November 26^th

Dan wearily poured himself a mug of hot coffee. The chill of the morning was finally seeping from his bones. He had a roaring fire blazing in the cabin’s fireplace, hot coffee in his hand, and pumpkin bread, fresh from Crabapple Farm. He was almost content.

He had gone back to work on the New York City Police Department after his gun shot wound had healed. Now, he was back in Sleepyside.

Back home, where he belonged. He had done his recuperation at the cabin before returning to work.

The city had lost some of its luster for him. But, Dan couldn’t blame the city. It was still strong, glittering, and alive, like it was before he was injured trying to rescue Jilly Brandon from her stalker.

Something happened to Dan during his time on that case. Jilly happened.

He sipped his coffee, trying to remember where Jilly said she’d be today.

Jilly Brandon was on her way to being a country music star. She’d gotten a little sidetracked by that stalker business, but Dan was almost grateful for it.

The stalker, Bert Nelson, her manager, had made it possible for Dan to meet and fall in love with Jilly. And fall he did.

The days he’d spent with Jilly, here at the cabin and then at the Manor House, had been more special to him than any other time he could remember.

He’d thought Jilly had walked out of his life after the case was over, but one phone call changed that.

“Jilly? It’s me, Dan.”

Silence, then he heard a sniff.

“Jilly?”

“I’m here. It’s so good to hear your voice. I’ve been thinking about you.”

“I’ve been thinking about you too.”

On her end, Jilly was thankful Dan couldn’t see her. The tears had started as soon as she heard his voice. She sank to the floor and was leaning against the wall in the dining room of her aunt’s apartment.

The bar wasn’t yet busy and Dan was thankful he could carry on the conversation with little distraction. He knew Jim was waiting outside to drive him home, but he didn’t care.

“How are you?” they asked the other simultaneously.

They laughed together too.

“How are you, Jilly? I was worried about you,” Dan asked when they’d sobered.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry. It’s you I was worried about. Have you gotten back to work yet?”

“Not yet, but soon.”

“That’s good! I’m sorry that you got hurt when you were protecting me.”

Dan thought he heard a quiver in her voice.

“I’d do it all again, Jilly,” he told her, quietly yet firmly.

Jilly was quiet for a moment, then,

“I can’t tell you what- well, what you did for me. I don’t even mean saving me from Bert.”

Dan absorbed her words, then went out on that limb, “What did I do? Except love you.”

Dan kicked himself when she didn’t answer.

Finally, he couldn’t stand it any longer, “I’m sorry-“

“No! Please, don’t say that you’re sorry! Just give me a minute to stop shaking!”

Dan grinned then for the first time in the conversation.

“OK, I am still shaking, but, I can continue. Do you mean that?”

“Absolutely!” Dan said with no hesitation.

It was definitely do or die right now. He had put himself out there and there was no turning back. If she rejected him, then she was far enough away that it wouldn’t hurt.

Or at least he assured himself of that. He knew deep inside that he’d be heartbroken if she rejected him.

“Dan, what would you say if I told you I fell in love with you at the cabin?”

Dan couldn’t say a word for a full minute, then the loudest ‘Whoop!’ crossed the phone waves and Jilly needed to pull her phone away from her ear.

The few bar patrons there, were staring, but Dan didn’t care. He also didn’t care if Jim was standing in the parking lot grinning stupidly because he’d heard his friend.

“Are you still there?” he asked anxiously when he’d again gained control of himself.

“Yes!” Jilly’s laugh melted his heart.

“I- I just needed to tell you! I wasn’t sure you would feel the same way. I thought I was crazy for falling in love with someone so fast.”

“Dan, if you’re crazy then so am I!”

“Well, there is no one I want to be crazy with but you!”

“That’s the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me!” Jilly cried.

Dan heard the tell- tale signs of her tears and wanted nothing more than to hold her.

“Sshh! don’t cry sweetheart! When can you get here? Or I can come to Texas!”

Jilly composed herself, and said, “Oh Dan, I can’t and you can’t. I’m leaving Texas soon. My contract with Bert’s company was picked up by Rodney Miller, of Miller Enterprises, and he wants me to finish my next album, like yesterday. I am flying out to Nashville tomorrow morning and I’ll be stuck in a recording studio for the next however long.”

Dan thought about that, then, “At least you’re getting closer to me.”

Jilly’s soft laugh was reward enough.

“I promise when I get a break, I will be there on your door step.”

“You’d better be! I can come to you too! Just tell me when you’re free.”

“I have no idea when that will happen, but, I promise, I will come to you.”

“In the meantime, we can talk on the phone and email or Instant Message, right? I can have ‘phone sex or cyber sex’ if I have to.” Dan closed his eyes, he wasn’t even aware of what he was saying anymore.

But Jilly laughed, “Please, not before we have the ‘real’ thing! I want something to compare to!”

Her laughter was infectious and Dan chuckled out loud.

They talked about nothing really but just reveled in the sound of each other’s voice. All too soon, Jilly realized they had been on the phone for 45 minutes. Dan heard the beep of his battery going dead on his cell at the same time.

They reluctantly hung up after once again telling each other they loved the other.

That was three weeks ago and they still hadn’t gotten together. He knew she was in Nashville to record her album, and then she made the talk show circuit. Unfortunately, she was in California to do Leno, and she had already done Regis and Kelly. They were broadcasting from Las Vegas at the time, so she didn’t even get to be in New York for that.

Dan hadn’t had much chance to even talk with her, she was just that busy. Their communications were relegated to the computer in emails and messages.

Dan sighed and took a bite of his pumpkin bread. He felt like they’d taken one step forward and two steps back.

They had admitted to loving each other, yet they weren’t any closer to a relationship. And it frustrated Dan endlessly.

So much so, that he had been short with Mart at the Belden’s Thanksgiving Open House.

“Hey Mart,” Dan said in greeting as he walked up to Mart.

Mart was standing outside the farmhouse, watching for the guests so that he could park cars along with the help of his brother and best friend.

“Hi. How’s it going?”

Dan nodded, “Pretty good, I guess. I will be officially transferred to the Sleepyside PD as of Monday.”

“It’s good to have you back home, Dan.”

Dan nodded again, and was thankful when the first car came into the driveway.

That first car had opened the floodgates and it was some time before the friends were able to talk again, busy as they were parking the cars.

Finally, they were able to go into the house to eat and socialize with their friends.

Di looked up and smiled at them when Dan and Mart joined her in the kitchen.

“Dan, are you sure you should be doing this? Are you up to it?” she asked, concerned over her friend’s health.

Dan suppressed his sigh and tried to smile at Diana, “Yes, I’m fine. Don’t worry. I am back to work, nothing to worry about.”

Helen Belden poked her head into the kitchen where the young people were standing and talking.

“Thank you everyone for your help today, we appreciate it.” Helen turned to look at her middle son, “Mart, could you handle the music?”

Mart set his plate down on the counter and shuffled off to handle the music detail assigned to him.

Soon enough, the sounds were piping through the speakers and into the kitchen. Mart returned to claim his plate of food, seeing Dan’s frown as he reached for it.

“What?”

“Christmas music? Isn’t it a little early for that?”

“Hey, Moms put me in charge of the muzak, and I am in the mood for Christmas music. They always start blasting it on the radio this time of year.” Mart was a little defensive.

Dan’s tone of voice had caught him off guard.

Everyone had noticed Dan’s mood and had tried to bring him out of it, but had failed. Jim, Rachel and Honey watched the exchange, seeing the tension, hoping there would not be an argument.

Dan finished his cookie and excused himself to go outside. Stepping out onto the porch, Dan pulled the collar of his jacket up against the cold wind. Looking around, he eyed the darkening sky.

Daylight Savings Time. Ever since the time change, it got dark so early. Dan walked out into the field which held the parked cars.

His thoughts were jumbled and he knew his mood had put a damper on the festivities. Jilly!! Is this what their lives would be like? Would he always be in Sleepyside alone, while she toured and made appearances?

That thought chilled him to his very bone.

Dan stood at his sink, remembering he had gone back into the house and the mood was a little tense, but he just jumped into a conversation with Trixie and everyone relaxed.

Diana asked Nick about his planned art show and Nick began telling everyone the plans for the show to be held on New Year’s Eve.

“It’s been a little tough you know, planning it for this time of year. But everyone is telling me it’s a great time of year to do this. I think it’s hard around the holidays like this.”

Honey smiled, “We’ll all be there.”

“Thanks, I am glad to have you all as my friends.”

“And friends are here to help; do you need us to do anything?” Di offered.

“In a couple of weeks, I will need help hauling all of my work to the gallery in New York.”

“He is sending out special invitations too. Maybe Honey and her elegant, flowing penmanship could lend a hand there too?” Trixie asked hopefully.

“Of course. Tell me when and where to be and I’m there!” Honey smiled.

“I’m here too. Put me where you need me.” Rachel chimed in.

“Thank you! I will keep that in mind and I will be taking you all up on your offers.” Nick’s face lit up with gratitude.

The conversations turned to the holidays, and Dan’s face fell a little. Rachel noticed his reaction since it so obviously clashed with every one else’s reactions.

She made her way to his side.

“Dan, is something bothering you?” Rachel tried to be discreet with her question, making sure the others didn’t hear her ask it.

Dan looked down at her for a full minute before he shook his head.

“I’m OK. I – I just miss her, you know?”

Rachel smiled her sweet, gentle smile, and placed a comforting hand on his arm.

“Of course you do! We all understand that.”

“I know I’ve made things tense today, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it! We’ve all had bad days. Are you and Jilly going to be able to see each other for Christmas?”

Dan sighed heavily, “That’s just it! I don’t know. She says she can get away from promoting her album, but I’m afraid to hope in case she can’t.”

Rachel’s eyes welled with sympathetic tears. She really felt Dan’s pain and wished she could do something to help him out this holiday season. She knew if Jilly wasn’t able to make it for the holidays, Dan would be lost.

She gave him a quick hug and moved off to join Jim in the corner where he was speaking with Mr. Lytell. She kept her eye on Dan and noticed that Trixie and Diana quickly filled the space she’d left at his side and they kept him occupied for the rest of the day.

Dan sighed again, running his fingers through his hair. He hadn’t the chance to speak with Jilly since the day before Thanksgiving, and now that it was Monday morning again, he was afraid she’d call when he was at work. But, he’d left her both his cell and work numbers so that she could reach him at any time; he just hoped she would.

Dan settled into his new job with the Sleepyside Police Department. In the next three weeks, he’d been kept busy by his job and his friends. The job entailed keeping an extra watch out for some burglars making their way across the county; the friends tried to keep his mind off the fact that he’d only received one phone call from Jilly during that time. She had called from Las Vegas, and was in a rush. But, she had again stated her intent to come to Sleepyside for Christmas.

Dan decided to cling to that hope before the worry drove him crazy. His friends were in the holiday spirit and he was tugged along whether he liked it or not.

They’d organized a skating party one night under a full moon. Dan skated, wishing Jilly was there to share it with him. He had even mustered a laugh or two when he watched Mart get his ice skates tangled under him and he fell with a loud ‘whoosh’.

They’d gone caroling along with Bobby and both sets of the Lynch twins.

They’d even made a visit to the hospital and had taken some gifts to the kids who were going to be stuck there for Christmas. Dan had taken a liking to a sweet little red headed girl, named Amelia on a previous visit and made sure to return with a gift she would love. Amelia had confided in Dan that she wanted some books more than anything. And, she went on to tell Dan that if Santa brought one for her, she’d know he truly did exist and maybe she would get better after all. Amelia told Dan about hearing her mother pray that Amelia would get better and that it was all she wanted for Christmas.

After finding out later from Brian that Amelia had a form of leukemia, Dan went out and scoured the book stores for that little girl. He found her the 40^th Anniversary edition of Where the Wild Things Are, and wrapped it himself.

Seeing her face light up when she had opened it, made Dan’s worries seem very insignificant.

After the hospital, Dan put on a great show, but his mind was still miles away with the redhead, who had captured his heart.

Di was ever vigilant in her quest to keep Dan’s mind off Jilly. She invited him over one afternoon to help her wrap gifts.

She could tell Dan was distracted, but she definitely knew it when he wrapped a power drill for Mart and labeled it to her mother.

Di decided she’d better keep an eye on him and make sure he didn’t mislabel any other gifts.

Di was getting a box for her last gift to wrap when Dan seemed to raise his head from the clouds.

“What’s that?” He asked, motioning to the gift on the table.

Di smiled, “It’s a gift for Rachel. It’s a scrapbook of the time she’s been an honorary Bob-White. There are pictures of the night we all celebrated Brian moving to the clinic, and that was when she first met Jim. All the way through this last summer, I have pictures of a lot of things. Go ahead, take a look.”

Di pushed the scrapbook toward Dan and he eased it open. He flipped through the pages, smiling often over the memories the photos had invoked. Towards the end of the album, he found pictures of Jilly and some from her outings with the Bob-Whites.

Dan smiled at the grinning faces before him. Everything that was going on at that time and Jilly still managed to have fun. He marveled at her spirit and strength, and thanked God that she loved him.

Now, if she was just here!

Dan continued to go into work every day and tried not to think of his troubles with Jilly. He wasn’t actually having “trouble” with her, just trouble getting in touch with her. They continued to play phone tag and email tag. They never seemed to catch each other online and it frustrated Dan.

He knew she had completed the recording of her album. He hoped that meant she was free to come to New York but he had yet to hear from her about any travel plans.

December 22nd came upon him fast. He had finished his shift hours earlier, but was just leaving the station at 10:00 p.m., when it began to snow.

Because he was a new hire and single, he’d been drafted to work Christmas Eve. That didn’t bother Dan though, since he really had no plans.

Oh, he was supposed to go to the Frayne home for Christmas Eve dinner and a Bob-White and Friends party. But truth be told, his heart wasn’t into it. He hadn’t heard from Jilly all week and before that, when he did get an email from her, she hadn’t mentioned Christmas.

Dan looked up at the dark sky, noticing the flakes were coming down thicker. He decided to stop at Wimpy’s for a cup of coffee for the ride home.

Mike was working at the counter and looked up when Dan entered.

“Hey, Dan. You aren’t working out in this weather tonight, are you?”

“No. I’m on my way home. I just stopped for a cup of hot coffee for the road. I heard the weather could be bad. They are calling for at least eight inches and drifting by morning.”

“Yeah, I heard that too,” Mike replied as he poured Dan’s coffee in a Styrofoam cup.

Dan looked up as the door opened again and a truck driver stomped his way into the small diner.

“How is it out there?” Dan asked.

“It’s getting slick. Thankfully, I can stop now and get a room at the hotel in town.”

“That’s the smart thing to do. Maybe after they plow in the morning everything will be OK.”

Dan picked up his coffee and held it aloft to salute Mike and with a nod to the trucker, Dan left.

December 24^th, Ten Acres

“You made it!” Honey kissed Dan’s cheek as he walked through the door of Jim and Rachel’s home.

He brushed the snow from his hair before answering her.

“Yeah, but barely. The roads are bad!”

“Like the 7 ˝ inches of snow we got yesterday wasn’t enough, we need more?” Mart said as he stepped forward to shake Dan’s hand in greeting.

“There are reports of an accident on Albany Post Road. I was going to head out and see if I could help, but I barely made it over here.”

“I hope no one was hurt!” Di cried.

“I hadn’t heard yet, but it sounds like several cars were involved.” Dan said.

“If it’s bad, there will more accidents; I will probably get called into the hospital,” Brian said, moving to stand beside his wife.

Honey squeezed his arm. “I hope not! I don’t want you out there driving either.”

Rachel hung back from the group that had gathered to greet Dan. Jim noticed and moved to stand behind her.

“He will be upset, but not at you.”

Rachel jumped in surprise at the unexpected whisper in her ear.

Turning she looked up at her husband.

“I know, but I feel bad for him. This isn’t fair. Jilly is on her way here, to spend Christmas with him, but this blizzard had to shut down the airports.”

“I know. Maybe you shouldn’t even tell him she was on her way.”

Rachel spared Dan a quick glance, then, she turned back to Jim.

“No, I think he should know she tried to be with him.”

Jim leaned down to plant a quick kiss on her lips.

“Unfortunately, I do too.”

Rachel took his hand in hers and he gave it a reassuring squeeze.

She had taken upon herself to call Jilly yesterday and question her about her feelings for Dan. She’d been thrilled to learn that Jilly was as crazy about Dan as he was about her. Jilly had sworn Rachel to secrecy that she was flying into New York to be with Dan for the holidays.

Jilly had told Dan awhile ago that she was going to come for Christmas, but during the recent weeks when they hadn’t had much time to communicate, she thought it would be a great surprise to come into town unannounced.

Rachel was so happy for the couple, she agreed to keep Jilly’s impending arrival a secret. That is, until receiving the call from Jilly a few hours earlier.

“Rachel!! They won’t let us land at Kennedy! They landed us in Philadelphia!” Jilly cried over the phone.

“Oh no! Can you rent a car or something?”

“I am trying!! Our flight was solidly booked and the crowd descended on the car rental agents like flies on honey!”

Rachel rubbed her forehead.

“This snow is crazy! We just got about 8 inches yesterday. We weren’t even dug out from that and we’re getting more dumped on us.” Rachel lamented.

Jilly sighed,” Why oh why, couldn’t the weather hold out until I had gotten there? I am so close.”

“Yes, but even if you get a rental car, it is dangerous for you to be driving in the snow. I would rather you waited. Dan will understand, and he would rather you be safe too.”

“Rachel, I miss him so much. I really need to spend Christmas with him.” Jilly cried.

And he needs to spend it with you too, Rachel thought.

“Be careful, Jilly. Dan will want you here in one piece!”

As fearful as Rachel was that the roads would be too dangerous for Jilly to attempt travel, she’d still held out hope that Jilly would arrive to be with Dan for Christmas.

Rachel took a fortifying deep breath and decided it was now or never. She could wait to give Dan the bad news, but it wouldn’t change the fact that he’d be upset. Rachel hadn’t missed the hopeful look on Dan’s face as he scanned the group. She knew he was looking and hoping for Jilly to be among his friends.

Jim watched Rachel make her way to Dan. He saw the sadness on her face and wanted to be at her side when she told their friend that Jilly was unable to with him after all.

Dan had been ushered into the living room by Honey and Di and was in the middle of speaking with his Uncle Bill.

Jim’s progress to his wife’s side was thwarted by the ringing door bell.

Jim opened the door to see a snow covered object which he assumed was a person. Looking closer at the shivering figure, he exclaimed, “Jilly? Oh God! Get in here!”

Jim reached out to pull her into the warm house.

The rest of the group was alerted by his outburst and descended on the pair in the entryway.

Dan stood in shock, afraid to believe that the woman he loved was in front of him.

The doctor in Brian sprang into action.

“We need warm blankets! Some towels too!”

He was already brushing the snow from Jilly’s face and hair.

Rachel ran to get the blankets and towels and returned with not only the asked for items, but her robe too.

Honey came over with a steaming mug of hot chocolate.

Brian told Jilly in no uncertain terms that she needed to get out of the wet clothing right away. Her teeth were chattering so badly, she could only nod and she slid her feet from her boots before attempting to walk into the bathroom.

Rachel ran upstairs to her dresser to retrieve a pair of wool socks and a sweat suit for Jilly to wear too.

When she came back with the warm things, she softly knocked on the bathroom door and announced to Jilly that she had warm clothes for her.

Jilly opened the door and let Rachel in.

“I feel silly, but I can’t get the buttons on my sweater open.” Jilly chattered.

“Here, let me help you! You poor thing! What happened?” Rachel asked as she began to unbutton Jilly’s sweater.

“I got-t a-a c-car. I-I we-nt in the d-ditch a little ways d-down the r-road. I-I thought-t I w-wouldn’t have any t-trouble walking th- this short of a-a d-distance. I-I g-guess I was-s wrong!”

“Well, you’re here! And Jilly, you’ve made Dan’s Christmas!” Rachel grinned.

Jilly pulled her sweater off and slipped the sweatshirt over her head. Using the towel Rachel provided, she vigorously rubbed her hair dry. Reaching for her purse, the only thing she’d brought with her on her little hike, she brought out her hair brush and brushed her hair back down.

Rachel busied herself gathering Jilly’s clothes up to put into the dryer, when she heard Jilly’s gasp.

“What?” Rachel looked up concerned.

“Ooh! I thought to warm my cold hands under the warm water. Big mistake! It hurts!”

Rachel smiled sympathetically, “No, don’t do that. I think we should put you in front of the fire, wrapped snugly in a blanket. I’m sure Dan will be more than happy to warm those hands for you.”

Jilly rolled her eyes, “I’ll let him warm more than my hands!”

Jilly’s cheeks colored when she realized what she had said.

Rachel patted Jilly’s shoulder, “That’s OK! I know he will be first in line for that detail. I’m glad you’re here!”

“Thanks! I am too.”

“OK, do you feel good enough to go out there now?”

“Just let me add a little makeup. I look so pale. Oh Rachel, do you happen to have a portable CD player?” Jilly was relieved when Rachel confirmed that they did have one upstairs. She quickly applied some blush and a little lipstick.

Jilly took a last look in the mirror to confirm she was presentable, and nodded.

Rachel opened the door to find the rest of her guests had filtered back into the living room. That is all except Dan. He was pacing in front of the bathroom door.

When the door opened, Dan took two steps to stand in front of Jilly. He was afraid to touch her.

“Are you all right?” His dark eyes scanned her features for any sign of distress.

“Yes. But, I’d be better if you’d put your arms around me and kiss me silly.” Jilly grinned mischievously.

Dan grin mirrored hers and he leaned his head closer.

“I think I can manage that!” he whispered.

Rachel discreetly disappeared to retrieve the CD player, grinning a triumphant grin of her own.

Dan slowly reached his arms out to gather Jilly close. Jilly watched his every move, almost as if it was happening in slow motion.

Tilting her head back, her big blue eyes drank in the sight of Dan.

“I missed you so much.”

Jilly’s breath caught as she felt Dan’s strong arms wrap themselves around her slim body. She seemed to melt into him and Dan pulled her tighter against him.

“I was lost without you!” he whispered in return.

“I made it home for Christmas!” Jilly said to the man she loved.

Their lips met and their passions, long held at bay, flared. That alone was enough to warm Jilly’s frozen body.

Heads tilted to gain better access to the other and tongues caressed the other. When they finally lifted, Jilly noticed her freshly applied lipstick had smudged and smeared on Dan’s face.

She giggled and began to wipe away the smudges with her fingertips.

“I’m sorry. Let me help you.”

Dan laughed and leaned in for another kiss. Lipstick was forgotten as they stood in the circle of the other’s arms and soared to the stars again.

“Are you warm now?” he asked her when they came back down to Earth.

“Downright hot!” Jilly’s smile was brilliant.

“I love you!”

“I love you too! Merry Christmas!”

“Oh!” Jilly spun out of Dan’s arms to retrieve her purse.

Dan stood where she’d left him, waiting.

When Jilly returned, she held a flat, square package.

Jilly shyly held it out to him.

Dan’s brows rose as he slowly unwrapped the gift.

“Your gift is at the cabin,” he explained.

Jilly waved him off, “All I wanted for Christmas is standing in front of me.”

Dan made short work of the wrapping paper and it revealed a music CD. Turning it over, Dan saw a picture of Jilly’s smiling face. And the title of her CD, “The Long Road”.

“It’s actually my copy. I had to approve it before they print it off, so you have a sneak peek at it. I wanted you to have a special copy, because you influenced a lot of it.”

Dan smiled down at her, “I want to listen to it!”

Rachel appeared at their side and deposited a portable CD player on the table near the door.

“Here you go! Take it into Jim’s office if you want privacy.”

Dan nodded his thanks and he took Jilly by the hand and led her into the office down the hall.

He wouldn’t admit it, but his hands shook slightly when he opened the CD and slipped it into the player. He slid the cover sheet from the plastic cover and unfolded it to read while they listened.

Jilly curled up, tucking her feet under her when they sat down side by side on the plush sofa.

She waited and watched for any reactions to what Dan was reading. She knew he’d found what she’d dedicated to him when he quickly looked up at her and then back down to the paper.

Dan blinked rapidly and looked at her.

“Thank you!”

“Don’t thank me yet. You haven’t heard “Inside Your Heaven” yet.” Jilly grinned, a little embarrassed to have this moment upon them.

Dan waited while she jumped up from the sofa and paused the player and jumped ahead a few songs.

He remembered the writing she’d done when they were together and couldn’t wait to hear what she’d come up with.

The music began to play and he smiled at her. It was the melody he’d heard her play at the Manor House.

Her clear, sweet voice began to sing the lyrics and his whole body was alert. He knew she’d written it for him.

The final chords of the song faded and Jilly nervously looked up into Dan’s eyes.

“I’ve never had a song written for me before.” Dan’s voice was rough with emotion. “I loved it! It’s beautiful, thank you!”

Jilly valiantly tried to stop the tears from forming, but failed. They silently slid down her cheeks as she looked at the man she adored.

“You were my rock, my Earth, when all of the bad stuff was happening. You held me when I cried and protected me from everything and everyone. I want the chance to pay that back. Just once, I want to do that for you.”

“You do! Just by being here! Just by being you! I love you, Jilly Brandon!” A lone tear slid down Dan’s cheek as he pulled his love into his arms.

Dan silently wondered how he was ever going to let her leave him again as he engulfed her in his embrace.

Jilly silently wondered if now was the time to tell him she was staying in Sleepyside with him, if he wanted her to, that is.

The sounds of the group of friends and family filtered in to the couple. Jilly was warm and snug in Dan’s arms, home where she belonged.