Chapter 9 - The Question at ChristmasChristmas came quietly.
No gala.
No executives.
No photographers.
Just snow outside the windows and lights on the porch.
Noah had decorated the living room.
Half the ornaments were crooked.
Caroline loved them.
Eli had disappeared upstairs.
Noah whispered:
“Dad is nervous.”
Caroline looked at him.
“Why?”
“I don't know.”
Then Eli came downstairs.
He wore a dark sweater.
He looked nervous.
Very nervous.
“Caroline.”
She turned.
“What?”
“I need to tell you something.”
Her heart pounded.
He walked toward her.
Then dropped to one knee.
Noah screamed:
“YES!”
Caroline laughed and cried at the same time.
Eli opened the ring box.
“Caroline Whitmore, you walked into my life when everything was broken.”
She shook her head through tears.
“You didn't break it.”
“No.”
He smiled.
“But you helped me rebuild it.”
She covered her face.
“You taught me that people can be better than their worst mistake.”
He took her hand.
“I don't need perfection.”
“I don't need revenge.”
“I just want you.”
Caroline looked at him.
“Yes.”
He blinked.
“I wasn't finished.”
She laughed.
“Yes anyway.”
He slid the ring onto her finger.
Noah threw himself at both of them.
“I knew it!”
Eli laughed.
Caroline hugged them both.
Later that night, after Noah was asleep, she stood on the porch beside Eli.
Snow drifted across the yard.
“Are you happy?” he asked.
She looked at him.
“Terrified.”
“Why?”
“Because this is the first good thing in my life I didn't build with control.”
Eli smiled.
“You don't have to control it.”
“I know.”
She leaned against him.
“What happened to us?”
He kissed her forehead.
“Maybe some things have to break before people finally see what matters.”
She looked at the house.
“Do you think my father would approve?”
“He'd probably complain about the pancakes.”
She laughed.
“He loved pancakes.”
“So does Noah.”
“They're a family trait.”
Eli looked at her.
“You know what's strange?”
“What?”
“Eight years ago, I thought your name was the worst thing that had ever happened to me.”
“And now?”
“Now it's my favorite.”
She kissed him.
Inside, Noah called:
“Dad!”
Eli sighed.
“Bedtime.”
Caroline smiled.
“You go.”
“What about you?”
“I'll wait.”
“For what?”
She looked at him.
“For my husband.”
Eli smiled.
“Husband?”
“Get used to it.”
May you like
He kissed her again.
And for the first time, the future didn't frighten either of them.
