Christmas Kiss (Evergreen Family Tree Farm #2)

Epilogue

Charlie

One Week Later

Everyone might say we are wrong for each other and that we’re going too fast, but when you’re happy, you can’t help yourself. As I set mugs down on the counter, I catch a glimpse of Mariah’s shiny new finger jewelry and I’m so excited she said yes.

Since then, we’ve been working daily at the cabin I wasn’t sure I liked. Turns out, it’s the perfect spot to raise a family. Three bedrooms, two baths, a little creek running across the back and a front porch with a place for rocking chairs, though we haven’t had a chance to grab any yet.

It turns out nesting for a future bundle of joy is a full-time job, so we’ve taken the last week off to spend time getting everything a baby could ever want. If Fisher-Price made something new in the last week, I’m sure I’ll be asked if we need it for baby Sabrina or Charlie.

It’s nice to be in on the mystery now, though I’m kind of routing for Sabrina. There’s something about having another set of beautiful eyes running around here that warms my soul.

A soft knock hits the door and Mariah looks toward me. “That’s Mira. She’s stopping by for a moment to give me something.”

We’ve had a houseful of visitors since we moved in together, but Mira has by far been the most involved.

“Hey!” I open the door, and she gives me a quick hug before making a B-line toward her sister.

“Oh my god! You won’t believe what’s going on! It’s swamped up at the farm today and we’re getting low on Fraiser furs in the cut barn. People are panicking like we’re out of trees.”

“Man, I fucking knew it. I’ll call Gabe today.”

“I told him at least twice, but he’s distracted by something. I don’t know what his problem is this week.”

I do. Mira started seeing another guy online and Gabe won’t stop ranting about it. Last I checked, he was making up a plan to lock her in his basement, though I think that was a joke. That said, can’t say I blame him, considering the kinds of men I’ve heard she drags home.

Mariah’s phone rings and the girls jump and squeal as they answer. “Oh my God! Chevy!” The calls mean so much to Mariah, and I’m really happy that Chevy makes as much time for them as he does.

“Hey, girls. How’s everything?”

The two sisters talk over each other as they each try to get out everything that’s new. I’m not sure of anything that’s said, but I can see Chevy nodding and smiling.

“Sounds like things are working out.” Chevy raises his voice as he says, “I can’t wait to be back. Two more weeks! You hear from Mom?”

“She called a few days ago, but I didn’t answer. I still need time, and I don’t have the mental energy right now to handle her, ya know?”

“Don’t blame you. I’m glad Charlie was there. You guys made the right decision to leave.”

“Yeah,” Mira snarks. “Just wish someone would’ve dragged me out, too.”

“Sorry.” Mariah pats her sister on the back, then returns her gaze to the phone. “How are you? Things good out there?”

“I’m ready to come home. Is that a tree I see in the back? I thought you were protesting Christmas trees this year.”

I step into frame. “I convinced her. Even got her to make some homemade decorations.”

“Well, I’ll need some of those plus a tree. Can’t wait to spend Christmas with you guys. How’s the eclipse party coming?”

“Well… we’ve still got more work than we do hands, but I think the turnout will be good. You should razz Gabe about getting his ass in gear. He’s been in Dreamland lately.”

Chevy laughs. “Yeah. We just talked last night, and he was all weird about something. Anyway,” a siren alarms in the background, “I gotta run, but I’ll call again tomorrow… hopefully. Love you girls. Oh, and I guess you too, Charlie.”

“Same to you, man. Be safe out there.”

The video call ends, and Mariah pouts her lips. “I can’t wait to see him and have everything back to normal.”

“Same,” Mira checks her phone, “but my break is over. Here’s your camera, but I’ve gotta get back to it. You two love birds enjoy the time off. I’ll try not to remind you how everything is going to hell up there every day.” She grins and steps out the front door and into the blowing snow as a sense of peace overwhelms me.

“I’m glad we’re waiting for my brother to have a wedding. I really want Chevy to be there.”

I kiss Mariah’s head as I pour cocoa into the awaiting mugs. “Me too. Besides, we have a baby coming soon. There’s plenty of time to wait for everything to be perfect.”

She nods and smiles. “I can’t wait to be your wife, Charlie. I think we should do it right here, at the creek behind the house. We can put white lights in the trees, and instead of flowers, I can carry boughs of evergreen.”

“That’s perfect,” I say, kissing her hand again and again. “We’ll bundle you two up then I’ll come home that night and fill you up with more babies… if you’re up for it.”

“I’ll be ready. Don’t you worry.” She sucks my bottom lip and then the top, moving her small hand against my ear. “Trust me, I’m throbbing right now.”

“You’re trouble. You know that?”

A wide grin lifts onto her face as she shifts down on the couch and spreads her thick thighs for me. “And you love it.”

I sink between her thighs and drag in the scent of her excitement before sliding my tongue against her silky seam. “Fucking right, I do.” This girl is my everything and trouble has never felt so damn good.

THANK YOU FOR READING.