“There is nothing I would love more,” Ma says, shocking the shit out of me and reaching for Mrs. Worthington and dragging her in for a big hug. “And I think we should make each other a promise, family to family, that if there is ever something that happens like this again, we go directly to the source and never let something cause such a divide again.”
“I think that is perfect. And I’m also sorry for what I said about your cake flavor… It’s actually delicious, and… I think your sweater is absolutely darling,” Mrs. Worthington replies as she pulls back.
Ma laughs, the sound ringing out around us. “You know, I think I have an extra inside that would fit you. Let’s go grab it?”
Mrs. Worthington nods, and when she walks off with Ma, I see my dad approaching Mr. Worthington with his hand extended.
Seeing them shake hands after everything that has happened makes me feel grateful. Then I realize that the rest of the party has picked back up like it never stopped, only this time, the air in the room is inherently… lighter. The thick tension is gone. The band is playing low in the background again, people are laughing, and the smell of gingerbread combined with the crackling hearth fills the air. The big invisible line down the middle of the room has suddenly vanished, and it feels like for the first time tonight, people are genuinely having fun.
Emma spoke about a Christmas miracle earlier, and it seems like we got one after all.
Her hand tightens in mine, and when I glance at her, I see fresh tears of happiness on her cheeks.
“Did that actually just happen?” She laughs, brushing them away. We’re in the middle of the party, completely surrounded by people, but I can’t wait another damn second to hold her.
I pull her to me until she’s tight in my arms and I’m staring at the deep blue of her irises. “I think it did, Snowflake. You know, since everyone’s sharing their feelings, I think now might be as good of a time as any to have that talk.”
Her brow arches. “Oh?”
“I’m crazy about you, Emma Worthington. Head over heels, Snowflake, and loving you is easily the best decision I’ve ever made.”
“You love me?” Her breath hitches.
Grasping her chin in my fingers, I lean closer. “I do. Almost as much as you love sticky notes and to-do lists.”
When she laughs, a dopey smile forms on my lips as she says, “I love you too, Jackson Pearce. Even with your aversion to organization and despite the fact that you are, in fact, terrible at building gingerbread houses.”
“There’s always next year, and now that I’ve got you as my partner, I’m not giving you up.” Brushing my lips across hers, I whisper, “Here’s to new and old traditions… together.”
“Together has never sounded better.”
And to think… this all started with a very festive feud.
THE END
epilogue
Emma
9 months later
“What are you working on?” Jackson says behind me, startling me as I sit at his kitchen table, my head bent over my notebook as I scribble notes on the paper.
I jump, my hand clutching my chest. “Jesus, Jackson, you scared the hell out of me!”
“Well, I did call your name a few times, Snowflake. You were in the zone.” He chuckles, pressing his lips to my temple as he slides his arms around me, holding me to him.
Even after all of this time together, nine months of blissful happiness, I still can’t believe that he’s mine. That somehow, our love was a result of that stupid feud that controlled our families for so long. That we were lucky enough to have each other in the end.
“Sorry, I was focusing.”
“I see that. A new design?”
I shake my head. “No, actually, I’m getting a head start on the… party for this year.”
Jackson laughs. “Of course, you are. You know we’ve got three months till Christmas, right?”
“Of course, I know that,” I say, my fingers running along the beard on his cheeks. I love when he grows it out some, and I love it even more when my thighs are scratched raw from it. “But as you know, having a plan is important, and I don’t want to wait till the last minute. Ever again. It’s chaotic and stressful.”
“You’re right. Well, you know if you need me, I’m here. Although, I think this is definitely a you, your mom, Ma, and Josie kind of thing now.”
He’s right, and I can’t even begin to explain how happy it makes me to say that. Not only did I get Jackson out of this feud, but I got his family, who is wonderful, supportive, and kind. They are just as important and special to me as he is, so being able to work with both my mom and his mom and sister this year on my favorite Christmas tradition?
Indescribable.
Hence getting an early start in… September. I just can’t help it. I’m feeling the Christmas spirit already.
“Yep, we’ve already decided to meet for dinner at your parents’ house this weekend while you and the guys are doing… men things.”
And by men things, I mean both of our dads and his brothers all taking a trip to go to his family’s cabin in the mountains. That leaves me at home with the girls, the best wine, and all of the Christmas planning.
The perfect place to be.
“Sounds like you’ve got it all figured out, then. Gotta show you something though. Come see,” he says as he lets me go and nods toward the living room.
I set my pen down on the table and hop out the chair, following behind him through the hallway to the spare bedroom at the end. My brow furrows in confusion, and he chuckles, swinging the door open.
“I’ve been doing some reorganizing, and I made room for your obscene amount of Christmas decorations. Don’t think they’re all gonna fit in my attic.”
Well, I mean, they fit in my attic just fine… wait.
“Why would I bring my Christmas decorations to your house, Jackson?”
He shrugs. “’Cause don’t you think it’s about time you officially moved in? You’ve got more stuff here than at your house at this point anyway. Plus… it would make Mo and Marley happy.”
Hearing their names, they come padding down the hallway with wide puppy eyes that make my heart squeeze.
I love these babies just as much as I love their daddy.
“I think… maybe that can be arranged,” I say, moving my hands over his chest before clasping them behind his neck. “I don’t know though. Are you sure you have enough room? You might have to sleep outside if I have to choose between storing the Christmas decorations or you.”
“Go check out the closet,” he says, nodding toward the door opposite us. “Let me know if you think there’s enough room.”
I walk across the empty spare room and open the closet door, my jaw falling open in shock as my hand flies to my mouth.
Inside is a nutcracker. But not just any nutcracker.
The very same nutcracker from the general store last year.
When I turn back toward him, he’s right there, his hands sliding around my waist and hauling me to him.
“You’ve had it all this time?” I say in disbelief.
He nods, a grin on his lips. “Of course, I did. Felt like now was the perfect time to give it to you. After all, it’s the reason why we fell in love in the first place. Full circle, Snowflake. Move in with me and put up as many damn decorations as you want. This place needs all the love you have to give it.”