“This is overwhelming,” I whisper to him during a quiet moment.
“Want to escape?”
“No. I love it. It’s perfect.”
And it is.
It’s loud and chaotic and completely different from my own family dinners. But it’s warm. Real. Full of laughter and love and acceptance.
This is what family should feel like.
Hours later, after dinner and dessert and way too much wine, after Jax’s grandmother has interrogated me about my intentions, after Riley and Everett spent the evening flirting, and after Maggie has bonded with Jax’s mom over recipes, everyone finally starts to leave.
“You’re staying, right?” Jax asks quietly as we say goodbye to his family.
“If that’s okay.”
“More than okay. I don’t want you to leave.”
“I have to go back to Denver at some point to pack. Get things in order.”
“But tonight? Stay with me tonight.”
“Okay.”
Riley and Maggie hug me goodbye. They have been put up in one of the inns for Christmas.
“So?” Riley asks. “Was it everything you hoped?”
“Better,” I admit. “So much better.”
“Good. You deserve it.” She hugs Jax, too. “Take care of her. Or I’ll hunt you down.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he says seriously.
After everyone leaves, it’s just us. Finally.
The house is quiet except for the crackling fire. Snow is falling outside the windows. And Jax is looking at me like I’m the best Christmas present he’s ever received.
“Hi,” I say softly.
“Hi.”
“This is real, right? This is happening?”
“It’s happening.” He pulls me into his arms. “You’re here. You’re moving here. We’re doing this.”
“I’m terrified.”
“Me too.”
“But also, really happy.”
“Me too.” He kisses the top of my head. “Merry Christmas, Sloane.”
“Merry Christmas, Jax.”
We stand there swaying slightly, holding each other, and I think about how different this Christmas is from last year. How much has changed. How much I’ve changed. Last year, I was with Chett, pretending to be happy, making myself smaller. This year I’m with Jax, feeling seen, becoming braver.
