Ivy looked in the mirror. She didn't recognize herself with her hair and her makeup done professionally. "You are ready for your gown."

She smiled at Ritchie, the stylist Elena had recommended. She nodded. "I could kiss you."

He laughed. "Not a chance. You would ruin your lips. Go. Slip into your dress."

She felt nervous. The summer intern was returning on the COO's arm. At least she looked the part. Her emerald empire waist dress was worthy of a princess, like a young Queen Elizabeth or Grace Kelly. It was modest, except for the off the shoulder bodice and showed just enough skin at the neck and shoulders to highlight her diamond necklace.

Ivy was never a girl who dreamed of diamonds and jewels, but the necklace had become her most loved possession. As she walked downstairs, she wished for two things. First, for Baxter to be waiting at the bottom, but he didn't have time to come home between work and the party. The good news was the next day was Christmas Eve and if Kane Properties could survive without him, Baxter was off until the new year.

Second, her wish was silly because Baxter wasn't waiting, but their staircase didn't make a statement. She had to walk down two flights to the front door. Frowning, she wondered how she had become so accustomed to a staircase like at Sinclairs. Maybe having Baxter in the bedroom to pull up her zipper would trump the bottom of the stairs.

With a rap at the front door, she opened it for Mac. "I'm almost ready. The stylist is packing up."

"Cinderella, you've come a long way, and I am thrilled for you."

"Thanks. Between you and me, I think of you as a friend. I might be a part of Baxter's world, but I'll never adapt completely." It scared her just how much she had.

"This is a nice place. More normal than Kane House."

She laughed. "I'm glad about that. It feels like home." Any place with Baxter was her home.

Ritchie came down the stairs. "This isn't? No. I've seen pictures."

Ivy laughed. "No, this is Macintyre, our trusted driver. We were waiting for you. I'm ready now."

Mac nodded. "This way, Miss."

She armed the alarm as she left. Mac pulled the locked door closed. "Thank you, Ritchie."

"My pleasure, Miss. Ivy."

Mac laughed. "What's so funny?" she asked as he was closing her door.

When he reached the driver's seat. He said, "Nobody is as nice to the staff as you."

"Oh, well, that's a good thing. Who in the family treats you the worst?"

"Nope. My loyalty runs deeper than friendship."

"And that's why Baxter trusts you. You could have revealed all our secrets, but you never did."

"I like my job." Ivy smiled. "The hotel is up ahead." Butterflies danced in her belly. She took her phone out of her bag and texted Baxter. She hoped he would meet her at the door.

With no response, she had no choice but to exit the car and walk in alone. Thankfully, there was no press lined up. Just a lobby crawling with Kane employees she didn't know. At the entrance to the ballroom, her eyes darted around before she felt a tug on her hand from her left.

"I'm here." His voice felt like an umbrella in a downpour. She smiled up at him, but his hazel eyes lusted over her dress.

She squeezed his hand. "Behave."

"I'm just looking, but later..." Later, a word full of promise. "Let's get you a drink. Eleanor is hiding trying to blend in I'm sure."

"I'd like to."

"Not a chance. Too many eyes are on you already."

He led her to a bar. The line was deep and his employees smiled at him. A few complimented or thanked him for the party. Some offered for him to go ahead, but he declined. Everyone in the room knew he was the boss, and she was on his arm.

Before they reached the front of the line, Doyle rushed over. Ivy always looked at her twice when she dressed appropriately for her mother. She looked like a different person, a beautiful socialite. "Come sit down. Bax can bring you your drink."

He nodded and Ivy let Doyle pull her away. She stopped at a table with Tate, Kasper, and Dani. The group was an accepting cocoon for her. Their acceptance made her relationship with Baxter possible. Her eyes wandered and stopped on Baxter as he walked across the room. Various people stopped him, but he held up the drinks.

He smiled when he finally put a glass of wine in front of her. "It's not as good as your favorite."

"I would hope not."

"I need to greet some people." He looked at his siblings. "I'll be back."

They nodded as if they knew their assigned role. Kasper said, "Did anyone bring towels to wipe up the water?"

Tate frowned. "What water?"

"Mother is slowly thawing."

Only Doyle laughed at his joke. "She was happy all day. Dad complained, because she made him rest."

A buzz moved through the room, and Ivy turned to see the Kanes enter. They were a striking couple. To the casual observer, they looked in love. Ivy scanned the corners and her eyes stopped on Eleanor who watched the couple over her wine glass. Even at retirement age, Philip was a handsome, virile man. People stopped the couple as they crossed the room, but eventually arrived at the table where Ivy sat with three of their children.

"Darlings, you look lovely. Doyle, beautiful."

"Mother, Merry Christmas." Tate gingerly kissed her mother's cheek.

Ivy smiled. "You look beautiful, Mrs. Kane."

Amelia smiled. "Thank you. Green suits you. I see Baxter's money is well spent."

"Mommy dearest, let's go say hello to some relatives." Kasper steered Amelia away.

Ivy shook her head. "No towels necessary."

Doyle frowned. "You might have to sacrifice your body and have a male Kane, then she will have to love you."

Tate shook her head. "There is a long history of Kanes not getting along. Dad's siblings don't like Mother."

"No one knows why." Doyle added.

Ivy knew there was a lot of history, but only Baxter knew about it. After a while, she and Tate walked over to where the other lawyers had gathered with Eleanor. Only the slimy department head commented to her. "No one has to wonder how you made your way to the executive floor."

"I don't work for Kane Properties, so you must be confused."

"Ivy, are you excited about Martin, Walsh, and Blum?"

She nodded. "Nervous excitement."

"You'll do great." Tate was the first to encourage hers, but others followed.

Eleanor pointed. "Champagne. Time for the annual toast."

Servers were passing out trays of flutes. "That's my cue. Ivy come on." Tate pulled on her hand.

As she followed Tate, she wondered what to expect. Baxter hadn't mentioned a toast, but she expected Philip would have the spotlight.

Tate stopped at a gathering of people. Doyle, Kasper and Baxter were standing by their parents on a raised stage. She stood in front but off to the side. Baxter smiled at her, before looking out over the crowd.

Philip took the microphone. "Every year we gather as one big Kane family to celebrate the holidays. It is always a time to look back at the past year and to the new year just around the corner. This year I am especially grateful, for my medical team and my clean bill of health, but also for Baxter who has taken on the day to day with dedication, and his plans to bring us into next year and beyond. To Kane Properties and to all of you, here's to a healthy year ahead. Happy holidays and Merry Christmas."

The crowd responded with "here, here," and "cheers," as Baxter stepped forward. "Thanks, Dad. As many of you know we are moving into a new era. The world is changing, and so must we. We are introducing our first multi use properties to include residential space."

Some cheers and some surprise reactions circulated through the room. Once it silenced, Baxter continued. "Many of you know, the Kane family was not immune from life taking a wrong turn. My father's heart attack, Kasper not winning the television game." Laughter floated around. "Even boring Baxter stirred up some excitement. Some of you met our summer legal intern, Ivy Krasinski. She came to us as a friend of Tate's. As part of her time at Kane, she worked with me on the highly sensitive union negotiations." Baxter pointed to the union reps. "She was invaluable." The men nodded. "After her time at Kane, I continued to discover just how amazing and valuable she is. Ivy, come up here."

He reached out his hand, and she shook her head. His smile didn't waver as people around her prodded her forward. Before she could stop it, she grasped Baxter's outstretched hand and stepped onto the stage.

His firm voice continued. "So here in front of our Kane family, I have one question." She gasped as Baxter sank down to one knee in front of her. The crowd was silent. "Ivy, my love, will you be my partner in life and marry me?" He held out a velvet box and flipped the lid to show the most beautiful ring. The white and green blurred with her teary eyes. Ritchie won't be happy she was ruining her makeup. She laughed at her thoughts as she looked in Baxter's eyes and nodded. He jumped up and picked her up and spun her around.

The crowd erupted in applause, but all she heard was Baxter telling her he loved her. His lips reached hers in a searing kiss. When he finally put her feet on the ground, he slipped the ring on her finger.

After she met him, she didn't dare to dream of being his wife. Later, she feared his family would keep them apart. Baxter's public proposal eliminated all doubt and rumors. His siblings reached them first with hugs.

Doyle said, "Baxter, I didn't know you were romantic."

Ivy did. He wasn't boring in bed or out of it. He had romanced her from the moment he picked up the whipped cream.

Eventually, his parents reach him. Philip's smile was genuine. Amelia's was hard to tell. She couldn't hide her surprise when she saw the ring. She looked at her husband with raised eyebrows. He smiled. "My mother is happy."

The whirlwind continued until the crowd thinned. People went home to start their Christmases. Ivy wanted to be home alone with Baxter. She kept looking at the gorgeous ring. Finally, Baxter led her to the waiting car. She thrusted her hand at Mac. "See!"

He smiled. "I know you and Mr. Kane will be very happy."

Baxter's smile looked permanent too. "I was nervous. What if you said no?"

"I love you too much to let history repeat itself." She flung her arms around him. "I love you too."

In the backseat, they kissed driving to their own home. When they stepped out snowflakes were falling.

He smiled. "Just like when I arrived in Aspen. I know how we can celebrate since we didn't have dessert."

She hadn't eaten a thing, but didn't care. "Is this ring my payment?"

He laughed. "For the rest of our lives." Their lips met just as he pushed the door closed and turned off the alarm. "It's time to try out the kitchen."

Ivy laughed and followed him down the stairs. She would follow him through life forever.

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