“Okay,” Paige says, brushing her hands off as we finish. “Give me an hour to set things up, then meet me at the pond.”
I raise an eyebrow, intrigued. “The pond? What are you planning?”
She just grins and places a quick kiss on my cheek. “You’ll see. Trust me, you’ll love it.”
As I watch her hurry off, a spring in her step, I’m struck once again by how much I love her.
I spend the next hour helping with the last of the parade clean-up, my mind buzzing with curiosity about Paige’s surprise.
The sight that greets me at the pond takes my breath away. Paige has transformed the area around the pond into a winter wonderland. Strings of fairy lights are draped over the bare branches of the surrounding trees, casting a warm glow over the scene. A small fire crackles merrily in a portable fire pit, and I can see a picnic basket and a pile of blankets nearby.
But what really catches my eye is the ice. Paige has cleared a small area of the pond, and there, gleaming in the firelight, are two pairs of ice skates.
“Paige,” I breathe, taking in the magical scene. “This is... incredible.”
She appears from behind a tree, her cheeks flushed with cold and excitement. “Do you like it? I thought, since we’re about to embark on this big adventure, we should have one last skate on your pond.”
The thoughtfulness of the gesture, the romance of the setting—it all overwhelms me. Without a word, I pull her into my arms, pouring all my emotions into a deep, passionate kiss.
When we finally part, both a little breathless, Paige’s eyes are shining. “I’ll take that as a yes,” she says with a soft laugh.
We lace up our skates and step out onto the ice. We glide across the smooth surface, hand in hand. The only sounds are the scrape of our blades on the ice and the distant hooting of an owl. We skate for hours, talking and laughing, occasionally stopping to warm ourselves by the fire or snack on the treats Paige packed. As the night wears on, a light snow begins to fall, adding to the magical atmosphere.
Finally, tired but happy, we pack up. We stand at the edge of the pond, ready to head home, and I take one last look at the scene. The twinkling lights, the smooth ice, the gently falling snow— it’s like a scene from a Christmas card come to life.
“Thank you for this,” I say to Paige, pulling her close. “For everything.”
Paige snuggles into my embrace. “We’re just getting started, Noah,” she says softly. “The best is yet to come.”
“It is.” This is the moment—the one I’ve been waiting for. “Paige?”
“Hmm?” she hums against me as she snuggles deeper. I love it when she does that. It makes me feel so strong and protective of her.
“I love you,” I kiss her head.
She pulls back and looks up at me. “Noah?” Her eyes are full of questions and hope.
“I know it might feel fast but I know what’s in my heart and it’s you. I’ve fallen in love with you.” I hold my breath, waiting to see if she feels the same way.
She grins and kisses me like she can’t hold back. “Too fast? It took you forever,” she says dramatically.
I laugh at her theatrics. “Forever?” I kiss her cheek. “And ever.” I kiss her other cheek. “And ever.” I find her lips and we are lost in a kiss that seals our hearts together for eternity.
We walk home, hand in hand, through the quiet, snow-covered streets of Benton Falls. I feel a sense of anticipation building within me. There’s so much to do. So many things to pack and gather—not to mention Christmas is in two days. My head is spinning.
For now, though, I’m content to savor this moment. The woman I love by my side, a world of possibilities ahead of us, and the magic of Christmas all around. We reach her front door just as the clock in the town square begins to chime at midnight.
“Merry Christmas, Paige,” I whisper, pulling her in for one more kiss.
“Merry Christmas, Noah,” she replies, her eyes shining with love and excitement for the future.
The future stretches out before us, as vast and full of possibility as a field of freshly fallen snow. And I’m ready, finally ready, to step out and make my mark. With Paige’s hand in mine and love in my heart, I’m ready for anything. Let the adventure begin.
Epilogue
WILL
The grand hall of heaven stretches before me. The air is filled with a fragrance I can only describe as pure goodness - a blend of sunlight, fresh snow, and blooming flowers that soothe my nerves and lift my spirit.
