"Chloe. Good to see you, dear." My father's voice boom with warmth as I rounded the corner.
Chloe was dressed in a pretty white sweater with red leggings and boots. Her hair was in a ponytail, and I swear she looked nineteen.
"Hey, baby. Merry Christmas." I hobbled toward her and had to steady myself from falling over as she hugged me hard.
"Merry Christmas. I missed you last night." She pressed her hands to the side of my face and kissed me several times.
"We were just about to make pancakes." Milly walked up and pulled Chloe into a hug. "You hungry?"
"No, ma'am. My Dad found my mother's old casserole recipe. He and my brother had it ready for me this morning. Miracles do happen." I laughed.
"Jonathan Burke cooked something? That's not a miracle, hell's freezing over and the apocalypse must be coming." Clark laughed.
"Watch it, mister." Milly popped his butt and pulled him in the kitchen with her.
Chloe's eyes went wide and she turned to me. "What's that all about? Are they dating?"
"I'd say yes, but you couldn't get either of them to admit it if you tried. They're worse than junior high kids." I reached out and brushed my hand over her hip. "I got you something."
"What? When?" She took my hand and lifted it to her mouth, kissing my fingers softly as I watched her.
"Brian took me to get it. Come over here, and let me give it to you." I tugged my hand from her and moved over to my father's chair by the fire. I slumped down in it and pulled out the little red bag that had her necklace.
She got down on her knees in front of me and snuggled up close. "I like this position. Reminds me of the other day on your couch."
I shook my head and handed her the bag. "You're just trying to get me in trouble with my father, aren't you?"
"Would he be mad?"
"If I was sporting a boner around a pretty girl on Christmas? Yes." I laughed, unable to help myself.
She started to open the bag, and I reached out and stopped her. "What?"
I cleared my throat. "I just want you to know that whatever decision you came to last night, I'll fully support it. The gift goes wherever you do. Promise me?"
"I promise." She smiled and pulled out the box, opening it and letting out a short gasp. "Oh my God. It's beautiful, Finn. I love it."
"It's an infinity heart. It says that I'll love you forever... no matter what."
Tears filled her eyes and I knew I'd done good.
"Put it on me?" She moved up into my lap and I worked to get it on her, taking more time than necessarily to keep her where she was.
"It looks beautiful one you, but anything you wear does." I pulled her to me and kissed her mouth softly several times. "Can you stay with me tonight?"
"Of course." She move back down on the floor and handed me a box. "This one is just a practical gift. I found it and it reminded me of you."
I opened it and found a box of my favorite cologne. Lifting it to my nose, I breathed in deeply. "I love this stuff. You like it too?"
"I like you." She smiled and handed me an envelope. "Open it and I'll explain once you do."
"Okay." I took a shaky breath, not caring about the gifts, but the conversation to come. I was getting mixed signals left and right and honestly didn't know what to think about whether she planned to stay in Aspen or not. She hadn't mentioned getting back to any friends or a new apartment or anything, but she hadn't mentioned staying either.
I unfolded a white sheet of paper and let my eyes scan over it, trying to focus on the gift and not the different points in my head that I planned to give her to convince her to stay with me.
"It's the old Vanning Place. I don't know if you know where it is, but my father said..."
"Wait. What?" I pulled the page up to my face and scanned it, realizing that it was a deed to half the property. "Oh my God, Chloe...who's is this?"
She moved up to hover in front of me and pointed to the owner’s name.
Finn J. Warner.
"What? I don't understand." I tugged the paper down as my heart sped up. "You're giving me half of the Vanning Mansion?"
"Yes." She sat back on her heels looking quite satisfied with herself.
"Who has the other half?" I moved down to my knees in front of her, trying to be careful of my cast, but not really giving a shit about it.
She slid her hands over my chest and clasped them behind my head. "I do."
My heart almost stopped in my chest. I had to look like an idiot, but I was shocked into silence. She had half of the mansion and I had half too...
"So you're staying here with me?" I couldn't stop myself from asking.
"Yes, baby. If you'll have me."
I leaned in and kissed her with every ounce of fear and worry, every drop of love and desire I had for her. We tumbled over, and I rolled on top of her, pinning her to the ground and making love to her mouth as the realization over what she'd given me rolled through me in consuming waves.
She was staying, she wanted to be mine, and she had purchased the mansion I wanted to build my dreams on since I was a boy.
I broke the kiss and closed my eyes, panting softly above her lips. "This can't be happening."
"It is, baby. My father gave me the money for my clothing line, but I'm going to invest it in refurbishing the mansion. Let's build the lodge you want and open a new resort here together."
"Chloe." I stared into her eyes. "Baby, that money is for you, and you have dreams that aren't here in Colorado."
"And things change. I realized when you rolled your damn self down that hill that all I wanted was a chance at something great with you. If that's here, then it's here. My dreams have shifted. I just need you to say yes. To me. To us. To this."
"Hell yes to all of it. I'm blown away." I moved back down to kiss her again and didn't stop until my father pushed at my butt with his foot.
"Breakfast is ready, and I'm pretty sure I taught you better than to drag some pretty girl to the floor and make out with her." My Dad pushed at my butt again, and I grinned up at him.
"She likes it. Ask her." I moved back a little.
"I love it. I love him." Chloe smiled and pulled me back down, showing my old man a thing or two.
He was never going to believe what this woman had done for me. Hell, I couldn't believe it.
I was ready to give up every dream I'd had for the last twenty-seven years to see hers come true, and she turned the tables on me. She worked magic deep inside of me and repaired parts of me that I didn't think would heal. There would be a day not too far in the future that I would ask her to be my bride, and then we'd start a family together.
"I love you so crazy much, you incredible woman." I ran my hand through her hair and smiled down at her.
"How about you show me just how much tonight in that big comfy bed of yours."
"Oh I plan to. Let's eat these pancakes and get out of here. I ain't had nearly enough of you."
She smirked, and I growled.
"Don't even say it," I mumbled against her perfect mouth.
"I ain't." She pulled me back down and stifled my laughter with her soft tongue and long, hot kiss.
Epilogue
One Year Later
Chloe
The last year had been magical. Living with Finn in his small cabin was perfect for us starting out. It forced us close when we got tense with each other and left little room for anything but hot make-up sex. Our fathers had finally had their long sit-down talk, and worked through the madness from their younger years. Over the course of the year, they became friends again and started meeting for coffee every Friday morning.