Page 83 of Snowbound with My Dad's Best Friend

It saddens me to think of what almost was. If it weren’t for Steven or my grandmother, who knows the outcome?

I try to keep the what-ifs out of my head as I head into the kitchen to check on dinner. The gust of heat from the oven hits my face as I open the oven door to check the turkey. Its skin has turned a golden brown, and the white timer has now popped, telling me that it’s finally done.

Just in time to start mashing the potatoes that have been boiling for a few minutes now. Once they are finished and the gravy has been put into the crystal gravy boat, I begin setting all the food down on the new dining room table I’ve been itching to break in.

“Dinner’s ready,” I announce, and the whole family piles around the table to fill their plates. Steven is the last to join as he just put Charlotte down in her crib for bed. Days filled with family visits usually drain her.

Luckily for me, that means I’ll get solid sleep tonight.

The sound of forks scraping plates is the only noise that fills the dining room, letting me know that I did a good job cooking. I spent most of the day preparing a few new pie recipes.

If they go over well, it’ll be something new to add to the menu I’m building for my business.

As dinner finishes, Steven clears his throat for his annual speech. It’s as if he prepares all year for these, but all of us appreciate the work he puts into them. They are always filled with loving words for each one of us.

“So, I want to start by thanking you all for coming to share this holiday with us.” As he begins, all of our attention shifts to him. “It means a lot to us, but it means everything to me since I don’t have much of a family on my side.”

My face softens as I set my hand on Steven’s knee.

“You all have really brought light to my life, especially you, Becca. I love you more than words could ever describe. You and our beautiful little family.”

My heart swells as he continues. “And I have one last gift for you that I wanted to share with everyone.” My expression shifts to confusion as my brows furrow. With eyes wide, I watch as he slides off his chair, down to one knee beside my chair.

“Rebecca Gallagher, will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?”

My breath catches in my throat as my heart feels like it stops pumping entirely.

Am I dreaming?

I quickly look around at everyone as they wear a smile, waiting for my answer. Time seems to slow down as I catch Damian’s eyes on me. His smile is so large that his cheeks are turning red.

“I—uh,” I choke out. “Yes…Yes. A million times yes!” As I finally put him out of his misery and answer, he grabs me, pulling me down with him into a tight hug. As I pull away, he removes theshimmering diamond ring out of its box and places it on my left ring finger.

The pear-shaped diamond is surrounded by smaller gems that go the entire way down both sides of the white-gold band. This is something entirely out of a dream. “It’s so beautiful, Steven,” I reveal, tears now flowing from my eyes. “I…I love you so much.”

As everyone congratulates us, Damian steps between us, putting his arms around both of us. There’s no need for me to even ask him what he thinks of all this, judging by his excitement.

Waking up this morning, I thought that my life was perfect the way it is. But as I stare down at my hand and back up to everyone else around the table, I know now that my life truly can’t get any better than this.

My life is absolutely perfect as long as I have my family.