"Francesco, this is so elegantly wrapped." She slowly took off the paper, trying not to tear it. She opened the hinged case and saw a breathtaking sapphire and diamond necklace with matching earrings. Rosie sucked in her breath. "Francesco..."
"Rosie, I have something else for you too!" Francesco reached under the tree and picked up an envelope with a bow on it. He handed it to Rosie.
She opened the envelope carefully and pulled out its contents. "Francesco, I don't understand."
"Rosie, that's our itinerary for Paris. I thought you'd enjoy going to France with me. I want to show you the world and this is the best place to start!"
"Francesco! This will be so exciting! But you spent way too much money on me..."
"You are the light of my life, my sweetness. I'm allowed to spoil you as much as I want."
Rosie threw her arms around Francesco and held him a moment before bending down and picking up two boxes for him.
Daniel had to smile, as Francesco had the biggest grin. He did indeed resemble a little boy. He wasn't as slow and careful at unwrapping his presents. Rosie had knitted him a navy blue pullover sweater that looked professionally made. She had also given him two pairs of blue jeans. In the second box was a pair of sneakers.
"Rosie! I don't have things like this! I'm going to put this sweater on right now!" Francesco did just that. He also took off his slippers and put the sneakers on. Everything fit perfectly. Daniel smiled at his father as he stood there in bright white sneakers, the new knitted sweater, and black silk pajama bottoms.
Daniel stood up and walked to the tree. He pulled out a couple of boxes for his father and handed them to him. Inside were two flannel shirts and a nice camera.
"Oh, Daniel, thank you!"
"You're welcome, Father. I can show you how to work the camera this afternoon. He stood up and took Rosie by the hand. "There's something I want to show you." Daniel held her hand and led her to a room down on the main floor that had been kept locked. He slowly opened the door to reveal a beautiful sewing machine, a nice work table, and everything she'd need to do craft projects.
"Daniel! Oh my God … "
"I did it for selfish reasons too. Now you can make many quilts and be comfortable doing so."
Rosie walked around the room and touched her new machine and the beautiful oak work station. The walls had rows of thread, yarn, and everything else she'd need. Tears slid down her face. Daniel hugged her again and wiped the tears off her cheeks.
"Daniel, thank you."
"You're more than welcome. You're going to be my mother soon so you better get used to being spoiled." Daniel winked and kissed her cheek.
"Being a mother to you will be my honor."
Rosie walked around in the room for a bit longer as Daniel, Francesco, and Katherine watched her. After softly wiping her eyes, she went next to Francesco and held his hand.
"Francesco and I have something special for the both of you."
"Yes, children, come outside." Francesco was grinning and could barely contain his excitement.
He let Rosie lead him and Katherine out the door. She looked back over her shoulder and nodded at Carl. He smiled, then turned to leave.
She instructed Daniel and Katherine to close their eyes and then led them out the front door. "Are you two ready?"
"Yes, but it's chilly out here!" Daniel laughed. It really wasn't too bitter and there wasn't a wind. After being told to close their eyes again, she led them around the side of the house to the barn.
Rosie and Francesco were both holding back excitement. She walked them over to the fence.
"Okay, open your eyes!"
"Merry Christmas! The solid black horse is for you, Daniel. She's five years old and her name is Lola. Katherine, the one with the white star is yours. She's seven, and her name is Clementine. There are saddles in the barn and we've arranged for riding lessons for the both of you. I'll teach you how to take care of them."
"You guys got me a horse!" Daniel was absolutely elated.
"I've wanted a horse since I was a little girl!" Katherine was beside herself.
Daniel and Katherine hadn't even noticed that they'd been standing outside for an hour in the cold.
"Can we ride them?" asked an excited Katherine.
Daniel, having never ridden a horse before, just stared.
"Kids, let's get back inside. I'm old!" Francesco laughed and hugged them both as they headed back in the house.
They gathered around the Christmas tree, and just when Katherine was getting ready to give her gifts, she was stopped. Daniel looked at her beautiful face and gently lifted her chin with his hand. He kissed her softly on her forehead, then her lips.
"Katherine, I love you beyond words. I have no doubt in my mind that you're the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. Your Uncle Andy was right when he said we shouldn't waste time with the one we love. I know what it was like not to have you, and I never want to experience that again. The day you opened your heart up to me was the happiest day of my life." Daniel stood up, smiled at Katherine, then got down on one knee. He pulled the box out of his pocket and opened it up. It was a beautiful three carat diamond with a special golden band, which Daniel had worked with the jeweler to design. It had two gold strands woven together that wrapped around the beautiful band, to represent each other. Daniel slid the ring on her finger. "Katherine, will you marry me?"
Katherine couldn't speak for a moment. She just sobbed and didn't even think about who was there. "Daniel, there is no one else for me. Yes, I would be honored to marry you!"
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. He smiled at the ring's perfect fit. Daniel wanted to wait and let her find the engraving on her own. The cheers from Rosie and Francesco made the moment a true celebration. After lots of hugs and kisses, she knew her turn had come.
"I'll admit that there wasn't any way I could afford to match any of the gifts you all have given to me. Daniel, this is for you." She handed Daniel the wrapped box. Inside was a CD case with a picture of her standing in between Daisy and Patches.
Daniel's breath caught in his throat. He read the title, smiled, and looked into her eyes. "Yes, Katherine, I will marry you." He carefully opened up the case and, with a huge smile on his face, walked over to the sound system. He knew she had purchased him a collection of love songs and probably spent her last dime on the CD. He put the disc in and turned it on. He certainly didn't expect to hear Katherine's sweet voice flow through the room. She sang for me. Daniel closed his eyes when they threatened to spill over with emotion. He slowly walked over to Katherine, held her close to him, and danced with her through the entire song. Francesco and Rosie, caught up in the beautiful moment, stood up to dance too.
"Do you like it?" Katherine whispered in Daniel's ear.
"Besides you, this is the best gift I've ever received. You will have my heart forever, Katherine."
When the song ended, she turned off the CD and then handed a package to Rosie and Francesco. She picked out two beautiful songs for them from Italy, and two from the south. All were love songs, as a tribute to them both. Then she pushed the button and in walked Carl. She handed him a package. He looked puzzled, as Francesco had celebrated Christmas with the staff two days ago. He opened it and saw the beautiful young lady on the front. The CD was titled "For All You Do," and she sang three songs from Broadway productions that he'd mentioned he liked.
"Thank you so much, Miss Katherine." Carl stood there with the biggest smile. Finally she gave him a kiss on the cheek and wished him Merry Christmas.
"Rosie, look at this!" Francesco turned the CD case to face her. "For My Family."
"Katherine! You can call us that anytime!" Rosie chimed.
Francesco was speechless. His wide smile spoke a thousand words.
After breakfast was over, Daniel led Katherine up the stairs. "You sang for me." He put his arms around her and held her close to him. He never would have believed, in a million years, that he'd be this loved and happy. This was the best Christmas of his life.
Andy had called in the afternoon to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and to thank Katherine for the beautiful songs. She'd made him a collection of Irish classics that he loved and express mailed it.
The bar was planning another large celebration with good food and friends. Andy thanked Francesco for all the specialties that were catered in from Nashville. They were getting ready to sit down in a few minutes. Everything looked and smelled delicious, he'd said. Andy informed Katherine and Francesco that he was feeling much better, and then proceeded to talk nonstop about Maryann, the new woman who just moved into town. She was a year younger than him and was 'a real knockout.'
This made Katherine very happy. "Remember what you told me. Don't waste time! Daniel and I are engaged and couldn't be happier. Merry Christmas, Uncle Andy. I miss you."
For the next week, Katherine couldn't walk anywhere in the mansion without hearing herself sing. On New Year's, she approached Daniel with a business card.
"Do you know who this is?"
Daniel stared at the card. "Yes, he's a big music producer."
"He introduced himself to me at the studio. I didn't know he was in there listening. He wants to sign me."