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As I unfurl my scroll, my heart flutters. It’s so surreal to see the last ten items marked off after so many years of sitting anxiously, listening to everyone else’s accomplishments, knowing I’d failed. This year, for the first time ever, I can join in the celebration. I almost don’t know what to do with myself.
“Can I share my Christmas Commitment?” Ethan asks, setting down his pen.
“We usually wait until next year,” I tell him, although his enthusiasm is endearing.
“I think we can make an exception,” Dad says, his eyes twinkling.
“Q, would you mind reading it for me?” Ethan hands me his scroll.
Is it my imagination, or is his jaw flexing ever so slightly?
“Sure,” I say slowly, wondering why everyone is suddenly staring at me as if I’m about to announce the Powerball winners. Clearing my throat, I squint at his crisp, blocky handwriting. My mouth goes dry. Does it really say what Ithinkit says?
My gaze flies to his face, my breath hitching as he drops to one knee.
There’s something shiny and metallic poised between his fingers.
It’s a ring. The most unique and entrancing engagement ring I’ve ever seen.
The matte yellow gold setting is elegant and subdued, while the raw, uncut diamond in the center speaks to my very soul.
I’m not sure how much time has passed, since it seems to have stopped altogether, but Ethan murmurs softly, “What does it say?”
“It—it says, Marry Quincy Carmichael.” As I share his Christmas Commitment aloud, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a combination of words so blissfully sweet in all my life.
I glance around the room, surprised to find everyone grinning, as if they’d known all along.
“What do you say, Q?” Ethan asks, drawing my gaze back to his. “Will you spend forever with me?”
Blinking back tears, I lift my pen and scribble something on my scroll, then pass it to Ethan.
He takes one glance and slips the ring on my finger, pulling me into his arms for a kiss so ardent and all-consuming, I don’t even hear our family’s cheers and applause.
In the commotion, the scroll flutters to the floor, my Christmas Commitment facing up for all the world to see.
And this time, I’ve chosen one I can’t wait to complete.
