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“You did this for me?” Claire asks as we move to the far back, where her extensive studio awaits.
“We all helped,” I say, not wanting to downplay or disregard everyone’s efforts.
She smiles at me, and I feel like a king with the love shining in her eyes. “This is where you were all those times you claimed to have a random poker evening, wasn’t it?” she accuses sweetly.
Jason laughs. “And the ‘boys’ night’ at the pub.”
Caleb joins in, patting my back. “And those times we called him and needed help with a leak or whatnot.” He winks at Claire, and she rests her cheek on my shoulder.
“And here is where you can work,” I say with a dramatic lift of my arm as I gesture at the wide-open area. All her sewing things are set away, thanks to Lauren helping me arrange them. And thanks to Aubrey for telling Claire she needed help at the school with an after-hour craft club. It kept Claire occupied while Lauren and I could transport her things from home to here. Marian drove with Jason to Denver to get the last of the fabrics, too. Not only are the sewing machines and accessories waiting for Claire’s magic back here, but a beginning stock of fabrics are available, too.
“I’m stunned,” Claire admits with tears in her eyes. “I…My gosh, this is my dream come true!”
I hold her close and kiss the top of her head as she wipes her eyes dry. I know they’re happy tears, but still, I want to make sure this really is everything she’s ever wanted.
“Did I do a good job?” I check as everyone checks out the final product of hard work.
“A good job?” Claire rolls her eyes and smiles before she pulls me down for a deep kiss. As she draws back from the kiss, she continues, “It’s more than I ever imagined it could be. You’ve made the last of my dreams come true, Sawyer. Thank you.”
I tilt my head to the side. “The last of your dreams?”
She nods and kisses me again.
“What was the first?”
“You.” She leans up, staring at me with all the desire and compassion she gives me daily, and touches her lips to mine in a tender yet hard press. I grip her back, wishing we could really christen this place in another way.
“Finding you and knowing you love me as hard as I do you. You’re a dream come true, Sawyer.”
I sigh against her and hold her in my embrace, memorizing her words for the rest of my life. As long as I live, I’ll never ever lose sight of the way it feels to know I’ve made her this happy. She will never have to wonder if I’ll support her. I’ll prove it to her, with love, every chance I get.
“So this is why you didn’t want to talk about building our house for so long,” she teases.
“We’ve got time.”
“Yeah.”
“And you said you like my condo.”
She smiles sweetly. “I love it. But sooner or later,” she says as she trails a finger down my shirt, “we might want to consider expanding.”
A family. I feel like she’s finally found one in all of us here, namely me, but I grin at what she really means. We’ve only talked about it a couple of times, but it seems we’re in sync, both eager to start our own little family.
“A brand-new, family-friendly house is coming up next,” I promise.
“I love you,” she says as Dalton and Aubrey approach.
“I love you, too,” I reply.
Dalton grins at us, and Aubrey sighs at the fairy lights interspersed within the gauzy lacework at the ceiling.
“This is remarkable,” Claire says. “Thank you both. I know you’ve all helped, and I appreciate it so much.”
“Now you can start having real customers here,” Aubrey says.
“I can’t wait!” Claire bounces on her feet. “I mean, I’ve already started talking with several brides, but I couldn’t officially do anything until I had a workspace.”
“Well, can I be your first official customer then?” She lifts her hand, showing us both a sparkling gemstone atop an engagement ring.
