“I hope you like it,” Cat said softly. She was speaking directly to Noah, but it was everyone else that reacted. They mobbed her and Drake, a town-wide hug. Dozens of people laughing and hugging and thanking them.

The cameras gently pushed their way into the fray to capture the moment.

“Got it in one,” Paige yelled. “Let’s set up for one-on-ones.” This time, it was the crew that cheered.

Cat ducked through the crowd and slipped an arm through Noah’s. “Got a minute?” she whispered in his ear.

“I’ve got all the time in the world for you… at least until the end of the night,” he answered quietly.

“I need to show you something.” She guided him around the far side of the tree, away from the crowds and cameras and crew.

Running a finger over one of the curving branches, she found what she was looking for.

“Here. Read this,” she said, guiding him to the branch.

Noah leaned in, frowned at the tiny type. “For the boy who dreamed of the light,” he read aloud.

Cat bit her lip and watched a wave of emotions pass over his face. Those green eyes misted behind his glasses.

“For me?” he whispered the words, running his finger over and over the engraving.

She nodded, not trusting her voice.

He shoved his glasses up, wiped at his eyes.

Cat cleared her throat. “We were going to do another tree. But the timing was bad, and I wanted you to have something more. Something you could count on forever.”

“Stay.” He said it, staring at the statue before shifting his gaze to her. “Stay here, Cat. Make a home with me. A family. Whatever you want. Just stay.”

Cat opened her mouth, took a step toward him.

But Jayla was already bustling around the statue. “Let’s go, King! We need Noah for a one-on-one, and we need a couple of pictures of you and Drake in front of the tree.”

“Yeah, in a sec—”

“Cat!” Paige called. “We’ve got an issue.”

“Shit. Noah. Hold that thought.”

She left him there, next to his tree.

--------

Cat found a bubble, a pocket of quiet in the blazing, celebratory bustle of North Pole Park. It was nearing midnight, and the band was showing no signs of slowing down. Neither were the crowds. They should have thinned out hours ago, families heading home to wake early to celebrate Santa’s visit. But instead, they clung to Merry, moved by the holiday spirit.

Just a few more minutes.

Just one more hot chocolate.

Just one more dance.