I pull her close, intending a soft kiss, but I press my lips to hers with all the longing I've bottled up for months. The kiss is intense, and full of everything we've been holding back—every missed moment, every whispered wish, every dream of this reunion.
When we pull apart, both of us breathless, I say, “I had some help from your brothers. They thought you could use a surprise.”
She blinks up at me, still catching her breath, and then a smile spreads across her face. “My brothers knew and said nothing? I'm impressed they kept the secret.”
“Well,” I say, “that's kind of how surprises work.”
Hand in hand, we walk to Eliza's parked ATV.
“So, how long do I get to keep you?” she asks.
I heft my duffel bag. “I got three days off. It's not much, but I wanted to be here on Valentine's Day. Now, where can I stow this?”
Eliza pops open the storage compartment at the back of her ATV. “Right in here. It's a tight fit, but it should work.”
As I squeeze my duffel into the compartment, Eliza hesitates for a moment, then says, “I hope you don't mind dinner at my parents'. I usually eat with them on Tuesdays, and Mom always makes extra.”
I’m touched by her consideration. “That sounds perfect. I'd love to see them.”
We climb onto the ATV, and as we drive toward her parents' house on the wooden path, I can't help but wonder if the brothers have any more surprises in store.
As we approach the Hollister house, I see Grace and Peter waiting on the porch, their faces showing surprise. Eliza parks, and we exit.
Grace's face lights up as she calls out, “Matt? What a wonderful surprise! It's so great to see you both!”
Peter steps forward, his expression a mix of surprise and delight. “Well, well, look who's here. Come on in, you two. I'm sure we can stretch dinner to accommodate a surprise guest.”
As we step inside, I'm greeted by a chorus of “Surprise!” The living room is packed with Hollisters—Kane, Hailey, Rhys, Reid, Nash, and Finn are all there, beaming with excitement.
Eliza gasps beside me, her hand tightening on mine. “What's going on?” she asks, looking around in astonishment.
Kane steps forward, clapping me on the shoulder. “When Matt told us he was coming to surprise you, we couldn't resist turning it into a family celebration.”
Rhys adds with a wink, “Consider this our way of welcoming Matt to the family. Hope you don't mind us crashing your Valentine's Day plans, sis.”
Eliza shakes her head, laughing. “This is unreal. I've been surprised twice in one day!”
I pull her close. “Looks like your brothers managed to out-surprise both of us.”
Peter, still looking pleasantly surprised, chuckles. “Well, I'll be. You boys certainly know how to keep a secret. Now, let's eat before Grace's famous pot roast gets cold.”
The house is filled with laughter and the mouthwatering aroma of dinner. As we gather around the table, I'm struck by how seamlessly I've been folded into this family, and how they've turned my surprise for Eliza into an even bigger celebration.
Midway through dinner, Grace puts down her fork. “Oh, I know the wedding is in two months, but I can't contain myself any longer, and since Matt’s here, I don’t think I have to!”
I glance at Eliza, wondering if she knows what's coming, but her expression is neutral. “What is it, Grace?” I ask, turning back to her.
She beams at me. “You're not the only one with a surprise.” Clapping her hands together, she adds, “Your house in Serenity Cove is almost complete.”
“What?” I turn to Eliza, expecting to see the same shock on her face, but I find her biting her lip, trying to suppress a smile.
“You knew?” I ask, incredulous.
Eliza grins. “I've been bursting to tell you for weeks. It's been so hard keeping it to myself!”
Peter laughs. “It's been a family project. We wanted to give you two the best start possible.”
I'm overwhelmed, speechless in the face of their generosity. When I glance at Eliza, I notice the way her shoulders tense, and she breathes deeply, as if trying to steady herself. Her lips are pressed together, the way she does when she's holding back her emotions. It's clear this touches her as much as it does me.
