Thank you all! Hope you enjoy the ending!

Epilogue

Two Years Later- Christmas Day

Snow danced around the windows, making Drew rush from window to window to try and get the best view he could as the snow accumulated on the ground. Anna walked up behind him, placing her hands on his shoulders to pause him and take in the sight with him.

"It's beautiful," she breathed. The snow was still coming down and it already had made their entire yard thick with the white powder.

"It's what Dad says makes the best Christmas," Drew stated. He turned his head, as though he was searching for his father.

And a moment later, John was coming down the stairs with a six month old little boy in his arms. Anna quickly took the baby from his hands and then the four of them glanced out the window.

"Look, Jack, it's your very first snow," Anna told her baby boy. The little boy's eyes widened, taking in the sights. John slid his arm around Anna's lower back and moved her closer to him, so he could kiss the top of her head.

"It really is a magical Christmas," John murmured.

"It is," Anna had to agree.

"When's Gran going to get down here?" Drew then questioned, becoming impatient. His eyes fell to the presents under the tree.

"Just a moment," John promised.

Just a year and a half ago, Anna and John had married. He moved in with Anna at her new house, which also had an in-law suite above the garage. It made sense to move her in with them. They had all lived happily together for the past year and a half, Jack joining them just six months ago.

"I'm here," Nora said just a second later, stepping down the stairs from her in-suite. "I know the boys are excited to open their presents."

"We are!" Drew answered for him and his brother. "Though," Drew added in thought. "I doubt Jack even knows its Christmas."

"Oh, he knows," Nora stated with a wink. She walked up to her new grandson and touched his chubby cheek. "Don't you, Jackie? You know it's Christmas." Jack's bright blue eyes shined, as a large smile grew on his lips.

They all then headed into the living room that was adorned from top to bottom with Christmas decorations. It had taken Anna some time to get used to this new set up. She let John be in charge of the decorations, only requesting that she got to place the special ornament he got her two years prior on the tree.

Drew loved it. He had helped Nora and John set it all up, while Anna and Baby Jack watched in awe as it all came together.

John had even been able to convince Anna for them to wear matching Christmas pajamas this year. He found a set of pajamas that had reindeer on the front and flannel on the bottoms. Anna had to admit that they were cute. They even did their Christmas card photos in them and this morning as Anna took pictures, she knew she'd appreciate how they all matched.

She cuddled up on the couch with Jack in her lap and next to her adoring husband. His hand remained touching her. She found it often did that, always lingering when he was nearby. It always made her smile and feel so loved.

Drew was already on the floor, searching through the gifts to find a present for Nora. Last year, they had started their first year of family traditions. The gift tradition was that presents were opened from oldest to youngest. It had been Drew's idea, but Anna could tell that he was already eyeing the gifts with his name on them. But he grabbed one for Nora and walked it over to her.

"Here, Gran! And Happy Christmas. I picked this gift out all by myself and I do hope you'll like it," Drew told her. Nora gave Drew a smile and patted his cheek. She had become Drew's grandmother before they were even engaged, always treating him as though he was her very own. Anna, who would never admit it out loud, had been a little nervous if her affection to Drew would wane when Jack was born, but she was been wrong to be worried. Nora adored them both the same.

Nora opened the gift and she smiled, as she pulled out an obnoxious Christmas sweater. No matter how much Anna enjoyed Christmas now, she still did not get the allure of the obnoxious sweater Nora and John seemed to enjoy. When Drew had seen this particular sweater in the store, he had insisted he needed to get it for his Gran.

"Oh Drew! I love it!"

"Really?"

"Yes! Thank you!"

Drew giggled and then continued with passing out presents.

As they finished up opening presents, Jack had begun to fall asleep in Anna's arms, no longer interested in the paper that he had been playing with all morning.

"I can take him up," John offered. Anna just shook her head and kissed his cheek.

"It'll be alright."

"Once Jack's down for a nap, can we go outside to play in the snow?"

"Absolutely!" John told Drew.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Once Anna was back downstairs, she could see John, Nora, and Drew all outside in the snow. They were still in their pajamas with their large jackets, gloves, and hats on. Anna chuckled. She placed the baby monitor on the table and went to grab her own jacket. As she placed it over her shoulders, she tucked her hands into the pockets. They touched something smooth and cool. Pulling out the item, she saw it was the necklace. Her brows furrowed. She had been sure it was just upstairs in her jewelry box.

Shaking her head, she put it on and then grabbed the monitor to go outside.

Outside, John came up to stand by her. His arm came around her and she melted against him. They seemed to just fit right. Anna couldn't believe how lucky they had been to meet accidently through a Zoom meeting. It almost felt too contrived and yet, here they were.

"Did he go down alright?"

"Yes, the excitement from the morning wore him out," Anna answered. Then she laughed. John cocked his head to the side and eyed her carefully.

"What's so funny?"

"Just…doesn't sort of feel like how we met and came together was like one of those silly Christmas movies?"

"What? No," John disagreed, but then he laughed as well. "Well, maybe…but what's wrong with that?"

"Nothing," Anna said, "Nothing at all, Mr. Bates. I'm quite glad it worked out the way that it did."

"Me too, my darling."

THE END