Hand in hand, Sutton guides us on a casual stroll. We turn the corner behind the bar into a small courtyard that the town has decorated for the holidays. Thick ropes of green and gold garland hang from the rooftops, the ends capped with large red bows. A massive pine tree was brought in and placed in the center, twinkling with silver strands of Christmas lights. Christmas music is piped through hidden speakers. Sutton pulls me into his chest, slowly swaying us from side to side.
I sigh happily, taking it all in. “You’re making my first snowy Christmas magical.”
“I have a surprise for you,” he murmurs.
Tilting my chin back, I meet his gaze. “You got me a kitten not even two months ago, and we haven’t even opened our gifts to each other yet. What else could you possibly have to surprise me with?”
He slips his hands into his pockets and shrugs. “You could call it a promotion.”
I cock my eyebrow. “You already fired me.”
“I changed your job title, and I’d like to do it again.” Sutton drops onto one knee on the snow-covered ground. “This time, I’d like to make you my wife.”
He opens a black ring box. Nestled inside is a massive oval-cut center stone glittering in the falling snow.
“Marry me, Alice.” Sutton’s voice grows hoarse. “I’ve known you were mine for a very long time now, and I want to make that official in every way possible.”
“Yes! God, Sunny. I’ve been yours. I will always be yours.” I fall to my knees in the snow beside him as tears stream down my cheeks.
Sutton chases them with his thumb. “Are these for me?” His mouth finds mine, kissing me through the salty taste of my tears.
I nod against his lips. “You’ve given me something I never thought I’d find.”
“What’s that, beautiful?”
“You’ve given me home.”
Seven Months Later…
Fourth of July
After yearsof feeling utterly alone, I’ve grown to love the holidays. Mostly because Sutton makes it his goal to top the last one with his continuous surprises.
For Halloween, it was our kitten. The sweet girl fits into our family so well that even she and Merit get along. It’s not unusual to find them snuggling in a midday ray of sun.
On Thanksgiving, he had to work, but sweetly ordered me to spend the day with his family so that Nellie and I weren’t alone. Once the festivities were complete, he sent Nellie to stay with Whitney for the weekend and booked a surprise staycation at a boutique hotel, complete with spa reservations for just the two of us.
Christmas was his magical surprise proposal.
For New Year's, he told me we were going out to dinner, but drove us to the airport instead for a secretly planned long weekend in Paris.
On Valentine's Day, he surprised me by turning the rarely used home office into my own personal library, complete with a chaise lounge just big enough for the two of us to reenact some of my favorite spicy scenes.
And today is the Fourth of July. While I can’t imagine he’s come up with a surprise for this one, I have something of my own planned.
We lay in the back of his truck bed, tailgate down, blankets and pillows piled high beneath us. We camp beneath the budding twilight in a wide-open field on the edge of town.
Nellie bounces around, in and out of the truck, shrieking in childlike awe as her Uncle Silas lights off Roman Candles.
“Are you sure those are legal, Officer?” I ask Sutton beside me.
“Don’t look at me. I’m off duty. He’s a cop too, and he bought them by himself.” The exasperation in Sutton’s voice isn’t hard to miss.
I lean deeper into his side, snuggling into his warmth.
“Hey! You better not lose a finger before I get to watch some fireworks!” Sutton yells at his brother.
Silas flips his brother the bird.