The Christmas Miracle

Chapter 4: The Winter Festival

The days leading up to the festival are filled with a lot of joy and pain. Dad's condition only worsens and on the morning of the festival, he can't even manage to get himself out of bed. Noah and Vada argue that he should be taken to the hospital. Mom continues to stand her ground on keeping him here at the house with all of us.

Wyatt and I just stand off to the side while they work it all out.

"He doesn't have much time," Wyatt says.

I grab him and pull him into me. "That's why we have to make every one of these moments count."

Vada and Wyatt decide to join me at the Winter festival, while Noah and mom take care of dad. Mom tried to convince Noah to go, but he just wouldn't budge.

Brayden spots me almost immediately and waves me over.

Vada and Wyatt both leave me with a wink. "Have fun, Lina," Is all I here before she is lost into the crowd of people.

For a small town, this festival is pretty packed. Way bigger than I remember.

Brayden gives me his adorable dimpled smile and I melt. "Hi," I greet him.

He hugs me tightly. "I'm so glad that you made it. I see Vada and Wyatt came along too. The more the merrier."

"Yes, they needed a little break."

"I agree. And so do you. Let's go have some fun," he says.

The next few hours are filled with games, food, and dancing. Vada ends up dancing with an old friend of hers, Mitchell Danvers. I notice that Wyatt has bought some hot chocolate for a sweet girl with auburn hair around his age. I smile at the sight of my family in front of me. This is what Christmas and family are all about. I frown. I just wish Noah, mom, and dad could be here with us.

They are in spirit, a positive voice in my head assures me. That they are.

Brayden pulls me away from the crowd. "Want to take a walk?" he asks.

"Sure," I nod happily.

He leads me to a beautifully lit gazebo, filled with twinkling white lights. "This is beautiful," I say.

"You sure are," He responds with an intense gaze.

I swat him gently on the shoulder. "Dork," I say, trying to lighten the mood. "But thank you."

"Lina, I can't tell you how amazing it has been to see you after these few years. I can't help but wonder if you would ever reconsider giving us a chance."

My heart quickens. Say something. Anything. "Wow." Anything but that. I internally slap myself. "I mean, I feel the same way. I've been home for nine days and I am so happy. I can't believe I missed out on so much."

He grabs my hands and rubs them gently. "Thinking back to when we were kids, I know exactly why you said no when I proposed. We were both so young, only seventeen. It's been five years. What do you say to trying again?"

I stare into his beautiful blue eyes. "Yes." Just like that Brayden is wrapping his arms around me and pulling me in for a kiss. His warmth envelops me, and for the first time in a long time, everything is clear to me. This is where I truly belong.

When his lips meet mine the magic I am feeling only grows. His warmth envelops me and it is better than I can remember.