Chapter 58: Danny

We’re all sitting around the fireplace, the warmth from the flames licking at our skin, the air thick with a comfortable silence. The day’s been long—hell, the past few days have been a whirlwind—and we’re finally just catching our breath. It feels good, being out here, away from everything, but my mind keeps drifting back to her. To Sofia.

She’s in her bed, asleep, and for some reason, that thought alone calms me. Knowing she’s here, under the same roof, safe with us. It’s more than I could’ve asked for a few weeks ago.

Riley’s turning the little necklace in his hands, the one we bought earlier today at the Christmas village. The tiny heart-shaped pendant holds five delicate pressed flowers inside. It’s simple, but it feels... right. The five flowers, for the five of us.

I lean back in my chair, watching the firelight flicker across the room. We’ve talked about this already, planned it out before we even left for the village today. The idea of making things official—asking Sofia to be our girlfriend. All of ours. It’s crazy, but it’s also exactly what we want.

Riley glances at the pendant again, then at us. “We’ll ask her tomorrow,” he says, like it’s final, but there’s a hint of uncertainty in his voice, like we’re all thinking the same thing—what if she says no?

“Yeah,” I nod, trying to keep my tone steady. “Before we leave the cabin. It was a great weekend and it's the perfect way to end it.”

Nate, who’s been quiet for most of the evening, finally speaks up. “I’ve never felt like this about anyone.”

Leo smirks from across the room, lounging like he doesn’t have a care in the world, but I know he feels it too. “She’s got us all wrapped around her finger, doesn’t she?”

I chuckle, even though there’s truth in what he’s saying. Sofia’s changed everything. We didn’t expect it. Hell, we didn’t even want it at first. But now? Now it’s like none of us can imagine our lives without her.

Riley lifts the necklace again, watching it catch the light. “You think she’ll say yes?”

“She will,” I say, though I can’t help but feel a knot of nerves in my gut. “I mean, she’s already here with us, isn’t she? We’re just making it official.”

I shift in my seat, watching them. “How are we gonna do it? Like, what are we even gonna say?”

Nate runs a hand through his hair, thinking. “We tell her the truth. That we want her to be ours. Simple as that.”

Riley leans forward, the necklace dangling from his fingers. “And we give her this. A symbol. Something to show her we mean it.”

The little pendant with the flowers sways gently in the firelight, and I know it’s perfect. It’s small, but it’s thoughtful. Just like Sofia.

“She’s gonna love it,” I say quietly.

Leo grins. “I hope so."

“Yeah, well,” I say, leaning back and stretching, “We’ll find out tomorrow. No turning back now.”

We sit there for a moment, the fire crackling softly in the background, each of us lost in our thoughts. I glance at the necklace again, then around the room at the other guys. We’ve been through a lot together, but this? This feels like the biggest leap we’ve ever taken.

“We just have to be honest with her,” I say, more to myself than anyone else. “That’s all we can do.”

Riley nods, his expression thoughtful as he slips the necklace back into its small box, tucking it away. “In the morning, then.”

I get up, stretching my arms. “In the morning.”

With that, we all start to head towards our rooms, Riley and I in one and Nate and Leo with Sofia. Tomorrow, everything could change.

---

I jolt awake at the sound—a loud bang echoing through the cabin. My heart jumps into my throat, and I’m on my feet before I can even think. The night is silent, too quiet, but then I hear it. Nate and Leo, screaming for Sofia.

“Shit,” Riley mutters, scrambling out of bed beside me. “What the hell is going on?”

We don’t waste any time. We both sprint down the hallway, adrenaline coursing through my veins, pushing me forward. My mind is already racing with worst-case scenarios—did someone break in? Is she hurt?

I practically crash into their room, where Leo and Nate are, eyes wide, panicked, looking around frantically.

“She’s gone,” Leo lets out, fists clenched, panic lacing his voice. “We woke up and she wasn't here.”

Riley and I exchange a quick glance before we hear a noise—something shuffling, something big—and we turn toward the front of the cabin, where the sound is coming from. All of us bolt towards it without a second thought.

And then we see her.

Sofia’s standing in the middle of the living room, completely still, eyes wide, her gaze locked on something in front of her. My brain takes a second to register it, and when it does, I have to blink to make sure I’m not seeing things.

There’s a deer. A fucking deer.

And it’s massive. The antlers spread out like branches, sharp and intimidating, and my stomach drops. The thing could charge at her at any moment. My legs move before I can think, but Riley grabs my arm, pulling me back just as I’m about to step forward.

“Don’t,” he whispers, his grip tight. “One wrong move and it could attack.”

My heart is pounding out of my chest, and I can see the same panic reflected in the other guys’ eyes. How the hell did a deer get inside the cabin? And why is it just... staring at her like that?

Sofia takes a slow, shaky breath, her hand inching towards the counter. I hold my breath, terrified the slightest movement will set the deer off, but she doesn’t stop. Her fingers find an apple, and with a shaky but gentle motion, she offers it to the deer.

I feel like time’s moving in slow motion. Every muscle in my body is tensed, ready to leap in front of her if anything goes wrong. But the deer doesn’t move. It just watches her with those big, dark eyes, letting out a low sound before stepping forward and taking the apple from her hand.

Holy shit.

The deer takes the apple and then, just as suddenly as it appeared, it turns and bolts out the open front door, leaving the rest of us standing there in stunned silence.

Leo is the first to move, rushing forward and slamming the door shut, locking it behind the deer as if that could prevent it from ever coming back. Nate moves toward Sofia, his hands on her shoulders, his voice soft but filled with urgency.

“Sof... are you okay? What happened?”

Her eyes are still wide, her chest rising and falling quickly as she tries to catch her breath. She looks at each of us before finally speaking, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I... I heard a big noise,” she stammers, her voice trembling. “I got up to check it out... and then... the deer just... bust through the front door.”

I stare at her, my mind still trying to process what the hell just happened. A deer. A massive deer just broke into the cabin in the middle of the night.

“That’s insane,” Riley says, running a hand through his hair, clearly just as freaked out as the rest of us. “How the hell did that thing even get in here?”

Nate’s still holding onto Sofia, making sure she’s steady. “Are you hurt?” he asks again, his eyes scanning her for any sign of injury.

She shakes her head. “No, I’m fine... I think it was more scared than I was.”

Leo lets out a breath, his hands still on the door as if he expects the deer to come back any second. “We need to make sure that door’s reinforced. No more wildlife surprises tonight.”

Sofia looks down at her hands, which are still shaking slightly, and I step forward, placing a hand on her back. “You sure you’re okay?” I ask, my voice softer now that the immediate danger is gone.

She nods, but I can tell she’s still shaken up. Who wouldn’t be? I mean, it’s not every day you wake up to a deer crashing through your front door.

“Let’s get you back to bed,” I suggest, glancing at the others, who seem to be in silent agreement.

She hesitates for a moment but finally nods, allowing Nate and me to gently guide her back toward her room.

As we walk, I can’t help but let out a small chuckle, the absurdity of the whole situation finally catching up to me. “A deer. Of all things,” I mutter.

Riley grins, shaking his head. “Only us, man. Only us.”