Page 128 of Star-Crossed Holiday

“I have one last surprise,” I say.

I lead them outside to the porch.

Three new Adirondack chairs with bows on them face the lake.

“They’re so cute!” Belle says, running her hand over the smallest chair. “It’s just my size.” She plops into the kids chair.

“These are beautiful,” Poppy says. “Thank you.” She kisses me. “We can try them out. I’ll bring some blankets and hot chocolate.”

I give a ghost of a smile, nerves and hope warring in me.

“The gift isn’t the chairs. It’s the house. It’s ours now.”

She gasps. “How? Ronan! The owners said they’d never sell!”

“They apparently could be convinced.” For a lot of money. And many signed photos of every celebrity I know in Hollywood. “I may have to travel, we may spend time away, but Snowflake Harbor is our home now. And you’re our home.”

Poppy holds a hand to her chest.

“Daddy,” Belle whispers, tugging on my pants leg with impatience. “Now.”

I go down on one knee, my hand shaking as I reach into my pocket and bring out a velvet box. “You aren’t just my home. You’re my heart too. I know nothing about my life is easy. My job comes with a lot of baggage. There will always be fans and paparazzi and reporters, and sometimes I’ll have to be away to film. I’m not sure if I can ever give you a peaceful life. But I can give you all my heart and love. And if that isn’t enough, I’m part of a pair. So there’s also all Belle’s love.”

“I have lots and lots of love, Poppy!” Belle says.

Poppy laughs through her tears. “I know you do, darling.”

“Tears, again?” I sigh and stand. “Happy tears?” I ask, hoping with everything in me.

“Of course, happy tears,” she says. “Yes, I’ll marry you. There was never even a question.” She wipes her glistening eyes. “I love you so much.” She launches herself at me, and I catch her easily and we kiss.

Belle stands on one of the chairs to get higher and join our hug, so I pick her up as well.

“I love our house. But as long as I’m with you and Belle, that’s the only thing that matters.” Poppy says.

I realize I’m still holding the ring box, so I unravel us from our hug and put the ring on Poppy’s finger. She admires it, watching it catch the light.

“It’s a really, really big ring, Daddy.” Belle looks at Poppy. “I helped him pick it out.”

It is a really big ring. I might have gotten a little carried away. But I want the other guys to see that ring from Mars so they know that she’s mine.

A car turns into the driveway.

I hear a car door slam and the sound of bickering. The sound of Poppy’s parents bickering.

“Oops,” she says. “They’re early. I wanted to talk to you first.”

“Early for what?” I ask.

“Well, I did a thing.”

“What kind of thing?”

I hear a suspicious sound.

I glare. “Did I just hear a dog bark?” I ask. “Poppy, what did you do?”

“To be fair, it’s not really a Christmas present. And technically I’m fostering, not adopting. The shelter was full, and he really needs a home until they find a permanent one. And I couldn’t leave him at the shelter over Christmas. But we can adopt, if we decide we want to. And I’m pretty sure we’ll want to,” she trails off.

There’s that sound again.

“It is! It’s a dog!” Belle tears around the wraparound porch to the front.

Poppy smiles up at me impishly. “You love me.”

“I do.”

“And you know what? You’ll love the puppy too.”