When Gillian woke up it was already noon. She quickly dressed and
hurried downstairs to join her family. When she reached the living room
she found that Hayley and Mateo had already arrived and Sam and Maddie
had opened all their gifts.
"Well, at last the princess wakes up." Hayley greeted her cheerfully.
Gillian mumbled a greeting and sat down in an armchair yawning.
She just listened to Hayley and Mateo make plans about something until
she heard the doorbell ring. She jumped up and let Ryan in. After he
had deposited presents for the kids under the tree, he kissed Gillian.
"Ryan darling, do come sit down." Eugenia said, walking passed the couple.
They moved into the living room and Edmund and the kids ran in.
"Ryan! Gillian!" Sam shouted running to them.
Ryan smiled, this is what he missed about living at Wildwind. "Hey you
two, If you look under the Christmas tree, I think you'll find another
present." He told them watching them rip open the presents. For Maddie
it was a doll and for Sam it was a remote control car.
"What do you say to Ryan?" Edmund asked his kids.
"Thank you." Sam said giving Ryan a hug.
"It's no problem."
Gillian watched happily as Ryan helped Sam set up the car. He is so
good with kids she thought to herself. She rested her chin on her left
hand not even thinking about what she was doing. When she looked up she
saw her grandmothers eyes open wide in surprise. Gillian looked at the
ring and nodded secretly to her grandmother. Eugenia's face broke into
a huge smile and she walked to Gillian's side.
"Merry Christmas dear." She said leaning over to hug Gillian.
"Congratulations." She whispered lightly into her ear.
Eugenia walked to Ryan next and proceeded to do the same. Ryan, got up
off the floor and Came to sit beside Gillian. "She saw the ring."
Gillian confessed.
Ryan smiled up at Gillian. "I'm happy she was the first to know." He
told her before kissing her.
************
(Later on at Wildwind)
"I'd like to say a couple of words before Dinner is over." Edmund
announced later on the evening. They where all gathered around the
table enjoying Peggy's traditional Christmas dinner.
"I'd like to say Merry Christmas to everyone, this has been a difficult
Christmas without Dimitri but I am happy I have my family around to
help." Edmund smiled at all of them. "You are the best family and
friends anyone could ever ask for." He finished before sitting down.
Ryan stood up. "I'd like to say a few words as well." He told them. "Up
until last year, I hated Christmas. But now that I have great friends
and the love of my life to celebrate with, It's a great season." Ryan
gestured for Gillian to stand up. He whispered something into her ear
and she nodded. Then he went on. "And because you are all such good
friends to Gillian and I, we would like you to be the first to know
that, Gillian and I are now engaged."
There was moment of silence before Hayley shouted out, "Well It's about time!"
Everyone congratulated them and they spent the rest of the evening
talking and laughing.
