“I’m going to leave that up to you. I’m okay with whatever you want to call me. As far as I’m concerned, you’re already my little girl.”
“Y-you want me to…to be y-your daughter?” Her tender voice shook, and tears crowded the corners of her eyes.
“I do.”
Her chest rose and fell quickly. “So…so…I could…I could call you…Daddy?”
He swallowed hard. Hearing the word from her mouth made his heart roll over in his chest. “I’d like that very much. But, know this, Maddie. Whatever you are comfortable with is all right with me.”
She launched herself across the seat and threw her arms around his neck. “I want a Daddy more than anything.”
So choked up he couldn’t speak, he simply hugged her to him. After he composed himself, he pushed her back a little. “Okay. For now, Tink, this has to be our secret, because you see, I haven’t asked yet if she wants to marry me. She might say no.”
“Oh please, get real.” She patted his arm. “She’s just waiting for you to ask.”
He laughed, something he’d been doing a lot of lately. “Tonight’s the night.”
“I have never seen a more beautiful tree in my life,” said Sky as she stood back and eyed their handiwork.
“Yes, ma’am, Miss Sky,” said John, who was a last-minute addition to the party thanks to Maddie. “That is the prettiest tree I’ve ever seen.”
“Turn out the lights, Da—uh, I mean, Max so we can turn on the Christmas tree ones.”
Sky looked at Maddie and not for the first time tonight wondered why she was so excited. At first, she passed it off as the sugar high from their stop at the Dairy Barn, but it was more than that. And she and Max kept looking at each other and grinning like they had a secret.
Max turned out the room lights and hit the switch on the tree just as the first notes of Silent Night drifted through the television speakers.
The room went silent for several heartbeats as they gazed at the brightly lit tree.
Max came to stand beside her, one arm around her waist, a sprig of mistletoe in his other hand, which he held over her head.
“I believe I’m due a kiss now.”
“I believe you are.”
His lips touched hers, and he whispered softly. “Marry me, Sky.”
She hesitated, unsure she heard him right. “What?”
He stepped back and reached into his pocket. He opened the velvet box and presented it to her. “I love you, Skylar Ward. Marry me and put me out of my misery.”
“Oh, Max.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes. Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
Maddie jumped up and down, hands clapping furiously. “Finally, Daddy. I didn’t think you’d ever do it!”
Max took the beautiful solitaire from the box and slipped it on her trembling finger, then kissed her again.
“There’s one more thing,” said Max. He turned to Maddie and knelt in front of her. “This is for you.” He pulled another box from his pocket and opened it. Inside rested a tiny heart shaped topaz ring. “It’s your birthstone. I was going to give it to you for your birthday but decided to do it now.”
Maddie squealed with delight as Max put the ring on her finger.
Sky had no idea how he got the size right for it was a perfect fit. Just like hers.
“Look Mama! Daddy gave me a ring, too!”
Max stood up and whispered to Sky. “I told her she could call me whatever she wanted when I asked her permission to marry you.”
“You asked her permission?”
“Of course.”
“Have I told you lately how much I love you?”
“Maybe you could tell me again. I kinda like hearing it.”
John interrupted and pulled Sky into a bear hug. “Congratulations, Miss Sky. You have yourself a good man there.” He clamped Max on the shoulder. “Congratulations, son,” he said, “I couldn’t be happier.” He clapped his hands together. “When’s the big day?”
Sky looked at Max. “Well, gee, we just now got engaged.”
“I was thinking,” said Max. “I’d like to get married on New Year’s Day…to symbolize our new life together.”
“That’s the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard,” said Sky. “New Year’s Day it is.”
John reached for his hot chocolate. “Too bad we don’t have any champagne to toast with, but this is just as good.”
Everyone grabbed their cups and clinked them together as John said, “Congratulations to a beautiful family.”
