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.