12 Days of Mistletoe

Bonus Epilogue

ONE YEAR LATER

Bonnie

“It’s a ring. It has to be,” Meg’s eyes dart to the little box beneath Gran’s tree with my name on it.

“Will you hush, already?” I’m grateful my sister came home for Christmas. I’m even more grateful she came to Gran’s party. But I need her to zip it right this second.

“I’m just saying?—”

“Well, could you say it a little quieter? His entire family is going to hear you.”

My sister rolls her eyes. “They are not.”

I move the last tray from Gran’s Christmas Eve party into the kitchen with Meg trailing behind me. My red dress flows around my legs as I walk back out to Gran’s finally clean up family room. “Your husband is a bad influence,” I tell her. “The Meg I know would not risk being overheard. Or even speculating.” I swallow, forcing my eyes to stay far away from that tree and that box beneath it. “What if you’re wrong?” That dreaded unknown speaks those words. I don’t know what’s in Elliot’s box or why he insisted on bringing it.

What if that little square box isn’t a ring? What if Elliot isn’t quite ready. He loves me. Isn’t that all that matters? I told him there was no need to rush, I told him I love him, and I love us exactly as we are. So, why does my heart feel like we should be in a hurry suddenly?

It’s the box’s fault. If he’d tossed it into a gift bag, like all those other gifts beneath the tree, I wouldn’t be in this predicament.

I nibble on my bottom lip and peer across the room to where Elliot, Kal, Jackson, and Parker are drinking Gran’s eggnog.

Elliot’s eyes slide to me, and he winks as if we’re conspiring together.

If I didn’t love that man more than life, I would write him a strongly worded letter about that little unknown box and tape it to his forehead.

I just need to know.

Is it a ring?

Or isn’t it?

Either answer is fine. This girl just needs to know.

Noel nudges her red head into my palm and I run my hand over one ear and down her back.

“Meghan! Meg, dear,” Marlene calls to my sister.

Meg gives me a wide-eyed glance. She has gotten Marlene Eaton in full force today.

“She’s sweet,” I whisper. Though Meg might forever be frightened after getting an official invite from Marlene to be in our Christmas card photo this year. Marlene even offered to hold off taking the photo and not sending it out until one week before Christmas if Meg and Kal could get here in time. Meg assured her they could not, and she would unfortunately have to miss Marlene’s North Pole themed Christmas card photoshoot this year.

I was proud of Elliot. He put his foot down at the shoot. He refused to wear those elfish ears Marlene had purchased for all of her kids. Surprisingly, she laughed him off and allowed us all to get away with green sweaters, red pants, and no elf ears. Poor David still had to wear that Santa suit, though.

Meg’s lips produce a tight grin, and she pulls in a worn-out breath. “Hi there, Marlene.”

It’s been a long night, with Gran’s big party, clean up, and staying late for Christmas Eve gifts.

“Meg, did you get your Eaton Christmas card? Oh, we missed you and Kal. You are family now,” Marlene says—they aren’t family, of course, despite that little box screaming at me beneath Gran’s tree. “Maybe next year.” Marlene sighs, giving my sister a tired smile.

Clearing her throat, Meg darts another glance my way. She might be terrified of Elliot’s mother, while I’ve learned to roll with it. I love Marlene. Maybe not enough to wear elf ears for a Christmas card, but I love her just the same.

“I got it. So so so cute,” she says, laying on two too many so’s.

“Did you see my granddaughter?” Marlene’s eyes crimp closed, and she sighs, a hand over her heart. “Evelyn’s baby girl?”

“Yes,” Meg says, a little more at ease. “She looked so darling in that little green dress.”

“Evelyn wouldn’t let me put elf ears on her. Can you imagine the cuteness factor then?” Marlene chuckles.

“Mother,” Evelyn says from the couch. “I’m not putting my child in costume. Not unless it’s Halloween or she’s asking for it.”

Marlene huffs. “Kenzie’s four months old. She can’t ask.”

“That’s true. I guess we’ll have to wait.” Evelyn picks up her sleeping baby, gives her mother a wide grin, and walks off toward her husband.

She may be teasing, but Marlene is in heaven—three kids, their significant others, her mother, Bill, Meg, Kal, and the most perfect grandbaby to boot—all under one roof together. She’s a happy woman. No amount of teasing from any of her children is going to upset her this Christmas Eve.

“You, my Bonnie, have a sweet-looking gift under that tree.” Marlene’s brows bounce on her head.

I swallow, my pulse beginning its race once more and peer around the room. Everyone is talking in clusters, cleaning up the last remnants of Gran’s big party.

“She sure does,” Meg agrees.

In what world did my sister decide to buddy up with Marlene Eaton?

Meg slides two feet until she is shoulder-to-shoulder with Elliot’s mother. They are staring at Gran’s eight-foot Christmas tree and the little box beneath it as if they were conspiring against me.

“What do you think it is?” Meg says to Marlene. Wasn’t she just giving me fearful eyes over the woman?

“Well, I know what I think. What do you think?” Marlene says, eyes sliding to Meg.

The two have completely forgotten that I’m here, that I’m listening. That I have situational anxiety and need to be able to breathe!

“I’m thinking—” Meg peers behind her to where Elliot talks to Kal across the room. She cups her mouth with her hand and sings. “Dum, dum, du-dum.”

“Meg!” I hiss.

She’s singing the wedding march to Elliot’s mother! His mother!

“My thoughts exactly,” Marlene says.

To which—every sweat gland in my body decides to go to work. There is a small tremor in my fingers and that’s when I walk away. I can’t stand here and listen to the two of them any longer.

I walk past Gran and Bill on the couch toward the kitchen, Noel on my heels. Gran reaches out for my hand, and I give her a light squeeze.

But Noel is at my feet, my heart is racing, and I’m sweating like a sumo wrestler beneath this holiday sweater all because of a little red box and its mystery contents.

Noel’s head bobs into my thigh, telling me to take my medication.

“I know,” I tell her.

I pull in a breath and before I can count it out for seven?—

“Hey,” says Elliot from the doorway. “Are you okay?”

I pull my pill box from my pocket. “Mm-hmm.”

“Whoa,” he says, reaching out for my hand. “What’s up?”

I breathe and count and focus on the blue of Elliot’s eyes. “Your mother. My sister.” I swallow, not wanting to be unkind to him but needing to be honest. “And that box beneath the tree.”

“My gift?” His brows pull together. “Oh, sweetie. I’m so sorry. I—” He shakes his head, then reaches for me. Cupping my cheek, he dips his head, peering into my eyes. Already my heart slows and my sweating eases—just with Elliot’s magical touch. “It isn’t a ring.”

I swallow. I blink. I glance down at my little pink pill—trying to decide if I need it or not. “Huh.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not a ring?”

“No. It’s not.” His thumb traces the apple of my left cheek. “I’m an idiot. I should have told you that early. I’m sorry.”

He doesn’t have to apologize. What is he saying sorry for? Not proposing? For buying me a gift and not informing me what it is?

I deflate and give him the smallest of nods. I want to tell him he doesn’t need to apologize but my head can’t decide how to feel. I know, now. It’s not a ring. And now I know it.

That should be helpful.

Truthfully, knowing is.

But… I can’t quite decide how I feel about what I know.

Elliot leans in, pressing a small peck to my lips.

Not a ring.

Okay. Well, there is nothing to wonder about then… probably earrings. Or maybe a necklace. No more stressing, brain. No more guessing. But I can’t deny the plummeting disappointment in my gut.

It’s okay.

I know how Elliot feels about me. And I know that we don’t plan to be with anyone but each other.

“Better?” he asks, his hand still pressing to my cheek.

I lick my lips and slip my pill back into its case. “Yeah.” I’m not sure better is the right word. But knowing the facts are always helpful.

“Bonnie?” Elliot says, his eyes creased with worry.

I’m not mad at him. How could I be? And I’m too embarrassed to admit my disappointment.

“I’m good. I promise,” I say, lifting on my toes to press another kiss to his lips. He’s soft and warm and even with the letdown I feel, he eases my discomfort. I love him like I’ve never loved a living being—not even my Noel.

“Do you need to know what’s inside?” That Elliot. He is a rule-following worrier. And I adore him for it.

“No,” I breathe out a small chuckle—feeling mostly normal. “I can wait.”

“Christmas Eve gifts!” Marlene chants from Gran’s family room.

Elliot presses one more quick kiss to my lips. “Love you.”

I nod my head in his hold. “I love you.”

We gather around Gran’s living room, her couches are filled, while others take up space on the floor. It’s late. The last guest left Gran’s party an hour ago, but she told us none of us could leave, not even after cleanup. Nope, she has a gift for each of us.

Bill changed out of his tux before the final car had driven away. But the rest of us are stuck in our formal clothing. I don’t mind. I might even sleep in this red dress. Okay, not really. It would wrinkle. That would be a travesty.

“Just one little gift and then I’ll let you all go home for the night,” Gran says.

Gran instructs Jocelyn, and her granddaughter passes out gifts to everyone—even Meg and Kal, on the couch across from Elliot and me, get a special Gran May gift bag. But when she comes to me, I don’t get the same holly-covered gift bag as everyone else. Jocelyn hands me Elliot’s box. The one causing so much trouble tonight.

I lift my brows and look at Gran. “Is this right?” I reach down and give my Noel a small pat on her head.

Gran breathes out a sad sigh. “Yes. Your gift has been delayed.” She shakes her head as if she has failed me. “Even with express shipping, I couldn’t get it here on time.”

“Oh, Gran,” I say with her sad expression. “It’s fine. I don’t need a gift. I’ll get it later.”

“Nonsense. Everyone gets a gift and Elliot said he had one you could open.”

I press my lips on one another—feeling as if I’ve been scolded by the head elf herself.

I peer up at Elliot who is smothering a chuckle.

“No sense in arguing,” he tells me.

“What’s in your bag?” I ask—wondering what’s coming for me in a week or two.

“PJs,” he whispers. “Guaranteed.”

I pinch my lips. I wouldn’t mind some new Christmas PJs. Maybe I will be sleeping in my Christmas dress.

“All right, children. Go ahead.” May waves her arms like the fairy-grandmother she is.

I rip at the edging of my red-wrapped box but pause to watch as Elliot’s family and even my sister pull out red and white pajamas—tops and matching bottoms.

I lean against Elliot, looking at the back of his T-shirt—it’s personalized with the word, Eaton, almost like a team T-shirt.

Meg holds hers up, and I read her married name, Jex, on the back of the shirt.

Evelyn is tearing up with the tiny infant shirt Gran has purchased for her daughter, it matches hers and Jackson’s with their last name McLean on the back. “So sweet, Gran,” she coos.

“Gran!” Jocelyn hugs her matching PJ shirt to her chest with her new last name printed on the back.

Gran beams at each of them, while Bill pats her knee and blinks long blinks. My friend might be dozing off.

“You haven’t opened your gift,” Elliot says to me.

“Right,” I nod. I’ve been enjoying the scene. A big family Christmas—only missing my own parents—who went to Georgia again, by the way, and who adore Elliot.

I tear the paper from the little box, grateful for my life, grateful for the joy in my heart, the ease in my breath, and the man beside me.

“Hey, Bonnie,” Elliot says.

I peer up to see him moving. He’s no longer sitting on this couch next to me. He kneels on one knee in front of me and smiles at me.

“I promise never to do it again. Okay.”

“Okay?” My brows pull together, confused.

“I lied.”

My heart patters in my chest and as if my hands had minds of their own, I flip the lid of that black velvet box. The sweetest round diamond I’ve ever seen blinks up at me.

I swallow and draw my eyes up to Elliot’s. “You don’t lie.”

“I don’t. Not normally. I did once. I had this fake girlfriend and lied to my whole entire family. Amazingly, it worked out in my favor. So, I thought I’d take a chance.” He tilts his head. “You’re a very difficult woman to surprise, Bonnie Faith Miller.”

Tears fill my eyes and my throat tightens. I’m not sure I can speak.

“How about it?” he says, and all at once the living room is extremely quiet. “Wanna marry me?”

“Nice one, One-thirty,” Bill says, wide awake.

“I knew it!” Meg whispers—though we all hear her in this quiet room.

“Did she answer?” Marlene says, peeking her head around to see me past Elliot.

“You haven’t given her a minute to answer,” Gran says, waving her daughter into silence. “By the way, dearie, I’ve got your PJs in my room. No worries on that count.”

I smirk, releasing a little giggle. It’s just a big Eaton family gathering.

Dropping the ring box into my lap, I cup Elliot’s face in my hands and pull him in for a kiss.

“Is that a yes?”

“Yeah,” I tell him. “That’s a yes.”