Chapter 20: Blissful Happiness

The next morning, the house lay enveloped in a serene stillness, a peaceful hush blanketing the air after a night of soft snowfall. Jasmine stirred awake, her eyes drawn to the ring glinting gently on her finger, its brilliance a reminder of the magical evening they had shared. For a fleeting moment, she simply gazed at it, her heart still racing, awash in the sweet glow of memories. I knocked softly on the door before entering, a warm smile spreading across his face as he caught sight of Jasmine nestled in the covers. I leaned down, pressing a tender kiss against her forehead, the gesture as gentle as the snowflakes that had fallen through the night.“Ready?” I murmur.

She smiles. “As I’ll ever be.”

We head downstairs hand in hand, hearts thudding in sync. Margaret is already in the kitchen, humming as she arranges pastries on a plate. Marcus stands at the stove flipping pancakes, wearing an apron that says Kiss the Cook in peeling letters.

“Morning, you two,” Marcus says without turning around. “Breakfast is almost-”

He finally glances over his shoulder and freezes. Because Jasmine isn’t just holding my hand. She’s wearing the ring. Margaret notices a second later. Hey, eyes widen, her hands flying to her mouth. “Oh my goodness…is that…?”

I squeeze Jasmine’s hand gently. “Yeah, Mom. It is.”

Jasmine lifts her hand slightly, the ring catching the morning light. “We’re engaged.”

For a heartbeat, the room is silent. Then Margaret let out a soft, emotional gasp and rushed towards them, tears already gathering. “Oh, sweetheart, come here.”

She pulls Jasmine into a hug so tight and warm that Jasmine nearly loses her breath. It’s not a stiff, polite embrace. It’s full, real, and overflowing.

“I’m so happy for you,” Margaret whispers into her hair. “So, so happy.”

Marcus joins them, wiping at his eyes even though he pretends he’s not.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” he says, voice thick. “My boy finally did it.”

I laugh, hugging my father. “Yeah. I did.”

Marcus turns to Jasmine, placing both hands on her shoulders. “Welcome to the family, officially this time. Though honestly, you’ve been part of it for a while now.”

Jasmine’s throat tightens. “Thank you. That means everything.”

Margaret steps back, taking Jasmine’s hands and staring at the ring like it’s the most precious thing she’s ever seen. “It’s perfect,” she says. “Absolutely perfect. Just like the two of you.”

I wrap an arm around Jasmine’s waist. “I wanted to tell you both right away. You’re important to both of us.”

Margaret presses a hand to her heart. “You have no idea how much that means.”

Marcus claps his hands together suddenly. “Well, this calls for a celebration! Champagne at breakfast?”

Margaret swats his arms. “Marcus, it’s 9 a.m.”

“And?” he says, already heading towards the fridge.

Jasmine laughs, leaning into Dean. “Your family is something else.”

Dean kisses her temple. “They’re your family now because you are now a part of this unique family as well.”

Margaret hears that and turns back, eyes shining. “Yes,” she says softly. “She is.”

And in that moment, surrounded by warmth, laughter, and the smell of pancakes, Jasmine feels it settle deep in her chest. She’s not just marrying me. She’s joining a family that loves her. A family she loves back.

The End