Gladys gives me a gentle tug towards the ballroom doors. “Come on,” she encourages. “Your future is waiting.”
I take a deep breath, smoothing down my clothes and running a hand through my hair. The nerves are still there, fluttering in my stomach, but they no longer feel overwhelming. Instead, there’s a spark of excitement, a readiness to face whatever comes next.
As I reach for the door handle, I glance over my shoulder at Gladys. For a moment, I’m struck by how perfectly she fits into this scene of holiday magic.
“Thank you,” I say quietly.
She nods, her eyes twinkling. “Merry Christmas, Bailey,” she whispers.
With one final deep breath, I push open the ballroom doors and step inside. The room falls silent for a moment as heads turn in my direction. It seems that the whole town’s been waiting for me so they can announce the winners.
I spot Logan, and our eyes meet. He furrows his brow, silently asking if everything is all right. I offer him a small smile, hoping to convey that I’m okay. Better than okay, actually.
I catch snippets of conversation about the various tree displays. The excitement is palpable, and I can’t help the flutter of anticipation in my stomach.
As I quickly make my way to my station, I’m acutely aware of how different I feel. The change that scared me so much earlier now feels like a gift. I may not have control over how others see me, but I can choose how I respond to their perceptions. I don’t see the world filtered through the past hurts and betrayals; it’s like the filter has been removed by Christ, and I see things with new eyes.
The head judge clears her throat, drawing everyone’s attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, we’re ready to announce the winner of this year’s Christmas Tree Decorating Contest.”
A hush falls over the room. Evelyn and Marcus’s families are here to support them. There’s a reporter from the local paper and someone from the television news crew that’s covering the much more newsworthy gingerbread house contest held in the civic center.
Several of Logan’s firefighter buddies are here, they’re easy to pick out because of their muscles and height. It’s great that they’re here to support Logan, though Axel is hanging around Olivia’s station more than Logans. From the daggers she’s throwing at him, I’m guessing she’s not all that happy that he’s here.
She does smile at her students. There are so many of them, and they’re all crossing their fingers for her.
Mrs. Pennington waves, trying to get my attention. I wave back at her and then drop my arm.
This is it. The moment I’ve been working for is finally here.
Gladys finds my hand and gives it a squeeze. “You doing okay?”
I close my eyes for a moment, centering myself. Whatever the outcome, I realize I’ve already won something. I’ve found a strength inside myself that I never knew existed and a faith that feels unshakable. “I’m doing great.”
I’m standing on the edge of the cliff, just waiting for someone to yell jump. But I’m great.
“We’ve seen some truly remarkable displays this year. The creativity and passion on display are a testament to the spirit of Benton Falls. However, there can only be one winner.”
I close my eyes.
“The winner of this year’s Christmas Tree Decorating Contest is... Bailey Carter!”
For a moment, I’m sure I’ve misheard. But then the crowd erupts in applause, and I feel hands patting my back. A wave of shock and joy washes over me, leaving me breathless.
As I step forward to accept the award, my gaze sweeps across the room. I see Olivia beaming at me, her purple-streaked hair bobbing as she claps enthusiastically. Marcus gives me a thumbs up, his warm brown eyes twinkling behind his glasses. Evelyn offers a gracious nod of congratulations.
But it’s Logan I’m searching for. When I finally spot him, our eyes lock. The pride and warmth in his gaze make my heart skip a beat. I think about all the rumors and what people are saying about us. I think about how I freaked out and couldn’t handle the pressure. I think about who I was when I came to Benton Falls. I put all of those versions of myself in a hot-air balloon and send them off.
Then I think about the person I want to be. She is confident in taking risks. She is bold in her color choices and in being a friend. She picks people like Gladys, who thinks she’s an angel, and Mrs. Pennington, whose best friend is her dog, to be in her life.
She swoons over a certain firefighter with big muscles and a bigger heart.
In that moment, I realize that this victory feels incomplete without Logan–and I don’t care what anyone else has to say about it.
I approach the judges and take the award and the microphone. “Thank you all so much,” I begin, my voice trembling slightly. “This is incredibly meaningful to me, but I don’t want to do this alone.” I extend my hand towards Logan, beckoning him forward. “Logan, would you join me up here?”
A murmur of surprise ripples through the crowd as Logan makes his way to the front. I see people whisper behind their hands, and I’m certain I’m making a scene. It’s fine. This feels right, and I don’t want to let the moment pass without acknowledging the man who had patience with me while I became a new creature.
He takes my hand, his touch sending a spark of electricity through me, and I grin at him. I mean, it’s one thing for me to bring him up here; it’s another for him to hold my hand in front of everyone. The gesture is him telling me that he’s as into this, as into us, as I am. I turn back to the audience, my voice stronger now, filled with emotion. I want to tell him how I feel. I want to tell everyone.
