Hostile for the Holidays

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

STELLA

ONE YEAR LATER

“What do you say, Stell? You up for a gift wrap contest?” Jasper spins a roll of ribbon around his finger suggestively. I’m always up for a friendly competition, but it’s fun to mess with him anyways.

“Are you sure? I wouldn’t want to bruise your already damaged ego from my Holiday Pictionary victory last night.”

Last night, after Jasper and I had a romantic dinner downtown then walked around looking at shops and Christmas light displays, I rallied Jasper’s mom, his cousin, Milo, his Aunt Melanie and Uncle Ron, and Juniper to a win. I made a point of having his Uncle Ron on my team again, I needed to prove that I could win with him, even after he was two spiked eggnogs in.

He laughs. “You definitely improved upon last year’s showing.”

It’s our first Christmas officially together and we’re making the most of it by doing all the holiday traditions of his family, and mine.

We’re staying with my parents. Sadie and Tom are spending Christmas with Tom’s family this year, and we’ll see them in a few days for a post-Christmas celebration.

Jasper and I have also been creating a few new traditions of our own. Like the annual ornament exchange we’ve decided to have, both of us making or gifting the other an ornament that represents a memory from the past year. This year Jasper gave me a photo ornament, one side has a photo of us standing next to each other, not voluntarily, in third grade while the other side has a picture of us from February when we moved into our new apartment together. On the bottom, the engravement reads: Our love was worth the wait. Love, Jasper

The ornament I gave him was a ceramic snowflake, inspired by the one he had made me all those years ago, hand-painted and glazed at the local pottery painting shop in Cedar Hollow. On the back I wrote: From snowball fights to cozy nights. Love, Stella.

Following with our new traditions, we’re back at Toys for Tiny Hearts volunteering our wrapping skills for the charity and Jasper is foolishly challenging me to a wrapping contest. Will this man ever learn?

He gives me a knowing smile. “I’ve been preparing for this moment all year.”

My brows lift. “Ah, so you’re saying this might actually be competitive, unlike when I whooped your a?—”

He cuts me off with a kiss, but a moment later, I can feel his body tense against mine. His hand trembles against my skin where he’s cupping my jaw.

“Hey, you okay?” I ask, reaching up to place my hand over his.

“Yeah,” he chuckles, flexing his hand before running it through my hair, “must be nerves for this intense gift-wrapping competition.”

I smile up at him, taking in his earnest hazel eyes and the recently grown scruff on his jaw that I love to feel against my thighs. “You’re cute when you’re nervous.”

“I thought I was cute all the time?” he quips.

“You are, but you’re looking extra adorable in this sweater.” I run my hand along the sleeve of Jasper’s sweater that is striped in white and red to look like a candy cane. The front has a tree crocheted on it and embellished with beads as ornaments.

I’m one to talk. I’m wearing the sweater his grandmother crocheted for me this year. It’s green with white pine trees around the collar. It’s so hideous, it’s actually really cute.

“Back at you, Sparky.”

“I accept your challenge.” I brush my lips against Jasper’s one more time, then walk toward my wrapping station, swaying my hips flirtatiously because I know he’s still watching.

When I get there, Sandy is already rolling over a cart of wrapping paper.

“We got some new designs, Stella. I think you’re going to love them,” she says, clasping her hands excitedly.

Part of Jasper’s plan for Toys for Tiny Hearts is giving platforms to children and teens that are in an art program the charity recently started across the country. This year, kids submitted holiday themed art and a few were selected to have their designs made into wrapping paper for the charity, which is also now being sold wholesale to benefit the art program.

“I recommend you start with this one.”

Sandy hands me the roll. I place it into the wrapping paper holder and pull the edge to expose the design. There, printed on the glossy white wrapping paper, are smaller versions of my winter wonderland drawing from seventh grade. It’s the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. My misty eyes search the warehouse for Jasper, but he’s not there.

Where did he go?

Then, I turn around and he’s behind me. On one knee.

“Jasper.” A hush falls over the warehouse, but the faint sound of Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” can be heard playing in the background.

“I’ve loved you for so many Christmases, Stell, but now, I want them all.” He opens the small velvet box in his hand. “Will you marry me?”

I’m nodding my head and crying because of course I want to marry him. He’s my best friend and biggest supporter. And I’m the same for him. We challenge one another and give each other space to make mistakes and learn from them. It’s a loving adult relationship formed out of our childhood rivalry.

“Yes. Of course.” He stands to wrap me in his arms, then pulls back to place the large diamond on my finger.

“Holy shit, Jas.” I gawk at the diamond on my finger. “It’s huge.”

“That’s kind of my theme.” He gives me a playful wink, and all I can do is laugh and shake my head.

“And the wrapping paper of my drawing is beautiful. I can’t believe you did that for me.”

“I’d do anything for you.” He wraps me up in his arms and kisses me while everyone around us cheers.

“Wait just a second.” I walk over to the table and grab the small velvet box from my coat. “I got you something, too.”

I pop open the box to reveal the platinum band I had made custom for Jasper. The engraving on the inside, Stella + Jasper.

His face lights up like the Rockefeller Christmas tree, eyes bright and dancing with emotion.

“You were going to ask me to marry you?” he asks.

“Yeah, and you beat me to it,” I mock pout.

He smiles and pulls out the band, twisting it to read the engravement before glancing down at me thoughtfully.

“It’s not a competition, Stell.”

A soft laugh escapes me. “Not with you, but I need to lock this down before other women catch on to how great you are.”

His lips twitch in amusement.

“I’d say there’s no rush. After all, I’ve already waited twenty years for you.”

I playfully swat at his arm, but he pulls me in against him and kisses me, then drops his mouth to my ear.

“Yes. That’s my answer. To you. To us. To forever.”