Merry Christmas

Christmas always made her smile and the feeling she gets from the holiday is like no other. As the sound and smell of Christmas wrapped itself around her she took Andy's hand in hers and gave it a squeeze. He turned and smile with the biggest grin on his face. He looked right and then left at his family around him. Nicole, John his son-in-law, Matthew and Jake his step-grandsons, Emily, Ricky, Rusty, his son Ben and Gus. Life could not get any better after the year they had with his health scare, the shooting of Chief Taylor and one of the worst case since Stroh. If you told him that this would be his life five years ago he would have thought you'd lost your mind. With the forgiveness from his kids and finding the love of his life he had a feeling of floating on cloud nine. After a quick kiss to her temple he focused his gaze back to the mid-night mass service.

Just before thanksgiving, they were able to find the house of their dreams. A four bedroom, three bathroom house, with a half bath on the first floor. Sharon wanted to find a place before the holiday madness descended upon them especially after spending it in the hospital last year.

Not much repairs was needed to the house and she was thankful for that. With both the sale of the condo and Andy's house they were able to pay for the house in full. That was something they agreed upon when they were house hunting because retirement was fast approach and they did not want to have a mortgage to deal with. They both came with no debt to the relationship and wanted that to continue. Andy was adamant of making sure to be debt free especially if anything happened to him in the line of work or any other health scare that Sharon would not have anything to worry about financial.

As mass came to a close all the kids made their way out of the church to wait for Sharon and Andy to finish lighting the candles at the back of the church. A short while later they appeared hand in hand with smiles and look of love on their faces. Hugs and kisses were shared before leaving in separate cars to the house to enjoy each other as a family.

One last surprise was waiting for Sharon at home. They entered the house that was beautiful decorated from ceiling to floor and everywhere in-between. As Sharon turned her back to remove her coat everyone took up their positions in the large living room of the house with signs that expressed what she has meant to each of them. The finally sign was from Andy with a marriage proposal.

Right behind them hang a huge banner that read, Sharon will you marry me in green, red and white – the colors most associated with Christmas.

Slowly making his way towards her, Andy expressed everything that she has meant to him.

You are the love of my life, the most beautiful women on the face of this earth. You humble me with your kindness, your big heart, your sense of occasion, your gracefulness, your unconditional love, your sense of self, and more importantly your love of family.

I am lucky to know you, I am lucky to be loved by you, I am lucky to learn from you and I am truly a better person because of you.

WILL YOU MARRY ME.?

As the rest of the family looked on in wonder, they all new that this is the kind of love that they wanted to find.

Sharon with tears in her eyes and a big smile on her face whispered, "Yes, I will marry you. You've made me the happiest women on the face of the earth. I would be honored to spend the rest of my life with you and to one day retire together and spend the rest of our days with our growing family."

THE END.