Merry Mix-Up (Holiday Hearts)

29. Epilogue Jade

29

EPILOGUE: JADE

D ecember 18 th , One Year later…

The church was packed with people of all ages decked in their Christmas finery. Mom wore a hideous sweater that lit up and flashed. Amber and Derek wore matching reindeer antlers and bright red noses, which I made fun of them for, but that's what sisters are for. Newt sat next to me in his very dapper brown leisure suit and green tie. He was gorgeous, as always, matching my army-green leggings and oversized tan sweater.

I nestled into his side as we watched the pageant unfold. This year's Mary and Joseph were portrayed by none other than Naomi and Jared, brand-new parents and so over the top happy about it. Though, the baby in the manger was a doll, not the newborn. Little Jared Jr. sat on Newt's mom's lap to the right of him and made me get all the baby cravings.

"He's so cute," I whispered as I watched Newt's mom try to bottle feed the mostly breastfed infant. His elf hat and striped onesie were adorable.

"Shh, it's Naomi's big line," Newt said, shushing me. He touched the tip of my nose and I turned to pay attention.

Naomi was beautiful in the costume, still blushing with postpartum afterglow, and Jared stood tall and strong behind her as she announced the birth of the Christ. The entire thing was a timeless tale, told every year during this pageant, but it was the first time I paid much attention. To me, Christmas had always been about family and togetherness, and now that I had Newt, I knew it would forever be that for me. I laid my head on his shoulder and my hand on his stomach as Naomi recited her lines and the church erupted into applause.

He kissed my forehead and whispered into my ear, "Let's sneak out before the crowd goes wild."

"You don't want to tell Nomie she did a good job?" I asked, using his sister's nickname. We'd gotten closer over the past twelve months now that I was dating Newt. He got his own place here in town but still spent every other week in the city. But every time he was home, his parents hosted a family dinner, to which I was always invited now.

"I have a surprise…" He stood and took my hand, and we excused ourselves, shimmying past the knees of every person in the pew until we were in the aisle and able to walk freely.

He guided me to the foyer where we found our coats and hats and put them on. Then he opened the door and a burst of cold air beckoned us into the snowy outdoors.

Giant flakes fell from the dark sky overhead, piling up on cars, bushes, and light posts. Newt's hand in the small of my back was the only warmth to be found. I crammed the hat on my head, covering my hair now streaked with red instead of my favorite purple in honor of the holiday.

"Where are we going?" I asked, but he was tight-lipped.

When we turned the corner and I saw the horse-drawn carriage with two stunning white stallions and a sled behind it, I gasped. "God, it's so beautiful." The horses had red ribbons braided into their manes and tails. Holly and ivy hung around the sled along with lights and Christmas bulbs. And a driver sat on the bench with a whip in one hand and the reins in the other.

"Care to join me?" Newt asked, and I glanced at him in surprise.

"You did this?" I asked. This year had been full of him offering pricy things and me rejecting them, but how could I resist this? It was so romantic.

"For you, my dear," he said, and he bowed comically. "Now, let's get under those blankets and drink the cocoa before it's cold."

Newt helped me into the wobbly carriage and then climbed in next to me. The benches were covered in plush red velvet cushions, and a thick white blanket lay on one bench, while two cups steamed from the drinking spouts and a plate of cookies was laid out next to them. It was perfect.

Newt covered us with the blanket and served up the cookies and cocoa, and the driver clicked his tongue. The horses started off and the sled started moving, and I leaned into his chest as he put his arm around me.

"This is so beautiful and perfect." My body was chilly, but my heart was warm and full. All year, I'd been looking forward to our anniversary—Christmas day, the day we decided to be exclusive. It was the only day we could pinpoint as being special after all the drama surrounding how we met and got together. And I thought it was perfect too, the magic of the season and all that.

"You are so beautiful and perfect, Jade." Newt's warm lips on my cheek made me smile. I still hadn't gotten used to the idea that this amazing man wanted me, though I was at least accepting his unfettered affection now.

"Why did you do all this?" I took a bite of a cookie and found the core still warm, as if the driver had pulled them right out of the oven before we climbed onto the sled. The chocolate chips melted on my tongue and I almost groaned in enjoyment. They were delicious.

"Well, I wanted tonight to be really special for us." Newt pulled the blanket up around me more tightly, and I appreciated it.

The sled zigged and zagged through the city streets until we were passing the city park where we made that snowman last year. Newt insisted it was going to help me love the outdoors and snow more, but I still hated being cold. I did soften my stance a little, and we decided if there was snow, a Christmas Day snowman would always be our tradition now. But I secretly hoped for no snow, unlike tonight, where seven inches were forecast.

"Oh, look." Something caught my eye in the distance. In the park, right where our snowman had been made last year, stood one identical to it, right down to the bright sock hat I'd taken off my head and put on the snowman we made. "Did you do that?" I snickered and looked at Newt, who was holding a small black velvet box in his hand. "Oh…" I mumbled, realizing what this was.

"Jade, when I met you—the real you—I thought you were loud and crazy. I judged you based on your appearance and I wrote you off as someone I'd never date. Then I absolutely fell in love. I thought the prim and proper look you had meant you were someone I could see myself with. I was hung up on your appearance only, and that's why I was attracted to you.

"But in getting to know your heart, I realized how shallow and judgmental I was. I never expected something so amazing to come in such a colorful package, and I realized how wrong I'd been. Every single day, you surprise me with your wit and charm. You're funny and smart and beautiful, even with crazy hair and wild fashion choices. In fact, they make you more beautiful to me now. Jade, I love you, and I've spent this entire year in agony waiting for this moment. I've wanted you to be my wife since basically the day you said you'd commit to being exclusive, so today I want to make that official."

"Oh, God," I squeaked.

"Jade Lyons, will you make me the happiest man on Earth and marry me?" Newt's eyes sparkled with emotion as he asked me the question, but mine became fountains. I covered my mouth and nodded at him, sobbing as he took my hand and peeled my glove off so he could place the ring on my finger.

It was a small diamond, which I was certain he had tortured himself over. He knew me so well, and I loved that. I threw my arms around him in a warm embrace, dumping the plate of cookies off my lap, but I didn't care. The man I loved was asking me to be his wife forever. Besides, he could buy more cookies.

"I love you, Newt," I blurted out between happy sobs, and he squeezed me hard.

"I love you too, Jade." His arms were so tight, I knew he'd never let me go, and I never wanted him to.

What started out in chaos evolved to the best and happiest moments of my life, and it was only the beginning. Christmas magic brought us together and helped us conquer all the hurdles thrown at us. I had no doubt it would help us continue to be strong and love deeply the rest of our lives.