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Alistair dug a hand into the pocket of his khaki pants and retrieved a small velvet bag. He loosened the ties.

“What is that?”

“This.” He lowered to his knee and retrieved a gold ring with a large princess-cut diamond. “You know I fumble over words when it comes to you, so I’ll make this simple. I don’t ever want to live a day where I can’t come home to you. Where I can’t imagine sharing my life with you. We were blessed with a special bond, a perfect match, and I will never take that, or you, for granted. So, I want to make it official. Will you marry me, Niera Blair?”

“Marry? You?”

He nodded, his smile faltering.

Niera threw herself at Alistair, wrapping her arms around his neck as tears welled in her eyes. “Yes!”

“You had me worried there.” He held her close, finding her lips and kissing her until all that existed was a woodland fae and a former merman in a sea of happiness.

When they finally broke from the kiss, Alistair brought her hand around and slid the ring on her finger, placing a kiss to her knuckles. Niera admired the sparkling diamond, then lifted her eyes to the man who promised his love for the rest of their lives with that very stone.

“I came to Cat’s Paw Cove anticipating my departure. Never in all my life could I have imagined the whirlwind adventures this little town had in store for me.” Cupping his face between her hands, she smiled. “The love I’d find. As much as I disliked that first day, I will never wish for things to have happened any differently. And with all the wishing that went on, I think it’s fair to call this particular Christmas a Wishmas.”

Alistair chuckled. “My woodland fae’s Wishmas.” He curled his fingers in her hand and drew her closer. “I love you, Niera.”

“I love you, Alistair. And I’m looking forward to many years of happiness here in Cat’s Paw Cove, with you.”

THE END