Grateful For The Grump Bonus
This is a bonus Epilogue for readers of Grateful For The Grump. It is best read after you’ve finished the entire novel.
Palmar Island, December Two Years Later…
The soft glow of early light illuminated the room, casting a warm glow across the hardwood floors as Tamsin stirred beneath the cozy blanket. The scent of pine from the freshly cut evergreens mingled with the subtle aroma of cinnamon and cloves, reminding her of everything she loved about this time of year. She stretched, smiling to herself as she took in the room—their room, in the house she now shared with Griffin on Palmar Island.
It was Christmas morning, their first as a married couple, and the house was still quiet. Tamsin let her gaze drift to Griffin still asleep beside her. He looked so peaceful, so different from the grumpy, closed-off man she’d first met. His dark hair was tousled from sleep, and his usually stern expression was softened, the hint of a smile tugging at his lips. Tamsin reached out, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead, feeling a rush of affection flood her chest.
“Merry Christmas,” she whispered, her voice soft but full of warmth.
Griffin stirred, blinking sleepily before focusing on her. His smile widened as he pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her waist. “Merry Christmas,” he murmured into her hair, his breath warm against her skin.
For a moment, they simply lay there, savoring the quiet intimacy of the early morning. Tamsin let herself sink into the warmth of his embrace, feeling a sense of peace she hadn’t known she needed. It was hard to believe how much had changed in two past years. Gone were the challenges of a long-distance relationship—constantly saying goodbye and trying to make their visits last as long as possible. Now, they had this—home, together.
After a few minutes, Griffin shifted, pulling back just enough to look at her. “I’ve got something special planned for today,” he said, his voice still a little rough with sleep, but there was a gleam in his eyes.
Tamsin raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Oh? Does it involve food?”
Griffin chuckled, shaking his head. “Breakfast first, of course. But then… you’ll just have to wait and see.”
Tamsin grinned, excitement bubbling up inside her. She loved the way Griffin had surprised her over the past year—his grumpy exterior hiding a heart full of thoughtfulness. She leaned up to kiss him, a quick, playful peck on the lips before they both climbed out of bed.
As they passed through the living room, Tamsin caught a glimpse of their Christmas tree glowing softly in the corner. The sight of it made her pause for a moment, her heart filling with warmth. The tree stood tall and proud, decorated in reds, golds, and the personal ornaments they had chosen together—some from their travels, others homemade. It was their first tree in their home, and it held a special kind of magic.
Griffin noticed her lingering gaze and chuckled, sliding an arm around her waist. “Okay, I’ll admit it—you were right. The tree’s perfect.”
Tamsin grinned, leaning into him. “I told you it had to be.”
He smiled softly, pressing a quick kiss to the top of her head. “You really outdid yourself.”
Her heart swelled as they walked into the kitchen. Soon, the smell of freshly brewed coffee surrounded her like a warm embrace. Griffin poured two mugs, handing one to her as they stood by the window, watching the morning sun rise over the ocean.
“I still can’t believe this is our life now,” Tamsin said, leaning against the counter, her hands wrapped around the warm mug. “I mean, look at this. It’s perfect.”
Griffin took a sip of his coffee, his gaze following hers out the window. The soft, pastel colors of the morning sky reflected off the water, casting a serene glow over the beach. He smiled, nodding in agreement. “ It is.”
After breakfast—fluffy scrambled eggs and thick slices of toast with jam—they spent the morning preparing for their guests. This year, they were hosting a small Christmas gathering at their home, something they’d both been looking forward to. It was a simple affair, just a few close friends and family, but to Tamsin, it felt like the perfect way to celebrate their first Christmas together.
As they decorated the dining table with holly sprigs and candles, Tamsin glanced up at Griffin. “So, about that surprise…”
Griffin smirked, his hands busy arranging the silverware. “Patience, Mrs. Nash. Patience.”
Tamsin laughed, feeling a flutter in her chest at the sound of her new last name. It still felt fresh, exciting—like they were at the beginning of something wonderful.
Before long, the doorbell rang, and the first of their guests arrived. As expected, Miss Doris was the first to knock, bundled up in a bright red coat with a green scarf wrapped around her neck.
“Well, don’t just stand there, Tamsin, let me in before my casserole gets cold,” she said with a wink as Tamsin opened the door.
“Come on in, Miss Doris,” Tamsin laughed, stepping aside to let her through. “Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas, my dear.” Miss Doris breezed into the house, her arms laden with a large dish wrapped in festive plaid cloth. She immediately set the casserole down on the kitchen counter, unwrapped it, and began bustling around the kitchen as if it were her own. “Now, let’s see… Where are your oven mitts? This ham looks like it needs a little extra browning.”
Griffin shot Tamsin a look that said, Here we go, but Tamsin just grinned. Miss Doris had been a constant presence in their lives from the beginning, and they both loved her for it.
As more guests arrived, the house filled with laughter and conversation. The soft glow of the Christmas lights twinkling in the background only added to the festive atmosphere. Tamsin moved through the living room, greeting their friends and watching Griffin interact with everyone. It warmed her heart to see him so different from the guarded man he’d once been. It was clear that he was more at ease, more open, and it made Tamsin fall for him even more.
A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts, and when she opened it, her face lit up with joy.
“There’s my girl!” Tamsin’s mother exclaimed as she stepped inside, her arms full of pie tins.
“Mom!” Tamsin rushed forward, wrapping her arms around her. “You made it!”
Her mother grinned, setting the pies down on the nearest table before pulling Tamsin into a proper hug. “Of course I did. I wouldn’t miss spending Christmas with my favorite newlyweds.”
Tamsin laughed, her heart full as she led her mother inside. The sight of her here, in the home Tamsin had built with Griffin, made everything feel even more real, even more right.
After everyone settled in, the house was alive with warmth and joy. The living room glowed with soft light from the Christmas tree, and the scent of roasting ham filled the air. Tamsin moved through the space, checking on her guests and making sure everyone had enough food and drink. Her heart swelled each time she glanced at Griffin, who was deep in conversation with some of their island friends, looking more relaxed and happy than she’d ever seen him.
Eventually, she found herself standing in the kitchen, checking on the ham in the oven, when Griffin slipped up behind her.
“Want to take a break?” he whispered, his breath warm against her ear.
Tamsin smiled, leaning into him. “A break sounds perfect.”
“Good, because I’ve got something for you. A surprise.”
Tamsin raised an eyebrow. “About time.”
He smiled, standing and taking her hand. “Come on. I want to show you something.”
Intrigued, Tamsin followed him out the back door, the cool sea breeze brushing against her skin as they made their way down the sandy path leading toward the beach. Griffin led her to a quiet spot, just beyond the dunes, where the gentle crash of the waves created a peaceful rhythm.
And then she saw it—a wooden bench, nestled into the sand, facing the ocean. It was simple but beautiful, handcrafted from weathered wood, with soft curves that invited her to sit. But it was the inscription carved into the back that caught her breath:
“Our Forever.”
Tamsin’s eyes welled with tears as she traced her fingers over the words. “Griffin…”
“I built it for us,” he said softly, his voice full of emotion. “I figured this spot could be a place where we can come to sit and talk. We’ve had some of our best moments on this beach, and I wanted to make sure we had a place that’s ours.”
Tamsin felt her heart swell with love and gratitude. She turned to face him, her eyes shining. “It’s perfect. Just like you.”
Griffin pulled her into his arms, holding her close as the sound of the ocean surrounded them. “I’m not perfect, but I’m glad you think so.”
They sat down together on the bench, the cool wood beneath them grounding them in the moment. The waves rolled gently onto the shore, and the sky was painted in soft shades of pink and orange as the sun dipped toward the horizon.
“I love you, Griffin,” Tamsin whispered, resting her head on his shoulder.
He smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I love you too. More than I ever thought I could.”
They sat there in comfortable silence, watching the sun set over the ocean, knowing that no matter what the future held, they would face it together—on this bench, in this place, and for the rest of their lives. After a few minutes, Griffin pulled her closer, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead before they turned to go back inside.
The dining room was filled with the delicious smells of the Christmas feast, and as everyone gathered around the table, the laughter and conversation flowed freely. Miss Doris was in rare form, telling stories about Christmases past, each one more amusing than the last. She had the entire table captivated, and her infectious energy kept everyone smiling.
After dinner, as everyone lounged comfortably with coffee and dessert, Griffin stood, raising his glass.
“I want to say how much it means to me to have you all here today,” he began, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “This past year has changed my life in ways I never expected, and that’s because of Tamsin. She’s given me a future I didn’t think I could have, and I’m grateful every day that she walked into my life. So, thank you. For everything.”
Tamsin blinked back tears as Griffin sat down, his hand reaching for hers under the table. The depth of his words touched her heart in a way she couldn’t quite put into words. She squeezed his hand, giving him a soft, grateful smile.
As the evening wound down and the guests began to relax in the living room, Tamsin and Griffin exchanged gifts. Tamsin had planned something special for Griffin—a framed photo of the beach where he had proposed, with the words “Forever Begins Here” engraved along the bottom. When she handed it to him, she watched as his eyes softened, the emotion clear in his gaze.
“It’s perfect,” he said, his voice low and full of gratitude. He leaned in to kiss her, whispering, “Thank you.”
Griffin’s gift to her was equally touching. He handed her a small box, and inside, Tamsin found a beautiful charm bracelet. Each charm represented a memory from their journey—one for their first Thanksgiving together, one for the Turkey Trot, and a tiny seashell charm for the beach where he had proposed.
“I thought it was time to start collecting memories,” Griffin said softly, his eyes locked onto hers.
Tamsin felt her heart swell as she fastened the bracelet around her wrist. “It’s perfect,” she whispered, leaning in to kiss him again. “Just like this day.”
As the last of the guests left and the house grew quiet, Tamsin and Griffin curled up together on the couch, the soft glow of the Christmas lights casting a peaceful glow around them.
“You know,” Tamsin said, resting her head on his shoulder, “this is just the beginning. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”
Griffin kissed the top of her head, his arm tightening around her. “Whatever it is, we’ll face it together.”
Tamsin smiled, her heart full. She couldn’t imagine a more perfect ending—or a more perfect beginning.
*** The End ***
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading Grateful for the Grump and this little bonus epilogue. Ready for more? If you’re looking for another Thanksgiving inspired romance novel, I recommend Harbor of Thanks, the start of the Winter Brothers of Palmar Island series. It’s a great way to read your way into the holiday season.
Speaking of Holiday romances, I have not one, but two Christmas series that take place on Palmar Island. If you enjoyed Grateful For The Grump, you’ll love these books.
The Winter Brothers of Palmar Island
