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I give his hand a tight squeeze. It’s in this moment I realize I can either spend the rest of my life beating myself up over what could have or should have or would have happened if things were different or I can live life to the fullest now.

He pulls up to where a massive tree sits off to the side of the building. It’s been decorated with the same white lights, but it’s also been decorated with pearly blue and silver ornaments. There are benches surrounding the tree and those cozy heaters that make outside bearable.

We exit his vehicle and hurry over to one of the benches. Though it’s pretty warm, I still snuggle against Upton. He wraps his arms around me, holding me tight.

This is what true happiness feels like.

I’m not alone. I never was. Upton has always been there, just out of my peripheral, making sure me and Nora were taken care of.

“It’s beautiful,” I say, peering up at the gigantic tree.

“So beautiful.”

His voice is soft and reverent. When I look up at him, he’s not looking at the tree. I lean forward to kiss his sweet lips.

“Sweet Sandy?” he murmurs.

“Hmm?”

He caresses the side of my head with his gloved thumb. “I love you. I always have.”

Tears well in my eyes and my throat burns with emotion. “I love you too, Upton.”

It’s on my tongue to apologize again, but I bite it back. I refuse to ruin our profession of love with my regrets.

He kisses me deeply as if sealing our words in some sort of contract between souls. Parts of me are thawing and he’s right there to warm them up. After having been so stiff through the years, I’m suddenly feeling relaxed and boneless. I don’t have to keep my guard up. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, if I were to close my eyes right now, Upton would take care of me. He’d protect me from the cold and carry me home if he had to.

I’ve missed out on this feeling my entire life.

It feels so unfair.

Perhaps Dad feels the same way about having his daughter in his life. I suppose late is better than never.

“Tomorrow is a big day,” Upton says against my hair now that we’re snuggling again and no longer kissing. “You need rest.”

“I know. Still don’t want to leave.”

He chuckles. “Trust me. I don’t want to either. I’d rather stay here all night and risk frostbite than to leave your side.”

The wind whistles, sending more snow billowing around us. We’re under a blizzard watch. It’s not smart to be out here this late and in these temperatures, but the heat burning between us is enough to melt it all away.

“Soon, sweet Sandy, we’re going to spend every night together.”

I shiver at his words. “Promise?”

“Yes, ma’am. I don’t want to take away from our daughter’s wedding reception, but you can guarantee that once it’s over, I’m going to put a ring on your finger and make you mine.”

It’s ludicrous and over-the-top and too soon, but I ache for his words to be true.

“Are we being ridiculous?” I ask.

“We always have been,” he playfully grumbles. “It’s our thing, apparently.”

I like that we have a thing.

“Guess you should take me back to my car then, huh?”

He scoffs. “And let my woman drive in this weather? Nope. I’ll drive you home myself. We can get your car tomorrow.”