"Almost?"
"Okay, exactly as much. I'm deeply invested in this restaurant."
"Thank you. For supporting me. For not making me choose between the restaurant and you."
"You should never have to choose. People who love you support your dreams, they don't compete with them."
They stood in the December snow, holding each other, and Jake felt grateful for second chances. For Lucy coming home. For being brave enough to trust her again.
"I'm going to make you a promise," Lucy said. "When Margaret's opens, when things get crazy—I won't let it consume me the way the bakery did. I won't sacrifice our relationship for the restaurant. We're a priority. Always."
"I'll hold you to that."
"Good. Because I mean it. I'm not losing you again, Jake. Not for anything."
Jake kissed her, cold and warm at the same time, perfect December magic.
"You're not losing me. I'm not going anywhere."
"Neither am I."
They went inside, and Jake stayed for hot chocolate and conversation with Uncle Walter. It felt natural, comfortable—like Jake belonged here, in this house, in this family.
Later that night, lying in Lucy's old bedroom (Uncle Walter had given them permission to share it, with a pointed "but keep the door open"), Lucy whispered: "Jake?"
"Yeah?"
"Thank you. For this Christmas. For making me feel like I'm really home."
"You are home. This is where you belong."
"With you."
"With me. Always with me."
Lucy fell asleep in his arms, and Jake stared at the ceiling, thinking about the year ahead.
Lucy's restaurant opening. His team making a playoff run. Building a life together, one day at a time.
It wouldn't be perfect. There would be challenges, setbacks, moments of doubt.
But they'd face them together.
And that made all the difference.
Chapter 22
January brought bitter cold and the final push toward Margaret's opening.
The Morrison building had transformed. What was once an empty shell now had a working kitchen, dining room tables, a bar. The exposed brick Lucy loved was complemented by warm lighting and dark wood. It looked exactly how she'd imagined.
"This is incredible," Rei said, walking through during the first week of January. "Lucy, it's perfect."
"It's not finished yet. I still need—" Lucy gestured vaguely, "—everything. Staff, final menu, supplies, marketing, a liquor license that's taking forever—"
"One thing at a time. What's most urgent?"
"Staff. I have Mae for front of house. But I need a sous chef, line cooks, bartender. And I have no idea how to find qualified people in Timber Falls."
