AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We both know we’re the same when it comes to being alone, any time of the year.
I want so much to ask her more about her past, but I know she’ll tell me when she’s ready.
“You know, I don’t think I’ll be going back to that apartment,” she says. A hopeful look in her eyes.
“And I don’t want you to, it was only to straighten out that super of yours I bought the place… helped out God knows how many of your neighbors he terrorized like that too.”
“I’d like to stay here, with you,” she adds, making my own breath catch. A lump in my throat hearing her say it so sweetly.
“You’re the sweetest man I’ve ever met, Lucian Kellerman, and I want to get to know you more than I can say,” she says, flushed red and her lips pushing against mine.
“Sounds like a proposal,” I muse aloud, not meaning to make her feel embarrassed.
“Maybe we could be real life Mr. And Mrs. Claus?” I add. “But only if you want.”
“That sounds more like a proposal,” she counters, punching me lightly in the chest.
“I’m serious, Carol,” I tell her. “I love you more than anyone or anything, and I know it’s only been a few days… but just imagine. We could have all this, every day for the rest of our lives.”
She gnaws at her lip, and I can feel both our hearts pounding.
I haven’t asked her, but I’ve kind of just asked her.
I hope it’s not too much too soon. I don’t want to scare her off.
“What about your retail empire?” she asks, looking down at her hands.
“How does a girl like me fit into all that? I’ll hardly ever see you.”
“You’re all I see, Carol,” I tell her, my voice cracking with emotion.
“And if you’ll let me, you’ll be all I see, every day… all day for the rest of our lives.”
“You mean?” she asks, her lip quivering.
“I mean it, Carol. I want you today and every day after this. Be my Mrs. Claus and let me be your Mr. Claus. Just say yes,” I tell her.
“Then yes,” she gushes. “Yes, today and every other day… Yes.”
I grip her hard, pulling her tight and kissing her until she squeaks.
The smoke alarm goes off again, but I don’t care.
I have all the fire I need in her and she said yes, she actually said yes!EpilogueCarolWanting to wait to get married was like asking Lucian to hold his breath.
And I really didn’t want to wait, but once he set his mind to fixing his business it took a while.
Right up until my baby bump was getting in the way of things.
He’s spent months going through his entire company, making sure every single employee gets a pay rate they deserve and more.
He’s restructured his management, which includes me for some reason, to oversee the whole process and he’s bought up half the side of town where I used to live, determined to make sure people have a better way of living as well as working.
“It’s not just where you come from, Carol. It’s what you have to offer,” he exclaims, almost manic over piles of paper, files, and building plans on his desk as I stand next to him, rubbing my belly.
“I know dear, but…”
“I mean, did you know? We have a hundred college graduates sleeping roughly within twenty blocks of our own stores? It’s not good enough.”
Smiling I take his hand and kiss it before sitting on his lap.
I know he likes this at this time of the day, any day. No matter how busy he is.
“I’m sorry honey, I just get so caught up in all this. How’s your day goin’? Did you get that doctor’s appointment, find out why you’ve been feeling so-”
I did.
And I have.
I grind myself into his lap some more, taking his hand and pressing it onto my belly.
Giving him a knowing look.
I’ve been through three dress sizes, then elastic pants, and finally a smock in the past few months.
All the while Lucian’s only commented on how much more beautiful I look to him every day.
His appetite for me physically has only increased to the point I almost forgot all about it, swept up in his attentions for me.
If it wasn’t for total access to a whole retail chain I would’ve given up wearing a bra too.
“We’re gonna have to put a ring on this,” I announce, puffing a breath and wiggling a finger in front of his eyes as it dawns on him.
“Daddy,” I add. “Mister Claus,” I tease him again, squirming harder in his lap.
“You mean we-” he stammers, making me cock a brow.
“Now, don’t try and pretend you don’t know how babies are made, Lucian Kellerman,” I taunt him.
“Why didn’t you-” he asks, and I only have to point to the stacks of work around him.
