A Merry Little Christmas: 1225 Christmas Tree Lane / 5-B Poppy Lane

“We feel the same way about you, Anson. I’m proud of what you’ve accomplished.”

Anson smiled, as if Zach’s words had pleased him. “I never applied myself in school. I didn’t really have to. Everything came easily to me, so I got through without trying. I had no real plans, no aspirations. Then I met Allison and she encouraged me to do better—to be better. I would’ve done anything to make her happy.”

Zach remembered how he’d separated the two as teenagers. Anson had given his word and broken it, and as a result Zach had refused to allow Anson and Allison to date or even talk to each other. On Valentine’s Day, Anson had come to the door and handed Zach a card for Allison. At that moment Zach had begun to see a real sense of honor in the boy.

“I loved Allison when I was seventeen, and I love her now,” Anson went on. “It hasn’t been easy to maintain a long-distance relationship with me living in D.C. and her going to school here in Seattle.”

Zach nodded; he understood the challenges of such a relationship.

“I want you to know I’ve dated other women, but it’s Allison I love.”

His daughter had gone out with other young men through the years, but she felt the same way about Anson.

“I believe this conversation is leading up to something,” Zach said.

“I’d like to ask your permission to marry Allison,” Anson said quickly.

Zach leaned back on the sofa. He’d known this was coming, but hadn’t thought it would be so soon. “Allison still has a year of law school left.”

“I know. We’ve talked about that and she’s applied to law schools in the Washington, D.C., area.”

Zach arched his brows. “She has, has she?” Apparently, this had been an ongoing discussion between them. “So Allison’s already accepted your proposal?”

“No, sir,” Anson said. Then he nodded. “Well, yes. I realize speaking to you about this is just formality, but it’s important to me.”

Zach sent him an encouraging smile.

“Allison wanted me to give her the ring when she picked me up at the airport. I told her I wanted to talk to you and Mrs. Cox first.”