Last Christmas Bonus
This is a Bonus Epilogue for readers of Last Christmas. It is best read after you’ve finished the entire novel.
Bonus Epilogue
Palmar Island, the following summer…
Lily stood in front of the full-length mirror in the upstairs bedroom of the Harris House, smoothing down the pale blue dress for what had to be the tenth time. The fabric was soft and floaty, the kind of dress she’d normally feel silly wearing, but today it felt perfect. Special.
Through the window, she could see people starting to arrive. Neighbors and friends made their way across the lawn toward the rows of white chairs set up in the garden. The late June sun cast everything in golden light, and white ribbons fluttered from the chairs in the gentle ocean breeze.
Her dad was getting married.
To Holly.
The thought still made Lily’s chest feel tight in the best possible way.
“Stop fidgeting, dear,” came Miss Doris’s voice from behind her. “You look absolutely beautiful.”
Lily turned to find Miss Doris bustling into the room, her own lavender dress swishing around her knees, a small corsage pinned to her shoulder. She carried what looked like an emergency kit of tissues, safety pins, breath mints, and what Lily was pretty sure was a flask of something “medicinal.”
“I’m not fidgeting,” Lily protested, even as she reached up to adjust the small flowers woven into her hair.
Miss Doris made a knowing sound and crossed to her, gently moving Lily’s hands away. “Let me,” she said, making a minor adjustment to one of the flowers. “There. Perfect.”
Lily looked at herself in the mirror again. The girl looking back seemed older somehow. More grown up. Maybe it was the dress, or the occasion, or just everything that had changed over the past year and a half.
“Nervous?” Miss Doris asked, settling into the chair by the window.
“A little,” Lily admitted. “Not about Holly and Dad getting married. I’m really happy about that. Just nervous about… I don’t know. Everything changing, I guess.”
Miss Doris smiled, the kind of smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes. “Everything’s already changed, sweetheart. Today’s just the celebration of it.”
“I know,” Lily said, sitting on the edge of the bed. “It’s just that it was just me and Dad. And now it’s us and Holly and her mom visits and there are always traveling nurses staying here and everything’s so much bigger and fuller and—” She stopped, not sure how to put it into words.
“And you’re afraid you might lose something in all that fullness?” Miss Doris suggested gently.
Lily nodded, surprised Miss Doris understood so well.
“Come here,” Miss Doris said, patting the space next to her chair.
Lily crossed to the window and sat on the floor beside Miss Doris, looking out at the gathering guests below. She could see her grandfather talking to Mary from the diner, could see some of her dad’s teacher friends claiming seats near the front.
“Can I tell you something?” Miss Doris said, resting her hand on Lily’s shoulder. “I see a lot of Holly in you.”
Lily looked up, surprised. “Really?”
“Really,” Miss Doris confirmed. “You’re both brave in ways you don’t fully realize. Holly was terrified of staying still, of putting down roots, of letting herself be part of something permanent. And you—” she squeezed Lily’s shoulder gently, “—you’ve been afraid too. Afraid that loving Holly means betraying your mother somehow. Afraid that your dad loving someone new means he loves you less. Afraid that opening your heart to a bigger family means the piece you have with your father will shrink.”
Lily felt tears prick her eyes because Miss Doris was right. She hadn’t quite been able to name those fears, but they’d been there, hiding under her excitement.
“But here’s what I know,” Miss Doris continued. “Love doesn’t divide, sweetheart. It multiplies. Your dad loving Holly doesn’t mean he loves you any less. It means his heart got bigger. And you loving Holly doesn’t diminish what you feel for your mother. It just means you’ve got more love to give.”
“Mom didn’t even call on my birthday this year,” Lily said quietly, voicing something she hadn’t told anyone, not even her dad. “I waited all day and she didn’t call until three days later.”
Miss Doris made a soft sound of sympathy. “I’m sorry.”
“Holly remembered,” Lily said, her voice small. “She made me pancakes shaped like stars and gave me that journal you saw with the leather cover and took me to the Book Nook and let me pick out anything I wanted. She didn’t have to do any of that.”
“No,” Miss Doris agreed. “She did it because she loves you. Because you’re hers now, just as much as she’s yours.”
Lily wiped at her eyes, careful not to smudge the little bit of mascara Holly had helped her apply earlier. “I wrote another letter to Santa,” she admitted. “Last Christmas. I thanked him for sending Holly and asked that Dad would marry her so we could be a real family.”
Miss Doris laughed, the sound warm and delighted. “And look at that. Two for two on the Christmas wishes.”
“Do you believe in that stuff?” Lily asked. “Magic and wishes and Santa knowing what people need?”
Miss Doris was quiet for a moment, looking out the window at the scene below. The flowers swaying in the breeze, the guests finding their seats, the love and community gathering to celebrate. “I believe in people showing up for each other,” she said finally. “I believe in choosing love even when it’s scary. I believe in brave girls who make wishes and brave women who decide to stay. And I believe that sometimes, when we’re very lucky, the people we need find their way to us exactly when we need them.”
“So… yes?” Lily said, smiling a little.
“So yes,” Miss Doris confirmed with a wink. “But don’t tell anyone I’ve gone soft in my old age.”
A soft knock at the door made them both turn. Carolyn peeked her head in, her eyes bright with happy tears that seemed to be her permanent state for the past week.
“Can I steal Lily for a minute?” she asked. “Holly wants to see her.”
Miss Doris stood, smoothing her dress. “Of course. I need to go make sure those caterers haven’t put the shrimp puffs too close to the heat anyway.” She paused at the door, looking back at Lily. “You’re going to be wonderful today.”
After Miss Doris left, Carolyn held out her hand to Lily. “Come on. She’s in the master bedroom.”
Lily followed Carolyn down the hall, her heart suddenly racing. She’d seen Holly earlier that morning, but that had been Holly in yoga pants with her hair in a messy bun, eating toast and laughing at something Lily’s dad had said. This would be Holly as a bride.
Carolyn stopped outside the closed door. “Before we go in,” she said, “I wanted to give you something.”
She pulled a small wrapped box from her pocket and handed it to Lily.
“What is it?” Lily asked.
“Open it and see,” Carolyn said.
Lily carefully unwrapped the paper to reveal a velvet jewelry box. Inside was a delicate silver bracelet with a single charm—a tiny house.
“It was my mother’s,” Carolyn explained. “Holly’s grandmother. She wore it every day. When she passed, she left it to me, and I’ve been waiting for the right moment to pass it on.” She took the bracelet from the box and fastened it around Lily’s wrist. “A home isn’t a building, sweetheart. It’s the people in it. And you’ve helped give my daughter a home she never thought she’d find.”
Lily looked down at the bracelet, then up at Carolyn, and felt tears threaten again. “Thank you,” she managed.
“Thank you,” Carolyn said, pulling her into a quick hug. “For accepting Holly. For making room for her in your family. For being exactly the daughter she needed.”
She knocked once on the door, then opened it.
The master bedroom had been transformed into a bridal suite for the day. Flowers covered every surface, and the afternoon light streaming through the windows made everything glow. And in the middle of it all stood Holly.
Lily’s breath caught.
Holly’s dress was simple but stunning. Ivory lace draped over silk, fitted at the top and flowing at the bottom, with delicate cap sleeves. Her hair was swept up loosely, small flowers tucked into the dark waves, and she wore the pearl earrings Lily knew had been her grandmother’s.
But it was her face that made Lily’s chest tight. Holly was radiant, glowing with happiness, her eyes bright and her smile soft.
“Lily,” Holly said, her voice catching slightly. “Come here. Let me look at you.”
Lily crossed the room, suddenly shy, and Holly took both her hands.
“You look beautiful,” Holly said, her eyes filling with tears. “Absolutely beautiful.”
“So do you,” Lily whispered. “Dad’s going to cry when he sees you.”
Holly laughed, a slightly watery sound. “I’m counting on it.” She squeezed Lily’s hands, then reached for a small wrapped box on the dresser. “I have something for you.”
“You already gave me the journal and the bracelet and—”
“This is different,” Holly interrupted gently. “This is for today.”
Lily took the box and opened it carefully. Inside was a silver locket on a delicate chain. When she opened it, she found two photos. One of her dad, and one of her and Holly together from last Christmas, both of them laughing at something off-camera.
“Holly,” Lily breathed.
“I wanted you to have something to remember today,” Holly said. “But more than that, I wanted you to know that you’re not losing anything by gaining me. Your dad will always be your dad, first and foremost. And I’m not trying to be your mom. I could never replace her. But I hope I can be something else. Someone else you can count on. Someone who loves you just as much as she loves your dad.”
Lily couldn’t stop the tears this time. They spilled over as she threw her arms around Holly, careful not to wrinkle the dress.
“I love you,” Lily said, the words muffled against Holly’s shoulder. “I’m so glad Dad found you. I’m so glad you stayed.”
Holly held her tight, one hand stroking her hair. “I’m glad I stayed too. So glad.”
When they pulled apart, both of them were crying and laughing at the same time. Carolyn appeared with tissues, dabbing at her own eyes.
“We’re going to ruin our makeup before the ceremony even starts,” Holly said, laughing as she carefully wiped under her eyes.
“Worth it,” Lily said, looking down at the locket. “Will you help me put it on?”
Holly fastened the chain around Lily’s neck, and Lily touched the locket gently, feeling its weight settle against her heart.
A knock at the door made them all turn. Miss Doris poked her head in, her expression fond but businesslike. “It’s time, ladies. The musicians are ready, the guests are seated, and the groom looks like he might pass out from nerves if we make him wait much longer.”
Holly took a deep breath, pressing her hand to her stomach. “Okay. Okay, I’m ready.”
“Are you sure?” Carolyn asked, moving to her daughter’s side.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything,” Holly said, then looked at Lily. “Ready?”
Lily nodded, clutching her small bouquet of white roses. “Ready.”
They made their way downstairs, Lily’s heart pounding harder with each step. At the back door that led out to the garden, they paused. Through the window, Lily could see the white chairs full of guests, the flower-draped arch where her dad and the officiant waited, and the ocean visible in the distance beyond.
Her dad stood there in his navy suit, his hands clasped in front of him, looking more nervous than Lily had ever seen him. Tom stood beside him as best man, steady and proud.
The music changed, shifting to the processional.
“That’s your cue,” Carolyn said, squeezing Lily’s shoulder.
Lily took a deep breath and stepped outside. The moment the guests saw her, they stood, smiling, and Lily felt her nerves settle into something calmer. These were her people. Her community. The island that had become home.
She walked slowly down the aisle, her eyes on her father. When he saw her, his face lit up with such love and pride that Lily felt tears threaten again. She reached the front and took her place to the side, turning to watch for Holly.
The music swelled, and Holly appeared in the doorway, Carolyn at her side.
Lily watched her dad’s face and saw the exact moment he saw Holly. His expression crumbled into pure emotion. Joy and love and wonder all mixed together. He pressed his hand to his mouth, blinking rapidly, and Lily saw Tom pat his shoulder.
Yep. She’d been right. He was definitely crying.
Holly walked down the aisle slowly, her eyes locked on Lily’s dad, her smile radiant. Carolyn kissed her cheek when they reached the front, then took her seat, and Holly stepped up to face Lily’s dad.
He took both her hands, and Lily heard him whisper something that made Holly laugh even as tears streamed down her face.
The officiant began speaking, but Lily barely heard the words. She was too busy watching her dad and Holly, too busy feeling the rightness of this moment settle into her bones.
When they got to the vows, Holly went first.
“Evan,” she said, her voice strong despite the tears. “A year and a half ago, I came to this island planning to sell this house and leave. I thought staying still was too risky, that putting down roots would only lead to heartbreak. But then I met you.” She smiled, squeezing his hands. “You taught me that the biggest risk isn’t staying. It’s running away from something real. You taught me that home isn’t a place, it’s people. It’s you and Lily and this community that refused to let me go. I promise to choose you every day. To choose us. To stay even when it’s scary and to love you with everything I have.”
Then she turned slightly to look at Lily, and Lily’s heart skipped.
“And Lily,” Holly said, her voice catching. “I promise to love you as fiercely as I love your dad. To show up for you, to support you, to be someone you can always count on. Thank you for making room for me in your family. Thank you for being brave enough to let me in.”
Lily couldn’t stop crying now. Full, happy tears that she didn’t even try to hide.
Then it was her dad’s turn.
“Holly,” he said, and his voice was rough with emotion. “I spent years after my marriage ended convincing myself that love was too risky, that trusting someone not to leave was naive. And then you showed up on this island, scared and guarded and so determined to protect yourself that you nearly drove away from the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Holly laughed through her tears.
“You taught me that courage isn’t never being afraid,” Evan continued. “It’s choosing love even when you’re terrified. It’s staying when every instinct tells you to run. You’ve made me believe in forever again. And I promise to spend the rest of my life proving that you made the right choice. That we’re worth staying for.”
He paused, then looked at Lily. “And to my daughter—thank you for wishing this into existence. Thank you for being patient with me, for seeing what I needed before I saw it myself, and for opening your heart to Holly. You’re the bravest person I know.”
The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur of happy tears and laughter. When the officiant finally said, “You may kiss your bride,” Lily’s dad pulled Holly close and kissed her like they were the only two people in the world.
The guests erupted in applause and cheers, and as her dad and Holly walked back down the aisle together, both of them beaming, Lily felt something settle deep in her chest.
This was her family.
And for the first time since her mom had left, Lily felt completely, perfectly whole.
***
The Harris House had been transformed.
Lily stood on the back porch, taking it all in. White lights were strung overhead, crisscrossing the yard and wrapping around the porch columns. Long tables covered in white linens held more food than seemed possible, including Mary’s famous coconut cake, platters of shrimp and grits, fresh rolls, colorful salads, and what looked like three different kinds of pie. Mason jars filled with wildflowers sat on every surface, and soft music drifted from speakers hidden somewhere in the garden.
But more than the decorations, it was the people that made Lily’s chest feel full. The entire island seemed to be here. Neighbors and teachers, the traveling nurses who’d stayed at the house over the past year, Grandpa Tom holding court near the grill, Miss Doris directing traffic from her strategic position near the dessert table.
This house, which had sat empty and sad for so long, was alive again. Full of laughter and music and love.
“It’s something, isn’t it?”
Lily turned to find Carolyn beside her, two glasses of lemonade in her hands. She offered one to Lily.
“It’s perfect,” Lily said, accepting the glass. “Holly must be so happy.”
“She is,” Carolyn said, her gaze drifting to where Holly and Lily’s dad were making their way through the crowd, greeting guests and accepting hugs and congratulations. “I haven’t seen her this happy in… maybe ever.”
They stood in comfortable silence for a moment, sipping their lemonade and watching the celebration unfold.
“Can I tell you something?” Carolyn said finally.
“Sure,” Lily replied.
“When Holly first told me about you and your dad, I was worried,” Carolyn admitted. “Not because of you two, but because Holly has spent so much of her life running. I was afraid she’d run again, that she’d hurt you both, that she’d wake up one day and panic and leave.”
Lily’s stomach twisted slightly. She’d had those same fears, especially in the beginning.
“But then I drove down here last Christmas Eve,” Carolyn continued, “and I saw the way she looked at your dad. The way she talked about you. And I knew that she wasn’t going anywhere. For the first time in her life, my daughter had found something worth staying for.”
“She told me once that she was scared,” Lily said quietly. “That staying felt scarier than leaving.”
“It probably did,” Carolyn agreed. “Because staying meant risking her heart. Leaving was safe. She’d been doing it for ten years. But staying? That took real courage.”
Lily thought about her letter to Santa, about her wish for someone who wouldn’t leave. “I’m glad she was brave enough.”
“So am I,” Carolyn said, squeezing Lily’s shoulder. “And I want you to know that you’re part of my family now too. Not just because Holly married your dad, but because you’re special. You’re kind and brave and exactly the kind of person I’d want in my daughter’s life. In my life.”
Lily felt tears prick her eyes for what had to be the hundredth time that day. “Thank you,” she managed. “That means a lot.”
“Good,” Carolyn said, her voice warm. “Now, I believe there are some speeches happening soon, and a little bird told me you’re giving one.”
Lily’s stomach flipped. “How did you know?”
“Miss Doris told me,” Carolyn said with a wink. “That woman knows everything.”
As if summoned, Miss Doris appeared at the edge of the porch, tapping a spoon against her glass. “Attention, everyone! If I could have your attention, please!”
The crowd quieted, turning toward where Holly and Evan stood near the center of the yard, his arm around her waist, both of them glowing with happiness.
“As most of you know,” Miss Doris continued, her voice carrying across the yard, “I’ve been meddling in people’s lives on this island for longer than some of you have been alive.”
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
“And I’m pleased to report,” Miss Doris said, her eyes twinkling, “that this is perhaps my finest work yet.”
More laughter, and Lily saw her dad duck his head, grinning, while Holly pressed her hand to her mouth.
“But before we cut the cake,” Miss Doris continued, “I believe someone very special would like to say a few words. Lily?”
All eyes turned to Lily, and her heart started hammering. She’d practiced this speech a dozen times in her room, but suddenly her mouth felt dry and her mind went blank.
Carolyn gave her a gentle push. “You’ve got this.”
Lily took a deep breath and stepped forward, her glass of lemonade clutched in her hand like a lifeline. Someone handed her a microphone, and suddenly her voice was amplified across the yard.
“Hi,” she said, her voice squeaking slightly. She cleared her throat. “Sorry. I’m not really used to public speaking.”
“You’re doing great, sweetheart!” Mary called.
Lily smiled, feeling slightly more steady. “So, um, a while ago, my teacher asked our class to write Letters to Santa. Most kids wrote about toys or video games, but I wrote something different.”
She could see her dad’s expression shift, recognition dawning. Holly looked curious, her head tilted slightly.
“I asked Santa to send my dad someone who wouldn’t leave,” Lily continued, her voice stronger now. “Someone who’d make him smile again. Someone who’d stay even when things got hard.”
The crowd had gone completely quiet, listening.
“I didn’t really believe in Santa anymore,” Lily admitted. “I was fourteen, and I knew it was just a project for school. But I wrote it anyway because I was tired of watching my dad pretend to be okay when he wasn’t. And I thought maybe, if I wrote it down, something might change.”
She looked at Holly, who had tears streaming down her face.
“And then Holly showed up,” Lily said. “And at first, I didn’t know what to think. My dad seemed happier, but I was scared. Scared that she’d leave like my mom did. Scared that if I let myself care about her, I’d just get hurt.”
Lily’s own eyes were stinging now. “But Holly didn’t leave. Even when things got complicated, even when she was scared, even when it would have been easier to go. She stayed. She chose us.”
She turned to face her dad and Holly directly. “Dad, you deserve to be this happy. You deserve someone who sees how amazing you are. And Holly—” her voice caught, “—thank you for being exactly what I wished for. Thank you for loving my dad. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for staying.”
She raised her glass, her hand shaking slightly. “To Dad and Holly. To family. To home.”
“To family!” the crowd echoed, glasses raising all around the yard.
Lily barely made it back to the porch before Holly was there, pulling her into a tight hug, both of them crying and laughing at the same time.
“Thank you,” Holly whispered. “That was a beautiful speech. And thank you for accepting me. Thank you for everything.”
“Thank you for staying,” Lily whispered back.
Her dad joined them, wrapping his arms around both of them, and for a moment, the three of them just stood there, holding each other while the party continued around them.
When they finally pulled apart, wiping their eyes and laughing at what a mess they all were, the DJ announced the first dance.
Lily watched as her dad led Holly to the center of the yard that had been cleared for dancing. The opening notes of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” drifted through the air, and her dad pulled Holly close, his hand on her waist, her head on his shoulder.
They swayed together, lost in their own world, and Lily felt her chest go tight with emotion. Her dad looked happier than she’d ever seen him. Peaceful. Complete.
After a minute, other couples joined them. Carolyn danced with the high school principal. Her grandparents swayed to the sound of the music. Even Miss Doris got pulled onto the dance floor by one of the neighbors. Friends and family were filling the space with movement and laughter.
When the song ended and the next one began—something upbeat and fun—her dad appeared at Lily’s elbow.
“May I have this dance?” he asked, offering his hand with exaggerated formality.
Lily laughed. “Dad, I don’t really dance.”
“Come on,” he said, pulling her gently toward the dance floor. “It’s my wedding day. You have to dance with me.”
They moved to the edge of the crowd, and her dad took her hands, spinning her around in a way that made her laugh despite herself. He was terrible at dancing, but he didn’t seem to care, just grinned and moved to the music with more enthusiasm than skill.
“I’m proud of you,” he said when the song slowed slightly. “That speech was beautiful. I didn’t know you still had that letter.”
“Miss Doris kept it for me,” Lily said. “She gave it back to me a few months ago, said I might want it someday.”
“Of course she did,” her dad said, shaking his head with affection. “That woman never misses a trick.”
“Dad?” Lily said as they swayed together.
“Yeah?”
“Are you happy? Really happy?”
Her dad stopped dancing, looking down at her seriously. “Lily, I’m happier than I ever thought I’d be again. Holly is… she’s everything. And having you accept her, love her, that means the world to me.”
“Good,” Lily said. “Because I love her too. Like, really love her. Not just because you married her, but because she’s Holly. She’s family.”
Her dad pulled her into a hug right there in the middle of the dance floor. “You’re the best kid a dad could ask for. You know that?”
“I know,” Lily said, grinning against his shoulder. “You tell me all the time.”
When the song ended, Holly appeared beside them. “Mind if I cut in?”
Lily’s dad kissed Holly’s temple. “She’s all yours.”
He stepped back, and Holly took Lily’s hands. A slower song started and they swayed together, both of them still a little teary-eyed.
“Thank you for that speech,” Holly said again. “I’m going to remember it for the rest of my life.”
“I meant every word,” Lily said.
“I know you did,” Holly replied. “And I want you to know that I meant my vows too. Every word. You’re not just my stepdaughter, Lily. You’re my daughter. If you want to be.”
Lily felt fresh tears threaten. “I want to be.”
Holly squeezed her hands. “Then you are.”
They danced in comfortable silence for a moment before Lily spoke again. “Holly?”
“Yes?”
“Do you think… I mean, would it be weird if sometimes I called you Mom? Not all the time, and not to replace my actual mom, but just sometimes?”
Holly’s eyes filled with tears. “That wouldn’t be weird at all,” she said, her voice thick. “That would be an honor.”
“Okay,” Lily said, smiling through her own tears. “Good. Because I was thinking about it, and you do mom things. Like remember my favorite snacks and help with my homework and tell me when my outfit doesn’t match and let me talk about my feelings without making it weird. So… yeah. Sometimes I want to call you Mom.”
“Then I’d love that,” Holly said, pulling her close. “I’d really love that.”
As the song ended and they pulled apart, Lily saw Miss Doris watching them from the edge of the dance floor, a satisfied smile on her face. When she caught Lily’s eye, she winked.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of happiness. Lily ate too much cake, laughed at her grandfather’s increasingly terrible dance moves, and watched as her dad and Holly cut their cake together, smearing frosting on each other’s noses like teenagers.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange, the traveling nurse who was currently staying at the house approached Lily.
“That was a beautiful speech,” Jennifer said.
“Thanks,” Lily replied.
“I’ve been staying here for three weeks now,” Jennifer continued, “and I have to say, there’s something special about this house. It really feel like home.”
“That’s what Holly wanted,” Lily said. “For people to have a place that felt safe while they figured out their next step.”
Jennifer smiled. “Well, she succeeded. I actually just accepted a permanent position at the clinic here. I’m staying.”
“Really?” Lily asked, surprised and delighted.
“Really,” Jennifer confirmed. “Something about this island just… gets under your skin, you know? In the best way.”
Lily watched Jennifer walk away to congratulate Holly and her dad, and she thought about how the Harris House was doing exactly what it was meant to do. Giving people a place to land, to breathe, to remember what home felt like.
Some would leave. But some, like Holly, would stay.
As the evening deepened into night and the fairy lights overhead began to glow more brightly, Lily found herself standing at the edge of the yard, looking back at the house. Through the windows, she could see people laughing and dancing. On the porch, Miss Doris held court with a group of guests. In the yard, her dad spun Holly around to the music, both of them laughing.
And in that moment, Lily understood something she’d been trying to articulate for months.
Family wasn’t just biology. It wasn’t just the people who were there at the beginning.
Family was the people who showed up. Who chose you. Who stayed even when it was hard.
Family was Miss Doris knowing exactly what everyone needed before they knew it themselves. It was Carolyn driving hours to be there when Holly was scared. It was her grandfather Tom standing proudly beside her dad as best man. It was Mary bringing extra cake because she knew how much Lily loved her coconut frosting.
And it was Holly choosing to stay on this island, in this house, with this family that had claimed her as their own.
“Hey, kiddo.”
Lily turned to find her dad beside her, his jacket off and his tie loosened, looking more relaxed than she’d seen him in years.
“Hey, Dad,” she said.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked, slipping an arm around her shoulders.
Lily leaned into him, looking back at the glowing house. “About how sometimes wishes really do come true.”
Her dad was quiet for a moment, then kissed the top of her head. “Yeah,” he said softly. “Sometimes they really do.”
They stood together in comfortable silence, watching as Holly laughed at something Carolyn said, as Miss Doris orchestrated the cake cutting with military precision, as their community—their family—celebrated the newest chapter of their story.
“Dad?” Lily said.
“Yeah?”
“I’m really happy.”
“Me too, Lily,” he said, squeezing her shoulders. “Me too.”
As the music swelled and the party continued around them, Lily sent up a silent thank you to whoever was listening—to Santa, to the universe, to her grandmother whose house had made all of this possible.
A year and a half ago, she’d made a wish with her whole heart.
And now, standing in the warm glow of the Harris House with her family all around her, Lily knew with absolute certainty that the best wishes were the ones that came true.
Not because of magic.
But because people were brave enough to choose love.
Brave enough to stay.
Brave enough to build a home.
*** The End ***
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading Last Christmas and this bonus epilogue. Ready for more? If you’re looking for another Christmas on Palmar Island romance, you’re in luck. There’s an entire series of them waiting for you.
And when you’re done with those, I recommend you check out the Winter Brothers of Palmar Island.
The Winter Brothers of Palmar Island
Happy Reading!