They settled into a routine, not that being away from each other all week became their norm. Jen was busy in the fall leading up to the holiday season. Many of their wealthiest clients hired them to decorate for the holidays. Jen sucked it up and worked with Trevor because she wanted to increase his expertise. His portfolio was expanding, but she was still in high demand.

Business virtually ceased from mid-December until the new year and Jen announced to Sterling she would be out of town during that time. "Why would you want to leave New York at Christmas?" Sterling asked in disbelief.

"To be with my family and friends for the holidays." What she meant was to be with the man I love, but no one in New York other than Tom and Avery knew anything about her relationship with Alex.

She was very excited about her extended trip and best of all Alex had moved into the new house. She needed to furnish and decorate it.

She said to Alex, "The boxes will start arriving."

This triggered their first discussion about money because Alex said that he should pay for her purchases.

Jen replied, "I can afford to pay for my design."

"I know, but you keep paying for all those plane tickets and between the Thompson house and Higgins alone, I had an extremely successful year."

"I thought finding me was your biggest success."

"I won't argue there."

"Someday, I won't make nearly what I make now. The Portland market won't pay inflated Manhattan fees. You can support me then."

"I wish that day was today."

"I know, but I need more time."

On her last day of work before the holidays, Sterling was annoyed she was leaving. She assured he could reach her and would work while away. The office closed every year between Christmas and New Year's Day and Jen was ecstatic not to be going to Georgia.

Alex was waiting for her and if she wasn't dragging a large suitcase, she would have jumped into his arms.

"Are you ready to go home?" he asked.

He drove to The Point and the minute he turned onto the street she saw the whole house lit up with Christmas lights. "It's beautiful!"

He had moved their meager possessions in and her box of kitchen items was waiting for her to put away. In the corner of the living room, he had a beautiful large undecorated tree.

"We really need furniture," he said.

"Just you wait, but first we need decorations for this tree. Did my packages arrive?"

One box contained an assortment of ornaments she ordered. She had been decorating trees for weeks, but this one was different. They decorated it together. Stopping to touch and kiss until they couldn't wait any longer and retired to their new room for the first time.

Together they spent the time leading up to the holidays working on making their house a home. When they worked in the evening, they used their new office which was large enough for both. Jen wanted to stay and never leave, but she had obligations that she couldn't disregard. They spent Christmas Eve with Alex's family and then stopped at the annual open house hosted by the Evan's.

On Christmas Eve night after returning home, they sat together by the light of their tree. Jen had never had a happier holiday. Being with Alex was better than any dream.

Alex said, "I want to give you your present tonight."

Being with Jen the last two weeks had been magical. She transformed their home. Alex tried not to think about how difficult it would be to live there during the week without her. He was selfish because he wanted her with him all the time, not just part time. He had decided shortly after her divorce was final what her Christmas gift would be. There was never a question of if, but only when he would give her this gift. He went to his mother in November and told her his intentions. Alex had always known that his great grandmother's ring was passed down to him the oldest son to give to his intended wife. He knew that Jen would love the nineteen-twenties platinum design. It was classic and unique just like Jen.

He was not even nervous, and he did the right thing by talking to Rick about his intentions. So maybe he was a little nervous, but Rick had grown accustomed to Alex's role in Jen's life. He often asked about her or teased that she was too busy to call her old dad. He and Rick had become closer, but they were already good friends. Still, she was his daughter and one day Rick walked over to check the progress of the house and Alex took a deep breath and let it out. He turned to his friend and said, "I am building this for Jen. Just so you know, I want to marry her. I hope..."

"I've dreamed of this. You're already like a son to me. When she told us her marriage was over, we both thought of you. We could tell you'd become friends. You'll bring my girl home and give us grandchildren. When will you ask her?"

"I thought I'd wait for Christmas." He smiled.

Alex had had his share of relationships, some were good and some were not, but he had never proposed marriage before. He wanted to make it memorable, but he wasn't one for a big show. He had been antsy all day, but if Jen noticed she didn't say anything.

Alone together with the gas log warming the room and the tree lights shining on the ceilings and the walls. Each with a glass of wine, they were quietly talking about the day. Kate had accepted Jen and Alex wasn't sure whether it was good or bad they were becoming friends. Jen impressed his mother by helping in the kitchen and Hank was thrilled with the cookies she baked. Their new kitchen was full of cookware, bakeware, and gadgets. Many of which he had no idea what they were for, but they made wonderful food and so he had no complaints.

It disappointed Jen that Tom and Avery stayed in New York and were going to Avery's parents on Long Island. Alex was secretly glad because he didn't want house guests. He shared his opinion with her.

"You like me all to yourself." She teased.

"You're right because I share you with all of New York City," he said seriously.

"I know and I love that you've been so patient with me."

Alex said, "I want to give you your present tonight."

"Alright, yours is under the tree."

He had been hiding the ring in a box of files, but when he moved into the office, he hid it in the back of a drawer. He got up and retrieved and when he returned he did, the only thing he could think of. He dropped to one knee and held the velvet box out to her. She looked at him and smiled before she even took the box from him and opened it.

His mouth was dry. "Will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?"

She had hoped he would propose, and when he dropped on one knee she knew. She told herself if he didn't ask her, she wouldn't be disappointed. Engaged or not, she wasn't ready to leave New York.

She smiled as he asked her to marry him. "Yes, oh yes!" When she opened the box, she couldn't believe the ring. It was unique and beautiful.

"Do you like it? It's been in the family for a long time."

"I love it and I love you." He slipped it on her finger.

"It fits..."

She captured his mouth before he finished saying the words. She couldn't get close enough to him. She wanted to become one with him in so many ways.

Later in his arms with her head on his shoulder and their legs tangled, she said, "I never gave you your present."

"Tomorrow on Christmas, but my real present is you as my wife."

"I'm still not sure when I'll be ready."

"I know." He kissed her head. "I'll never make you do anything you'll regret later. I want to marry you because I love you and I want to build a future and a family together. When is up to you."

"Just give me time to sort things out. I'm not worried about keeping busy here. I can help you and work with David. I just need to do what's right by Sterling."

"You know you don't owe him anything. He ripped your heart out."

"No, he exposed it so you could find it and capture it. My life would be so unhappy if I hadn't left and started driving that night."

Jen went back to New York with her ring tucked away in Maine. The winter was not horrible, and she only dealt with flight issues one weekend and after cancellations had to stay home. She agreed to an early September wedding, because it was Maine's most beautiful month and squeezed in wedding plans around her busy schedule.

She still wasn't sure when she would finally leave Dixon Designs. She planned to be done by the end of the year. Once she was Alex's wife, leaving him would be even harder.