Olivia wrapped her arms around Nash’s waist.“This was the perfect gift.In the perfect place with the perfect people.”
He laughed and hugged her.“Perfect.”
And it was the perfect time.He pulled the ring box out of his jacket pocket.“I know we talked about it the other day, but the ring hadn’t arrived yet.Olivia Gonzalez, will you make a life with me and Charlie at this apple farm in the middle of nowhere Vermont?Will you and Ella help me and Charlie make a bigger family?I love you with my whole heart.Will you marry me?”
Tears streamed down her cheeks, but her smile was wide.“Of course.Yes.Always yes.I love you so much, Nash.Ella and I want to be a family with you and Charlie.Forever.”
He slipped off their mittens and then slid the ring on her finger.He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.“Forever.”
Behind them, Charlie whooped and skated to Ella.“Did you hear that, Ella Mae?You’re going to be my sister, and I’m going to be your big brother.We’re going to be a family.Forever.”
There was more, but Nash tuned them out and leaned down to kiss Olivia.“Forever.”
Olivia’s muscles ached in the very best of ways.Learning to skate had been a blast.She’d never keep up with any of the Malssums, but she didn’t have as many bruises as expected.Mostly because Nash had caught her whenever she’d started to fall.She’d caught him a time or two as well.
Charlie had picked it up quickly, and it hadn’t been long before he’d been skating literal circles around them.
Ella loved being towed with Oggie in the wagon and had laughed hard enough to knock herself over a few times.The dog’s ears flapping in the breeze had tickled her face.
It had been an excellent morning.After lunch, they’d headed out to try out the snowshoes.Nash had taken Ella Mae in the carrier, and they’d all had fun making trails through the orchard.
Charlie had them all stamping down the path leading to the cider cabin and the pond, so they could turn that into a skating path.Olivia figured skating through the orchard with her new family would be the best thing ever.Well, maybe not quite the best.
Ella and Charlie were sound asleep in their Norissamin pajamas, and she and Nash were alone.He locked his bedroom door behind them and turned to tug her into a slow dance.“This is my favorite Christmas ever.”
“Mine, too.I don’t know if Ella will be able to hang onto any memories, but she had such a good day.”
“We’ve got loads of pictures, and Charlie will be talking about it for years.I’m sure she’ll get some of those memories vicariously.”
The thought warmed Olivia as she snuggled into Nash’s strength.“I’m still working to believe all this is real.”
Nash ran his hand up her back and into her hair.“All what?”
She laughed softly.“The farm.These wonderful people.Phail.Adam in jail.A safe home for Ella.Charlie.You.Especially you.”
He kissed her temple.“We’re all very real, and I couldn’t be happier.Why don’t you try out Amber’s bath bomb?While you soak, I’ll run down to grab some wine and a couple of glasses.”
When he started to turn, she tightened her grip.“Why don’t we try out Amber’s bath bomb together?”
He laughed.“I don’t think the tubs here were made for two.”
“Only one way to find out.”
She sent him a sassy grin over her shoulder and walked to the bathroom, peeling off her t-shirt as she went.
By the time the tub filled with bubbly water that smelled like something earthy and sexy, his body was revved to go, and he’d managed to send Olivia shattering over the edge even before they’d gotten all the way undressed.
He lifted her in his arms and stepped into the bubbles while her body still trembled with the first orgasm of the night.
The tub was barely big enough for him, never mind the two of them.He solved the problem by sitting with his back to the edge and Olivia in his lap.
She fluttered her eyes open as he lowered her into the warm water.With a quick shift, she turned to straddle him, and not much had ever felt better.
He ran his hands up and down her torso, spreading the bubbles over her skin.When he did the same to her breasts, her head dropped back, and his name fell from her lips.
It didn’t take long to have her body soaring again.He could spend the rest of his life watching this beautiful woman shatter with pleasure.
She hadn’t had many people to trust throughout her life.Not many had earned her trust.
