Laughing, I shook my head. “I haven’t.”
He slowly shook his head. “We are going to fix that tonight.”
With a lighthearted tug on my hand, we quickly made our way in through the garage, entering the kitchen.
I glanced around, realizing the house was quiet. “Where is everyone? Did they go to your parents’ house?”
Aiden frowned and shrugged. “I’m not sure.”
He dropped my hand and headed toward the dining room, then to the living room. The entire house was empty.
“Did you want me to call Patty or Lance to tell them we’re home?”
A thud came from upstairs.
“They must be in the loft,” Aiden said, motioning for me to head up the steps first.
“I think I’ll head to my place and change into some comfy Christmas sweats I bought with Tammy the other day. I got Hadley a matching pair. You think she’ll want to wear them?”
“I’m sure she’d love that.”
As I got to the top of the landing, I looked to my right to see the loft was strung with white Christmas lights. Amaryllis, azaleas, orchids, and red and white roses filled the entire room.
I slowly walked into the space and turned in a circle. Candles were lit, and the smell of Christmas filled the air. “Is that Nat King Cole playing?” I asked, glancing back at Aiden.
“Mom said it was one of your favorite Christmas albums.”
Nodding in disbelief, I faced him. “Aiden, this is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. When did you do all of this? Do you do this every Christmas Eve?”
He chuckled and slowly shook his head. “I had a bit of help from Mom, Tammy, and of course, Hadley. And no, this Christmas Eve is special.”
My heart stuttered as I stared at him. “Why is this one special?”
Aiden reached for my hands. “Because you’re here. Emma, I honestly cannot even think about what my life was like before you. Before you walked into my life, I’d honestly all but given up on love.”
Squeezing his hands, I whispered, “Aiden.”
“I walked into that café, and you smiled at me and everything changed. It scared me at first, and I fought it hard, but I know now with all of my heart that I never want to go back to the days before you. You’ve turned on a light deep down inside of me. I’ve never felt this way before, and even though I’ve waited this long to find you, I don’t want to wait another second.”
He let go of my hands, dropped down to one knee, and pulled a little blue box out of his pocket. Tears instantly fell from my eyes as I pressed a hand to my mouth.
“You’ve saved me more than you’ll ever know and in ways I can’t even put into words. I want to see your beautiful face every morning and kiss you good night every evening. I know this is fast. But I also know I love you, Emma. Like I’ve never loved anyone else. Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife and Hadley’s stepmom?”
I fell to my knees and cupped his face with my hands. “Yes! Aiden, nothing would ever make me happier!”
He pulled me close and kissed me. It was the sweetest kiss I’d ever experienced. When we drew apart, he leaned his forehead to mine and closed his eyes.
“Aiden?”
Opening his eyes, he drew his head back and captured my gaze.
“You and Hadley saved me too.”
“God, you are the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”
A door flew open across the loft and Hadley stood in her bedroom doorway. She wore a wide grin, even though she was crying.
“Did you say yes?” she shouted as she looked from me to Aiden, then back to me.
