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“Bently is always smiling. I swear those Evans boys have a devilish smirk permanently plastered onto their faces.” Remy laughed.
Jasmine met Belle’s eyes, knowingly. “Yeah, but now it’s for real.”
Belle grinned reassuringly. “He’s definitely changed my life.”
“Aww, she’s totally smitten.” Mia giggled.
“And now we have another sister!” Remy cheered.
Belle tapped her cup against the others’ before she sipped her peppermint coffee. The warmth started in her chest and blossomed. She glanced around at the small group of women. Sisters. She was being welcomed into their family. She’d never had anyone but TJ, now it seemed she had been adopted into the fold.
***
On Christmas morning, Belle turned down “Let it Snow” as Bently pulled his truck into Jasmine’s parking lot.
“Christmas by the sea,” Belle mused.
“Jasmine was so excited to host this year.” Bently turned the ignition off.
“Did you get the gifts I picked out for Mr. and Mrs. Stone?” TJ asked.
“Yes. They’re in the back,” Belle said.
“Good.” TJ sighed with relief. He almost seemed as nervous to impress this family as she was.
Bently leaned across the console and kissed her as if sensing her unease. “Come on. Let’s go have some good food and laughs.”
He opened his door, sending a rush of cold air inside the cab. She smiled as he came around to help her down. TJ climbed out after them.
“You go on in and I’ll get the gifts.” Bently kissed her cheek. He could barely keep his hands off her and she loved it.
“I’ll bring the wine in.” She reached into the floor of the truck and grabbed the three bottles.
Bently shut the door behind her. Belle walked up to the front of the inn, the sound of laughter and revelry bleeding out into the snowy afternoon. She closed her eyes, tipping her head upwards, listening to the sound of the waves crashing in the distance. The air was salty and crisp, carrying the essence of the ocean in the breeze.
TJ and Bently chatted and joked as they came closer and her heart squeezed. She opened her eyes, her joy spilling down her cheeks. This was everything she thought she’d never have. Everything she had been afraid to hope for. A lifetime of Christmas wishes, of lonely Decembers, of darkness and pain had brought her to this moment.
Concerned blue eyes met hers. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “Just happy tears.”
Bently leaned in, his woodsy scent caressing her senses as he kissed her forehead and then her lips. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She smiled.
“Yeah, yeah. We get it—you’re both sappy in love,” TJ joked as he pushed past them to the front door as it swung open.
Belle and Bently laughed.
Jasmine greeted them. “Come on in, guys. You’re the last to arrive and Lyra is getting more impatient by the minute to open her gifts.”
Bently gestured for Belle to go first. She held up the bottles of wine. “I brought a little something to spread the cheer.”
“Ooh, looks like the good stuff too,” Jasmine approved as they filtered in through the inn and made their way back where the kitchen was.
Belle greeted Remy with a hug and Mia lightened her load by taking two bottles from her arms.
“Mama, you remember Belle,” Remy said.
