That Time We Kissed Under the Mistletoe (Abieville Love Stories #4)

Chapter 56

Chapter Fifty-Six

Sara’s Voicemail: December 31st

From Bristol : Happy New Year’s Eve! What are you and your gorgeous man up to tonight? Besides being ridiculously adorable, I mean? Ugh. I’m so jealous of you two. Actually, no. Forget I said that. I’m not ready to settle down yet. I AM, however, ready to be a maid of honor. I know it’s early, so no pressure if you won’t be asking me for another year or so. But I do look good in pink and I will say yes in case you’re wondering.

From The Queen: Sorry we missed your call. Daddy and I were on a no-phones date. Our plan was to finish dinner and beat the crowds to be back home well before the ball drops, which I’m pleased to say we accomplished. But I did want to tell you I’ve been doing a bit of research, and you’ll never guess what I discovered: The name Fuller is listed on the Mayflower manifest, which means our forefathers and Three’s could’ve been on the boat together. How delightful is that? Anyway, kisses. And Happy New Year, dear .

From Dad: Hello, Sara. I had a talk with the partners this week, and they’d like to pursue that project you mentioned—the possible mentorship/scholarship program between Hathaway Cooke and the kids at Youth Save. We decided we could maintain our current program with the DAR and add the new one you proposed. But we’re hoping you’d be willing to take the lead on that as an independent contractor. Call me to discuss the details if you’re interested. But no work talk until Monday. I’m taking the whole weekend off.

Nella: Hi, Sara! We’re docked in Hawaii, so I hope this message goes through. I don’t know if Three mentioned this to you, but I got my real estate license last year, and I’d love to help you find office space either in Abieville or somewhere nearby if you’re up for it. Pro bono, of course, as the lawyers say. We can chat when I get back from the cruise. Speaking of which, can you keep a secret? Text or call me if you get this.

“Best New Year’s Day ever,” Three says, pulling me down onto the couch. We just finished dinner and we’re at his place now since the lake house is officially a Platinum Stays home.

The first renters arrive tomorrow morning, on January 2nd. My mom is beyond pleased with herself.

When the cleaning crew came to detail the place, I suggested we move our Christmas tree over to Three’s house. That turned out to be an unrealistic pipe dream, though. The popcorn garland wasn’t exactly fresh, and too many needles were falling off. Plus we didn’t have a truck.

But Three and I did build our own snowman in his front yard this week. Make that a snow-woman. Her name is Henrietta. She’s got Oreo eyes and a carrot nose too. She and her boyfriend, Henry, are currently negotiating a long-distance relationship.

“Best week ever.” I drop a kiss on Three’s nose, then I snuggle even closer to him, my cheek burrowing into his chest.

“I won’t argue with that.” His arms wrap around me, and I’ve never felt so warm and safe and secure. Like a hibernating bear.

“You want to watch a movie?” I peek up at the clock to check the time. The TV below it is still playing Christmas music. I’d begged to keep the holiday station on for one more day, and Three happily agreed.

He shakes his head now, placing his fingers under my chin. Then he gently tips my face up to meet his. “I have a better idea.”

As his lips find mine, I shut my eyes surrendering to the sweetness. His kiss is tender at first and completely perfect—after all, we’ve been practicing for days—but I want more. Wiggling free from his embrace, I flip around and climb onto his lap. Then I position myself so my head hovers over his, and I’m gazing down into his eyes. “Hi, there.”

“Hi.” A low moan rumbles in the back of his throat, and he sits up too, while keeping one arm around my back, strong and steady. Like it’s meant to be there forever. With his free hand, he reaches up to brush my hair from my face. Then he slides his palm to the nape of my neck, drawing my face down slowly.

The anticipation is agony.

When our mouths finally meet, just the barest of grazes, he breathes into me. “I love this.”

Another brush of our lips. “Me too.”

“Wait. I’d like to rephrase,” he says. “I love you , Sara Hathaway.” As his lips slide to my throat, emotions surge up from deep inside me, crowding my ribs. “I’ve always loved you,” he murmurs against my skin. “And I always will.”

“I love you, too,” I whisper. “So much.” When my voice catches, he pulls away, and we lock eyes.

“If you’ll let me,” he says, “I’ll keep loving you a little bit more every single day for the rest of our lives.”

Tears well in my eyes, and I nod and sniffle, raining kisses all over his forehead. I only pause when I reach the point of impact with the fire extinguisher. The spot’s still bruised, but it’s definitely healing. I press my lips there, gently, to honor the moment that brought us together again.

As the song changes to “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” we both break into smiles. Minutes later, we’re still holding each other when footsteps and voices sound outside.

“Huh.” Three glances at the entryway. “It’s a week late for carolers.”

I climb off his lap just in time for the handle to rattle. Then Mr. and Mrs. Fuller throw open the door. They both bustle inside, with Nella close on their heels. For several seconds, Three’s completely silent, frozen and gaping at his family.

“Surprise!” I squeal. After another stunned beat, Three leaps up from the couch. Then the Fullers converge in the middle of the room. A massive group hug of maximum love. Eventually, Three’s mom peers over her shoulder at me.

“Don’t just stand there acting like you didn’t know this was coming, Sara.” She grins. “Get on over here and join the Original Fuller House hug.”

“Yes, ma’am!” I come to Three’s side and he wraps an arm around me, pulling me close.

His father bobs his head. “Nice to see you again, Sara.”

“Welcome back!” Nella hoots.

Three sweeps his gaze around the room, taking in the cluster of Fullers and me. “I have no idea what’s happening,” he chokes. His eyes are wet, and his voice goes gravelly.

“The cruise was wonderful on the way to Hawaii,” his mom says. “And we all loved being on the island. But we missed the holidays with you, dear. We’d seen enough of the ocean already, and the rest of the family understood why we wanted to fly back early.”

His father clears his throat. “Plus I wasn’t sure you’d remember to check my pipes, son. No offense.”

“None taken.” Three shakes his head, a bewildered chuckle slipping out. “So did you all just Home Alone me?”

Nella chirps, “We sure did.”

I break into a laugh of pure joy. “And you make a pretty cute Kevin McCallister.”