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“She’ll say yes. She told me she liked you. That she’d always be friends with you.”

“She did, huh?”

“So, she’ll say yes and then I’ll call you Dad.”

Oh, to have the faith and trust of a ten-year-old. “I’m going to have to trust you on that, buddy.”

And he would.

* * *

Becca’s squeal nearly broke Monica’s eardrum. She engulfed Monica in a hug. “You kept the llama!”

Monica laughed, hugging Becca back. “I did. Since I hear you were partially behind getting him, he’s now a part of your Christmas celebration.”

Becca leaned down and gave Macaroni a pat. “Welcome to the menagerie, Mac.” Then she stood back up, eyes suspiciously shiny. “I assume if you took the llama, you took the man too?”

She glanced back at the truck, where Gabe and Colin were hefting the presents out from the back. “You assume right.”

Becca gave her another squeeze, then hurried forward to help the men. They brought everything inside and settled into the afternoon being, well, a family. It was a beautiful Christmas cacophony as the boys swiped appetizers and Monica helped Becca and Sandra with dinner prep.

“Where are Jack and Rose?” Becca fretted.

“Maybe Rose wasn’t feeling well. Want me to call?”

Becca shook her head. “Not—” Before she could get the words out of her mouth, the door opened and footsteps echoed through the house.

“There they are.” Becca wiped her hands on a towel and headed straight for the door.

Monica followed. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get over the wave of warmth that swamped her every time she saw Gabe’s and Colin’s heads bent together, as they were now, sprawled out on the rug next to the fireplace. They were whispering about something, and Monica made a mental note to ask Gabe about it later.

She’d managed to have a short conversation with Colin this morning while Gabe had been getting ready, and Colin had been acting shifty and sly. Happy, though. Giddy even, to have Gabe in the cabin. Monica knew it wouldn’t always be this easy or simple, but for Christmas, she’d enjoy it.

Becca was scolding Jack and Rose for being late as Jack shrugged out of his coat.

“Sorry, got a bit held up,” Jack said, grinning. He helped Rose untangle from all her winter gear, and Rose grinned up at him.

“My, you two are suspiciously, overtly happy,” Monica observed.

“Oh, are we?” Rose said, faux innocently as she slowly pulled the glove off her left hand.

“Ring!” Becca and Monica shrieked in unison.

Rose held out her hand proudly. “And a doozy at that.”

They oohed and aahed over the ring, offering congratulations and some friendly ribbing from Alex and Gabe.

Becca’s mom reappeared with a bottle of champagne and glasses. She poured, finding some sparkling cider for Rose, Jack, and Colin. When they all had glasses, Alex took the lead.

He held up his glass. “To Rose and Jack.”

Everyone echoed the sentiment, clinking glasses, taking happy sips.

“Wait, I have a toast, too,” Rose said, holding up her glass again. “To a Christmas miracle.” Rose’s gaze moved to Gabe.

Gabe raised his eyebrows. “What miracle? You finally saying yes to Jack? That’s just you coming to your senses.”

“That isn’t the miracle,” Rose returned, pointing at Monica, then Gabe. “You two are the miracle.”