Page 130 of Babies for the Christmas Grump

She walks over to the small Christmas tree in the corner, grabs a gift wrapped in simple brown paper with a red bow, and hands it to me with a wink. I take it, noticing the small tag attached with my name in her messy handwriting.

“Go ahead,” she says, watching me expectantly.

I rip the paper off, trying to maintain some level of composure, but inside, I’m already bracing myself for the surprise.

When the wrapping falls away, it’s a simple leather journal. Not fancy or extravagant, but the kind of thing that looks well-loved already.

“I thought you might need a place to write down all your big plans for this place,” she says softly, sitting down beside me. “I know you’ve been working nonstop to make this hotel something… well, something that means something.”

I run my fingers over the soft leather, feeling the warmth of her words. It’s thoughtful, personal. So very Sunny.

“It’s perfect,” I say, the sincerity hitting me harder than I expect.

I reach into my pocket and pull out an envelope, something I’ve been holding onto for a while. I don’t say anything. Just hand it over to her.

She looks at me, confused. “What’s this?”

“Open it,” I say softly.

When the check falls into her hands, her breath catches in her throat. She stares it with pure confusion. Her eyes flicker over the number, and then they lift to mine, wide with disbelief.

And I see it—the moment it hits her.

“Whatisthis?”

I let the silence hang for a moment, watching her. I don’t need to say anything else. The check speaks for itself.

One million dollars. From her aunt’s trust fund.

Her fingers tremble as she holds it in her hands. “This… this is mine?”

I nod slowly, despite the tightening in my chest. “It’s from Evie. She left it to you. She suspected Vincent and siphoned this off for you. For you to use, however, you need to. It’s all yours, Sunny.”

She doesn’t say anything at first, just stares at the check in shock. Her breathing is shallow, she’s trying to process it, trying to figure out how this could be real.

“I… I don’t know what to say,” she whispers. Her eyes flick back to the number on the check, then up at me, waiting for me to tell her it’s a mistake. “I… I never expected this. I can use it to make the hotel exactly what it needs to be. I can carry on what my aunt started.”

“You can make it everything you’ve ever wanted.”

I take a deep breath, and as I do, I pull something else from my pocket. It’s been in there all evening, and I’ve been waiting for the right moment.

I’m not sure if now’s the moment, but it feels right. More right than anything has in a long time.

I slide the small, velvet box out and place it carefully in front of her.

Her eyes flicker down, and her brow furrows. “What… what is this now?”

I let the moment hang between us, feeling the calm settling into my chest, a long-forgotten warmth.

“Okay, I know this is a lot already,” I begin, “but… I’m not just doing this for the money.” I can’t help but grin at my own ridiculousness. “Though, if it helps, you’re technically one of the richest women I know now.”

She raises an eyebrow, a tiny, nervous laugh escaping her lips. “Is this your way of saying you’re with me for the cash?”

I chuckle, shaking my head. “Absolutely not. But I wouldn’t mind you funding my retirement someday…”

Her laugh grows, light and bright. My heart aches for her. For the life we can have together.

“I’m serious, Sunny,” I continue, “I’m not doing this for the money. I’m doing it because I want you to have everything you deserve. Because I want to spend every single day with you, making this crazy hotel, and this crazy life, work.”