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I chuckle at their enthusiasm, and it’s clear that Harper can hardly resist their pleas.
“Alright,” Harper concedes with a warm smile, giving in to the children’s excitement. “But only because it’s Christmas.”
“Yay!” Olivia and Peter cheer together, clapping their hands in anticipation.
“Alright, kids,” I announce as the excitement in the room reaches its peak. “Let’s get dressed and head out to the car.”
Peter and Olivia exchange enthusiastic glances before dashing off to their rooms, giggling all the way. Their laughter fills the house like a sweet melody, and I can’t help but feel the warmth of contentment spread through me.
It doesn’t take them long to come back, chattering over the gifts they haven’t opened yet.
“Shall we?” Antonio asks, gesturing toward the door. The four of us—Harper, Benedict, Antonio, and myself—put on our coats and shoes, anticipation bubbling beneath the surface.
“Lead the way, Antonio,” Harper smiles, taking his arm. We step outside, feeling the cold air nip at our cheeks, and make our way to the car.
Once inside, Antonio starts the engine and pulls away from the house.
“Where are we going?” Harper questions, her voice laced with confusion as Antonio turns down an unfamiliar street.
“Patience,” he replies with a mischievous grin. “It’s a Christmas surprise.”
I glance over at Harper, noticing her furrowed brow and the slight tilt of her head. But beneath her confusion, there’s a twinkle in her eye that tells me she trusts Antonio implicitly. And truth be told, so do I.
We continue down the road, passing houses adorned with twinkling Christmas lights, until Antonio finally stops the car in front of a beautiful home that we’ve never seen before. Intrigue courses through me as I take in the charming cottage-style house, complete with a white picket fence and snow-covered wreaths hanging on the windows.
“Antonio?” Harper asks hesitantly, her eyes wide with bewilderment. “Why are we here?”
“Harper,” Antonio begins, his voice soft and tender, “I wanted to surprise you with something truly special this Christmas.”
“I don’t understand.” Harper’s voice is hesitant, yet filled with hope. She looks at him, her eyes searching for answers.
“Harper, love, this house,” Antonio begins, his voice rich with emotion, “is my Christmas gift to all of us. I wanted to give us a place where we can create beautiful memories together, and build our lives as one.”
“Antonio…I don’t know what to say,” Harper whispers, tears glistening in her eyes as she gazes at the house that could be ours.
Antonio had mentioned wanting to do something like this, but I hadn’t thought he would do it so soon, not that I’m complaining. Looking at this place reminds me just how much I want the future that he’s talking about.
“Harper,” I say softly, taking her trembling hand in mine. “All you have to do is say yes. You didn’t think that we were going to stay in a penthouse forever, did you?” My voice cracks with emotion as I picture us here, a family finally united under one roof, with space to grow.
Her gaze shifts between Antonio and me, and I can see the turmoil swirling behind her beautiful eyes. She bites her lip, a gesture that never fails to make my heart race. “I…are we really ready for this?” she asks hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Of course we are,” I reassure her, squeezing her hand. “We’ve come so far together. We can face any challenge that comes our way.”
Harper’s breath hitches, and I watch as tears spill over her cheeks like liquid diamonds. She searches my eyes for a moment before turning to Antonio, who offers her an encouraging smile.
“Okay,” Harper says softly, her voice thick with emotion. “Yes, I want this. I want us to be together, in this beautiful home you’ve given us, Antonio. I love you all so much.”
The End
