Chapter 8

Six months had passed since Rose and Mark had rekindled their relationship. Though the distance had been challenging, they had found a rhythm that worked for them. They talked numerous times throughout the day, and Rose visited Mark on the road a few times, getting a glimpse of the demanding world of wrestling he was now part of. She loved seeing him doing what he loved even though she worried about the toll it would take on him physically over the years. She treasured her time with him on the road.

Still, nothing compared to having him home.

Rose had been working at her mother's bakery all day when she got the call. Mark was back in town. He hadn't mentioned he was coming, so the news sent her heart racing. She quickly finished her shift, wiped the flour from her hands, and made her way home, expecting him to meet her there.

Instead, she found a note on her doorstep.

"Come find me at the old Whitaker house."

Confused but intrigued, she hopped into her car and drove to the property just on the outskirts of Frost Hollow. The old house had been vacant for years, but as Rose pulled up, she noticed the once-overgrown property had been cleaned up, and the front porch looked freshly painted. Mark stood on the porch, his broad frame silhouetted against the warm glow of the setting sun. He turned when he heard her car, a smile breaking across his face.

"Mark, what are you doing here?" she asked, stepping out of the car.

"I wanted to show you something," he said, motioning for her to join him.

As she walked up the steps, she noticed the house looked… different. It still had its old charm, but the windows were new, and the railing on the porch had been repaired.

"Did you do all this?" she asked, glancing around.

Mark shrugged, a hint of pride in his expression. "I've been working on it when I could. Figured it was time to move out of my parents house and let Kane have it. I feel this is a good place to put down my own roots. Plus it has lots of land to build on if need a bigger house."

Her eyes widened. "Wait… are you saying—"

"I bought it," he said, cutting her off. "It's mine. Well, ours, if you'll have me. I was hoping you would come live with me and make this place truly a home. Besides moving in with me there is one more very important question I need to ask."

Rose's heart skipped a beat as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. Her breath caught as he got down on one knee, his eyes never leaving hers.

"Rose," he began, his deep voice steady but filled with emotion. "You've been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. You've been my best friend, my biggest supporter, and the reason I want to settle down and make a home here. I can not imagine anyone else I want to take this life's journey with. I love you more than anything. I don't want to waste another second without you by my side," he paused, opening the box to reveal a simple yet stunning diamond ring. The stone caught the last rays of the sun, sparkling as brightly as the tears welling in Rose's eyes. "Will you marry me?"

Rose's hands flew to her mouth as a sob escaped her. She nodded frantically, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Yes, Mark. Of course, yes!"

He stood, slipping the ring onto her finger before pulling her into his arms. Rose smiled through her happy tears, holding him as tightly as she could.

"I can't believe all this," she said, looking down at the ring then at the house. "Am I dreaming? Are we really going to get married and live here?"

"Darling, you're not dreaming this is all real. You're stuck with me forever now," he grinned, leaning down kissing her deeply. "I wanted a place we could call our own. Somewhere we could start the next chapter of our lives. Kane always loved our parents' house more than me. He is comfortable living with the ghosts there. I felt it was time for a change and I wanted to surprise you."

Rose shook her head, laughing. "You've always been full of surprises, Mark."

He leaned down, resting his forehead against hers. "And I plan to keep surprising you for the rest of our lives."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Rose stood on the porch of their new home, wrapped in Mark's arms.

Snow fell softly over the town, blanketing it in a pristine layer of white that glistened under the twinkling lights strung across the square. The towering Christmas tree stood at the center of it all, its branches adorned with ornaments, ribbons, and memories of countless holiday seasons. But this year, it wasn't just the town's gathering place—it was the backdrop for a love story years in the making.

Mark stood near the base of the tree, dressed in a sharp black suit with a dark red tie that matched the holiday theme. His brother Kane adjusted his own tie, smirking at Mark's nervous fidgeting.

"You've been facing some of the toughest guys in the ring, but a wedding with the love of your life has you breaking a sweat?" Kane teased.

Mark rolled his eyes, though a small smile broke through. "This is different, and you know it one day when you find your soulmate."

Kane clapped him on the back. "Yeah, it is. But you've got this. She loves you, and you love her. That's all that matters."

Mark took a deep breath, letting Kane's words sink in. The crowd of family and friends gathered around the tree, bundled up against the cold but radiating warmth as they chatted and laughed. At the far end of the square, the soft notes of a piano began to play, signaling the start of the ceremony.

Everyone turned as Rose appeared, walking arm-in-arm with her mother. She looked radiant in a simple white gown that shimmered faintly, like fresh snow under moonlight. Her blonde hair was pulled back into soft curls, and she carried a bouquet of red roses tied with a silver ribbon.

Mark's breath hitched as their eyes met. She smiled at him, and for a moment, the world seemed to fade away.

When she reached him, her mother gave her a kiss on the cheek and stepped back. Rose took Mark's hands, her fingers trembling slightly in his.

"You look beautiful," Mark whispered, his voice rough with emotion.

"And you look handsome," she replied, her cheeks tinged pink—not from the cold but from the overwhelming happiness that filled her.

The officiant began to speak, his words about love and commitment blending with the soft hum of the wind and the faint jingling of sleigh bells in the distance. But for Mark and Rose, nothing else existed in that moment except each other.

When it came time for their vows, Mark spoke first.

"Rose, you've been the light in my life for as long as I can remember. Even when we were apart, you were always in my heart. Today, standing here in front of the same tree where we discovered our snowflakes matched, I promise to love you, protect you, and cherish you for the rest of my life. You're my everything."

Tears streamed down Rose's face as she began her own vows.

"Mark, you've always been my safe place, my strength, and my greatest love. Even when I was scared to believe in us, you never gave up. Today, in front of the tree that brought us together, I promise to stand by your side through every challenge, every joy, and every moment in between. I love you more than words can say."

When they exchanged rings, Mark's large hands trembled slightly as he slipped the delicate band onto her finger. Rose's hands shook just as much as she slid his ring onto his finger, smiling through her tears.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the officiant announced. "Mark, you may kiss your bride."

Mark leaned down, his hands cupping her face as he kissed her deeply. The crowd erupted into cheers, and the Christmas lights twinkled brighter than ever.

As they turned to face their friends and family, Rose rested her head on Mark's shoulder, her hand firmly in his, as they stood together under the tree that would always mean something special to them.

Later, as they danced at the reception held in the town hall, Rose whispered in Mark's ear, "Your mom was always right about the Snowflake myth. She said the snowflakes have the Christmas magic of showing two souls that they truly belong together."

He smiled, pulling her closer. "We definitely belong together. I will love you till my last breath, Rose."

And as the snow continued to fall outside, Mark and Rose began their forever, surrounded by the love of their family, friends, and the magic of Christmas.