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It’s over. It’s finally over.
Elias smiles at me and my whole chest warms up.
The rest of our life together is finally beginning.
It’s still dark out with dawn on the way and the light of the full moon is lighting up our path as we casually walk down to the valley. I smile as I look up at all of the gorgeous stars in the sky, shining like a thousand diamonds over our heads. I’ll never get used to this stunning view.
“It’s so beautiful out here,” I say as I admire the dark silhouette of the trees on the night sky. “I love the mountains and forests. They’re spectacular.”
“You’re going to love my ranch,” he says as he takes my hand and tenderly holds it. “It’s more beautiful than this.”
“Really? How’s that possible?”
“You’ll see,” he says with a grin. “We have lakes, rivers, stunning mountains, and rocky cliffs. My bear loves roaming through the wilderness on our property. The house is beautiful too. I hope you’ll like it, but I think you will.”
“I’m sure I will,” I say shyly. Any house with this man living in it is one that I’ll love.
I guess this means I’m staying?
I really don’t want to go back. I want to have a life with mountains and forests and rivers and hot sex. I want a life with this man who gets me going like no one else can.
He stops and turns to me. “So, that means you’ll stay? With me?”
I shrug shyly. “If you’ll have me.”
“Of course.” He wraps his big arms around me in a warm loving hug. I close my eyes as I’m engulfed by this perfect man.
I swallow hard as something that’s been bothering me comes into my mind. I don’t want him to think badly of me. I want to start off right.
“You know, Elias,” I say with my cheeks blushing. “I didn’t want to marry that man. I—“
“You don’t have to explain, Ava,” he says with a loving look in his eyes. “Sometimes we do crazy things for love. Sometimes fate drives us to weird places before getting us where we need to go. I’m just so happy you’re here. I’m so relieved. You know what you’re like?”
“What?” I ask, smiling uncontrollably.
”You’re like a Christmas gift that you wanted every day for thirty years and then you get it, and it’s even better than you thought it would be.”
I step on my toes and kiss his chin as my eyes water. “That’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. Maybe, I’ll let you unwrap me later.”
“It’s Christmas all over again,” he says with a flirty look.
I laugh as we continue walking down the mountain and into the valley.
“What do you do for Christmas?” I ask him.
“It’s always so fun,” he says with a big smile. “All of my family comes for the day and I make a huge feast. Turkey and the works. But don’t worry, I’ll do everything. You can sit back and relax the whole time.”
That sounds amazing. I spent the last five Christmases reading a book in a Chinese restaurant by myself.
“But we can miss it this year if you want us to see your family instead,” he quickly says. He’s so sweet.
“I don’t really have any family, Elias. The last time I saw them was when they were on the news. And it wasn’t the good kind of news. I have family. But they’re notfamily.”
He nods, knowingly.
“You’re a part of my family now, Ava. You’re not alone anymore.”
I’ve been alone for so long. It feels good to have someone to rely on. Someone to care for me.
