“For a long time. Ten to fifteen years for the wildlife trafficking, plus additional time for the shooting. By the time he gets out, you’ll have lived an entire life without him.” She pushes the pen closer to me. “Sign the papers, Magnolia. Be free.”
I pick up the pen, and my hand is steady as I sign my name. Once. Twice. Three times. Each signature another step toward freedom.
When it’s done, Shelby stamps the papers, making it official.
“Congratulations,” she says. “You’re officially divorced.”
I burst into tears.
Shelby comes around the desk and pulls me into a hug, and I cry on her shoulder—tears of relief, of joy, of finally, finally being able to breathe again.
“Thank you,” I manage. “For everything. For coming in on Christmas Day to do this.”
“You’re welcome. You’re one of my favorite people, and that treat box you gave me? It’s going to make me very popular today. Now go home to Levi and celebrate.”
The drive back to the house takes longer than it should because I have to pull over twice to cry some more. Good tears this time. Happy tears.
When I get home, Levi’s waiting in the living room. His arm is still in a sling, and he’s under strict orders not to do any heavy lifting or strenuous activity for at least another week. But he’s healing well, and we already know he’s going to make a full recovery.
He looks up when I come in, and his eyes immediately go to the folder in my hands.
“Is that...?”
“Signed and official,” I say, holding up the papers. “I’m divorced, Levi. I’m free.”
The smile that spreads across his face is bright enough to light up the entire room. He stands carefully, mindful of his shoulder, and pulls me into his arms.
“Best Christmas present ever,” he murmurs against my hair.
I pull back to look up at him, and I’m grinning. “Well, it’ll have to be, since you’re not cleared for physical activity yet.”
His eyes darken with heat. “I’m sure we can figure something out if we try hard enough.”
“Levi Harrison, you are not reopening those stitches because you can’t wait another week.”
“Fine,” he sighs dramatically. “But as soon as I’m cleared...”
“As soon as you’re cleared,” I promise, “we’ll make it work.”
He kisses me then, soft and sweet and full of promise. When we break apart, we’re both smiling.
“You ready for the Harrison Family Christmas?” he asks.
I think about walking into his grandparents’ house, not as Molly’s best friend or even as Levi’s girlfriend, but as part of the family. As someone who belongs there.
“I’m ready,” I say. “Let’s go home.”
His eyebrows raise. “My grandparents’ house?”
“No,” I correct, taking his hand. “Home. Wherever your family is, that’s home now.”
We drive to Mason and Karina’s house together, and when we walk in holding hands, everyone gives a little round of applause. Ruby hugs me, Caleb shakes Levi’s good hand, and Mason just grins and says, “About time you made it official.”
The house is full of people, full of noise, full of love. The Christmas tree lights twinkle, there’s food covering every available surface, and someone’s put on Christmas music.
This is what I always wanted. This warmth, this acceptance, this feeling of belonging.
Levi pulls me under the mistletoe hanging in the doorway, and I laugh.
