Thom parked behind the truck and turned off the engine. Together, holding hands, they approached the house. Never had Noelle been more nervous. If this encounter went wrong, she might alienate her mother, and that was something she didn’t want to do. In high school, she’d self-righteously cast her family aside in the name of love. But if the years in Dallas had taught her independence, they’d also taught her the importance of home and family. Her self-imposed exile was over now, and she’d learned from it. Listening to Thom talk about his Christmas traditions, she’d realized that he’d find it equally hard to turn his back on his parents.

He was about to ring the doorbell when she stopped him. “Remember how I said I was looking for a Christmas miracle?”

Thom nodded. “You mean finding a tea service similar to my grandmother’s?”

“Yes. But if I could be granted only one miracle this Christmas, it wouldn’t be that. I’d want our families to rekindle the love and friendship they once had.”

“That would be my wish, too.” Thom gathered her in his arms and kissed her with a passion that readily found a matching fire in her. The kiss was a reminder of their love, and it sealed their bargain. No matter what happened once they entered the house, they would face it together.

“Actually, this is a blessing in disguise,” Thom said. “We can confront both families at the same time and be done with it.” He reached for the doorbell again, and again Noelle stopped him.

“This is my home. We don’t need to ring the bell.” Stepping forward, she opened the door.

Noelle wasn’t sure what she expected, but certainly not the scene that greeted her. Her parents and two sisters, plus Thom’s entire family, sat around the dining room table. Her mother and Mrs. Sutton, both wearing aprons, stood in the background, while her father and Thom’s dished up whole Dungeness crabs, with Jonathan pouring wine.

“Thom!” his mother shouted joyfully. “It’s about time you got here.”

“What took you so long?” Sarah asked Noelle.

Stunned, Thom and Noelle looked at each other for an explanation.

“There’s room here,” Carley called out, motioning to the empty chairs beside her.

Noelle couldn’t do anything other than stare.

“What…happened?” Thom asked.

“It’s a long story. Sit down. We’ll explain everything later.”

“But…”

Thom put his arm around Noelle’s shoulder. “Before we sit down, I want everyone to know that I’ve asked Noelle to be my wife and she’s accepted.”

“Nothing you say or do will make us change our minds,” Noelle said quickly, before anyone else could react.

“Why would we want to change your minds?” her father asked. “We’re absolutely delighted.”

“You can fight and argue, threaten and yell, and it won’t make any difference,” Thom added. “We’re getting married!”