She swallowed hard. ‘Jack—’
‘I was scared of commitment, of having a marriage that was like my parents’, but we are nothing like my parents.’ He pulled her into his arms. ‘The other night, when you said you’d loved me for ever, was it true?’
She nodded. ‘Completely true.’
He let out a breath. ‘And I’ve loved you for ever, too. But I associated marriage with disaster so I didn’t want to take that risk with our relationship.’
‘There’s no risk, Jack.’ She smiled up at him. ‘Lizzie and I will always be here for you.’
‘And I for you.’ He released her and took the box out of her hand. ‘This says that you’re mine. For ever. No more dating. No more looking for a man to take your mind off me. From now on I want your mind well and truly on me. All the time.’
She gave a shaky smile, watching as he slid the beautiful ring onto her finger. ‘It’s huge. I’ve just put on half a stone and I haven’t eaten any turkey yet.’
His eyes dropped to her mouth. ‘I love you, sweetheart.’
There was a noise from the stairs. ‘This time Jack is really going to kiss you, Mummy, I can tell by the way he’s looking at you. Sort of funny.’
Bryony rolled her eyes and pulled a face. ‘Nothing is ever private,’ she muttered, and Jack grinned.
‘Oh, believe me, later on we’re going to be very private.’ He pulled her against him and kissed her gently, but it was a fairly chaste kiss, given that Lizzie was watching avidly, and Bryony was touched by that. He always did the right thing around her daughter.
She reached out a hand to Lizzie.
‘So, angel, did Santa do well?’
Lizzie smiled, her whole face alight with happiness. ‘I knew he’d do it if I gave him enough time. And just to make sure that I get what I want next year, I’ve just written my letter for next Christmas.’
Bryony looked at her in disbelief. ‘Sweetheart, you haven’t even eaten your turkey yet! You can’t already be thinking about next Christmas.’
‘I can.’ Lizzie looked at them stubbornly and waved the letter under their noses. ‘I know exactly what I want. And I know that if I’m really good Santa will give it to me. But he’s going to need a lot of time to get ready for this one because it’s very special.’
Bryony exchanged looks with Jack who swept Lizzie into his arms and gave her a hug, laughter in his eyes.
‘Go on, then. What is it that you want from Santa next year?’
Lizzie smiled. ‘Well…’ she said, smiling into Jack’s face and wrapping her little arms round his neck. ‘For Christmas next year, I really really want a baby sister. And I know that Santa is going to bring me one.’