Page 44 of One Naughty Christmas Night

“Excuse me, everyone,” he said, drawing their attention to them. “I’d like to say something.”

Her mother’s jaw dropped, and she looked at them, then her husband, then back to them, smacking his arm. He laughed and waved her off.

Valentina and Quinn gathered around the couch, Willie, the Duke, and Sammy all standing off to the side.

“It took me a really long time, but I have discovered that I’ve fallen in love with my best friend.”

He turned to Victoria. “Victoria, I’m in love with you. You are the only face I want to see in the morning and say good night to in the evening. I wake up every day wanting to spend time with you, to see your face, to ask you how your day went. You fit so well into my life, and my family already loves you.”

Dropping to one knee, he popped open the box that held a diamond ring.

“Victoria Grace Murray, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Victoria stared at him, her hand covering her now open mouth.

“Heath, are you sure?” she whispered, sending the room into laughter.

“Of course I am,” he said. “I get to marry my best friend and the love of my life.”

“Well, as long as she says yes!” Quinn quipped, Valentina’s elbow meeting his rib.

“Of course I’ll marry you,” she whispered, a sob torn from her when he stood, drawing her into his arms with a kiss.

The entire room erupting into cheers, Heath broke the kiss to slide the ring onto her finger, the gold band sliding on easily.

“It’s beautiful,” she said, swiping away tears.

“It was my mother’s,” his mother said, coming over to hug them both.

“Thank you for letting me wear it, I’m honored,” Victoria said, squeezing his mother’s hand.

Everyone else came over to congratulate them, her parents warning Heath that he better treat her right, or they would come after him.

He reassured them that he would never hurt her.

And that was a promise he intended to keep.

“Merry Christmas,” he whispered, giving her a kiss.

“Merry Christmas,” she replied, staring down at the diamond. “This was truly the best Christmas ever.”

Three months later…

Candles lit the ballroom, casting a soft glow over the floral decorations covering every surface.

Heath stood in the doorway, waiting for his cue, and looked around.

Greenery hung from the walls, covered in flowers of every color, the hall looking like spring.

The chandelier sparkled, the diamonds winking at him, wishing him luck.

A long pink runner was placed in the middle of the room with chairs flanking each side. Large pink and white bows were tied to each chair, pink flowers tucked in to make them more festive.

“Are you ready to get married, son?” Heath turned to the priest, dressed in his finest robes.

“I am.” He glanced back out at the small crowd of guests, then ducked back into the entryway.

Quinn clapped a hand on his shoulder as he appeared next to him. “Ready to get married, brother?”