This Christmas (18 page)

J
ake had never been so nervous in his life. But then again, the stakes had never been this high. Timing, as they said, was everything, and in his case that was no lie. A week ago he’d put a plan in motion that would show Sabrina how much he loved her and that having a family with her was all he really wanted.

If she had any doubts at all about how he felt, and he knew she did, by the time it was officially Christmas, those doubts would be gone.

He hadn’t wanted anything more in his life. Now he just had to convince her.

St. James-by-the-Sea was an old, well established church that had served the families of Holly Point for over a hundred years. The stone church had survived nor’easters, hurricanes, and blizzards and Jake remembered Bree telling him that every year Christmas Eve Mass was something truly special. The service started at ten o’clock and just like the rest of Holly Point, the church sparkled.

Light shone through the stained glass windows and, standing at the bottom of the steps, Jake heard the choir singing
Silent Night
. He looked up at the heavens completely stunned by the number of stars overhead and said a quiet prayer that Sabrina would put aside her fears and worries and allow herself to have faith. Faith in him and faith in the love they shared.

The Christmas carol ended with a flourish and within a few minutes people started filing out of the church. Young and old, families big and small passed by nodding or wishing him a Merry Christmas. This was the kind of place his daughter should be raised, someplace warm and loving, and surrounded by her family.

Now he just had to convince Bree the family should include him.

The first one out of church was Bree’s mom, who was holding Charlie’s hand. As soon as his girl saw him she dashed over, throwing her arms around him.

“Oh, my gosh! You’re here!” Looking up and motioning him to come closer, she whispered conspiratorially. “Are you gonna ask her?”

“Shhhh,” he said. “You don’t know who’s listening.”

Just as Jake answered, Bree stepped out of church with her arm linked through her father’s. Dr. Gervais spotted him first, and he couldn’t help but scowl a little. Jake understood. It would take time, but Bree’s father had given his approval when he helped Jake put his plan into motion. Eventually, her dad would understand that his daughter and granddaughter were the center of Jake’s world.

Bree stopped when she saw Jake at the bottom of the staircase. Her hair was pulled back on each side, showing off her wide green eyes. Those eyes of hers told Jake everything he needed to know. She was his. Right then she may have been worrying about whether he would stick, but Bree was his and all he had to do was not screw this up.

She stood in front of him and looked up. Her cheeks pink from the cold, her hair lifting off her shoulders because of the light winter wind coming off the bay. If he’d timed this right, Bree was going to get the surprise of her life.

“You’re here. I didn’t think I’d see you.”

His hand came up, fingers grazing her face and Bree’s eyes brightened. But she was a little distant and cold toward him and Jake guessed his week away had made her question if she really wanted to be with him. If he was worth the risk. Suddenly it dawned on Jake there was a real possibility he’d already messed it up.

“I’m sorry I didn’t get here earlier.”

“It’s okay. Based on what you said, I thought you’d be in Canada, or the city, or something. I wasn’t really expecting you.”

He narrowed his eyes when she mentioned the city. She was worried about Sydney and Destin, but he hadn’t known how much until that minute. “Did you think I wouldn’t see my best girls on Christmas Eve?”

Bree looked down, her hair falling forward to hide her face. Yeah, she was upset. He hadn’t counted on that. But Jake supposed he deserved it. It had been tough to communicate last week when he was away simply because they had trouble catching up with each other; but he’d also been a little worried he’d spill the beans and tell her how he felt before his plan was in place.

After everything that had passed between them, Jake understood Sabrina was so scared about what might happen, she wouldn’t let herself believe in the future they could have together. He would spend the rest of his life making up for causing her to feel that way.

Charlie watched intently as she stood with her grandparents and Uncle Ryan. Just as Jake was about to surprise Sabrina with the ring he’d bought for her, a collective gasp went up from the crowd.

A flash of light illuminated the church and the grounds. And then another. And another. Bree spun around, bringing her hands to her mouth in surprise.

“Oh, my God. The lighthouse.” Walking to the bulkhead at the edge of the bay, Bree gazed across the harbor at the Holly Point Light which was not only operational, the entire building was strung with Christmas lights. As the beacon at the top lit the harbor and the town, the festive colored lights let everyone know this was a very special Christmas.

Jake followed Bree and stood close.

“I can’t believe it’s back,” she sobbed. “The light’s back.”

“I want your light to be back,” he said. “That’s all I want.”

“What?” Sabrina turned and Jake figured it was now or never. He took her hands and pulled her close.

“Jake what are you doing?”

“Bree, I’ve loved you since the first minute I laid eyes on you. I know I’ve messed up a thousand different ways, but I can’t imagine going through a day without you, so in front of...” Jake looked around and figured there wasn’t a better audience for this. The whole town was there—the people who mattered most to her. “In front of all the people who care about you, I have something to ask you.”

There was an immediate cheer as Jake got down on one knee and kept hold of her hands.

Her eyes closed and tears spilled onto her cheeks. He’d surprised her. Score one for him.

“Sabrina, Christmas is magical, but it pales next to what I feel for you. I love you. I have always loved you. So, I’m asking you, please, will you find it in your heart to forgive me and marry me?”

He breathed a sigh of relief when she didn’t even think about it. Bree nodded her head in response, because when she moved her lips nothing came out. Jake stood and looked toward Ryan, who tossed him a small velvet box. He opened it and showed her the ring.

“Will you wear this?” That morning, just as he arrived home, Bree’s mother dropped Charlie off with him, and he and his daughter went on the most important shopping trip of his life.

Jake wanted to give her a traditional diamond ring, but the style was the problem. He figured Charlie would know exactly what her mother would like. Based on Bree’s reaction, they’d succeeded. Sabrina was so stunned she muttered a barely audible “Yes.”

Neither of them heard the townspeople clapping, didn’t see her parents, and friends crying with her. Their daughter ran up and hugged them as Jake slipped the ring on Bree’s finger.

Sabrina’s arms reached around his neck and he pulled her close.

“I didn’t think...” she whispered. “I didn’t think you wanted this.” They’d had such a tough month, marriage hadn’t been something they’d even talked about, but for Jake, the minute he saw her again, there was never a question.

“Are you kidding? I’m yours,” he whispered into her temple. “I’ve always been yours.”

He brushed away the tears on her face with the pad of his thumb. “But I asked you here, in front of your family and friends, in a place I knew was special to you because I wanted to see your light go back on, too. Now I have.”

She stared in his eyes, and suddenly awareness flashed. “The lighthouse? Was that you?”

He smiled. “I found a couple of corporate donors who made it possible to get the light functioning and provide for upkeep and restoration.”

“Oh, Jake. You did that?”

“I did it because it’s always been special to you, but it also means a lot to the town. And Holly Point...” He surveyed the scene, taking in the place he was planning on calling home. “They took care of you when I wasn’t there. I owe them.”

There were so many things he wanted to say, but the most important things would be said in the years to come. The fights and celebrations and holidays to come would all provide a chance for words and wishes, and Jake and Bree would celebrate each milestone, each festivity with all the love in their hearts.

The holidays were a magical time, but sometimes the magic and blessings felt extra special just like they did this Christmas.

The End

If you enjoyed
This Christmas
, you’ll love the other stories from the Christmas in New York series!

Jeannie Moon
has always been a romantic. When she’s not spinning tales of her own, Jeannie works as a school librarian, thankful she has a job that allows her to immerse herself in books and call it work. Married to her high school sweetheart, Jeannie has three kids, three lovable dogs and a mischievous cat and lives in her hometown on Long Island, NY. If she’s more than ten miles away from salt water for any longer than a week, she gets twitchy. Visit Jeannie’s website at
www.jeanniemoon.com

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