Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 48518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
“Lucy,” I rasp, voice breaking on her name. “You’ve made me the happiest man alive. Happier than I ever thought I’d be allowed to be.”
She holds my face in her gloved hands, laughing through tears. “I wanted to tell you by the river. Or by the fire. Or maybe after dinner. But Holly’s snowman was too perfect.”
“I don’t care how you told me,” I say into her hair. “I just care that it’s true.”
She sniffles a laugh. “It’s very true.”
I kiss her. Right there in the falling snow. Slow at first, full of awe and disbelief. Then deeper. More urgent. Because even after a decade of marriage and five kids climbing us like jungle gyms… this woman still destroys me.
When we finally pull apart, our foreheads touch. Snow kisses our skin.
She whispers, “Merry Christmas, Ash.”
“Merry Christmas, sweetheart,” I whisper back. “And thank you.”
She rubs her thumbs over my cheeks. “For what?”
“For giving me a life I never dreamed of. For giving me everything.”
Her smile breaks something open in me. “You gave me everything too.”
Behind us, Pine shouts, “Dad’s kissing Mom again! Ewwww!”
Ever groans dramatically. “They never stop!”
Joy giggles. Winter rolls her eyes. Holly looks smug, like she orchestrated the entire thing.
Lucy laughs into my chest, shaking her head. “We really do have our hands full.”
“And we’re adding another pair,” I remind her gruffly.
She glows. “Looks like it.”
I lower her gently, one hand lingering over her stomach without thinking. She covers my hand with hers, fingers weaving with mine.
Behind us, the river moves like a dark ribbon in the snowy twilight. The fire crackles warm and bright. Our children shriek and bicker and laugh, building their snow family, completely unaware of how perfect this moment is. I tuck Lucy into my side, keeping her close as we watch our kids pack snow onto the newest, tiniest snowman.
My chest swells until it almost aches.
Ten years ago, I stood in this same valley thinking I’d live and die with nothing but my duty and my ghosts. No family. No softness. No love.
And now?
Five kids stomping through the snow. A sixth on the way. The woman I adore pressed against me. A river whispering in the background. Snow falling like magic dust from the sky.
My life is loud, chaotic, messy. And perfect.
I kiss Lucy’s temple, voice low, rough, honest. “You’ve made me happier than I ever imagined. Happier than I knew I was allowed to be.”
She turns her face, lips brushing my jaw. “Good. Because you’ve always been home for me.”
I close my eyes and let the moment sink deep. “I still can’t believe you promised me forever, Lucy.”
Her voice softens. “Always.”
And we stand there—husband, wife, five kids, one more on the way—wrapped in winter magic by the Phantom River, the snow falling gently around us like a blessing. Forever has never felt so certain. So chaotic. Or so beautiful.
The End