Page 23 of Christmas Daddy

"Who says I'm expecting you not to?"

He stands with me still in his arms, and I wrap my legs around his waist. "We should probably put away the dinner dishes first."

"They'll still be there in the morning." He's already heading for the stairs. "Right now, I need to properly celebrate with my fiancée."

Fiancée.The word sends a thrill through me.

A year ago, I drove up to this house with a broken heart and no idea what my future held. I thought I'd lost everything—my relationship, my confidence, my sense of self-worth.

Instead, I found everything I'd been looking for my entire life.

I found the man who sees me, really sees me, and loves every part of who I am. Who makes me laugh and challenges me and supports my dreams. Who looks at me like I'm the most precious thing in his world.

I found my home. My future. My forever.

And as Joel carries me up the stairs to our bedroom, I know with absolute certainty that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Merry Christmas to us.

THE END