. “Guess we’re official now.”
“Guess so,” Isabella agreed, laughing through her tears.
And right there in the hospital hallway, at the end of the worst day that had somehow turned into the best day, surrounded by the family they’d found in just one week, Christopher kissed Isabella again.
And everyone cheered.
“Wish number two—granted!” Julie ticked the air and grinned at Maddy and Trinity as they turned wide-eyed stares of disbelief on her.
19
JANE
Jane stood behind the reception desk, grateful for a few moments of quiet after the chaos of the past two days. She was taking a break from the ballroom, which was finally coming along nicely. The decorations were nearly complete, the lighting was perfect, and the space was transforming into something magical for the Winter Ball.
Tonight, the inn felt peaceful. Her grandmother had gone out with William to a Christmas concert in town. Her father and Holly were taking Trinity night shopping in St. Augustine, something about finding the perfect dress for the ball. Charlie and Logan were cooped up in the library, supposedly working on legal documents for the inn’s finances.
Jane grinned to herself. She was pretty sure they were actually deciding when to come clean to everyone about their relationship. As if everyone didn’t already know. The way thosetwo looked at each other made it perfectly obvious what was happening between them.
Christopher would be going to Isabella’s for dinner again tonight. It had become a nightly routine over the past two days, and Jane found herself smiling at the thought. Who would have imagined that the serious military man would be so completely smitten with the single mother who’d stumbled into his life a few days ago?
Her smile widened as she thought about how close she and Isabella had become since the incident with the girls. They hadn’t spoken about their differences, hadn’t addressed the awkwardness from high school or Jane’s initial coolness toward her. Instead, they’d simply slipped into a sort of understanding, a new start to what was becoming a real friendship.
Jane had forgiven Isabella for her queen-bee attitude in high school. Not aloud and not to Isabella directly. But in her heart, she’d let it go. And that felt good enough for now.
Her musings were interrupted by the sound of footsteps and voices from the dining room. Isabella, Maddy, and Christopher emerged, clearly heading out for the evening. Isabella had her purse over her shoulder, and Maddy was chattering excitedly about something.
“Jane!” Maddy bounded over to the desk with the infectious energy that Jane had come to adore over the past week. “Christopher is coming for dinner and we’re going to watch Miracle on 34th Street! It’s one of my favorite Christmas movies!”
“That’s so awesome,” Jane said genuinely. “I love that movie too. You guys enjoy your evening.”
“We will!” Maddy grabbed her mother’s hand and practically dragged her toward the door. “Come on, Mom! We need to get the cookies in the oven before the movie starts!”
