A Family Under the Christmas Tree (27 page)

Dear Sophie, please accept this money, not because I owe you, but because I want you to enjoy yourself on your trip. Buy something fun that makes you smile. We hope you'll come back to visit soon. We'll miss you. David.

“Ah, David,” she whispered. “I'm not going anywhere.”

She tucked the note back into the envelope and hurried outside. The powerful streetlamps at the front of the church provided enough illumination for her to easily find David under the massive tree in front of the church. His head was bowed.

She hesitated, afraid to intrude.

Then he straightened and spun around to face her.

His eyes widened. “Sophie? Is everything okay?”

She blew out a breath and then strode forward with purpose. “Yes, it is. I need to tell you something.”

Wariness entered his gaze. “Okay.”

Suddenly she felt tongue-tied as the words she wanted to say stuck in her throat.

He tilted his head. “Soph?”

“Why have you been pushing me away the past few days?” She blurted out the question, then held her breath.

He rubbed a hand over his jaw. “That's a complicated question with a complicated answer.”

She dipped her chin. “Really? From where I'm standing it seems like a pretty easy question.”

“Okay, the question is straightforward, but Sophie, the answer isn't.” He reached out to tuck her hair behind her ears, his touch a caress. “You see, I made you a promise and I really, really want to break it.”

Anticipation lifted her spirits. “What promise?”

He cupped her cheek, his thumb rubbing along her jawline. “That I wouldn't ask you to stay.”

Elated by his answer, she turned her cheek into his hand. “You don't have to ask.”

“What?”

She took his hands in hers and held his gaze. She needed him to know, to understand. “Grandma accused me of living my life safely behind my camera lens. She was right. My whole life I've been too scared to really live, to allow anyone too close when I was so sure no one could ever really love me.”

“Sophie—”

She put a finger to his lips to stop his pained voice. “I'm ready to fully embrace life. And love. I love you, David Murphy. There is nowhere on earth I'd rather be than here with you and Troy.”

For a long moment, he stood there staring at her. “Are you sure?”

“I've never been more sure of anything in my life,” she told him, knowing that it was the truth. “I love you.”

He tugged her closer. “I've held back my heart for so long, fearing love because it always came with pain. I've lost so many people.”

She wrapped her arms around him wanting to absorb his pain. “I know. But you have me and Troy now. We're not going anywhere, God willing.”

He closed his eyes for a moment. “That's it, isn't it. Only God is in control.”

“Yes. We place our lives and hearts in His care.”

David exhaled, the tension leaving his body. “I love you, Sophie Griffith. Enough to let you go.”

Her tummy fluttered. He loved her. Excitement built in her chest.

Then the last part of his statement registered and it shook her. “But I don't want to go. Not if it means leaving you.”

He gave her a crooked smile. “Then I guess Troy and I are coming with you to Zurich.”

Her heart soared. Love and joy spread through her, making her limbs weak. “As much as I love that idea, no. You've a company to run and Troy has school that starts back up in a week. I will ask my agent to contact the skiwear company to see if they'd be willing to substitute the Cascades for the Alps. I'll send them a cute picture of Riggs and suggest using him in the images. And if they won't . . .” She shrugged. Nothing was more important than this man and the family they could build together. “There will be other jobs.”

“No, Sophie, you need to go. I refused to allow you to give up your career for me.”

“It's one job, not my career. Seattle is a thriving place with lots of opportunities for a photographer.”

“You've wanted this job for a long time. It's important to your career, your dreams.”

She couldn't deny that. “I'd be gone for three weeks.” It would seem like a lifetime.

He cupped her cheek. “And Troy and I will be here when you return.”

Her heart melted and puddled at his feet. Tears sprang to her eyes. He was such a dear, loving man. “Thank you. I love you. And come summertime, the three of us traveling together . . .” She touched his face. “I know now why my past romances failed. I wasn't ready to fully give my heart. But I am now. To you. You have my heart, David. Both you and Troy. For now and always.”

He pulled her into his embrace. “I love you so much. And I need you more than I can ever tell you.” He leaned back. “I have something for you.” He reached into his pocket and withdrew a slim box wrapped in red glittery paper. “Until I can put a ring on your finger this will have to do.”

She took the box with shaky hands and undid the wrapping. Inside lay the beautiful snowflake bracelet she'd seen in the store. “Oh, David.”

He lifted the bracelet from the cotton padding and secured it around her wrist. The dangling snowflake charms sparkled in the light. Then she noticed snowflakes landing on her arm. “It's snowing for real.”

He looked up and laughed when he saw that she was right.

“My mother always told me that snowflakes were kisses from angels,” David murmured right before he captured her mouth for a soul-searing, heat-inducing kiss.

“Sophie, Uncle David!” Troy's exuberant cry broke them apart seconds before Troy wrapped his tiny arms around their legs. “You're kissing!”

Sophie laughed as tears of joy sprang to her eyes.

David scooped Troy into his arms. “Yes, we are.”

Troy peered at them. “Does this mean we can be a family?”

“I do believe that is the plan,” David said, his gaze on Sophie.

She snuggled into his side, wrapping her arm around him, the other holding Troy's hand. “Would that be okay, Troy?”

“Yay! I got what I wanted for Christmas.”

Sophie shared a startled look with David. Apparently Troy had asked Santa and prayed for them to be a family. Her whole being expanded with love and gratitude.

Riggs's happy bark drew their attention to Grandma and Simon. They'd come out of the church and were standing on the walkway. Simon had his arm around Grandma and she looked quite comfortable there. Troy wiggled out of David's arms and landed on his feet at a run. He and Riggs played in the falling snow.

Sophie turned to David. “Will you accept my apology for telling
Grandma about the app? I didn't think she would mention it to Simon. But obviously they're a couple. And couples—”

“Tell each other everything,” he finished for her and wiped a snowflake from her nose. “I forgive you. Will you accept my apology for overreacting?”

“Yes.” She peered at him with a grin. “You do that often, you know.”

He shrugged with a sheepish expression crossing his handsome face. “I'm not perfect.”

She laughed. “Good thing, because I'm not either.”

“To me you are.” He placed a quick kiss on her lips before urging her forward to join the older couple.

“What a merry Christmas this has turned out to be.” Grandma beamed and laid her head on Simon's shoulder.

“Yes, indeed. A very merry Christmas,” Sophie agreed, hugging David.

“Should we head home for a proper family Christmas Eve dinner?” Grandma asked. “And the presents under the tree?”

Sophie smiled up at David. “Yes, a family for Christmas. The best gift ever.”

T
he small dressing room off the vestibule of the Good Hope Christian Church was fragrant with the aroma of a dozen gardenias and roses. Sophie lifted her camera to take a picture of the beautiful bouquets resting on a side table. She turned the camera toward the vanity, where her grandma sat while Sophie's mom fussed with Grandma's hair.

“Smile, ladies,” Sophie instructed.

Both women met the camera lens with bright smiles in the mirror.

Sophie clicked off several shots. “Perfect.”

Her mom looked stunning with her hair, still blond thanks to a good hairdresser, twisted into a fancy knot at the back of her head. A string of pearls rested just above the collar of her lilac-colored, designer dress suit.

Mom had curled Grandma's hair and now fastened a headdress with seed pearls to her silver hair. The blush pink silk dress,
reminiscent of old Hollywood, highlighted the soft blush high on Grandma's cheeks.

A knock sounded at the door. Sophie set aside her camera and moved to open it.

“Stop!” Mom called as she hurried to block Sophie.

“If it's the groom, he can't see the bride before the ceremony,” Mom stated. “I'll answer it.”

Sophie held up her hands in surrender. Mom liked to be in control, though she'd hired one of LA's best wedding planners to fly up to Washington and coordinate the event.

Mom opened the door. Sophie heard David's deep voice on the other side. Her heart skipped several beats. Ever since she returned from her trip in the Alps two weeks ago, she, David, and Troy had spent every moment possible together. Troy was doing well in school and David finally finished his app and was ready to roll it out next month.

Sophie's photo shoot had been a success, and the client had already put her on hold for July, when the company would reveal a new line of active wear. She was hoping the shoot would be somewhere that David and Troy would like to visit.

Mom shut the door and leaned against it. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes bright. “That was David. He wants to talk to you.”

Sophie took a step.

“Wait.” Mom gathered Sophie's hands into hers. “I like your young man. Very thoughtful. He and Troy came to LA while you were gone.”

Sophie blinked in surprise. “They did?”

“Yes. They came to officially ask your father for your hand in marriage.”

“He did?” A joyful thrill raced through her. That was so sweet
and old-fashioned. And something her dad would have liked. Sophie swung her gaze to Grandma. “Did you know about this?”

Grandma swiveled on the vanity stool and smiled, looking pleased. “I did.”

Mom squeezed Sophie's hands. “We're very proud of you, Soph.”

Sophie's heart clenched. “You are?”

“Of course. You are such a beautiful, talented woman and I'm so happy you've finally found someone to share your life with.” Mom's eyes misted with tears.

“Thank you, Mom.” Sophie hugged her.

Disengaging and smoothing out her dress, Mom waved her hand toward the door. “David's waiting.”

Sophie stepped out to find both David and Troy waiting for her. The pair looked stunningly handsome in matching tuxedos. Troy held a small pillow with two beautiful rings tied to the center. At Troy's feet lay Riggs, sporting a black bow tie. His coat had been brushed to a gleaming sheen. He rose to his feet as she approached. Her three men. Her heart expanded in her chest, nearly bursting with love.

David opened his arms and Sophie glided into his embrace.

“Is everything okay?” Sophie asked.

“Yes.” David pulled back to look into her eyes. “I have something to ask you.”

Troy tugged at David's jacket.

David smiled. “We have something to ask you.”

“Uncle David, you know Grandma said you have to go on one knee.”

Sophie's pulse kicked into high gear. One knee?

“Right.” David released Sophie to go on bent knee. From the inside pocket of his jacket he produced a small black jewelry box.

Sophie's
breath caught and held.

David opened the box to reveal a dazzling engagement ring. A wreath of hearts of fire diamonds surrounded a flawless center diamond, creating a truly elegant snowflake. “Sophie Griffith, I love you. Will you marry me?”

Tears of joy filled her eyes. “Yes, a thousand times yes.”

David slipped the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly. “Oh, David, I love you, too.” She tugged him to his feet and pressed her lips to his.

Troy giggled and Riggs let out a happy-sounding bark, lifting Sophie's heart.

The deep sound of a throat clearing broke them apart. Her father stood behind David, tall and broad-shouldered. A silver fox looking sharp in his black tux. His blue eyes, eyes so like Grandma's, twinkled in the wall sconce lights.

“Dad.” Sophie held up her hand. “Look.”

Her dad grinned. “It's wonderful. I'm so happy for you both.”

Sophie hugged her father. “Thank you,” she whispered into his ear.

He embraced her back with gentleness, then set her free and wiped at his eyes.

“Grandma Louise,” Troy said. “You look beautiful.”

They all turned to see her grandma gliding forward, a vision in her wedding gown. Mom handed Sophie her bridesmaid bouquet.

“Places everyone,” the diminutive wedding coordinator from LA commanded with a clap of her hands. She had a headset on and spoke into it. “Start the processional music.”

David held out his arm to Mom and led her inside the sanctuary.

“Okay, ring bearer and, uh, companion, you're up,” the wedding planner said, urging Troy and Riggs to walk down the aisle.

Panic flashed across Troy's face. Sophie put her hand on his shoulder. “I'll be right behind you two.”

He nodded and moved forward. Riggs walked beside him, his large paws padding softly on the red carpet runner. Sophie followed close behind the pair as her father offered Grandma his arm.

The sanctuary was filled with family and friends. At the altar, Simon Bichon stood with a tender smile on his handsome face. Beside him stood his son, who'd flown in from back east, and David.

Sophie took her place and met David's loving gaze. One day soon it would be Sophie's turn to commit her life and love to the man of her dreams. She couldn't be more blessed.